Screened-In Porch in American University Park
Three-Season Room Installation in Northwest Washington, DC
A 1948 brick Colonial Revival is home to a married couple who work in Washington, DC. Conveniently located in the American University Park neighborhood, the house has a large south-facing garden enjoyed by their two dogs and overlooking the Japanese Embassy’s well-landscaped gardens. The homeowners like to be outdoors but had concerns about mosquitoes and sought a design-build firm to create a three-season porch/sunroom where they could enjoy the view, sunlight, and privacy of their ideal setting without the worry of insects. They were intrigued by the rustic feel of a porch while also maintaining the comforts of a screened porch. To enhance the functionality of the space, a small deck area was designed to accommodate a propane gas grill.
Three-Season Porch Design-Build Project Details
Architectural Harmony
The new porch (15’ x 18”) was designed to be sympathetic to the home’s Colonial Revival style. The porch’s gable roof maintains the same roof slope and gracefully joins the existing house. The new walls are detailed with pilasters and crown molding to be consistent with the original architecture. Walls of screened panels were designed in a rhythmic pattern that leads the viewer’s eye to the large clerestory, while the new exterior stair links the backyard to the three-season room and grilling deck area.
Three-Season and Practical
To extend the use of the new porch to three seasons, the design utilizes removable glass-like panels (to be fitted over the screens) that help control temperature, wind, pollen, and snow. Elevated about 7 feet above the backyard to take advantage of garden views, the area beneath the porch has a custom-built rack to store the removable storm panels in the summer. The wood and glass panels slide in and out from the rack for easy summer storage. The vinyl lattice enclosure below the porch gives the structure a more finished base and provides additional unobtrusive storage for lawn furniture and garden equipment. Within the porch are four ceiling-mounted infrared electric heaters (Infra-tech) for those chilly months.
Interior Fit-Out
The homeowners wanted a stylish porch that would complement the design of their home. A vaulted ceiling provides a sense of space, air flow, and expansiveness. High-quality wood flooring (Zuri decking), decorative beams, and beadboard ceiling treatments were detailed to elevate the aesthetics of the porch experience.
Ventilation
Atop the porch’s new gable roof is a central modern style clerestory (6’ x 19”) fitted with electrically operated awning windows that allow the homeowner to take advantage of the naturally occurring air flow from stack-effect and ventilate the space at the touch of a button. Ten-foot-high screened walls on three sides of the porch allow cross-breezes to gently cool the space. Two “Haiku” paddle fans from Big Ass Fans provide additional air movement when needed.
The design of the porch projects 5 feet beyond the rear façade and allows for views to the west of adjacent trees and landscaping. Because the porch extends further than the hose, it captures the natural west to east cross breezes that help keep it cool in the summer months.
Furnishings
The clients sought to replace their old deck with a new, slightly larger, three-season screened porch with the added benefit of a grilling area. The railing next to the propane grill is constructed from fireproof material (Fly-ash from Boral TruExterior®).
The porch is furnished with a glass-top table and two sofas with a coffee table all from Brown Jordan. The seating area works well for reading, TV viewing, and napping. The homeowners incorporated beautiful indoor/outdoor fabrics for their upholstering and pillows.
View more pictures of the three-season room in our gallery!
