Sherry and I were excited when we first laid eyes on our house’s sunroom. We were actually grateful for the barely budge-able glass sliders and the damp carpet because the sellers positioned this house as a real fixer upper, and we knew the raw state of this room was one of the things that put it within our price range.
When it came to brainstorming what we thought we could do with it, I had deja vu for our first sunroom, which we made over with some floor & ceiling paint, sheer curtains and some cozy furniture. My mind used that to fill in the blanks as to what this new sunroom could become.
And although so far we’ve only so far removed the carpet and plopped some furniture down randomly, I could already feel us heading in that direction…
But Sherry had a different vision. She honed in on a key difference between those two sunrooms: this one was surrounded by a deck on all sides. And those broken doors – in particular the two sets on the long wall that we literally couldn’t slide at all – were a barrier to us enjoying this outdoor space to its fullest.
So she wanted to take ’em off. Leaving something “open and glorious” (to borrow her words) – like a covered porch complete with an outdoor rug, vaulted ceiling, and a tiled floor. Something decidedly less like a big fishbowl tacked on to the back of our house.
I was nervous and unconvinced (like I am before most big undertakings). What about in the winter? The drafty glass doesn’t keep it warm enough for winter use anyways, Sherry reminded me. What about bugs? We used to leave the sliders wide open in our last sunroom with the fan running and no bugs wanted anything to do with us thanks to the moving air. But, um, is this sort of covered porch a thing people do?
Then Sherry showed me this image.
Sure, we don’t have a fireplace (although maybe we could add one someday…) but that picture had me sold. Heck, it even got me excited. We’ve used this deck more than any other outdoor space we’ve ever had, mostly because Clara enjoys playing with her baby pool and water table out there. And I realized this change would only make that time better. We could still retreat to the shade of the sunroom and the breeze of its fan, but we wouldn’t feel so closed off from the outside.
But enough talking. Let’s get down to business. Taking the sliding screen and glass doors off was a cinch. The glass door was heavier so it took a bit more oomph, but I just lifted them both slightly and tilted them off their track.
Honestly, the toughest part was carrying the glass out of the way. We piled them up beside our garage (Habitat for Humanity is coming to pick them up next week since the slides are the only broken parts, so the doors and screens themselves are in great shape to be donated).
Next I had to remove the frame pieces that kept the glass doors on either side from moving. This involved some unscrewing, a bit of prying and even some light hammer taps, but it all came up pretty easily overall.
With the inner frame gone, the two stationary panes on either side came out just like the sliding door in the middle. A little lift and tilt, and out they came. Although from years of not having budged, they took lots of oomph.
Removing all of the doors (12 glass doors and 4 screens) probably took me about two hours (excluding photo taking time). And as each one came out, I was able to see Sherry’s “open and glorious” vision become opener and gloriouser (?). Part of me wanted to stop and just kick back with a tall glass of sweet tea for the rest of the day.
But demo was not done. Each doorway still had the metal frame around it that was a bit of an eyesore (and the bottom piece was a major tripping hazard). So after removing a few dozen screws and prying a bunch of metal free from caulk with several tugs and twists, the frames came out.
This process took me about two more hours. I admittedly wasn’t really doing it the “proper” way – which would’ve been to remove all of the wood trim around the doors in the sunroom and (theoretically) slide the frames right out with ease. But some of the frames were so warped that I wasn’t sure they’d easily slide out even if I spent hours ripping off all the trim first. So I just kind of manhandled my way through it while keeping the trim in place. There was some twisted metal to show for it, but it did the trick. And since we couldn’t donate those frames since they were the broken parts of the doors anyway, it all worked out.
There’s still a long way to go (more on that in a second) but we’re both CRAZY excited about the change. I wish I could convey how liberating it is to walk freely between these two spaces now, no longer having to wrestle a stuck door to do so. I feel like we’ve reclaimed a whole portion of our deck that we previously didn’t touch because of the wall of immobile glass.
