Screened porch cost in Chattanooga runs anywhere from a few thousand dollars to well over $80,000, and the range is that wide for one specific reason: “screened porch” covers two completely different projects.
There’s adding screens to a covered patio you already own, and there’s building a brand-new structure from the footings up. Those two jobs are not in the same ballpark.
Screened Porch Cost in Chattanooga: The Quick Answer
The price range you’ll be looking at will depend on whether you already have a covered patio or not.
| Project Type | Typical National Range | Primary Cost Drivers |
| ScreenEze retrofit (existing covered patio) | $2,000–$5,000 | Structure condition, screen type, door |
| New screened porch, basic | $10,000–$35,000 | Size, roof type, foundation, materials |
| New screened porch, premium | $50,000–$90,000+ | Composite decking, standing-seam roof, T&G ceiling, custom trim |
| Per sq ft, new build | $50–$175/sq ft | All of the above |
Screening in a covered patio you already have
If you’ve got a solid covered patio, this is the fastest and most affordable path to a screened space.
We install the ScreenEze track system, which uses an aluminum base and vinyl cap that snap together to stretch and secure screen fabric across each opening, with no staples and no spline.
On a structurally sound existing patio cover, it’s often a single-day install. Nationally, screen-only retrofits on existing covered structures run $2,000 to $5,000 for a typical residential patio. That range holds as a starting point in Chattanooga.
Building a new screened porch from the footings up
This is a fundamentally different project. You’re paying for footings, framing, roofing, flooring, screening, posts, beams, and all the labor that ties them together.
National cost guides put new screened porch construction at $10,000 to $35,000, with per-square-foot rates running $50 to $175 for new builds and $10 to $25 for screening an existing covered structure.
Premium builds in markets like Chattanooga regularly land above that standard range.
The three completed projects on our screened porch page came in at $72,000, $81,000, and $91,000, each in the 250-square-foot range with full structural builds and quality finishes.
We’re not the cheapest option in town, but if you want a screened porch that holds up through Chattanooga’s wet summers and still looks the way you imagined it ten years from now, what goes into the build matters.
Cost by Size
Square footage is one of the most predictable levers in any screened porch budget. Here’s how it typically plays out for a new build.
Small, around 200 sq ft
It’s a comfortable space for a couple of chairs and a small table, and works well as a screened sitting area off a bedroom or kitchen.
Expect to land in the lower half of the national range for a basic build, with premium materials pushing it higher.
Mid-size, around 300 sq ft
This is the most common footprint we build, roughly 15×20. It gives you genuine dining room energy outside, fits a table for six with room to move around.
Most of our completed projects in this range have come in between $70,000 and $85,000 with full structural builds and quality finishes.
Large, 400+ sq ft
At 400 square feet and up, you’re building something that functions as an additional room. Structural complexity increases, rooflines get more involved, and material costs stack.
These projects are best scoped in person.
What Drives Your Screen Porch Price in Chattanooga
Every screened porch quote is assembled from the same set of variables. Here’s what each one actually contributes.
New build versus screening an existing structure
The single biggest cost split. A retrofit on an existing covered patio skips footings, framing, roofing, and most structural labor entirely. A new build requires every one of those trades.
Foundation and how it attaches to the house
A freestanding structure requires more foundation work than one attached to your home. Ledger board attachment, waterproofing at the connection point, and joist sizing all affect early costs.
Roof style and framing complexity
A simple shed roof is the most straightforward. Hip roofs, gable roofs, and any roof that has to tie into an existing roofline cost more in both materials and labor.
Screen material and the track system
We use ScreenEze on every screened porch we build. The track system is one cost; the screen mesh inside it is another. Fiberglass is the baseline. Pet-resistant and solar screen mesh run higher.
Flooring
Some screened porches sit on existing concrete slabs. Others get Trex Enhance composite decking, fresh stamped concrete, or other finishes. Composite runs more than concrete but offers better comfort underfoot and a cleaner aesthetic.
Railings, posts, and beams
We use MiraTEC treated exterior composite trim for post-and-beam wrapping, a material that resists moisture and rot, holds paint exceptionally well, and gives the structure a clean, finished look. Composite railing systems like Trex Enhance Railing add cost but also add longevity.
Screen doors
A storm door at the entry is standard on most builds. Configurations with multiple access points add to the count.
Labor
Labor rates in the Chattanooga market track with the regional Southeast. The complexity of your specific project, not a regional average, is what dictates time on site.
Screen Materials and Systems Compared
Not all screens are built the same, and the choice matters more in Chattanooga’s humid climate than it might in a drier region.
| Screen Type | Best For | Relative Cost | Notes |
| Fiberglass mesh | Most homeowners, standard use | Lowest | Good visibility, easy to replace |
| Aluminum mesh | Higher-traffic areas | Low-moderate | More durable than fiberglass |
| Pet-resistant | Homes with dogs or cats | Moderate | Vinyl-coated polyester, much harder to tear |
| Solar/sun screen | South or west-facing porches | Moderate-high | Reduces glare and heat gain |
| ScreenEze track system | Any mesh type above | Included in our builds | Aluminum base, vinyl cap, no staples or spline, cleaner finish |
The ScreenEze system is what we specify on every build. It snaps together to stretch and hold screen fabric taut across large openings without additional framing, keeps sightlines clean, and produces a finished look that staple-and-spline methods don’t match.
