AKON's Recommended Covered Porch Enclosing Methods
#1 - Clear Porch Tarps
Today's article will focus on how to enclose a covered porch to better prepare for the winter. The first example includes AKON’s custom-built Clear Porch Tarps. They will easily block out snow, rain, wind, pollen, and dust from entering the porch area. Our clients commonly use these for climate control on outdoor structures like patios, bars, pergolas, outdoor spas, and gazebos.
If you are wondering how to enclose a porch cheaply, this is one of the best solutions. You will be able to use your outdoor area all-year-long without sacrificing comfort. The clear porch curtains also use 20mil thick see-through panels for better visibility.
Convert your screened porch to a winter sunroom with pleasant temperatures inside. The vinyl we use is perfected to insulate against cold and remain stable during strong winds. Snow, rain, pests, pollen, and dust will never again be pose risk for your comfort. When the weather starts improving in the spring, you can easily take down and store the tarps for the next winter.
Helpful Video
Benefits
- The porch tarps are fully-customizable with different sizes, layouts, colors, and optional features
- Superior temperature and noise control
- The vinyl will not crack in freezing or hot weather
- A fraction of the cost of rigid panel designs
- The vinyl's slick surface is easy to clean + almost no maintenance needed
#2 - Winter Porch Enclosures
Enclosing a porch for living space has never been easier. Our winter porch enclosures are large enough to keep everything covered and warm. After all, the temporary patio enclosures are rated for harsh winters, and we have the warranty to stand behind them.
One of the best enclosed porch ideas is to get custom enclosures. They can be designed and build specifically for you with any detail you wish. As a result, the enclosure panels will fit perfectly unlike stock sizes that look sloppy when installed.
We sell similar curtain enclosures to industrial and commercial clients as well. The design is super durable and long-lasting and because of that it is considered as a long-tern investment.
Our winter porch & patio enclosures are commonly used for gazebos, patios, bars, decks, loading docks, pavilions and many other outdoor areas. Also worth mentioning, if you want to know how to enclose a porch with plexiglass, the solution can be found here.
Helpful Video
Benefits
- The winter porch enclosures are fully-customizable with different sizes, layouts, colors, and optional features
- Superior temperature and noise control
- The vinyl will not crack in freezing or hot weather
- The vinyl slick surface is easy to clean + almost no maintenance needed
- Panels are snowproof + waterproof
- Reinforced edges with belt webbing against strong winds
#3 - Balcony Porch Rain Enclosure
Enclosing a porch with windows has never been easier. AKON's balcony rain curtains are made in the shape of windows and come with reinforced, waterproof vinyl. By adding grommets, pockets, and zipper splits we made these curtains extremely durable. They are also super easy to take down once the weather starts improving.
The two accessories that make these curtains so reliable are the grommets and edges. Our grommets are rust-proof and can be positioned anywhere you want along the edges of the curtain. As for the edges themselves, they are reinforced with industrial webbing. This makes them ideal for outdoor use where wind stress is common.
If you need enclosed porch ideas, our balcony rain curtains are just for you. They are also commonly used for gazebos, patios, bars, decks, loading docks, pavilions and many other outdoor areas. Also worth mentioning, if you want to know how to enclose a porch with plexiglass, the solution can be found here.
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Benefits
- The clear balcony tarps are amazing for long exposures to direct sunlight and high heat as they are UV-rate
- Come with custom sizes, layouts, and features
- The vinyl material will not be damaged under pressure from rain, snow, or extreme temperatures
- A mere 30% of the cost of traditional windows while being as strong
- The vinyl slick surface is easy to clean + almost no maintenance needed
- Tear resistant & abrasion resistant
#4 - Retractable Porch Enclosure
The forth solution is using large retractable curtains. They are extremely durable and are sometimes used in industrial facilities. They are perfect for large porch areas especially if you live in a windy area. The retractable curtains roll open and closed quickly; allowing you to set them up for seasonal or temporary use.
Every panel is independent for more flexibility. With these curtains you can completely or partially block off wind, rain, and snow. The curtains are also a year round solution; meaning you can use them all-year-round for as they pull back when not needed. Since they retract tightly when pulled back, they become basically unnoticeable while protecting your porch from the elements.
Fully enclosing a porch for living space can be done with a proper curtain mount. We offer a wide selection such as: chain, cable, ceiling, threaded rod, I-beam, free-standing, or static mounts. Worth noting: some of these accessories are optional, and you can customize which ones suit your porch more. Show in the picture are tie down anchor straps for wind control.
Easy Glide Track
Benefits
- Pull back when not needed and store against the porch wall
- Installation is quick and easy with no special tools needed
- Nylon roller hooks for easy opening and closing unlike static mounts
- No need to take it down when not in use, simply pull it back to the wall
- 6 mounting styles to connect to various structures
- Track is rust proof and made for harsh enviroments
#5 - Roll Up Porch Enclosure Curtains
The custom pull-up curtains have a unique structure unlike all other coverings we offer. They come with either pull-up or crank-up mounts.
The pull-up style uses a cord to raise or lower the shade. The cord is tied off to an adjacent cleat, so the shade can maintain its position. Finally, the curtain is mounted to the face of a wall/beam or the underside of a ceiling/beam.
The crank-up style uses a handle to raise or lower the shade. The shade will remain at any height in between. You can take the handle down and store it elsewhere when not in use. The mount can be located to the face of a wall or the underside of a ceiling.
Thanks to these two handle types, the curtains will retain flexibility for many years to come. Their UV protection lasts an average of 30 years and comes with fade prevention. The pull-up curtains are commonly used when enclosing a raised deck. This is so because their structure is amazing at blocking off pollen.
