AKON's Recommended Porch Heating Ideas
#1 - Porch Enclosure Panels
Today's article will focus on how to heat your screened porch during the winter and give you some amazing ideas while comparing them in detail. The first option is about porch enclosure panels. They can cover any opening regardless how large or small. Such enclosure come with custom sizes and features for a perfect fit.
They will keep snow, rain, wind, and dust away from the patio area. Such enclosures commonly have snow-proof panels, reinforced edges, and large Velcro seals. Winter porch panels have amazing longevity.
These patio curtains for winter are ideal for climate control on patios, bars, and gazebos. Because of their amazing insulation qualities, many restaurants and outdoor cafes use them during the summer as well. Indoor temperatures will always remain stable.
Considerations
PROS
- Come with custom sizes, layouts, and features
- Portable and easy to set up, take down, store, or repurpose
- Winter porch panels can withstand super cold weather
- A mere 30% of the cost of other traditional solutions while being as strong
- The vinyl slick surface is easy to clean + almost no maintenance needed
CONS
- The tarps require anchors at the bottom or there is a risk the vinyl might fly around in the wind
- Such tarps use vinyl material which can be damaged by sharp objects
Helpful Video
Cost and Installation
Materials: $500-$1,200 for the entire kit
Installation: DIY or $200 for handyman
Duration of Install: 1-3 Hours
#2 - Winterizing Existing Walls, Doors, And Windows
Unlike winter porch panels, this option only works if your patio is already enclosed. Doing yearly maintenance is vital to weatherproof your porch. Here are common tasks to follow:
- Cover or close gaps and cracks which cause heat loss. Otherwise temperatures will be lower and energy bills higher. Sych gaps can be filled with caulk which is barely noticeable
- Checking and insulating the doors, windows, and edges with spray foam (although that will affect aesthetics)
- Seals wear down over time and will need to be replaces. Same goes for wood which expands during winters
- Electrical outlets on the porch must go through routine checks every year as their covers are under higher exposure
- Glass, ceramic decor, rugs, and wood are susceptible to rigid weather, and will be safer indoors
Considerations
PROS
- It is healthy to do maintenance once per year
- Temperature improvement without buying any equipment
- Cold wind is easily felt but it will no longer enter inside
CONS
- You will likely require other heating methods to have a large effect
- Some crack and seals might be so damaged that it will be cheaper to purchase new insulation walls
Helpful Video
Cost and Installation
Materials: $1,000+
Maintenance: DIY
Duration of Install: 5-10 Hours
#3 - Window Insulation Sheets
Window insulation sheets add an extra layer of protection against the cold. They come in see-through materials or with any color you want. Such window film keeps the cold out and heat in because it does not absorb them. Indoor temperatures will remain at least a few degrees F higher than usual simply because of the foam.
However, there is a problem if your windows suffer from air-leaks. Insulation sheets will barely have an effect in such scenarios. Another thing worth noting is UV light insulation. The window sheets will definitely make your porch more comfortable.
To top it all off, there is a dual purpose for summers. While not as strong, these sheets will have a small cooling effect during heat waves. Restaurants and patio bars use these super often to save on heating costs during the winter.
Considerations
PROS
- A simple and energy-efficient solution
- Aesthetics are unaffected or improved
- Additional moisture and noise protection
- While visibility is good, there is UV ray protection
CONS
- The sheets cannot cover joinery or walls, or at the very least, are not intended for that
- Cannot be used for open or semi-open porch spaces where complete insulation is needed
Helpful Video
Cost and Installation
Materials: $2,000-$6,000 for the entire kit
Installation: DIY
Duration of Install: 2 Hours
#4 - Temporary Patio Winter Enclosure
You can bring the heat with you by setting up a portable porch. These winter enclosures are easy to carry and use and can house anywhere between 4 and 15 people inside. Some producers can make custom porches; allowing you to design the perfect size and color.
The portable porch usually uses vinyl which has strong resistance to moisture, bugs, and wind. The temperature insulation is also amazing; meaning you will keep everything nice and warm inside even if there is a freak snowstorm outside. However, it would be ideal to use another heating method together with the tent for superior heating.
These porch tents are quite popular in camping areas, mountain villas, bars, and winter hotels. They help reduce heating costs by a lot and allow for businesses to keep on going during the cold.
Considerations
PROS
- Create a warm and calm area with amazing temperature control
- Protection against the outdoor elements
- Super easy to carry around
- The see-through material allows for amazing views; even during the winter
CONS
- To make use of the porch's portability, you also have to transport the furniture
- Without a strong base, the portable porch will be vulnerable during strong winds
- Snow can easily enter inside from below the porch
Helpful Video
Cost and Installation
Materials: $5,000-$18,000
Installation: DIY
Duration of Install: 1 Hours
#5 - Portable Heaters
Portable AC will solve all your cooling, heating, and dehumidifying issues. All with the ability to easily move from one location to another thanks to their caster wheels.
