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It’s no surprise that here at Patio Heat and Shade we spend more time on our patios than anyone we know. If you can’t get enough of your “outdoor me time” either, we’ve got some ideas on how to make the most of your patio this winter. Enclosing your patio (temporarily or permanently) will extend its life into and perhaps throughout the winter, allowing you to enjoy your outdoor space year-round. Let’s look at some of our favorite patio enclosure ideas for winter…
If your concern is keeping Jack Frost as far away as possible, surrounding your porch in glass is the best option. Glass enclosures allow natural light to penetrate your porch, warming it while kicking in your Vitamin D machine at the same time. Because you have a beautiful view of nature, your patio will appear more spacious. Finally, you can relax and immerse yourself in the depths of a good book while enjoying the view of your garden. With the heating aid from the sun, your porch has transitioned into a year-round retreat… and your family and guests can reap those benefits for years to come.
One of the reasons we all love our porches so much is that while we eat/sleep/dine/relax on the porch we feel connected to the outside world… sometimes a little too connected. Little creepy crawlies of all sizes, as well as flying bugs on a mission can wander through your porch at any time. Enclosing your porch in screens is an excellent way to keep out the unwanted bugs while at the same time enjoying all the sights and scents of your beautiful yard. Further, screened patio enclosures help to provide year-round weather protection by cutting down on wind, rain, snow, hail, pollen and extreme sun and heat.
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Take your average flat, empty porch and get a little creative with building materials, and you can easily turn your outdoor space in to a rustic enclosed patio. Adding natural stones, natural woods, natural fabrics, and natural furs are all ways to turn your patio into an authentic rustic one. Making use of real wood beams (exposed, naturally) and stacked stone masonry create a warm and cozy atmosphere that just screams, “come on down and set a spell.”
A sunroom is just an enclosed porch. In practice, sunroom patio enclosures are frequently set up as additional living rooms with comfy couches and lounging spaces built to melt the stress away. To get to a sunroom, enclose your walls with all glass windows and doors so you can take in the outdoors from inside. Stepping up to a sunroom built for all seasons, the floors, walls, and ceiling will be engineered with thermal barriers in mind, keeping as much heat in the sunroom as possible during the winter months. Top that off with breathtaking floor-to-ceiling windows and doors and you’ve got a glass encased room perfectly suited to keeping you and your loved ones warm year-round.
When you’re surrounded by plants in your home, you can’t help but to feel an integral part of nature. Creating a greenhouse out of your patio has multiple benefits, both for you and your plants… First of all, you can grow plants indoors during seasons that they’re regularly dormant. In addition, the extended growing season may allow you to grow some plants that natively won’t thrive in your area. Adding glass to your patio (walls, doors, and ceiling) will create the temperate oasis your plants deserve.
Though we’re going to focus on reading nooks we’re not being exclusive; they can be video game nooks or work remotely nooks too. The point is that you can designate a corner or section of your patio enclosure for your nook du jour by starting with super comfy, stylish furniture that you just want to nestle into. The addition of fluffy pillows, fuzzy throw blankets and outdoor rugs will make you feel even more at home, ready for hours of relaxed entertainment. Make sure to add outdoor lighting (overhead lights for general or mood lighting, and task lighting to brighten your next page turner) that’s appropriate for your space.
The only thing better than dining al fresco, is dining inside with a great view. It’s significantly better to keep the fresh breezes and sunlight available in regular al fresco dining, enhanced with a solid roof keeping the sun and rain away. As soon as our outdoor patio dining space was created, it immediately became the go-to hangout for algebra homework, casual conversations over a fine Sauvignon Blanc or a board game night. Finally, dining without flies and other uninvited guests elevates your meal by decreasing all that pesky aerobic swatting activity.
One of the things we love most about enclosed patio is that they’re the chameleons of our homes. Originally designed to be a relaxing oasis in an otherwise frenzied home, patio enclosures allow these spaces to perform multiple family tasks, sometimes all at once. We’ve already discussed how fantastic they are as outdoor dining spaces but add to that a comfy reading nook or playroom for the kids and your one room is handling many functions. Since the Pandemic more and more people are working from home, many of them from their enclosed patios to take in the fresh air and Zen atmosphere, key in keeping their calm in an otherwise hectic workday.
At its core a Zen retreat strives to foster an environment conducive to self-restraint, meditation-practice, and insight. These self-healing, relaxing goals are fully achievable on your enclosed patio by keeping a few ideas in mind when designing your patio space. Start with a quiet corner of your patio to create a calming, secluded space where you can carve out your own private space away from distractions. Using natural materials like bamboo and natural wood, help to declutter your mind with a minimalist design by adding simple, unobtrusive furniture with clean lines. Try to keep your seating super comfortable and low profile, adding a plush outdoor rug with floor cushions or even a hammock.
When considering the design for your patio enclosure, much of the country needs to be concerned with how to keep it warm during the winter. Begin by adding a vapor barrier (stapled between the floor joists), then add roll-out fiberglass insulation to the walls and ceiling. On top of the fiberglass insulation, add a sheet of Styrofoam insulation layered over the fiberglass, and staple it to hold it in place. Next, add a layer of wire mess (think “screen”) to the entire area to keep critters away. Lastly, nail in place a layer of plywood to enclose the insulated area and serve as an extra layer of protection. Now that you’re insulted, add the right patio heater to your enclosed patio to create just the touch of warmth needed to put all that insulation to good use.
Enclosing your patio adds precious time for us to enjoy patio living – from the semi-al-fresco dining experience to creating a patio greenhouse, some of our patio enclosure ideas are bound to hit home. Consider the different options of expanding your patio to fit your family and take the next steps toward getting it done. As you’re ready to add the perfect patio heating to your patio enclosure, you can trust Patio Heat and Shade to be there for you – just give our patio experts a call, and we’ll be right there with you every step of the way.