This is a discussion we get to have regularly with our customers. Some of our homeowners are ready to rock and roll and know exactly where the door will go from the moment we first met. Such as this porch pictured. This was an easy EASY decision for this particular homeowner!
For others, there are so many choices and the screen door location can have a pretty large impact on how you use your porch and get to enjoy the space. My thoughts I always ask the customers to consider:
#1 – Outswing or Inswing – our most important starting point always is… will your door swing into your porch space or into the yard?
#2 – Type of Furniture and Where – to maximize the living space and size of your porch, it isn’t always best to place the door in the middle of your panel. On a small porch this can even prevent homeowners from allowing even a table and chairs to fit without obstructing the pathway to exit the porch. Many consider offsetting the door to allow for maximize furniture space.
#3 – Consider Where Your Home Door Is – many like to just place their screen door in a direct straight line from the door that exits their home. This for the easiest and most direct path to the yard. Many builders go with this option as a default when building spec homes. Or our homeowners with pets who are in and out a lot.
#4 – Your Landscaping Plans – of course paver or grilling patios, plans for flower beds and landscaping should definitely come into consideration for a ground level porch with an outswing door.
#5 – Logistics – lastly, depending on your panel sizes, bracing, and porch posts or where the porch meets your home, we may need to consider door locations that would be best to keep your door framed properly and able to open and close without future issues occurring.
We are always happy to work through options for your screen door locations and make sure it’s exactly what you hoped for. Take a look at our portfolio of porches for ideas.