You can review the full system specs on the ScreenEze product page.
Permits and Code in Hamilton County
Most screened porch additions in Hamilton County require a building permit, and new structural builds almost always do.
The Hamilton County Building Inspection office handles permitting for properties in unincorporated Hamilton County. If your property is within Chattanooga city limits, the city’s own building department handles that instead.
We pull and manage permits on every project we take on. But if you want a deeper look at how the permitting process works in this area, our blog post on deck building permits in Chattanooga, TN covers the whole process.
Screened Porch, Sun Porch, or Sunroom: Which One Are You Pricing?
These three terms get used interchangeably, but they describe structurally and financially different things.
- A screened porch uses mesh screens as the enclosure. Open-air, bug-free, no climate control. A new screened porch build typically takes 4 to 8 weeks.
- A sun porch (also called a three-season room) typically uses glass or acrylic panels instead of screens. More weather-resistant than a screened porch, but not insulated for year-round comfort.
- A sunroom is a fully insulated, climate-controlled structure with HVAC, essentially a room addition with a lot of glass. Build time runs 8 to 12 weeks, and the cost is significantly higher because the building envelope functions like interior living space.
Is a Screened Porch Worth It in Chattanooga?
Chattanooga sits in a humid subtropical climate, with summers that run long and hot, mosquito season stretching from spring well into fall, and an annual rainfall averaging around 51 to 54 inches depending on the source.
That’s exactly the kind of climate where a screened porch earns its value quickly.
The bugs alone are reason enough for a lot of families. But the deeper value is that Chattanooga homeowners genuinely want to spend time outside from March through November, and without a screened space, weather and insects cut that window significantly.
A well-built screened porch extends how many evenings you actually use your outdoor space.
On resale, outdoor additions that add functional living space tend to perform well. Buyers in the Chattanooga market understand the climate and recognize the value of a protected outdoor room in a way that buyers in drier regions might not.
What to Ask Before You Hire
A few questions worth asking any builder directly before you sign anything:
- Are you licensed in Tennessee? Contractors doing structural work in TN must hold a valid license through the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors. You can verify any contractor’s license on their public database before the conversation gets far.
- Who pulls the permits? A reputable builder handles all of this. If they suggest you pull them yourself, that’s a flag worth noting.
- What’s the workmanship warranty? We back every screened porch with a 3-year workmanship warranty.
- Can you show me comparable projects? Photos of builds in a similar size and price range tell you more than any sales conversation.
For the full picture on vetting a builder, our guide on how to choose a deck builder in Tennessee walks through every green flag and red flag worth knowing.
FAQ
Can you screen in my existing covered patio?
Yes, and it’s one of the most popular projects we do. If your existing patio cover is structurally sound, we can install the ScreenEze system and typically complete the work in a single day. It’s the most affordable way into a fully screened outdoor space.
How long does building a screened porch take?
A ScreenEze retrofit on an existing structure can be done in a day. A new screened porch built from scratch typically runs 4 to 8 weeks depending on size, complexity, and permit timing. A sunroom (which some homeowners confuse with a screened porch) runs 8 to 12 weeks.
Do I need a permit for a screened porch in Chattanooga?
Almost certainly yes for a new structural build. Retrofitting screens onto an existing permitted structure may not require a new permit, but you should confirm with Hamilton County or your city building department. We handle all permit paperwork on every project we build.
Does a screened porch add home value?
It does, particularly in a climate like Chattanooga’s where usable outdoor space has a long season. ROI figures cited across the industry range from around 70% to 84% depending on build quality, size, and local market, so we’d encourage you to talk to a local real estate professional if that number is driving your decision.
Screened porch or sunroom: which should I choose?
If you want climate-controlled year-round comfort, a sunroom. If you want open-air outdoor living without bugs and with some rain protection, a screened porch. The cost difference between them is real and significant. Budget and intended use are the two deciding factors.
Which screen holds up best with dogs or cats?
A pet-resistant screen, typically vinyl-coated polyester mesh. It’s considerably harder to puncture or tear than standard fiberglass. We can spec this into any build or retrofit.
Can I use my screened porch in winter?
In Chattanooga’s mild shoulder seasons, yes, comfortably well into November and sometimes December. During cold snaps, it’ll feel like being outside. For true year-round heated comfort, a sunroom is the right structure.
What materials do you use on your screened porches?
Depending on the project scope, we work with ScreenEze track screening, James Hardie cement siding, MiraTEC treated exterior composite trim for post-and-beam wrapping, Trex Enhance composite decking and railing, standing-seam metal roofing, and tongue-and-groove ceilings. Material selection happens at the design stage based on your goals and budget.
How do I get a price for my specific project?
Every project is different. Reach out to schedule your free on-site consultation. We’ll deliver your 3D design on the same day, so you leave the meeting with a real quote for your actual property.
Skip The Research and Build Your Cozy Outdoor Space
If you’d rather just talk to someone who’s built over 100 screened porches across Hamilton County, call us at (423) 398-4788 or message us here. We’ll get back to you within 30 minutes during business hours and set up a free on-site visit with a same-day 3D design.
You can browse materials, project examples, and process details on our screened porch building page.
