Three season porch - do you have one?

palides2021

palides2021

Well-known Member
Location
MidAtlantic, USA
Today, I came across a photo of a three-season porch on FB, and the poster was very pleased with it and uses it a lot. I have been thinking of adding one to my house over the years, but was tied up with other things. Now that idea is intriguing.

Does anyone have a three season porch, and if so, what are the pros and cons? If you have photos, that would be great!!
 

What is a "three season porch?
I have two buildings, (one my home, one my gallery. My gallery in front has a large wrap around porch, mostly covered.
Then it has a back porch with a large Ponderosa Pine table for entertaining and my home has a front porch.
I have to stain all this every year so it's a lot of upkeep.
Love to sit out there at night and watch the electrical thunderstorms.
I'll see if I can find some photos.

All the water bottles? That's from the art show.
 

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Gaer said:
What is a "three season porch?
I have two buildings, (one my home, one my gallery. My gallery in front has a large wrap around porch, mostly covered.
Then it has a back porch with a large Ponderosa Pine table for entertaining and my home has a front porch.
I have to stain all this every year so it's a lot of upkeep.
Love to sit out there at night and watch the electrical thunderstorms.
I'll see if I can find some photos.

All the water bottles? That's from the art show.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the photos, @Gaer! Your porch looks inviting! Given that you live in a hot climate, I don't think you would have to worry about the winters there.

I was thinking about a porch that has windows/screens to keep the bugs out, but does not have central heating (for the winter) because it would be expensive. It would be an extension of the house and also provide a place to put my indoor plants and be out in nature (listen to the birds, etc.). In other words, up north, a three season porch is mostly for Spring, Summer, and Fall. It's cheaper to build than a four season porch. I have seen these in my neighborhood and thought it would be nice to spend more time outside.
 

ohioboy said:
Speaking of porches, I love the one at Warren Hardings home. Been there, sat there.

https://ohio.org/things-to-do/destinations/warren-g-harding-home
Click to expand...
Nice building! I also like the idea of a porch with a balcony on top as seen in this home. However, this porch is in the front which is nice, but in my case, I am thinking of adding one in the back because I have a large deck and the porch would cover the deck nicely. Who knows, I might also add a porch up front. I have considered that also!
 
palides2021 said:
Thanks for the photos, @Gaer! Your porch looks inviting! Given that you live in a hot climate, I don't think you would have to worry about the winters there.

I was thinking about a porch that has windows/screens to keep the bugs out, but does not have central heating (for the winter) because it would be expensive. It would be an extension of the house and also provide a place to put my indoor plants and be out in nature (listen to the birds, etc.). In other words, up north, a three season porch is mostly for Spring, Summer, and Fall. It's cheaper to build than a four season porch. I have seen these in my neighborhood and thought it would be nice to spend more time outside.
Click to expand...
Oh! Now i understand! Up in Alaska, they called that a "Wantagin" meaning, "Want to get in".
 
palides2021 said:
Nice building! I also like the idea of a porch with a balcony on top as seen in this home. However, this porch is in the front which is nice, but in my case, I am thinking of adding one in the back because I have a large deck and the porch would cover the deck nicely. Who knows, I might also add a porch up front. I have considered that also!
Click to expand...
The front is on State Route 95, so the traffic is noisy at times, but of course back then it was different.
 
We had one at our home in Michigan and used it all four seasons by using a space heater in winter. @palides2021, when you get done building yours, please just pop down here and build one for me. I'd love it. It will need a ceiling fan and two electrical outlets, if you don't mind and double-hung windows so that they can be opened top and bottom at the same time for the breeze.
 
Georgiagranny said:
We had one at our home in Michigan and used it all four seasons by using a space heater in winter. @palides2021, when you get done building yours, please just pop down here and build one for me. I'd love it. It will need a ceiling fan and two electrical outlets, if you don't mind and double-hung windows so that they can be opened top and bottom at the same time for the breeze.
Click to expand...
Your home in Michigan sounds inviting with the four seasons room! Thank you for suggesting a ceiling fan and electrical outlets. Double-hung windows are an excellent idea, too! I am in the process of getting some estimates soon.
 
