Screen Rooms and Screened Porches for Long Island Homes

A screen room is an outdoor room enclosed with fine-mesh screening instead of windows. It provides full protection from insects, falling leaves, and light debris while allowing airflow, natural light, and an open-air feel that fully enclosed rooms cannot replicate.

On Long Island, where mosquito season runs from May through October and deer ticks are a genuine health concern, a screened room lets you use your outdoor space without chemical sprays or constant swatting. Many homeowners in Suffolk County towns like Huntington, Smithtown, and Islip request screen rooms specifically to reclaim backyards that become unusable by late June.

Screen rooms are the fastest and most affordable sunroom-type project we build. Most installations take 3-5 days on-site, and costs start at $8,000. If you decide later that you want window panels for extended-season use, many screen room designs can be converted to a three-season sunroom or patio enclosure by swapping the screen panels for window panels.

Screen rooms provide comfortable use during Long Island's warm-weather months. Here is the seasonal breakdown:

• April -- Daytime highs of 55-65°F. Light jacket weather. The room is usable for reading, morning coffee, and casual meals.
• May through September -- Peak season. Average highs of 68-84°F. Full daily use for dining, entertaining, relaxing, and even outdoor sleeping on warm nights. The screen provides excellent cross-ventilation from Long Island's prevailing southwest breezes.
• October -- Daytime highs around 60-65°F. Still comfortable on sunny days through mid-month. Many homeowners host fall gatherings in their screen rooms through Columbus Day weekend.
• November through March -- Too cold for regular use. Screen rooms offer no thermal protection, so they follow outdoor temperatures closely.

For homeowners who want the open-air experience of a screen room during summer but also need protection during cooler months, our three-season sunrooms and patio enclosures offer a middle ground. See our comparison guide: screen room vs sunroom.

Screen rooms use lightweight, corrosion-resistant framing and durable screen mesh. Here is what we install:

• Extruded aluminum with powder-coat finish -- Our standard. Powder coating seals the aluminum against Long Island's salt air, which corrodes untreated metal within 2-3 years near the coast. Available in white, bronze, and sandstone. Expected life: 20-25 years.
• Aluminum with decorative kick plates -- Solid lower panels (typically 18-24 inches high) protect the screen from foot traffic, pets, and lawn equipment. Available in matching aluminum or composite material.

• Standard fiberglass screen (18x16 mesh) -- Blocks mosquitoes, flies, and most gnats. Good visibility and airflow. The most affordable option and adequate for most Long Island properties.
• Fine-mesh fiberglass (20x20 mesh) -- Tighter weave blocks no-see-ums and smaller insects. Recommended for properties near marshes, ponds, or the Great South Bay where tiny biting insects are common.
• Pet-resistant screen -- Vinyl-coated polyester that resists punctures from dogs and cats. Approximately 7 times stronger than standard fiberglass.
• Solar screen -- Reduces sun glare and UV exposure by 65-80 percent while maintaining outward visibility. Good for south- and west-facing rooms.

All screen panels are installed in removable spline channels, which means individual panels can be replaced in minutes if damaged. We also offer full screen replacement as part of our repair services.

Screen rooms are the quickest sunroom-type project we build. Most installations are completed in 3-5 days of on-site work, assuming the foundation or deck is already in place.

1. Site visit and design (1 visit, usually within 1 week of your call) -- We measure your patio, deck, or designated area, review framing and screen options, and discuss your layout.
2. Proposal (within 2-3 business days of site visit) -- Detailed written estimate with material specifications.
3. Material ordering (1-2 weeks) -- Aluminum framing and screen panels arrive pre-cut to your room dimensions.
4. On-site construction (3-5 days):

• Day 1: Post installation, ledger board attachment, and base framing
• Day 2: Roof framing and roofing material
• Day 3: Screen panel installation and door
• Days 4-5: Electrical (if applicable), trim, and final details

For projects that include a new concrete slab or deck modifications, add 1-2 weeks for foundation work before the screen room construction begins. Our build timeline guide covers each phase in detail.

Screen rooms are the most affordable enclosed outdoor living option on Long Island. Typical costs:

• Basic screen room (10x12, standard fiberglass screen, aluminum frame, studio roof, on existing slab): $8,000-$11,000
• Mid-size screen room (12x16, upgraded screen, kick plates, ceiling fan, single light fixture): $11,000-$14,000
• Large screen room (16x20, premium screen, gable roof, full electrical, composite flooring): $14,000-$18,000

• New concrete slab -- Adds $2,500-$5,000 depending on size and soil conditions.
• Deck modifications -- If your existing deck needs reinforcement or leveling: $1,000-$3,000.
• Electrical -- Ceiling fan, outlet, and overhead light: $600-$1,200. Recessed lighting: add $500-$1,000.
• Screen door upgrade -- Standard sliding screen door is included. Retractable screen door or heavy-duty pet door: add $300-$800.

On Long Island, screen room costs run approximately 10-15 percent above national averages due to local labor rates and material delivery costs. See our full sunroom cost guide for a comparison across all project types.

Choosing between a screen room and a fully windowed sunroom comes down to how you want to use the space, your budget, and how many months of use you need. Here is a quick comparison:

| Feature | Screen Room | Three-Season Sunroom | Four-Season Sunroom |

|---|---|---|---|

| Usable months on LI | 6-7 (Apr-Oct) | 8-9 (Mar-Nov) | 12 |

| Bug protection | Full | Full | Full |

| Rain protection | Partial (wind-driven rain enters) | Full | Full |

| Temperature control | None | Passive solar only | Full HVAC |

| Install time | 3-5 days | 1-2 weeks | 2-4 weeks |

| Cost range | $8k-$18k | $18k-$38k | $35k-$72k |

A screen room is the right choice if you primarily want warm-weather outdoor living space without insects, value the open-air feel, and want to keep costs low. If you want protection from rain and wind or need use beyond October, consider a three-season sunroom or patio enclosure.

For a deeper comparison, read our guide on screen rooms vs sunrooms.