Architectural Designs

Please Help! Open or enclosed porch?

Hi, My BF is helping me remodel my house. We had originally planned to replace the windows in my enclosed porch. The wood was rotten, so we ended up ripping the porch off. As we are rebuilding the porch, I realize how much I enjoy the open feeling. I also think that the open porch is more appealing to the eye. My porch is 7x28, so it is a very nice size. I know that when it was closed in before, we never used it except for to store things. Dilemma is; BF wants to enclose the porch!! He thinks it will help the resale value, I think that a visually appealing porch would bring in more buyers. Any thoughts? My house was built in the 1920's...it is a 2 story bungalow. Thanks! Daisy Thanks for the answers so far!! I should have added that the porch is on the front of the house. I think that it would have more curb appeal if it was open and decorated with stylish furniture/flowers. My neighbors have enclosed porches which they never use...I would like to be the one house that stands out, but my BF thinks that there is more value in an enclosed porch.

Public Comments

1. Have the best of both worlds! Removable windows and screens make the porch ready for whatever the season.
2. leave the porch open, and buy an awning setter with remote
3. How about framing it in such a way that it could be enclosed but leaving it open for now. It seems that a lot of places built in the late 50s and early 60s were done in this style.
4. I think an enclosed house would be more appealing but thats just me. Answer Mine http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AiJNRSCuBwVXfUwi612ziJzsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20090707135619AARuXzD
5. leave it open! it will stop you from storing junk you will use it more often and it will look better to me closed porches look odd but do whatever you feel like i mean on your house the closed porch might look better? hope i helped!
6. Are you my wife? We have the same discussion going for the last 5 years now. I want to enclose the back porch, she does not. I just would like to be able to sit outside in the summer without being eaten alive by mosquitos. Maybe your boyfriend is the same way?? Get windows that both sashes can be removed, that way you can have ( 1 ) no windows, ( 2 ) put the screens in and keep the bugs out, ( 3 ) then in winter put the windows in to help keep your house warmer.
7. I think it should be open. You don't want to be tempted to store things in your porch. And if it is open, it shows that you're open for a happy life and a good time. :]
8. It really depends on your climate and your preferences. When we built our house it had a back porch that faced the woods behind our house. We live in East Texas where it is very hot and humid. Also the bugs and other critters can be pretty thick. We opted to put in wall to wall, ceiling to floor windows with skylights. It gives our enclosed porch a very open airy feel but keeps the bugs and humidity at bay. We sit out there many hours watching the birds, deer, racoons, squirrels, foxes and hawks. We also have a front porch. It is open with a swing, chairs and great view of the woods in the front of our house. Because of the heat and humidity, it is usually only used during the spring and fall months because of the bugs and heat.