A screened-in porch costs an average of $2,800 when working with an existing porch. Prices can range from $2,000 to $4,000 but go much higher if building a porch from scratch.
The cost to add a screened-in area to your existing porch with a ready-made kit ranges from $2,000 to $4,000. Professional installation makes up about $2 per square foot of that price. If you need to build a completely new porch from the ground up, expect to pay around $25 to $120 per square foot.
Building a screened-in porch isn’t a cookie-cutter project. There are quite a few key factors to consider that will influence the final cost of a screened-in porch.
Size greatly impacts porch costs, with most homeowners paying $25 to $120 per square foot. You’ll pay $5 to $20 per square foot when building a screened-in enclosure around an existing porch. Here’s a look at average prices for standard porch sizes.
| Size | Cost to Enclose Existing Porch | Cost to Build a New Porch |
|---|---|---|
| 12x12 | $2,000 | $7,200 |
| 14x16 | $2,900 | $11,200 |
| 20x20 | $5,000 | $20,000 |
Pouring a simple slab foundation will cost between $4 and $14 per square foot if you’re building a new porch. For a standard 150-square-foot porch, that’s an average of $1,200 just for the foundation. If you’re enclosing an existing porch, you won’t need to pay anything for a foundation, as you should already have one in place.
Your location will have a huge impact on how much it’ll cost you to build a screened-in porch. Cities with a higher cost of living will come with higher prices for porch installation or screening. Additionally, areas where screened-in porches are particularly popular—especially in hotter climates—will have a higher demand for the service, which means higher costs.
The more complex your screened-in porch is, the more you’ll pay for labor. Large or custom designs can take longer to plan and build, requiring more time from your contractor. (On average, these pros charge $70 per hour for their services.) Complicated porch projects have higher material costs, too. For example, building a wraparound porch costs between $6,000 and $18,000—which is several times more expensive than a standard porch.
Screen door costs start around $100 and can cost up to $2,500, depending on the material, size, and quality. On average, repairing a screen door costs $100 to $200 in materials alone, depending on the damage.
Screens are often made from aluminum or fiberglass, although solar and motorized retractable screens are available as an upgrade.
| Screen Material | Average Cost per Square Foot* |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | $0.35–$0.70 per square foot |
| Copper | $1–$1.50 per square foot |
| Fiberglass | $0.25–$0.50 per square foot |
| Polyester | $0.50–$2 per square foot |
| Solar screens | $0.75–$1.50 per square foot |
| Stainless steel | $1–$1.25 per square foot |
| Motorized retractable screens | $2,000–$4,000 per unit (not sold by the square foot) |
*Materials only, excluding installation
Keep in mind that screened-in porches can be built off of your home’s structure or as a standalone structure in your backyard attached to a patio. A standalone will require a fourth wall of screening, which will drive up the price for your screen material.
You’ll also need to rescreen your porch every six to eight years (on average, if well-maintained). Rescreening your porch costs between $800 and $5,200, with most people paying around $2,900. You should factor this into the cost of your build, as ripped or damaged screens can defeat the purpose of creating an outside living space for you or your family.
You’ll want a high-quality flooring material that can withstand temperature changes, UV rays, and foot traffic. Here are the average costs for common porch flooring options.
| Flooring Type | Average Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Concrete pavers or stenciling | $2–$7 |
| Floating wood or tile | $5 |
| Radiant heating | $10–$20 |
Depending on the layout of your home and the size of the staircase you build, the entrance into your porch alone could range from $300 (a simple set of concrete steps) to $1,900 or more (a stoop with multiple stairs and space for recreation).
Screened-in porches are a focal point of your home. You should think critically about the type of porch you want to build, the materials you’ll use, where your steps will lead, and the aesthetic it will create in your front or back yard.
You may consider investing some time and money into adding or replacing the porch railing and posts. Porch railings cost $6 to $120 per linear foot, depending on the material. Here’s an overview of some of the most common railing materials and their costs.
| Material | Average Cost per Linear Foot |
|---|---|
| Wood | $6–$30 |
| Vinyl | $15–$50 |
| Aluminum | $30–$120 |
| Wrought iron | $40–$60 |
Adding or replacing porch posts is typically part of installing a railing on a roofed porch. Expect an additional average cost of $40 to $50 per wooden post to replace damaged ones or add new ones while installing the railing for your screened-in porch. Aluminum and vinyl posts cost around $100 each, while stone posts are about $200.
The type of roof over your screened-in porch will affect your final cost. Here’s a look at the price of common roof materials.
| Roof Type | Average Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Wooden shakes | $4–$9 |
| Asphalt shingles | $16–$30 |
| Aluminum panels | $4 – $11 |
| Aluminum porch cover | $14–$22 |
| Glass | $22–$75 |
Finally, if you’re building a new porch, you’ll need to pay for building permits if you’re laying down a new foundation or carrying out construction work for the posts and roof of your porch. Permits to build a new porch cost between $100 and $300, but you can safely ignore this added cost if you’re just screening in an existing porch.
| City | Average Cost Range for Screening Porch |
|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO | $1,200–$2,800 |
| Chicago, IL | $1,500–$3,200 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $1,000–$2,500 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $1,300–$2,900 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $1,400–$3,000 |
| Houston, TX | $1,200–$2,800 |
| Atlanta, GA | $1,300–$3,100 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $1,800–$3,500 |
A screened-in porch requires ongoing care and maintenance. When building one, plan ahead for these expenses.
