Screened porches aren’t just seasonal upgrades. They are one of the best ways to enjoy your backyard longer and more comfortably. Whether you need a way to escape the bugs, dodge the sun, or you just want a quiet place to read with a breeze, the right porch can help you do that. That’s why adding a porch also adds real value to your home and opens up new possibilities for how you can use it.
At Archadeck of Fort Wayne, we’ve worked with homeowners all over the area to design and build spaces that check all the boxes. If you’re starting to research screened porches, here are four things to keep in mind.
1. Choose The Right DeKalb County Screened-In Porch Builder
There’s no shortage of contractors out there, but not all builders are the same. Some are handymen without design experience. Others offer low bids in exchange for lower-quality materials and less thoroughness during the build process.
Tempting as it is to choose by price alone, it’s worth taking a minute to pause before doing that. When it comes to investing in a long-term structure like a screened porch, it pays to choose someone with trusted experience, a process, and a portfolio.
Seasoned DeKalb County screened porch builders offer design in addition to construction. That means taking extra care to make a space that matches your home and suits your day-to-day lifestyle. This is also why we at Archadeck will back our work with a strong warranty—because building something beautiful is only half the job.
Not sure what to ask when vetting potential builders? This guide on choosing a contractor is a good place to start.
2. Choose The Right Materials
Screened porches can be built using a variety of materials, and the right choice comes down to your priorities. If you like a classic wood look and are comfortable with a little upkeep, pressure-treated pine or cedar could be a great fit.
Want something that stays looking sharp with less maintenance? We can build with composite materials and metal railings for a longer-lasting, lower-fuss option.
The roof style, ceiling material, flooring, and trim choices all come into play too—and we’ll walk you through those based on the kind of porch you’re envisioning. A good DeKalb County screened porch contractor won’t just hand you a catalog that you can flip through yourself. They are here to help you make sense of all those decisions and choose a path that’s right for you.
3. Add Screens or Windows (If You Want Them)
A screened porch gives you a lot of flexibility when it comes to how open or enclosed you want the space to be. Traditional screens are perfect if your main goal is airflow and bug protection. But if you want to stretch your use into cooler months, vinyl windows can turn your porch into a three-season room.
These kinds of choices can be made early in the design phase or upgraded down the road. What matters most is working with someone who understands how your choices affect things like ventilation, light, and long-term comfort.
4. Add Features Like Fireplaces, Entertainment Walls, & More
The best part of building a custom porch is that it’s just that—custom. We’ve added built-in outdoor fireplaces, mounted TVs, and even fully wired entertainment walls to screened porches for families that want a space that feels like a true extension of their living room into the great outdoors.
Ceiling fans, lighting, weatherproof speakers, heaters… none of it’s over-the-top if it means you’ll use the space more often and more comfortably. A good DeKalb County, IN screened porch company won’t just ask what kind of roof you want—they’ll ask how you want to live in the space once it’s built. That’s where the difference is made.
Let’s Build Your Screened Porch Together
If you've been searching for a DeKalb County screened porch contractor “near me,” we're ready to help you bring your ideas to life. Whether you’re early in the planning stage or eager to start design, our team is here to guide you through a smooth, stress-free process from start to finish.
It would be our distinct pleasure to meet with you for a no-obligation complimentary design consultation. Call Craig Whitman, and his team, at (855) 931-4746, or click this link right here to connect with us.