Nowadays, portable AC units come with remote control, so you can change temperatures and fan speeds before arriving to your destination. This will allow you to pre-heat your porch. The air-blast speeds on modern models are so fast, it will take only a few minutes to heat up your porch. They are designed for all-seasonal-use as well.
Portable AC units are most-commonly used in outdoor structures such as patios, bars, gazebos, and pergolas. They are super popular with seasonal restaurants, hotels, and sports facilities.
Considerations
PROS
- Portable ACs can heat up your porch really quickly
- Super effective for smaller areas
- Can be used during the summer as well
- Geo fencing turns the AC when you are close to home
CONS
- While portable, it is a hustle moving and repositioning it; building up on more expenses
- Portable AC is expensive and energy intensive
Helpful Video
Cost and Installation
Materials: $3,000-$14,000
Installation: $1,000+ for installation crew
Duration of Install: 2-5 Hours
#6 - Heated Seats
Portable heated pads are a creative idea that requires no porch renovations! These heated seats are battery-operated and thus can be activated in advance to preheat and be ready for use on arrival.
While they will not fix room temperature as a whole, the people using them will notice a significant warmth increase and comfort. More often than not, porches lack convenient outlets, so it is advisable not to carry around chargers and extension cords.
If you combine the heated pads with another heat or insulation method from the list, your porch will be completely winter-proof. They are commonly used in mountain villas or as heating kits in camping for improved comfort on the move.
Considerations
PROS
- Durable, water-resistant, and lightweight heating
- They are quite comfortable
- Portable + can be turned on in advance thanks to the use of batteries
CONS
- The heated seats alone won't solve the low room temperatures, and you will need other forms of insulation or heating
- The other heating methods offer full room heating
Helpful Video
Cost and Installation
Materials: $200-$500 for a full set
Installation: DIY
Duration of Install: Instant
#7 - Drop Down Panels
Perhaps one of the best methods on this list, the drop down panels offer amazing insulation at a fraction of the cost of rigid walls. These panels will serve as de-facto walls and keep rain, wind, snow, pollen, or leaves from ever reaching your porch or furniture. They are commonly made of industrial vinyl, which is a tough material.
Even better, the panels are just as good in the summer as the winter. They are a universal solution to temperature control, moisture control, and noise control. Temporary patio enclosure winter will serve as a strong yet transparent wall. Some manufacturers include heat seals either vertically or horizontally at the edges of the panels. This will greatly improve the already strong insulation and will make sure wind can never enter the porch area.
Drop down panels as used for temperature control across many industrial, commercial, and residential applications. Most commonly patios, bars, gazebos, pergolas, outdoor restaurants, train/bus stations, and more.
Considerations
PROS
- They come with reinforced edges and rustproof grommets
- Drop down panels are easily customizable with any height, length, color
- The panels are portable and can be reused elsewhere
- They are super energy-efficient, long-lasting, and require almost no maintenance costs because of how easy it is to clean
CONS
- Such vinyl panels are usually rated for -25° F and are not ideal for direct exposure to colder temperatures
Helpful Video
Cost and Installation
Materials: $500-$5,000
Installation: DIY or $350+ for installation crew
Duration of Install: 2-5 hours
#8 - Portable Heaters
The good old portable heaters are here to stay. They offer on-the-spot, on-demand heating anywhere you need them. Depending on the models of course, some perform way better. Oil-filled and propane could be problematic as mentioned below. Meanwhile, infrared heaters are way more efficient and fast to charge up.
Portable heaters are used in all sorts of environments such as patio bars, mountain villas, small camps structures, and across many residential buildings. Such types of heaters don't just warm up the air, but anything nearby; thus creating a comfortable indoor environment. Be sure to choose the correct style for you: the most common are ceiling mounted, wall mounted, free-standing, and floor mounted.
Considerations
PROS
- They are portable, inexpensive, and efficient
- Protection against rain
- Will be used for many years to come
CONS
- Oil-filled radiant heaters should be avoided as they take way too long to heat up the porch
- Propane heaters create too much carbon monoxide gas and are to be avoided unless you have good air ventilation
Helpful Video
Cost and Installation
Materials: $500-$10,000
Installation: DIY
Duration of Install: Instant
#9 - Floor And Roof Insulation
Floor and roof insulation are two ways to greatly increase indoor temperatures without taking up any space in the porch. There are two specific benefits here. Cold coming from the ground will stop at the insulation layer. Meanwhile, warm air rises up towards the roof, but will remain inside as roof insulation will prevent if from going further.