Much like all other parts of your home, your screened-in porch will require maintenance from time to time, whether that’s for scraping and repainting posts, replacing screens, cleaning gutters, or fixing leaks. You can, however, minimize these costs by winterizing your screened-in porch and keeping up with maintenance rather than waiting until there’s an issue.
On average, your maintenance costs shouldn’t total more than $100 to $200 annually if you keep up with the maintenance, but on occasion, you’ll be on the hook for repairs. The table below includes some common screened-in porch repairs you’ll face over the years, along with pricing.
| Maintenance Item | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Cleaning gutters | $30–$60 annually |
| Replacing damaged or faded flooring | $4–$32 per square foot |
| Replacing lighting fixtures or ceiling fans | $100–$500 |
| Scraping and repainting post | $100–$200 |
| Repairing screen door | $50–$200 |
| Repairing screen | $65–$150 |
Replacing your screen will be more expensive, around $2,900 each time you need the service. Luckily, most homeowners only need to replace porch screens once every six to eight years.
On occasion, you may also need to pay for larger repairs, especially if there is a destructive storm. The cost to repair a screened-in porch runs between $810 and $5,200, with an average price of $2,900.
The lower end of that price range will be for minor repairs, like replacing sections of the screen, while the higher price is for more significant fixes. The final cost depends on the extent of the damage, the size of your porch, and the materials you need to replace or repair.
By building a screened-in porch yourself, you can save between $1,000 and $4,000 on professional labor costs. If you already have a porch, you’ll save $1,200 to $2,000 by screening it yourself.
However, constructing a new porch from scratch isn’t a DIY-friendly project. In fact, many municipalities require a licensed expert to perform this kind of work. You’ll want to hire a local screened-in porch builder for a new porch construction.
On the other hand, screening an existing porch isn’t overly complicated. To do it, you’ll need a spare afternoon, some DIY experience, and $1,000 to spend on materials and tools.
Extras like ceiling fans and outdoor lighting will enhance your screened-in experience. Here’s a look at common add-ons and what they cost.
| Add-On | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Ceiling fan | $100–$700 |
| Privacy screens or shades | $40–$500 |
| Furniture and rugs | $300–$5,000 |
| Outdoor heaters | $300–$500 each |
| Electrical outlets | $150–$250 each |
| Outdoor lighting | $100–$200 each |
| Outdoor speakers | $100–$1,000 |
| Fireplace | $1,200–$5,000 |
| Built-in grill or outdoor kitchen | $800–$5,000+ |
Keep in mind that some of these add-ons require running electric service, gas, or plumbing to your porch, which can drive up your total. Expect to pay an additional $300 to connect the space to your electrical system, or around $200 to $500 to rough in plumbing.
Screening a porch doesn’t have to break the bank. If you’re on a budget, here are a few tips for saving money on this project.
If you have a patio or an existing porch, use that as the foundation of your new screened-in porch rather than building a new one.
When adding a new porch to your home, don’t make it bigger than necessary. Building a modest-sized porch will ensure you have the right amount of usable space while keeping costs in check.
Get multiple estimates for your project and choose the one that best matches your needs and budget, not just the one with the lowest price.
Sometimes, you can get a lower price if you schedule your installation outside peak season. Aim for late fall or winter to save money.
Whenever possible, invest in higher-quality materials. Choosing the least expensive materials may be tempting, but remember that your screened-in porch will need to withstand the elements—just like your home does.
A simple way to cut costs on this project is to skip unnecessary add-ons, such as ceiling fans, speaker systems, and intricate lighting.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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While screened-in porches aren’t included in the total square footage of your home, they can give you up to 84% return on investment (ROI). This is especially true if you live in an area with a warm, humid climate and bugs, which are common in Southern regions. While colder climates won’t experience as much ROI, this secluded add-on can add some value and curb appeal to your home, depending on where the porch is attached to your main structure.
With proper maintenance, the average life span of a screened-in porch is six to eight years for the screens themselves, but the foundation and structure can last for 50 to 100 years. To keep your screened-in porch in good shape, clean your porch screens regularly, patch holes, re-seal the wood as needed, and address any foundational issues right away.
Yes, you can build a screened-in porch on your existing deck. And not only is this doable, but you can potentially save money on this project in the process, as long as your deck is in good shape. On average, you’ll save around $1,200 just by avoiding pouring a foundation for your porch, and you’ll also likely save money on railings, posts, and flooring by building on an existing deck.
