Can I Convert My Deck to a Porch, Screened Porch, or 3-Season Porch?

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 to a porch allows greater functionality of the space. 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 take the traditional covered porch a step further by adding screens or a four-track window system like Eze-Breeze to enjoy nearly year-round.

Imagine never having to swat away mosquitoes or other nuisance insects this summer. Or 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

Don’t let the title above concern you, because Deck Plus means that the weight of adding a roof is heavy. Framing materials and shingles can weigh thousands of pounds.

When considering a deck-to-porch conversion, any style of porch, 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 roofed addition, we want to make sure the posts were installed with adequate footings.

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 to a porch that 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 decking 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 decking boards with wood or low-maintenance composite as part of the overall conversion project.

When considering wood versus synthetic, remember that wood decking boards that are under a roof will require much less maintenance and will wear much better than those that are 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 make 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.