We joked that we should start calling it the “veranda” to mark its evolution from the typical sunroom that we’re used to. And perhaps that fancier term will lend a sense of polish that the space will lack during this in-between phase. We just have to remember to say veranda, and not verdana (which is a typeface, not a covered porch).
So it looks like this’ll be our first big makeover here at the new house (aside from laying all of that hardwood flooring upstairs before moving in). As usual, we’re planning to tackle it in nice bite-sized steps – and hopefully we can knock a lot of it out before the temperature drops too much. Here’s the tentative plan:
Rip up the old carpetingRemove the sliding doors and tracks to open things up- Add fresh casing to the openings and caulk like crazy (to make up for the waterproofing that the old door frames provided)
- Possibly loft the ceiling and install painted beadboard up there if the structure allows for it (see this photo for inspiration)
- Add a hanging ceiling fan (or two?) and possibly recessed lighting
- Repaint the columns and interior of the sunroom with exterior paint
- Tile the floors with something outdoor-safe (we’ve already been poking around a few tile places…)
- Get a rug, furniture, and maybe even add some outdoor curtains?
- Build an outdoor fireplace like this down the line
Oh, and one last minor thing that we took care of right away was to swap out all of the outlets for covered outdoor outlets. Don’t want rain shorting out any electrical stuff in there! Thankfully the walls aren’t drywall (they’re all wood painted with exterior paint) since we believe this room was once a covered porch before someone made it a sunroom – so when we add that casing to the door openings and caulk everything, the room will be all sealed up and weather resistant again.
Psst – Cassie over at Hi Sugarplum played 20 questions with Sherry, so you can read all about her weirdest quirks, her current cell phone ringtone, and her favorite Halloween candy.
SOMMER LEDBETTER says
The only thing AZ has is covered porches with ceiling fans. It’s awesome when the weather isn’t 115* outside.
Hanah says
Love it! I remember seeing this blog that did something similar and I especially loved the curtains they added. Thought of it when i saw your post today.
http://www.beneathmyheart.net/2010/08/back-patio-reveal-and-5-giveaway-winners/
YoungHouseLove says
Love that!
xo
s
Sara says
One word: pergola! Do it! One. Two. Three. Do it! (From the office) Love your ideas as always!
Larissa says
Maybe someone said this already – haven’t read all the comments – but I believe if you tile the floor you could quite possibly wear caftans and have brunch out there and call the space the “lanai”. Just another option to consider.
Tessa says
Yesterday’s “inspiration email” from BHG on the same wavelength as you guys! http://www.bhg.com/decorating/fireplace/outdoor/outdoor-fireplace-ideas/?sssdmh=dm17.685120&esrc=nwdi081813a
YoungHouseLove says
Gorgeous! I love that one too!
xo
s
Dani says
PMSL! I just realised how many Aussies logged on this morning and said basically the same comment (myself included). IT’S AN ALFRESCO, YA HEAR US?! :P
Heather says
I love it already! A year ago we bought a house with a “veranda” (with a similar layout to yours) and we LOVE it. It is definitely my favorite “room” in our house. My kids love it too, especially when it rains! The fans help make even summer days pleasant. You won’t regret anything about this decision!
Side note. We are in Va too, and end up taking all our furniture (except dining table) in for the winter, because wind helps snow creep in.
Now I want to add a fireplace! Will you add that anytime soon? I need your expert advise and inspiration for that project!
YoungHouseLove says
We hope to complete the project before it gets too cold, so if a fireplace factors into the plans hopefully (knock on wood) it’s something we’d get to in the next few months.
-John
Rebecca says
What is it with men!? I come up with the same type of ideas that Sherry does and he’s always skeptical…until I show him a picture! Then all of a sudden he acts like it was his idea! W/E!!!
catie says
Love where this is going. In Hawaii they would call it a lanai :-)
Autumn Beach says
Oh, WOW!! I LOOOOOOOVE it!!
