I was recently reading a great article from John Buenneke of Archadeck of Hennepin County, MN. I would have thought that the decision as to whether to build a deck, screen porch, or sun room would be an easy decision. I would picture myself enjoying additional living space in my home. If I close my eyes, I can see my doing yoga upside down on my yoga mat in the middle of my 3-season room in the middle of the winter. If I close them again, I can see myself lingering over a glass of wine on my screen porch while my husband finishes grilling the dinner outside on the deck. If I close them again, I can see having my June book club on some cozy built in window benches with beautiful fluffy soft cushions and throw pillows in my 3-season room. And I can totally see my kids and all their friends roasting marshmallows on my back deck after a rousing game of flashlight tag.
John contends that there are other considerations to contend with including how will this structure blend into your home and will it look “added on” or like a natural part of your home. After reading John’s article on screened porches and decks, I think I would prefer a screened porch with adjoining deck. Or, perhaps it’s the lingering picture of the lingering glass of wine while DH finishes grilled lamb chops, skewered fresh vegetables, and skewered marinated shrimp on the barby.
Cost is a consideration also but adding to our living space will have tremendous ROI when the housing market rebounds. Of course if we have as much fun with our new larger living area, we may never want to sell. That’s ok too.
As always, when planning for outdoor time in the summer in Minnesota, don’t forget about spraying to keep away those Minnesota mosquitoes, ticks, fleas and other pests.