We love this question, and we hear it frequently. The short answer is, yes! The longer answer is, yes–and then some. A new screened in porch addition will certainly add resale value to your Nashville or Franklin home but it will also add a great deal more value than that.

There is no question about whether a screened porch adds enjoyment to a home. There is nothing in the world quite like a hot cup of coffee on a cool morning cozied up on your porch; or like a cold glass of lemonade under the whirl of a fan while you lounge on a bed swing; or the memories made with a close group of friends laughing over dinner and wine on a perfect spring night. Porch living is what we call it here at The Porch Company. It’s the beauty of the outdoors without insects, bright sun, or rainy weather. However you plan to use your porch, the pleasures of porch ownership are undeniable.

But what about hard costs. Do screened in porches add financial value to your home? According to our esteemed local expert, Lucy Smith* of Fridrich & Clark Realty, the average screened porch return on investment is around 70-75%. That’s excellent! Especially since you get to enjoy the porch until the day you sell the home. 

During our conversation with Lucy, she pointed out that “an appraiser will not include a screened porch in heated square footage. This is because the space is not conditioned (meaning it does not include an HVAC system). However, outdoor living spaces, in general, are a good investment because they are so desirable to prospective home buyers.”

She also indicated that many factors go into accessing the average ROI for a screened porch addition. This includes how the screened porch is designed and finished. “Was the screened porch designed with custom features? What kind of materials were used in its construction? Is it a screened in porch with a fireplace, etc…?” A porch helps prospective buyers envision their family enjoying the home. It can also make your home feel bigger when buyers see they’ll have more space to spread out. Home buyers are also drawn to attractive outdoor spaces with electricity, lighting, and fans for maximum enjoyment. Naturally, the more creature comforts a screened in porch design has, the more desirable it will to prospective buyers which will fetch a higher ROI.

All of this porch enjoyment brings us back to the question, do screened porches add value? Yes, in so many ways. Relax. Entertain. Give your friends and family a fun place to play. Invite your buddies around to watch the game on your big TV on the porch. If you enjoy any of these things, you will get oodles of value from a new screened porch addition. You don’t have to be selling your house to recognize that kind of value–but if you do move you’ll have the added bonus of increased financial value as well.

Are you ready to enjoy a new screened porch addition? Let The Porch Company design and build the perfect screened in porch  to add value to your home in more ways than one! Call us at 615-662-2886 or visit our design studio. We would love to meet with you to discuss your porch needs!

*Lucy Smith is a realtor with Fridrich & Clark Realty, was 2010’s President of the Greater Nashville Realtors and 2012’s Greater Nashville Realtors, Realtor of the Year. She also received the Life Member Greater Nashville Realtors Awards of Excellence. Additionally, Lucy is also the proud owner of a beautiful Porch Company custom screened porch, too!