New Technology & Other Stunning Screened Porch Additions
As we close in on the halfway point of 2023, the amount of technologies and innovative decorative additions available to integrate into your home and screened porch are quite expansive. No matter your goals, we’re confident this blog will assist you in creating the screened porch of your dreams, complete with stellar technological additions and unique decorative additions.
Technological Additions
It’s the year to make your spaces, including your screened porch, feel more comfortable. Televisions, surround-sound systems, built-in gas fireplaces, dimmable lights, and many more technological additions are all perfect ways to make your outdoor space more comfortable. While each addition brings a cost and a maintenance commitment, many of the benefits outweigh the costs.
Here are some important, need-to-know facts regarding technological additions to your screened porch:
The addition of electricity and electrical outlets within a screened-in porch vary; however, the addition of one typical electrical outlet traditionally runs between $150 and $200, depending on the availability of and distance from an interior power source, as well as the age of the house and screened-in porch.
Outdoor televisions typically range between $1,500 to $10,000, depending on the make and model of the technology. This price can drop if you buy a standard, indoor television, but doing this is not recommended by virtually any manufacturers and reading the reviews is a must for glare, potential handling of ailments, and temperature warnings.
Surround-sound systems are a hefty investment that typically range between $2,500 to $20,000, depending on the span of the sound, the amount of devices incorporated into one given vicinity, as well as the actual technologies used. For smaller areas, such as an average-sized screened porch, an investment between $2,500 to $8,000 is normally more than sufficient in making the space full of sound and ready for hosting.
Built-in fireplaces within screened porches, similar to surround-sound systems, are a hefty investment but can be done for a reasonable price. These built-in additions typically range between $3,000 - $20,000, depending on the materials used for the fireplace’s exterior, as well as how much wiring is required and whether or not there is a natural gas hookup nearby. Many contractors propose a good, built-in screened porch fireplace will cost between $3,000 and $9,000.
Can lights are fantastic in that virtually all can be made dimmable given the correct light switches and wiring. On average, the installation of can lights into a screened porch ceiling will range between $50 and $350, depending on whether or not there was existing lighting, the availability of electrical sources, and the number of lights being installed. The price will vary depending on if you have purchased the lights and materials yourself, or if you expect the contractor to do that for you.
Decorative Additions
One of the best ways to make your screened porch feel like your own is by adding decorations and plants into the space. Great decorations worth adding to your screened space include tabletop additions to hanging tapestries, and everything in between. We recommend choosing 1-3 colors that your scheme will follow, and buying decorative items that fall into those color categories, making sure you meet many different styles and displays.
A creative strategy to follow is the 70-20-10 rule. 70% of decorations should be comfortable to you and your style. 20% of decorations should be a bit out there for you, but still something you could see yourself enjoying. 10% of decorations should be completely out there and something that you’re a bit hesitant about. These items should be the cheapest, as you may decide after a short period of time that you want to change them out. If you don’t like the 10% “wild card” strategy, stick to a solid 80-20 rule that combines the 10% back into your comfort zone.
Sources
Have you recently changed something about your screened porch related to the technology changes or decorative changes that we’ve described above? Make sure to share photos and tag us in your posts for your chance to be featured next.