Chapel Hill backyards are something special. Tall oaks, pines, and lots of shade. It is no wonder so many homes in Southern Village, Meadowmont, and the neighborhoods around Booker Creek have a screened porch out back.
But how often do you actually use yours? If the answer is “not as much as I’d like,” a sunroom might be worth a look.
What Is a Screened Porch?
A screened porch is a covered outdoor room with screens instead of walls. It keeps out most bugs and lets the breeze through.
What Is a Sunroom?
A sunroom replaces the screens with windows or vinyl panels. Depending on how it is built, you can use it for three seasons or all year long.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Screened Porch | Sunroom | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Bugs | Keeps out most | Keeps out all |
| Pollen | Coats everything in spring | Stays mostly outside |
| Rain and wind | Blows in during storms | Stays out |
| Use in winter | Rarely | Yes, if heated |
| Furniture | Outdoor furniture only | Indoor furniture is fine |
| Fresh air | All the time | When you open the windows |
The Chapel Hill Factor: Trees and Pollen
All those trees are a big part of Chapel Hill’s charm. They also mean heavy pine pollen in spring, leaves in fall, and plenty of mosquitoes in summer.
On a screened porch, that yellow pollen coats the floor, the furniture, and the cushions. A sunroom keeps most of it outside. For allergy sufferers, that alone can be worth the upgrade.
Shade is the upside. A wooded lot keeps a sunroom from overheating on summer afternoons, which helps it stay comfortable.
The Middle Ground: EzeBreeze
Can’t decide? An EzeBreeze system is a popular in-between option. Vinyl panels slide open for a breeze and close tight when the weather turns or the pollen flies.
It usually costs less than a glass sunroom and turns a screened porch into a three-season room. Learn more about screen room to sunroom conversions.
Which One Is Right for You?
A screened porch may be enough if:
- You mostly use the space on mild evenings
- You love open air and do not mind some pollen
- Budget is your top concern
A sunroom is likely the better fit if:
- You want to use the room most or all of the year
- Pollen, bugs, or rain keep you off your porch
- You want an office, reading room, or playroom
What About Cost?
Most of our sunroom projects run between $6,000 and $40,000. Converting an existing screened porch costs less than building new, since the roof and floor are already there. See our full sunroom cost guide for details.
Permits in Chapel Hill
The Town of Chapel Hill says that construction with structural components requires a building permit, and all exterior work is reviewed for zoning. Enclosing a porch usually falls into that group. Check with the Town before you start, or ask us during your estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a sunroom worth it over a screened porch?
If you want to use the space more months of the year, usually yes. A sunroom blocks pollen, rain, and cold that keep people off their porches.
Can you turn a screened porch into a sunroom?
Yes. It is one of our most common projects. The existing roof and floor make it simpler than building from scratch.
Do you work in Chapel Hill?
Yes. We are based in Raleigh and work throughout Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Durham, and the rest of the Triangle. Visit our Chapel Hill page.
Ready to get more from your porch? Call (919) 851-0060 or request a free estimate.
About the Author
Harland Johnson is the owner of Harland Windows & Siding. He has run the company for over 40 years and has personally overseen window, siding, and sunroom projects throughout Wake County and the Triangle. Harland Windows & Siding is an A+ rated, BBB accredited business.