Can I Convert My Deck Into a Porch, Screened Porch, or Three-Season Room?

This is a question we receive quite often at Deck Plus. The answer is almost always a resounding “yes,” but it depends on many variables.

Converting your deck into a porch makes the space more functional. When a pop-up rain shower threatens your outdoor fun, having the luxury of a roofed structure will provide (literal) shelter from the storm.

It’s not just about the rain, either; for decks with southern exposure, having a roof can provide ample shade and make the area more comfortable for use all day.

Homeowners can also enhance traditional covered porches by adding screens or a four-track window system like Eze-Breeze, which they can enjoy nearly year-round.

Imagine never having to swat away mosquitoes or other nuisance insects this summer. Imagine having the versatility of a screened porch and protection of a sunroom all in one — this is exactly what Deck Plus can do for you.

We can convert your deck into a porch, screened porch, or three-season room, enabling you to make the most out of how you and your family enjoy the outdoors.

Factors to Consider Before Converting Your Deck Into a Porch

The weight of adding a roof is heavy. Framing materials and shingles can weigh thousands of pounds. Here are some factors to consider:

• Foundation: When considering a deck-to-porch conversion, Deck Plus will need to make sure the substructure of your existing deck is structurally able to support the weight involved. The main factor is the deck’s foundation. To facilitate the roof addition, we want to make sure the posts were installed with adequate footings.
• Condition: Another factor to consider is the condition of your existing deck. When you build a porch, you should expect it to last for years. It wouldn’t make sense to convert a deck into a porch if it was nearing the end of its useful life. Our clients use their porches much like they would any other room in their house, so a crumbling, cracking, splitting, or splintering floor — which might be overlooked on a deck —  would open the door to problems for a porch. Keep in mind, too, that if the substructure of your deck is sound and only the deck boards themselves are showing signs of wear or exposure to the elements, redecking is always an option. Depending on your needs and budget, we can replace your deck boards with wood or low-maintenance composite as part of the overall conversion project.
• Material: When considering wood versus synthetic, remember that wood deck boards under a roof will require much less maintenance and will wear much better than those exposed to the sun and rain on an open-air deck.

Considering a Deck-to-Porch Conversion? Deck Plus Has You Covered

We’re the Charlotte area’s local deck, porch, and outdoor living space experts. Deck Plus has years of experience in deck-to-porch conversions. We can schedule an inspection of your existing deck to see if it would be a good candidate for a deck-to-porch conversion.

In some cases, Deck Plus can also add to the deck’s substructure, making it strong enough to undergo the conversion.

The team at Deck Plus would love to help you assess which option is best for you. We can come to your home for a free design consultation to evaluate your existing structure. You can also stop by our design center to look at some of our products and designs.

Contact us today to learn more or schedule a consultation.