11 Ways To Winterize Your Screened Porch On A Budget

As winter approaches, people start spending less time outside on the porch, and more time snuggling in the house. While cozy time is great from time to time, it can feel a bit claustrophobic, and you may find yourself eventually yearning to spend time on the porch. Luckily, there are a few cost-effective ways to make your porch habitable in the winter months.

To winterize your porch on a tight budget, install thick vinyl sheeting along the walls, and add insulating curtains. Use space heaters to heat the space when you use it or incorporate a safe fire feature. You can incorporate an outdoor fireplace next to your porch to keep things warm and add floor rugs. Swap out delicate summer furniture for winter furniture, and have plenty of warm blankets available.

There are all sorts of ways you can make a screened-in porch functional during the coldest times of the year. While some of these methods are costly, there are several DIY ways to winterize your porch that are budget-friendly. Below is a list of 11 highly effective ways to winterize your porch on a budget.

11 Budget-Friendly Ways To Winterize Your Screened Porch 

1. Install An Outdoor Fireplace

One great way to keep your porch warm in the wintertime is to add an outdoor fireplace. Some outdoor fireplaces are quite expensive, but if you do most of the work yourself, and source free and cheap materials, you can build an outdoor fireplace on a budget.

An outdoor fireplace can keep your porch warm, even if you don’t have the best insulation. It also makes for a great gathering place for company, and you can even cook s'mores and other food items with it. 

Before you embark on this project, make sure you comply with all local laws on outdoor fire features. Keep in mind some regions (especially those prone to wildfires) have very strict laws on outdoor fire features.

2. Cover Walls With Clear Vinyl Sheeting

One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to winterize your screened porch is to cover the walls with clear vinyl sheeting. You can purchase large clear vinyl tarps, or order vinyl sheeting from most home improvement stores.

You can install this sheeting as easily as using zip ties or a staple gun. The effect this sheeting will have is to eliminate the harsh winter wind from entering your porch. The clear sheeting will also have an insulating and greenhouse effect, especially in the daytime. This cheap fix can make an outdoor porch enjoyable during the day in places where winters are mild to cold. Screened porches can be expensive, but this quick fix makes winterizing your porch cheaper than you may have thought.

3. Use A Space Heater

If you cover your screened porch with vinyl sheeting or another form of insulation and wind-blocking material, you can take things to the next level with a space heater. A space heater is a fairly low-cost way to heat a small space like a porch. They are instrumental when you are only looking to use the area for a limited time during the day or night.

Make sure you use a space heater that is safe to use outdoors. Space heaters should only be turned on when you are actively using your porch. You can even use a heater without insulation, but keep in mind this won’t keep the area as warm, and may cost you more money on your electric bill.

4. Add Thick Rugs To The Floor

Cold air can come into your screened porch from all directions in the winter, including through the floor. If you want to winterize your porch and make it cozy, then add a thick rug to the floor.

A rug is a great way to make your porch warmer and more enjoyable in the winter. It is a great addition to vinyl sheeting, as the sheeting will protect the rug when it rains or snows. Rugs will also protect your floors, and in turn, help your porch last longer.

5. Remove Fragile Furniture And Plants Before Winter

Summer outdoor furniture does not always have the same level of comfort or quality that other furniture has. If you tend to decorate your porch with warm-weather furniture and plants, make sure you store this furniture before the winter. 

Bring vulnerable plants indoors before the first overnight frost to ensure they survive. The same goes for any fragile vases or decorations that you don’t want to crack as temperatures fluctuate.

6. Seal Up Cracks

Your winterized porch will only keep heat in if your porch is well-insulated. This means that in addition to adding sheeting, you should also make sure all gaps and cracks are sealed up before the winter hits. This is a great fall project, as it can be difficult to caulk walls in the winter months.

Take your time inspecting the window borders, floorboards, and door frames to ensure there are no gaps. This will prevent cold air from sneaking in when the weather gets even colder. It will also help keep unwanted burrowing pests away.

7. Use Insulating Curtains To Keep Heat In

Another cost-effective way to winterize your porch is to add insulating curtains in the winter months. Where vinyl sheeting is great at keeping cold air out, insulating curtains are great at keeping warm air in. 

If you combine clean vinyl sheeting and insulating curtains, you can have a winterized porch for just a few hundred dollars. Best of all, insulating curtains come in all sorts of colors and designs, and therefore you can still make your porch look chic in the winter without spending a fortune.

8. Add Bubble Wrap To Windows

If your porch is only exposed in the sections where you have screened windows, then you can cover them with bubble wrap. In addition to protecting your valuables from damage, bubble wrap is also a decent insulator, especially when you are on a tight budget. 

If you keep your porch sealed and cover the exposed windows with bubble wrap, you will notice your porch can be much more pleasant in the winter. Combine this method with insulating curtains and a warm winter rug, and your outdoor porch should be usable throughout the winter.

9. Have Extra Blankets Handy

If you have already added a barrier along the walls and a thick rug on the floor, then your porch should be noticeably warmer. To ensure you stay warm and comfortable when enjoying your porch in the winter, you should have blankets available.

Stash warm throw blankets next to your furniture, or hang one or two over your outdoor couch. This will ensure you and your guests stay warm on colder days spent on your newly winterized screened porch.

10 Incorporate A Safe Indoor Fire Feature

If you don’t want to go through the effort of building an outdoor fireplace, consider something smaller in scale. Many unique fire features are safe to use on outdoor tables. You can incorporate one of these safe portable fire features into your screened porch. Make sure you only use fire features that you can use safely on your screened porch.

The fire features will add a bit of heat to the room, and it will also create a lot of ambiance. This is a great low-cost choice for those who want a safe fire option.

11. Swap Out Summer Furniture For Durable Winter Pieces

Once you have stored away all your summer porch furniture, it is time to find some pieces you can enjoy in the winter months. Opt for comfortable and durable furniture that will hold heat. This means staying away from metal and wood and embracing furniture with cushions. 

Wrapping Up How To Winterize Your Screen Porch On A Budget

If you want to winterize your porch, you may think it will cost thousands of dollars. While a permanent and professional job may cost this much, there are ways you can make your screened porch habitable in the winter months at a fraction of the cost.

Use thick clear vinyl sheeting to cover the walls of your porch, and then use insulating curtains to keep the heat in. You can build an outdoor fireplace for a permanent heat solution, or use space heaters as a quick fix. Swap out your summer furniture for cozy winter pieces, and add a thick and insulating rug to make things extra comfortable.

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