Start With the Roof
A screen enclosure needs a solid roof overhead. If the patio already has an attached cover or aluminum cover, screens can often be added to it. If not, the roof and screens are usually built together. A pergola or louvered roof can take side screens, but the gaps above mean bugs can still get in.
Screen Options
| Screen | Best for |
|---|---|
| Standard fiberglass mesh | Lowest cost, good visibility |
| No-see-um (fine) mesh | Keeps out gnats and tiny biting insects |
| Pet-resistant mesh | Homes with dogs or cats that push on screens |
| Solar or privacy mesh | Blocks more sun and glare on west-facing patios |
Framing Choices
- Aluminum screen framing is the most common and needs little upkeep.
- A knee wall (a short solid wall along the bottom) protects screens from kids, pets and lawn equipment.
- Kick plates are a cheaper way to protect the lower screens.
- Doors. Plan where the screen door goes so traffic to the yard is easy.
Screened vs. Fully Enclosed
A screen room is not climate-controlled living space. Turning a patio into a sunroom with windows, insulation and HVAC is a much bigger project with different permits and costs. If you’re weighing the two, ask the builder to price both so you can compare.
Pricing
We haven’t found a published local price for screen enclosures we’re comfortable citing, so we don’t list one. The total depends on the length of screen wall, height, doors, knee walls and whether a roof is needed. Get a written estimate with each item listed.
Questions to Ask
- What screen mesh do you recommend for my patio?
- How are screen panels replaced if one tears?
- Is a permit needed for the enclosure in Broken Arrow?
- Can the screens be added later if I build the roof now?
Request a Patio Cover Quote
Tell us about the patio. A local Broken Arrow-area builder will call or text you back to look at the space and give you a written estimate.
Please note: Broken Arrow Patio Covers connects homeowners with independent local patio cover and pergola builders. We are not a contractor and do not do the work.