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Screened Porch vs. Sunroom in Gainesville, GA
How a screened porch, a three-season room and a sunroom compare on cost, comfort, pollen and year-round use in Gainesville and Hall County.
Quick answer: A screened porch is an outdoor room with a roof and screen walls; a sunroom is an enclosed, insulated room with windows that you can heat and cool and use all year. In Gainesville, screening in an existing covered porch can start around $2,000, while a sunroom typically starts around $8,000. EBD Construction LLC, a licensed and insured general contractor based in Gainesville, Georgia, builds both for homeowners in Hall County, Flowery Branch, Oakwood, Buford and the Lake Lanier area. Eric Bubniak pulls all permits himself. Call 404-925-7481 for a free consultation.
Who builds screened porches and sunrooms in Gainesville, GA?
EBD Construction LLC is a Gainesville-based general contractor with more than 15 years of experience building porches, decks and outdoor rooms across Hall County. Screened porches are among the projects EBD builds most, from screening in an existing covered deck to building a two-story screened porch from the ground up. EBD does that work with the same crew from start to finish. Three full-time builders have worked side by side for over a decade.
- Honest advice on which room fits. Eric will tell you whether a screened porch, a three-season room or a sunroom makes sense for how you'll use it.
- Built for Georgia weather. Roofs, flashing and framing are built to handle summer storms and humidity.
- Permits handled for you. Eric pulls the permits himself, so the structure is inspected.
- Work that's guaranteed. All EBD work is guaranteed, and references from past customers are available on request.
What is the difference between a screened porch and a sunroom?
| Screened porch | Three-season room | Sunroom (four-season) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walls | Screen panels | Windows or vinyl panels | Insulated walls and windows |
| Heating and cooling | None (fans) | Usually none, or a space heater | Yes, like the rest of the house |
| Keeps out bugs | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Keeps out pollen and rain | No | Mostly | Yes |
| Comfortable months in Gainesville | About March to November | Most of the year | All year |
| Counts as living space | No | Usually not | Often, yes |
The short version: a screened porch brings you outside without the mosquitoes; a sunroom brings the outside in, with walls, windows and air conditioning. A three-season room is the in-between option, with windows you can open, built for spring and fall.
How much does a screened porch cost compared to a sunroom in Gainesville?
The cost depends mostly on four things: whether a roof and foundation already exist, the size of the room, the windows and walls you choose, and whether you add heating and cooling.
Here's a general guide to what these rooms typically cost in the Gainesville area. It isn't a quote; your price depends on your house and your choices.
| Project type | What it usually involves | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Screen in an existing covered porch | Screen framing, screen, door, trim; roof and floor already there | $2,000 to $12,000 |
| New screened porch | Footings, floor or deck, roof tied into the house, screens, ceiling, fan and lights | $15,000 to $80,000 |
| Three-season room conversion | Turn an existing porch into a room with windows or vinyl panels | $8,000 to $45,000 |
| Sunroom (four-season) | Insulated walls, floor and roof, energy-efficient windows, heating and cooling | $8,000 to $60,000+ |
The lowest numbers are for smaller rooms that build on what you already have, like an existing covered deck or porch slab. A brand-new, two-story porch or a large sunroom with a vaulted ceiling sits at the top. For more on deck and porch costs, see the deck and porch guide; for sunrooms built as part of a bigger addition, see the home additions guide.
Tip: If you might enclose the porch someday, tell Eric up front. Building the floor, roof and footings to handle a future sunroom costs little now and saves a lot later.
Is a screened porch or a sunroom better in Georgia?
For many Gainesville homeowners, a screened porch is the better value. North Georgia weather allows outdoor living for most of the year, and a screened porch with a ceiling fan is comfortable from early spring into late fall. It costs less, keeps out mosquitoes and gnats, and still feels like being outside, which is the point for a lot of lake and wooded lots.
A sunroom is the better choice if:
- You want a room you'll use every day of the year, including July afternoons and January mornings.
- Spring pollen keeps you indoors. Screens don't stop the yellow pine pollen that coats everything in Hall County each spring.
- You want the space to work as a home office, playroom or dining area, not just an outdoor sitting area.