Gaer said:
What is a "three season porch?
I have two buildings, (one my home, one my gallery. My gallery in front has a large wrap around porch, mostly covered.
Then it has a back porch with a large Ponderosa Pine table for entertaining and my home has a front porch.
I have to stain all this every year so it's a lot of upkeep.
Love to sit out there at night and watch the electrical thunderstorms.
I'll see if I can find some photos.

All the water bottles? That's from the art show.
Click to expand...
Your porch reminds me of a western movie set! Love it.
 
Ours is more like 2 season. We really don't have a spring season. Just winter, summer, fall. Winter gobbles up most of the spring. I created some weather panels and have clear plastic to go over the screen on our porch for the winter starting in November - this stays on until May sometime.
 
palides2021 said:
Today, I came across a photo of a three-season porch on FB, and the poster was very pleased with it and uses it a lot. I have been thinking of adding one to my house over the years, but was tied up with other things. Now that idea is intriguing.

Does anyone have a three season porch, and if so, what are the pros and cons? If you have photos, that would be great!!
Click to expand...
But there's 4 seasons. I'd go nuts if I had a porch that accommodated only 3 out of 4 seasons.

My porch loves all seasons. We have spring, summer, fall, and winter wreaths for the front door, and I put up lights and stuff at Christmastime, and pumpkins, spiders, and ghosts for Halloween.
 
I've always loved houses with porches. However, I live in an area that has a Mediterranean climate, so it's open windows for 2/3 of the year anyway. We're as likely to wear short sleeves in January as we are to grab a Polarfleece jacket in August, LOL. So altho I have a modest little front porch, we don't use it for anything except as a place for Amazon to put the delivery boxes down on!

Good side: no mosquitos unless you go into park or freshwater pond areas.

Bad: I miss fireflies!!!!
 
Murrmurr said:
But there's 4 seasons. I'd go nuts if I had a porch that accommodated only 3 out of 4 seasons.

My porch loves all seasons. We have spring, summer, fall, and winter wreaths for the front door, and I put up lights and stuff at Christmastime, and pumpkins, spiders, and ghosts for Halloween.
Click to expand...
I have thought about a four season porch, but it will cost a lot more. You are talking about a front enclosed porch, right?
 
Jamala said:
In the UK we call them conservatories.
We have one which is my favourite part of
the house.
It's at the back of the house and overlooks
the garden. Sliding doors run the length of
it and it is so pleasant on a warm summer's day
to be able to open up. There's a small fireplace
for winter months.
Click to expand...
I used to read about them in novels! The image you are painting of it overlooking the garden is irresistible! So with the fireplace, you could basically use it year round. Right?
 
Michael Z said:
Ours is more like 2 season. We really don't have a spring season. Just winter, summer, fall. Winter gobbles up most of the spring. I created some weather panels and have clear plastic to go over the screen on our porch for the winter starting in November - this stays on until May sometime.
Click to expand...
Interesting you mentioned about winter and spring. Do you get much use of it during the other months?
 
Myrtle said:
I don't have one but I wish I did. I have a covered porch in front and an open deck in back. Neither one gets much use. Maybe I could have the front porch screened in but the HOA would have a cow.
Click to expand...
That's what I'm worried about, if I build something that I will not use. It has to be aesthetically appealing and attract me.
 
Murrmurr said:
No, it's open.

I got a clearer picture of what a season porch is when Jamala posted "In the UK we call them conservatories."

I believe we call it an atrium.
Click to expand...
I looked up conservatory and here is a link with photos: https://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/gallery/conservatory

I remember visiting a relative once and we went out to her "atrium" and it was summer and felt like a heat trap with all the sunlight pouring in because the roof was all glass and the windows were shut. I don't think I want a roof that is glass, lol.
 
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