Cost to screen-in an existing deck?

Questions on how we spend our money and our time - consumer goods and services, home and vehicle, leisure and recreational activities
Post Reply
Topic Author
Ed_Sandwich
Posts: 185
Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2017 12:47 pm

Cost to screen-in an existing deck?

Post by Ed_Sandwich »

We are about to move into a home with a deck (18' x 10') on the main level (back yard slopes away). We'd like to add a roof and turn it into a screened porch with a couple of skylights to preserve some of the interior light. Anyone ever done this or know a ballpark of how much it could cost?
User avatar
RickBoglehead
Posts: 7877
Joined: Wed Feb 14, 2018 8:10 am
Location: In a house

Re: Cost to screen-in an existing deck?

Post by RickBoglehead »

You're basically building a room except for the floor, assuming the deck can take the weight of the walls and roof (which may not be the case). Bigger footings may be needed, as well as firmed up structural support. With lumber prices surging, and regional market differences, it's doubtful anyone can come close to giving you a price that's within even 25%.

Get multiple estimates.
Avid user of forums on variety of interests-financial, home brewing, F-150, EV, home repair, etc. Enjoy learning & passing on knowledge. It's PRINCIPAL, not PRINCIPLE. I ADVISE you to seek ADVICE.
sk.dolcevita
Posts: 332
Joined: Sat Aug 23, 2014 11:55 am

Re: Cost to screen-in an existing deck?

Post by sk.dolcevita »

We had planned to build a screened-porch from ground up (the existing deck is over 25 years old). The estimate for a 16' X 16' screened porch was $52,000. Chastened, we decided our money would be better spent somewhere else.

BTW, this is in a MCOL metropolitan area.
User avatar
Watty
Posts: 28859
Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2007 3:55 pm

Re: Cost to screen-in an existing deck?

Post by Watty »

We briefly looked into this and it was not really possible because the deck was not designed for it so the old deck would need to be removed then it would have been basically the same cost as building it from scratch.

The age of the deck can also be an issue. Depending on the house extending the roof line can also be difficult.
forgeblast
Posts: 586
Joined: Fri Oct 13, 2017 8:45 am
Location: PA
Contact:

Re: Cost to screen-in an existing deck?

Post by forgeblast »

As others have said a lot depends on the deck.
We were looking at upgrading out deck, but the original owner used 4x4's (17 of them). To swap these to 6x6's now would be way too expensive.
I also am not sure if the 4x4's are sitting on concrete. That is a project for this summer.
There are prefab kits, search for prefab sunroom or prefab screenhouse, amazon has some on there too.
https://screen-house.com/screenhouse.htm
User avatar
alexp
Posts: 81
Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2020 12:22 am

Re: Cost to screen-in an existing deck?

Post by alexp »

We did exactly this but with a little larger deck (320sqft) and also went with tile flooring. Costed around $30K at that time in a MCOL city. The prices of building material and labor have shot up since last year so expect to pay a little more.


-Alex
gerntz
Posts: 695
Joined: Fri May 06, 2011 3:37 pm

Re: Cost to screen-in an existing deck?

Post by gerntz »

Torn down raise deck & replaced with 20 x 20 screened-in porch with 4 skylights in 2000. Several outlets and spotlights & stairs. About $45K then.
joebruin77
Posts: 438
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 12:14 am

Re: Cost to screen-in an existing deck?

Post by joebruin77 »

If you are looking for a lower cost option, Costco sells prefabricated gazebos. There is one on sale now that is 12' x 16' for about $1,800. They also sell mosquito netting sets for gazebos. The one for a 12 x 16 area is $330. I'm not sure if your deck could handle the weight of the structure, but if it can, total cost would be around $2,500.
Post Reply