Roughly 75 to 80% of our current business at DW Decks comes from one project type: screen porches. Two decades ago, that number sat closer to a quarter. Kansas City homeowners are tired of mosquitoes cutting evenings short, harsh sun making patios unusable, and outdoor furniture going to waste for half the year. A screen porch solves all three. It turns an underused deck into a livable room, and demand has grown through two major housing shifts. Here is what is driving that trend.
The Real Benefits of a Screen Porch
A screen porch is more than a bug barrier. When built correctly, it functions as a true extension of your living space, giving you another room to relax, entertain, or work in without stepping fully outside. On nice days, many of our customers take the storm door off the back of their house and leave the main door open, turning the porch into a seamless part of their interior living area.
Insect Protection that Actually Works
Kansas City summers bring mosquitoes, wasps, flies, and even tiny pests like no-see-ums and mites. Standard screens often let the smallest ones through, which is why we install fine-mesh, vinyl-coated nylon screens designed to block them. The result is an outdoor space you can actually use at dusk.
Sun, Wind, and Year-Round Comfort
Our heavy vinyl-coated nylon screen blocks about 50% of UV rays and cuts the wind by roughly half. That matters in a city known for brutal afternoon sun. In winter, the same screens trap heat, so pairing the space with infrared heaters or a fireplace makes it usable well past patio season.
Key Takeaway: A properly screened porch can be enjoyed in spring, summer, and fall, and stays comfortable into the cooler months with the right heat source.
Why Demand for Screen Porches has Surged
Screen porches used to be a small slice of our work, around 20 to 25% of our projects. Today, they make up the vast majority. Two major shifts drove that change.
Homeowners are Staying Put Longer
After the 2008 housing crash, people stopped moving every five or six years. Instead of upgrading to a new house, they started investing in the one they already owned. Outdoor living spaces became a top priority, and screen porches led the list.
The Post-Pandemic Outdoor Boom
When COVID hit, demand climbed even higher. Families wanted more functional outdoor space, and that momentum has not slowed. Nearly every new home in the $400,000 to $500,000-plus range comes with a covered deck, and most of those eventually get screened in.
Pro Tip: If your home already has a covered deck, a screen retrofit is often faster and more affordable than building new. We do these conversions regularly across the Kansas City metro.
Need expert help with screen porches? Contact DW Decks for a free consultation.
What Makes Kansas City a Prime Market
Few regions need screen porches more than ours. The combination of intense sun and heavy insect activity makes uncovered patios tough to enjoy for much of the year.
Built for Midwest Conditions
Our screens block the sun from a horizontal angle, not just from the roofline, which makes a noticeable difference during long summer evenings. Paired with strong insect protection, the result is a space that finally feels usable.
Screen Porches for Every Home
Whether you need a roof cover added to an existing deck, a full new build, or a retrofit on a covered deck you already own, we tailor each project to your home and lifestyle.
Ready to Build a Space You Will Actually Use?
The homeowners we work with rarely regret screening in their porch. They regret waiting so long to do it. With the right materials, the right build, and a team that understands Kansas City weather, your outdoor space can finally work as hard as the rest of your home.
DW Decks has built outdoor spaces across the Kansas City metro for years, and we would be glad to walk you through your options. Reach out today for a free consultation and see why so many Kansas City homeowners are choosing custom screen porches to get more out of every season.