Sarah R. says
I’m jealous! I love it already. I’m picturing some cozy furniture and billowy curtains. Good call, Sherry!
Kate says
It looks 100 times better already! I NEVER would have thought to do that!
Kate says
I love it!! It makes such a difference! I bet you already have thought of this (because you think of everything) but how open are you to accordion style glass doors like this to use this space during the winter? http://pinterest.com/pin/233413193160554112/
YoungHouseLove says
Those are gorgeous! Sadly they’re really out of our budget, but perhaps down the line if we feel like we need them we’ll save up?
xo
s
Jennifer says
This is just so awesome – very excited for you guys. “Covered Patios” are all the rage down in Australia (where we currently hail) – we call them “Pergola’s”. We just had french doors installed to replace the old sliders – can’t wait to open them up all the way for the summer to bring the outdoors in. And it will be even better when we get the new wooden floorboards put in over the existing tiles, knock out the white ceiling and make it a pine-lined coffered ceiling with built-in speakers and lights….
Aleesa says
So funny that you say ‘verandah’ is such a fancy word. Here in Australia it’s common and by no means fancy! We don’t have sun rooms – that’s what outside is for. Enjoy the great open space you now have.
Meg says
I love it!! I would totally do something like this if i thought my Western NY weather wouldbe suitable. I am wondering if you thought about staining the beadboard? We visit Peaks Island, ME and there are several homes that have a golden stain on the ceiling and at night it just glows this soft warmth that is to die for!
YoungHouseLove says
That sounds pretty too!
xo
s
Laura @ The Monster & Me says
Looks great guys. The covered porch concept is pretty much standard here in Queensland, Australia. Most houses will have a big back deck or patio going out to the yard. But then our warm weather calls for being outside but undercover!
Can’t wait to see what you do with the patio.
x Laura
Anne says
We have been house hunting and looked at a house that had something similar and they had curtains made out of screen material. It was gorgeous. You couldn’t even tell it was screen in person. Maybe the bugs are worse in Memphis than there, though! http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1828-Central-Ave-Memphis-TN-38104/42141522_zpid/. Picture 11 on that zillow page shows you what I am talking about.
YoungHouseLove says
Holy cow, that house is INSANE! In a good way!
xo
s
Lesley says
Sherry is a genius. That is alll.
Colette says
I love it already, so liberating!
Shannon [Our Home Notebook] says
Wow, you guys have some definite vision. I would have been a little nervous taking it apart but it’s looks amazing now. So much more open and I’m sure you’ll love and use the space so much more now.
Lauren says
Love this project! I can’t wait to see how it turns out!
Sherry, I saw on the 20 questions that you make your own Tazo chai in the mornings. How do you do that…do you just brew their tea bags or do you use the stuff in the carton? I LOVE Starbucks chai tea lattes too, but brewing a regular cup of chai tea at home is not even close to being the same.
YoungHouseLove says
I buy the liquid stuff in the carton and then just pour milk halfway into my mug and Chai the other half of the way and then microwave it for 2 minutes.
xo
s
Katie says
They sell liquid chai?!!? How do I not know about this? Does your local grocery store sell it (if yours does I’m hoping my local STL grocer does too…come on Schnucks!!)or do you go to a Trader Joe’s? I’m not a fan of brewing the tea bags and had all but given up on chai at home.
YoungHouseLove says
We get it at Kroger, but I think other stores have it too. It’s by Tazo and comes in a rectangular carton.
xo
s
Cara D says
You will love the covered porch! We have a huge one and everyone that sees it thinks it is great. The roof being over it plus fans keep it pretty cool. Ours has a very high ceiling, 10 feet, so I made curtains out of marine cloth we can slide around to add shade. Can’t wait to see what you do with it.
