Ask Vern: How Do I Enjoy My Porch When Summer is Gone?

Hey Vern! 

This summer we’ve spent a lot of time as a family on the back porch.It’s our new favorite spot! With winter approaching, I don’t want to lose that extra space. 

I’d like to convert our porch into a three season room. Can you walk me through the basics of that kind of addition? How much should I budget? 

Thanks, 

Natalie, Pine Grove PA

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Hey Natalie, that’s a great question!

With summer coming to a close, we all want to make the most of our home’s footprint. Before we dive into porch conversions- let’s talk about the difference between three season and four season rooms to find the best fit for your family. 

Three Season Porch Conversion

When comparing three season to four season options? The first thing you’ll notice is the price. Three Season rooms are more budget friendly. Depending on the size (and build) of your existing porch, you’ll be looking to spend between $10,000 to $30,000.

These rooms retrofit the porch you’ve been loving all summer. If your porch is already screened in installation can be as simple as replacing the screens with windows. That conversion? Is pretty simple- so the overall price is less. 

Is your porch unscreened? No worries, it can still be converted into a 3 season room. A new structure can be built on any porch as long as the foundation is sturdy. 

Think a three season room is the best fit for you? For more information, check out our earlier installment on screened in porches and three season rooms! 

The main downside to a three season porch is…as the name suggests…you can’t use them year-round. These rooms aren’t heated by the same systems as the rest of the house. This can save on electric bills, but can become a problem during winter. Three season rooms aren’t designed for the colder months (think: Those deep snowy Pennsylvania days)

Adding a space heater can help warm the space, but if you’re looking for a year long alternative- you’ll want a four season room to get you through the coldest days in Pine Grove. 

Enjoy Your Porch All Year with A Four Season Room

Want to enjoy your view of the outdoors all year round? You can keep your extra space and your connection to nature with a four season room. 

The downside: the cost. Building a four season room is more of a home addition than a renovation. 

Four season rooms 

• Connect to your home’s existing HVAC for comfort even on the coldest days
• Are insulated to protect your family from the elements
• And are built to have the flexibility of feeling either “indoors” or more “porch like” 

Because this is more an “addition”, pricing on a four season room is much higher. You’ll also need to keep in mind that since it’s connected to your HVAC, those bills will also go up. 

You should also follow regular maintenance checks on the exterior of the room, treating it the same as the rest of your house. (Read more here on how to prepare your home for the winter!)

Designing Your Four Season Room

Flexibility is the advantage of a four-season room. Open the doors and windows in the summer for a protected outdoor dining experience…or grab a hot chocolate and snuggle in while watching the snowfall. 

I like to think of four season rooms as being great for every “season” of your life. For example, if working from home has become your new normal, a four season room is a fantastic place to work:

Or maybe you need an extra room for your kids to play in over winter break: 

Maybe you’re just looking for an extra place to host family over the holiday season, like this:

The Best Fit For Your Family

Whenever you invest in your home, remember that you’re doing it for you. Creating a space around your lifestyle is one of the joys and privileges of homeownership. So absolutely have fun gathering your ideas, but in the end, make it something you’ll truly love. 

I’d love to schedule a free consult call with you and talk about how to bring your ideas to life.

Keep well,

Vern Martin