Screened-In Porch and Deck Additions and Renovation! Welcome to the 28th Metamorphosis Monday!

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I don't have a new "Before and After" to share this week, so I thought I'd re-post my very first Met Monday post from January of this year. Looking forward to your Met Monday posts!

Posted January 18th, 2009

It's here...the first Metamorphosis Monday! Yipee! I can't wait to see all the wonderful "Before and Afters!" I'll be sharing the exterior changes that took place at my home when I added on my screened-in porch.

When I moved into my home 18 years ago, I knew one day I would want to redo my deck. The previous homeowners had never properly cared for the existing deck, and it was in a sad state. I tried cleaning it with an incredibly strong deck cleaner and "painting" it with a solid color stain for decks, but the solid stain didn't hold up well, at all. It was time to make a BIG change.

As you can see below, in a "Before" pic, the original deck on the right was very small. A previous homeowner had enlarged the deck by adding the section on the left. The deck flooring had deteriorated and was popping up in places, creating a real hazard. The stairs stuck out into the center of the yard...not a great design. On this first Met Monday, I thought I would share some of the exterior changes that took place when the screened-in porch and decks were added.


Before pic:


The pic below was taken right after the workers tore off the old deck...I was so happy :-) to see it gone! You can see how over the years the dirt underneath the deck had splashed up onto the house when it rained and had discolored the siding. Notice the boards nailed across the doorways. I asked one of the workers to do that because I was afraid that during the construction, I would forget and open the door to let the dog out. No doubt, he would have rushed straight out and that first step would have been a big surprise!

See the door going into the terrace level...the one below the small window? I had that door turned into a window and had french doors added on the wall behind the ladder. This added even more daylight to the terrace level. You'll be able to see this change in next picture.


In the pic below, the porch, decks and terrace level are in mid construction. During the additions of the porch and decks, I, also, completely re-did the previous owner's basement renovation. It had been completed with a hung ceiling, orange carpeting and really dark paneling.

I finished the basement/terrace level back in with sheetrock walls, tray ceilings, and pretty columns where ugly, metal poles had been. The french doors gave the terrace level more daylight, as did the new window.

The deck on the far left was designed to hold the grill, as well as my existing patio furniture, which included an umbrella. The deck on the far right (under the kitchen bay window) was the perfect spot for another seating area with a pergola overhead...another feature I really wanted.


Another view showing the edge of the steps that now came down on the side of one of the decks...a much better design than having them sticking out into the center of the yard.


The future screened-in porch...can you believe it once looked like this? :-)


Let's get to those "After" pictures! Here's the screened-in porch...this pic was taken from the same angle as the one above. It's come a long way! :-)




Interior shot from same angle as above... To see more of the interior of the screened-in porch, just click on the pic of the porch posted on my sidebar.


Since this house has a terrace level, the screened-in porch and decks are a full story up...good for catching a nice breeze. The pic below shows the deck that was added with the pergola overhead. You can just make out the outdoor candelier I hung from the pergola.


A view of the area with the pergola overhead... The candelier came from Smith & Hawken.


At night...with the candelier lit up...wish I'd thought to put some candles on the table before I took this pic. :-)


An exterior view of the screened-in porch...those "things" hanging on either side are bird feeders. :-) This pic was taken right after the porch was finished last April and before I added the sheers.

I'm often asked how I keep the porch looking so clean. I think it helps that it's a full story up. The only really messy time is during pollen season. Once that's over, it isn't too bad...well, except for the deck rails...those are impossible to keep clean due to the trees and birds.


The pic below shows the portion of the deck that houses the grill. I had a gas line run to the grill so I don't have to worry about ever running out of gas. Plus, I don't have to lug those heavy propane tanks back to the store for a refill anymore. If you are renovating your deck, I highly recommend this. It does require a grill designed for that kind of connection, but the cost of running the gas line to the grill is less than you might imagine.


Last time I showed the pic above, several folks ask me why I had a Christmas tree on the porch. :-) It's actually a topiary in an urn and it has tiny white lights and dragonfly lights all over it. It's nice having a lit tree on the porch during the evening...really creates a wonderful atmosphere...anytime of the year. :-)


Hope you enjoyed this Metamorphosis! Can't wait to see all your "Before and Afters" for this Met Monday! :-)


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