YoungHouseLove says
That sounds gorgeous Cara!
xo
s
Korie says
OK- Seriously love this and have almost the exact same sunroom in our house. Almost all the sliders are broken or the seal is broken so they are all foggy. I don’t want to pay for new sliders either($$) Sherry-I need some help trying to convince the hubs we should do this. What is your secret??? My guy is not nearly as handy as John.. sigh… Our sunroom is off our family room and there are french doors out to it. No Windows. My only concern is bugs, as there are woods/wetlands in back of us. We are also in the Northeast so winters are more harsh. Wish me luck… I will show him your inspration photo and see if that does the trick!! Kudos to your vision… you rock!!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Good luck, Korie! The secret for John is usually a picture since he’s a really visual guy! So the link he included in this post to that picture was the clincher!
xo
s
Stephanie says
What a difference a few hours can make! I can’t wait to see the final outcome.
Aurora says
It’s a great idea but have you considered a doubled sided fireplace?
I love the idea of sharing the warmth beyond the veranda (you could also call it a Loggia) – and having more space for toasting marshmallows .
YoungHouseLove says
We definitely think that could be fun! Just have to decide if we think it’ll block off too much flow/view (we like the idea of working on our computers in the shade but being able to watch Clara playing out on the deck in the sun).
xo
s
Jo says
I’d be tempted to put curtain rods up and hang sheer white panels. You could have some sort of tie back to keep them out of the way when you wanted but i love that look and seeing those sheers blow gently in a light breeze. But I absolutely love this and what a difference it makes. I wish I had a sun porch that I could do this with. Great job!!
Abby says
LOVE watching as you all transform this house! The hubs and I bought our first house last summer and it’s the same style as yours (we live in KY), though a bit smaller. It’s super exciting to watch you all update because I see so many ideas I can bring back to my own house. We actually have a covered patio – sorry, I mean veranda – on the back of our house (huge selling point for us) and we love it, but have lots of ideas for improvement. We also want to vault the ceiling if possible, add light blue painted beadboard and recessed lighting (with dimming capabilities) and a second ceiling fan. I’m sure you all will tackle this before me, so I will be taking notes!! :)
Vicki says
We have home in DFW TX area and vacation house in small town south of Sarasota FL…that house like many has a pool cage/screened – in lanai around the patio area where the pool is…
and we have come to love having a place secure from the majority of the bugs like mosquitos…
We would love to be able to do the same thing for our TX patio but hail storms would tear it up too easily to make it cost-practical…
While I agree that your new veranda is more attractive w/o sliders that don’t work…you might be surprised at what very fine screen mesh sliders can add down the line…
sliders that work are big diff over slider that don’t…
You could still do most of what you want to remodel–like raising the ceiling/roof and adding painted beadboard and fans…
We have 3 ceiling fans, a built in BBQ grill, a flatscreen (recently hung) and of course patio furniture on our lanai…
One incentive in FL for using a pool case besides reducing insect invastions is that the mesh screening cuts the UV of the sunlight so it helps reduce that danger…
Amber V. says
I guess you guys are serious about staying here for the long haul if you are willing to give up the square footage. I think this is going to be glorious!
Have you considered staining the concrete instead of tiling? I love the look, cost and low maintenance of stained concrete for indoor and outdoor spaces.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, we’re married to this house! Haha! We’ll also regain more square footage than we lost when we finish the storage room above the garage, and since the heater never worked in the sunroom it didn’t count as square footage when we bought the house anyway, so that made it easier! As for staining the concrete, there’s glue that shows through so we’d need to use an opaque stain or paint and nothing transparent, which we worry could be slick/slippery when wet from the rain, so we’re leaning more towards a tile with a lot of grip that’s less slippery.
xo
s
Andy says
Has anyone advised you to paint the ceiling light blue to keep the wasps & mud daubers from building nests?
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, we’ve heard that! And there’s a superstitious thing about keeping ghosts away too (southern thing, haha).
xo
s
Brooke says
Wow! I would have never thought to remove the sliding glass doors, but I love it. Great job, y’all!
