Porch Size Considerations for Your New Raleigh Screened-In Porch
Are you dreaming up plans for a new screened-in porch in the Raleigh-Durham area? If so, you may be wondering what the ideal size might be. What size of porch would meet your needs on a daily basis as well as for special occasions? What size would look best in proportion to your home and backyard? At Archadeck of Raleigh-Durham, we work closely with our clients to design right-sized structures that meet their requirements within their budget. Read below to learn more about things to consider when assessing the best size for your new screened-in porch.
How Will You Use Your Screened-In Porch?
First, decide how you want to use your new screened-in porch and with how many people. How big is your family? Will you primarily use the space for dining? Do you envision a comfortable lounge chair or couch on which to enjoy your morning cup of coffee or curling up with a good book? Will you be entertaining large groups? How you will use the space is the number one factor for how big of a screened-in porch would be best.
What is the Size of Your Furniture?
Now that you have an idea of HOW you will use your porch, what furniture and accessories will be utilized to accomplish this lifestyle? What is the size of your furniture, and will you need to have a dedicated space for porch accessories like a patio heater, fireplace, or porch television?
Dining
If you will be dining on your porch, what is the size of your dining table? You will want at least four feet of clearance around the table for easy navigation. Some homeowners will want more than that to make sure the space doesn’t feel crowded for post-dinner relaxing. Not sure about your table size? Measure your dining room or eat-in kitchen space. You’ll begin to get a sense of how much space a screened porch dining area requires even if you haven’t purchased a table yet.
Lounging
Deck and patio furniture come in all shapes and sizes. It is important to know what type of furniture you want to use for your lounging space before you decide on the size of the porch (unless you’re going big enough to leave plenty of wiggle room). If you already have patio furniture, set it in the arrangement you’d like to have on the porch and measure the area needed to accommodate it. Make sure to leave a comfortable amount of space to walk between chairs, couches, and tables. If you don’t already have a 
set, think about whether you want rocking chairs, a porch swing, or large, cushioned seating. You may need more or less space depending on your ideal seating.
Accessories
If you plan to mount a flat-screen television on the wall, hang a ceiling fan, or install a permanent outdoor heater, it will again be useful to account for the space you will need for comfortable seating, sight lines, or clearance in relation to the accessories. If you plan to have a television on a console table, a free-standing patio heater, or a built-in fireplace with hearth and mantle, be sure to consider where the bases for these accessories will go and how much space they will require.
Are there Popular Sizes for Porch Additions?
We are often asked about “typical” porch sizes. 14x16 foot is a common porch size that can accommodate either a conversation area or a dining set – but not both. That being said, a 14x16 foot porch could fit two small lounge chairs (or just a loveseat) and a 2-person dining set. If you want a standard dining set and a u-shaped lounge area, you will need to think bigger. We recommend going with at least 24 x 14 feet to accommodate both an eating and living space.
When you work with Archadeck of Raleigh-Durham, our talented design team will work closely with you to factor in all the considerations for your best porch size. Some additional items we’ll be looking at are your existing outdoor structures, the architectural features of your home, and the size of your backyard. We will also factor in building codes and regulations, such as impervious surface limits and encroachment rules. Our team will help you think through all the details so you can count on a final design that is just right for you.
We don’t want you to end up with a porch that feels too big or too small. Let the Archadeck design team help you design and build a screened-porch that feels just right. Call Archadeck of Raleigh-Durham and the Greater Triangle today to schedule a design consultation: 919-973-1523. We look forward to working with you!
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