Quick Roll Up Access
Benefits
- There are six layouts depending if you want see-through panels
- Portable and easy to set up, take down, store, or repurpose
- The pull-up curtains will remain in pristine condition during harsh winters
- A mere 30% of the cost of other traditional walls and doors while offering the same durability
- The vinyl slick surface is easy to clean
- Optional anchor straps for improved durability
#6 - Awning Side Panels
Our awning side panels are formulated with advanced technology such as wind webbing, rust-proof grommets, and heavy-duty vinyl. As a result, our clients get reduced sunlight glares, better insulation against the cold/heat, and a clear outward view.
The best part is our vinyl. If you are wondering how to enclose a patio for winter, vinyl is the material you need. Originally made for industrial purposes, vinyl is now commonly used for commercial and residential properties. This amazing material guarantees you can relax in your porch, patio, or balcony regardless of the season and even during super harsh weather conditions.
Also worth mentioning is the heat sealing function. We have placed heat seals either vertically or horizontally for larger curtains. If you have a preference on the location of the heat seals, we can customize it.
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Benefits
- UV-rated with fade protection
- Awning curtains can withstand cold and hot 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
- Mold, mildew, and fungi resistant
- The awning curtains will not become brittle as they age + they are tear-resistant and puncture-resistant. Even under pressure of gold ball impacts, the curtains will not sag or stretch
#7 - Insulated Porch Enclosure Panels
Insulated porch enclosure curtains come in many sizes and custom shapes. Depending on your needs, these outdoor insulated porch curtains cover your patio so that you can use it in the winter. The insulated porch panels are made to your exact sizes so that they fit perfectly. After you are done using them for the season, they can be taken down and stored for the next season. Unlike rigid insulated panels, they are less expensive, easier to store, quicker to produce and faster to install. They come in two mounting styles, curtain track and static mount.
Curtain track allows the insulated thermal patio enclosure curtains to fold up to the side. There are five different mounting styles that you can choose from to attach to your structure. The tracks can be mounted to the ceiling, wall face, or can even be suspended from above using threaded rod or chain. If choosing the curtain track style then there will be a small gap from the bottom of the track to the top of the curtain. To cover that gap AKON can supply a small 6" tall valance to drape over that gap for further temperature control.
If using the static mount style then you can attach the insulated thermal patio enclosure tarps directly to your structure. We place grommets every 18 inches so that you can use a fastener of your choice to mount the panels in a fixed position. Once the season is over, just like the curtain track option, you can take the insulated panels down and store them for the next season. If you need help choosing fasteners then this is a helpful guide.
Benefits
- Insulated material has the highest warmth rating
- Ideal for extreme low temperatures
- Insulated porch enclosures are made for extreme conditions
- Can be removed and stored during the warmer months
- Choose from R3 or R6 rated material
#8 - Screen Door Cover
Screen door winterizing is often required for patios, screen porches, and other structures that have a screen door. We custom make these so that they have an exact fit on your screen door. The screen door winter cover is clear so that it lets light into your enclosure. The cover can be provided with snaps or grommets of your choosing based on the material your door is made of. The patio screen door cover keeps out wind, rain and snow making it a great complement to the other enclosure covers that we provide. When the season is over, simply un-attach it from the door and store it for next season. If you have a doggie door, we can also accommodate that by leaving a small clear flap that drapes over it.
Benefits
- Custom-made just for your screen door
- Snap on or stick on fasteners for quick easy install
- Visually appealing unlike other solutions
- Clear material lets the light in
How To Enclose A Porch Cheaply
Temperature Control
Temperatures will stay nice and stable during the winter and thus allowing you to use the porch area all-year-round.
Humidity Control
By using vinyl curtains, you will keep humidity levels stable even during harsh storms. No amount of rain will ruin your relaxation.
Pest Control
Insects, rodents, and birds will not be able to enter inside the porch regardless how small some of them are.
Noise Control
The curtains we offer are also due-purpose noise insulators. The porch will become even more relaxingand calm.
Material Options
Opaque Vinyl
Our 18oz opaque vinyl is the strongest material and is ideal for extremely low temperatures. The material can be fully-opaque or come with a clear vision panel. $$
Clear Vinyl
The 20 and 30mil clear vinyl is great for line of sight and letting light into your pavilion. By far the most common material used for pavilion side wall enclosures. $$
Insulated Vinyl
The insulated R3 is a 3/8" material that made for extreme temperature control. The outside uses the 18oz vinyl and the inside is a thick batting. $$$$
Mesh Vinyl
Made for the warmer summer months, the mesh curtains allows for a breeze inside of the pavilion while keeping flying insects like flies and mosquitos outside. $
Heat Your Porch During The Winter With Style
Zipper Door Access
Quick Access
The plastic walls for your porch enclosures can also feature a zipper split for quick access. The zipper can be places where you want it and is common on the static mounted sidewalls.
Reinforced Edges
Reinforced Edges
For all clear porch weather curtains we can use reinforced edges with industrial webbing. This keeps the grommets from pulling out of the PVC in windy conditions. Just ask for webbing if you want that feature.
Custom Shapes
Any Shape That Is Needed
When a customer asks us how to enclose a porch, our answer is just send us a hand sketch of your design. We take your hand sketch and turn that into a tight fitting winter enclosure. Any shape you need, we can make it for you.
Tough Material
You Can't Damage This
Our 18oz reinforced vinyl is the same material used on trucking tarps! The material is nearly indestructible. Unlike unsightly cheap crinkly tarps, our material is commercial grade and is made to last many years.
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