Karla@{TheClassyWoman} says
Loving this, I can already see where this space is headed. All those big openings where the doors were provided such a beautiful breezy outdoor area. I’m envisioning gorgeous tied back outdoor drapery panels to soften things up. I’ve always dreamed about an indoor/outdoor space like that. One day….
Jenny says
It looks like it was meant to be that way! I think your inkling of it having been an open porch before they enclosed it has to be right. I can’t wait to see the finished product! This gives me so many ideas for the house we plan to build in a few years. Loving it!
Diane says
Probably one of my most favorite changes in all of your houses! Definitely curtain panels and even an electrical fireplace would be cool (I have used those in client’s beach houses and they really are realistic) I have a feeling this is going to be your favorite spot in your home during the summer months! Good vision Sherry.
Jessi says
i’m sure y’all know this, and it may not be an issue in richmond, but here in texas lots of people try to put a regular ceiling fan on their porches and then they end up all wilted and droopy…I guess from humidity? so make sure you get an outdoor resistant ceiling fan. :) the porch looks awesome! i’m super jealous!
YoungHouseLove says
Great tip!
xo
s
Trude says
Looks fantastic! I’m loving that inspiration. Can’t wait to see how it all turns out!
Trevor says
I love it. Have you considered installing a pull down screen for shade/keeping bugs away?
YoungHouseLove says
We love that idea for down the line if we find we need to add one!
xo
s
jill says
YES! This is awesome. And I definitely vote curtains. We have a tiny veranda space and adding outdoor curtains completely transformed the space. It’s now one of our favorite spots to hang out. It also provides very necessary privacy while drying off from the hot tub. :-)
Sarah says
Have you considered fold away doors?
http://pinterest.com/pin/121104677451198333/
YoungHouseLove says
Those are fun!
xo
s
alg says
LURVE IT! Am ALL about the outdoor room thing. Great vision, Sherdog! Can’t wait to see it all finished :)
Claire says
I haven’t read all the comments so I hope I’m not being repetitive…Do you know where I can find a covered outlet cover like that? I’ve only found really ugly ones.
YoungHouseLove says
We found them at Home Depot (in the outdoor electrical section).
xo
s
Laura says
That is gorgeous! I am not sure that I would have had the guts to take down the sliding doors. I need to get more adventurous here, I see that it pays off! :-)
Gretchen in Tennessee says
I don’t know about you, but I am a mosquito MAGNET!! Have you thought about screening it in? I DIY’ed my porch screens. I bought a big roll of screen and two big rolls of velcro off the internet. I cut the screens to size and sewed the velcro all around the outside border. Then my husband put down wood trim pieces all around the openings where I could glue and staple the opposite side of the velcro to. Stick and voila!! They are easily removed if you do want the open feeling AND you can easily replace just one screen if a kid/dog/cat/drunk relative ruins one. Just something to think about. ;) Either way, I LOVE that sunroom (or whatever it is now)! With the deck around it?? TOO PERFECT!!! *Jealous!!*
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Gretchen! We’ll definitely add a screen down the line if we need one (we used to leave the doors wide open in our last sunrooms but with the fan running it seemed to make bugs scream “ain’t nobody got time for that!” – haha!
xo
s
Deborah HH says
Wow! Sherry! What an amazing difference. The hospitality factor just soars by opening up the porch.
Dee says
Brilliant!
You guys have a great eye for seeing the potential in places and things. You are going to turn this place into a stunning home. Congrats on the work so far.
Gayle says
Love this, you are clever!
Chelsea says
“We could take a walk and you could kiss me on the veranda.”
“Lips would be fine.”
YoungHouseLove says
Ha!
-John
Christine Somers says
Perfect space for lounging on a rainy day!
Kristin F says
Missed opportunity! This post should’ve been titled “Twisted Metal”! Ha!
“There was some twisted metal to show for it, but it did the trick.”
Looks great though, so glad you didn’t wait until later in the year to tackle this. Now y’all will get to enjoy the lovely VA fall weather on your “verandah”.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha!
xo
s