This family’s deck was a perfectly good one. Truly a lovely place to spend the summer and the early autumn. But around the time Halloween decorations started coming out of storage, they just couldn’t use it anymore. It was too cold, and it would remain too cold until April.
Of course, even in the summer months, the deck was in full view of the neighbors. In common Suburban Boston fashion, the lots are smaller and the backyards face one another. The deck was fully exposed and without shade or privacy.
So the homeowners came to Archadeck of Suburban Boston with a straightforward question. They wanted to know if they could convert part of the existing deck into a three-season room without it looking like it was bolted onto the house thirty years after it was built. As a Melrose porch builder who's adeptly handled this kind of project before, we told them yes. Then we showed them how it would be possible.
From Open Deck to Enclosed Porch Addition
The project was a partial deck conversion. We didn’t want to enclose the entire footprint, but we wanted to make an area more protected from the hot sun, the cold weather, and the glances of neighbors. That’s why we converted one section into a three-season room and left the remaining deck open.
In the photo, you can see how the Deckorators Black Slate parting board creates a clean visual break between the two zones. There’s a fully enclosed room on one side, and an open deck on the other.
But, of course, adding as we were to the weight of the structure, we needed to also make sure things were built properly under the surface. For that, we set P2 helical footings into the ground to support the weight of the new roof load, then we framed the room walls with C+ fir posts. The shed roof ties into the home's existing sidewall with 30-year architectural shingles that blend seamlessly with what's already up there.
But you wouldn’t know any of this from the street. Years down the line, if these homeowners ever go to sell, anyone at the open house will assume the deck was always part of the house.
The 3 season porch section uses Porch Conversions vertical four-track windows with vinyl glazing and full screen coverage. Which simply means that in warmer months, the tracks slide open and it feels like you’re sitting on a screened porch with a breeze coming through. When crisp autumn winds start to blow, you can then close the windows, and the room stays comfortable well past the point where an open deck would have sent you inside.
What This Melrose Porch Contractor Built Inside
Once you step inside, you can really see how the design elevates the space. The ceiling is the real showstopper—it’s an enhanced 1x6 pine V-groove in a cathedral profile. You can’t help but look up the second you walk in.
The high cathedral peak does a lot of heavy lifting; it opens the whole space up and the room feels massive compared to the original deck footprint. We stuck with recessed lighting to keep the profile low. It keeps the view clean so your eyes stay on the woodwork, not on heavy hanging fixtures.
The flooring is Pergo EverCraft in Rocky Ridge Oak. It’s a floating floor that gives you the look of hardwood without the moisture sensitivity you'd typically need to worry about in a three-season space. It’s a smart choice for a room that is going to see its share of temperature swings and humidity over the years.
On the exterior, all trim is 1" PVC. That means it won't rot, nor will it need painting every few years. It’ll hold its lines through New England weather. Inside, we used 1" Windsor pine trim for a warmer, more finished feel. That contrast between exterior durability and interior warmth is a detail most people won't consciously notice, but it's part of why the room feels like a real addition rather than a deck enclosure with a roof on it.
The Fortress FE26 Black Sand railing with colonial accent caps runs along the front and left side of the room. This has the effect of tying into the black window frames and creating a smooth, continuous look from every angle.
Let’s Build Something Beautiful, Together
This project is a great example of how you can check several boxes at once. More privacy, better protection from the elements, and extra space you’ll use all year round. And best of all, it was done without the headache (or bill) of a full-blown house addition or teardown of an old deck.
Want to see more? Take a scroll through our gallery or grab our free design guide to see how we’ve transformed other local backyards.
To learn more about our process and what we can do for you, give us a call at (781) 528-0998 today!
