Here’s What It Costs to Add Screened-In Porch in 2025

Key factors that affect the cost

Whether you’re building new or screening an existing patio, there are several factors that will affect your budget.

Location

You could spend more depending on where you live and the type of living space you want to create. For example, Archadeck of Kansas City, which builds outdoor living spaces throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area, including Jackson County, Missouri, says the average cost to build a screened porch in their area starts at $25,000.

In comparison, James Moylan of Design Builders, Inc., a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor in Bethesda, Maryland, estimates that most projects cost between $60,000 and $100,000.

“What we build is essentially an addition that doesn’t have walls,” Moylan says.

Materials

The type of materials will have a considerable impact on your budget. Here’s a breakdown of some materials commonly used to build a screened-in porch.

Flooring

• Poured concrete: $5.50 and $9 per square foot
• Concrete pavers or stenciling: $4 to $20 per square foot
• Floating wood or tile floor: $20 to $60 per square foot

Roofing

• Shingle: $16 to $30 per square foot
• Wood: $4 to $9 per square foot
• Aluminum: $4 to 11 per square foot
• Glass: $22 to $75 per square foot

Posts, beams, and railings

• Fiberglass: $60 for posts
• Wood: $50 for posts; $6 to $30 per linear foot for railings
• Stone: $200 for posts
• Vinyl: $100 for posts; $15 to $50 per linear foot for railings
• Aluminum: $100 for posts; $30 to $120 per linear foot for railings
• Wrought iron: $50 for posts; $40 to $60 per linear foot for railings

Note: These options will vary in cost by material and architectural style (such as Colonial, Farmhouse, Decorative, or Craftsman).

Screens

Moylan’s company uses Screeneze, a warrantied system available to professional contractors and installers that uses an aluminum base, vinyl caps, and no staples or splining. Beyond such an integrated system, prices vary for the type of screen mesh, as well as other features:

• Aluminum mesh: $5 to $7 per square foot, including labor costs
• Fiberglass: $4.50 to $5.50 per square foot, including labor costs
• Solar screens: $5.50 to $7 per square foot, including labor costs
• Retractable: $2,000 to $4,000 per unit

You can also find DIY screened-in porch kits with everything you need to complete your project. Companies like Screen House, Eze Breeze Direct, and Screen Tight can help you create the perfect screened-in porch when you call for a free quote.

Door

If you plan to have a screen door leading from the porch to the yard, expect to pay an average of $300, depending on the door’s style. The hourly labor rate for installing a screen door is $50 to $75.

Labor

You can save big by building your own porch. If you’re just adding screening to an existing porch, it can be done within two hours. However, hiring a contractor means paying $2 per square foot to screen on an existing porch. If built from scratch, professional services can cost up to $70 per hour.

Square footage

If you entertain a lot, Moylan recommends building a space that’s either 15′ x 20′ or 16′ x 16′, which will give you plenty of space for outdoor dining furniture. However, the porch you design can be as large or small as you’d like. Just remember that the size will impact the cost of materials and labor.

Note: Some homeowner associations and municipalities have specific rules regarding building a screened-in porch, so check with them first and get any necessary permits.

Additional costs to consider

Building permits and land surveying

In most areas, a screened-in porch is considered an addition, and that will require a building permit. Permits for this purpose typically average around $800, varying widely from $100 to $3,900 based on location. Additionally, expect to pay approximately $500 for land surveying services. Since the range is so broad, we recommend considering the cost of applying for a building permit before starting anything.

Add-on features

Your screened-in porch doesn’t have to be limited to just an outdoor dining table. You can add all sorts of features to make your space truly enjoyable. Some popular additional features include:

• Outdoor fireplace: $1,500 to $20,000
• Hot tub: $3,000 to $10,000 for above-ground, $8,000 to $25,000 for in-ground
• Outdoor kitchen: $6,348 to $26,903
• Outdoor ceiling fan: $100 to $500

Surprise repairs

When budgeting for any project, you should save money for unexpected repairs. These could be as small as cutting materials to the wrong dimensions or as big as a damaged foundation or wood damage (if you’re converting an existing deck or patio). We recommend setting aside at least 10% to 25% of your overall budget.

The cost of adding a screened-in porch is worth the investment

The cost of adding a screened-in porch to your home, especially if it’s built from scratch, can make it feel like you need a second mortgage to get the job done. But the benefits don’t stop there—while expanding your living space and boosting its versatility, this addition can also significantly enhance your home’s value, with up to 75% of its cost recouped upon selling.

If you’re wondering what your property is currently worth, our Home Value Estimator can provide a quick ballpark estimate in under two minutes. Simply enter your property address to get started.

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