- You'd like the room to count as finished living space.
Not sure? A three-season room, or a screened porch built so it can be enclosed later, keeps both doors open.
Can I turn my screened porch into a sunroom later?
Often, yes. If the porch roof, framing and foundation are in good shape, the screens can be replaced with insulated walls and windows, and heating and cooling can be added. The floor usually needs insulation, and the roof may need insulation and a new ceiling. Eric will check the existing structure during the consultation and tell you whether a conversion makes sense or whether starting fresh costs less in the long run.
Do I need a permit for a screened porch or sunroom in Gainesville or Hall County?
Usually, yes. A new porch, deck, roof or sunroom needs a building permit and inspections, and turning a porch into heated and cooled space typically does too. Simply replacing old screen on an existing porch usually does not. Homes inside Gainesville city limits are permitted through the City of Gainesville; homes in unincorporated Hall County go through Hall County. Flowery Branch, Oakwood and Buford each have their own process. EBD Construction pulls all required permits itself as part of the project, so you don't have to.
How long does it take to build a screened porch or sunroom?
- Screening in an existing covered porch: about 1 to 2 weeks.
- New screened porch: about 3 to 8 weeks, depending on size, a second story and permits.
- Three-season room conversion: about 2 to 5 weeks.
- Sunroom: about 6 to 12 weeks, depending on size, windows and heating and cooling work.
A typical EBD porch or sunroom project starts with a free consultation, then a written estimate and plan, permits, footings and framing, the roof, screens or windows, ceiling, lights and fans, and a final walkthrough with Eric.
Where does EBD Construction build screened porches and sunrooms?
EBD Construction is based in Gainesville, Georgia and has served Gainesville and all of Hall County for more than 15 years, including:
- Gainesville
- Flowery Branch
- Oakwood
- Buford
- Chestnut Mountain
- Murrayville
- Clermont
- Lula
- Gillsville
- Homes around Lake Lanier
Why hire a local Gainesville contractor for a porch or sunroom?
- Roofs that don't leak. A porch roof has to tie into your house cleanly; that's where poorly built porches fail first.
- One crew, start to finish. Footings, framing, roof, screens, ceiling and trim are all built by the same team.
- Clear communication. You'll know what's happening each day, what it costs, and when it will be done.
- Reviews you can check. EBD Construction has 5-star reviews on Thumbtack, and references from past customers are available on request.
- See the work first. Walk through a real EBD two-story screened porch, or browse the project gallery.
Screened porch and sunroom FAQs
Does a sunroom add more value than a screened porch?
A sunroom that is heated and cooled can count as finished living space, while a screened porch usually doesn't. A well-built screened porch is still one of the most requested features in Gainesville and Lake Lanier homes, and it costs less to build.
Can a screened porch keep out pollen?
Standard screen keeps out bugs and leaves but not the fine yellow pine pollen Gainesville gets every spring. If pollen is the main problem, a three-season room or sunroom with windows is the better fit.
Can I add windows to a screened porch for the winter?
Yes. Removable or sliding vinyl window panels can turn a screened porch into a three-season room for cooler months, at less cost than a full sunroom.
Can I put a fireplace or TV on a screened porch?
Yes. Screened porches with ceiling fans, recessed lights, outdoor TVs and fireplaces are some of the most popular projects in Hall County. Plan the wiring and gas lines before the ceiling goes on.
Can you screen in the area under my deck?
Often, yes. The space under a second-story deck can become a screened patio if the deck above is waterproofed or fitted with an under-deck drainage system.
What kind of ceiling is best for a porch or sunroom?
Tongue-and-groove pine or cedar ceilings are a favorite in the Gainesville area. They hold up well, take a stain or paint, and hide fan and light wiring cleanly.
Is EBD Construction licensed and insured?
Yes. EBD Construction LLC is licensed and insured, all work is guaranteed, and references are available on request.
Ready to add a screened porch or sunroom?
Call Eric Bubniak at 404-925-7481 or fill out the form below for a free consultation. Tell us how you'd like to use the space and what you have now, and we'll help you decide which room fits your home and budget.
Get your free consultation
Tell us a little about your project. Eric will call you within one business day to talk it through and set up a time to see the space.