Depending on the local climate, some people add vapor barriers as well. Vapor barriers make sure moisture does not form from condensing and thus prevent mold and mildew. We advice vapor barrier use in areas with seasonal climates as the change in temperatures promotes moisture buildup. However, they won't have a major warming effect. Ffloor + roof insulation methods are widely used across all sorts of residential and commercial porches and patio establishments.
Considerations
PROS
- Superior insulation
- Will last for years to come
- Great increase in property value
- Prevents moisture buildup and therefore mold and mildew
CONS
- One of the most expensive solutions
- Is not portable and won't be of much use during summers
Helpful Video
Cost and Installation
Materials: $12,000-$36,000
Installation: $10,000+ for installation crew
Duration of Install: 1+ Week
#10 - Adding a Fireplace
A traditional or electronic fireplace will greatly improve porch temperatures while transferring heat to the walls; thus maintaining the warmth for hours to come after the fire has been extinguished. Electric porch fireplaces are quick and easy; as they only require one push of a button. They can also be portable although not an easy task.
Fireplaces are widely used across all sorts of commercial and residential applications such as apartments, outdoor patios, restaurants, markets, villas, mountain camps, and much more. Worth noting is that portable gas heaters are to be used for patios and open spaces. They would otherwise be dangerous for front porches.
Considerations
PROS
- Clean and traditional looks
- Great increase in property value
- Will heat up the walls as well and the warmth will last for hours
CONS
- One of the most expensive solutions
- Is not portable and won't be of much use during summers
Helpful Video
Cost and Installation
Materials: $5,000-$20,000
Installation: DIY or $5,000+ for installation crew
Duration of Install: 10+ Hours
#11 - Under Flooring Radiant Heating
Perhaps the most impactful idea, under floor heating will greatly improve porch temperatures without taking up any space. This solution can single-handedly fix winter issues as the hot air goes up towards the roof and therefore heats up the entire porch. The walls are also warmed up and will stay that way for hours.
There are a lot sub-methods to choose from and the video below will explain them in detail. While expensive, floor heating will be worth it in the long turn, as you will save a lot of money every winter. Such heating is commonly used for superior temperature control is porches, restaurants, residential rooms, hotels, schools, medicine bays, and more.
Considerations
PROS
- One of the most efficient heating methods
- Great increase in property value
- The warmth will transfer to the walls as well and remain much longer
CONS
- One of the most expensive solutions
- Is not portable and won't be of much use during summers
Helpful Video
Cost and Installation
Materials: $15,000-$25,000
Installation: DIY or $10,000+ for installation crew
Duration of Install: 1+ Week
Heat Your Screened Porch With Our Enclosure Panels
Overview
It is important to prepare and protect your patio for the upcoming winter. AKON's clear vinyl porch enclosure panels are the right solution for you. If you wish summer never ends and want to enjoy the outdoors at any time, design a curtain and your patio will never again be cold.
Another thing to keep in mind is the patio furniture: with proper insulation, your furniture will be safe from the cold, snow, or wind. While most types of patio furniture remain unaffected from heat or rain, they are vulnerable against ice and snow.
That does not have to be the case - you can easily prevent cracks, mold, mildew, and stains; thus greatly increasing the lifespan of your furniture. Our clear vinyl porch enclosure panels also offer great visibility while keeping the cold outside. Check more types of screen porch winter curtains here.
AKON Screened Porch Enclosure Panels Benefits
Temperature Control
Temperatures will stay nice and stable regardless of the season; allowing you to use the porch area all-year-round.
Humidity Control
The porch tarps will keep humidity levels stable even during harsh storms. No amount of rain will ruin your relaxation.
Pest Control
When completely closed off, the screen porch winter curtains will keep all pests at bay regardless how small some they are.
Noise Control
To make the porch area even more relaxing, the screen tarps are great at noise insulation by keeping the area calm.
Potential Threats During The Winter
The cold alone is not the only threat during harsh winters. We also need to consider UV light, snow, dust, dirt, insects, and more. The winter sun might not shine as bright, but UV light will still be harmful to patio furniture. Raid and snow become even more annoying to deal with as thick and slippery ice forms. If you want to winterize your patio area, one of the best methods are our vinyl enclosures.
Keep Using Your Patio During The Winter
With the right preparation, you could continue using your patio throughout the entire year. Never again worry about how cold the weather outside is.
Patio Curtains For Winter
By filling in a quick quote form, you can design the perfect curtain. AKON's patio curtains for winter are made for years of use thanks to their rust-resistant composition. Fill in a quote form here.
Heat Your Porch During The Winter With Style
