What Kind of Floor Should a Person Put in a Screened-in Porch?

Wood Floors

• Hardwood flooring is solid and long-lasting and gives a quality finish to a porch that is reasonably weatherproof. The flooring comes in strips, planks, parquet blocks and laminates and may be unfinished or prefinished with UV-cured polyurethane layers that protect the surface. Hardwoods available include maple, birch, oak and beech, and although they are softer, pine, fir and hemlock are also sometimes used. Real wooden floors will help to insulate and warm your screened-in porch but are easily damaged by water, extremes in temperature and strong sunlight.

Tile Floors

• Ceramic tiles are fired in a kiln and then cooled and are very hard and cool. Choose a tile with a rough surface as a smoothly glazed tile is likely to present a slip hazard. If you live in a cold climate and the porch is not winterized, ceramic tiles will need to have an absorption rating of 3 percent or less to withstand freeze and thaw conditions without cracking. These tiles are stronger and denser and have higher impact resistance than ceramics with higher absorption ratings, which are intended for indoor use. Terracotta tiles may be used for a rustic look provided they will not be required to withstand frost. These tiles should be sealed to protect the surface.

Stone Floors

• Types of stone floors to choose from include concrete or flagstone. Concrete is the most cost-effective floor, but unless you paint it with a suitable floor paint, it tends to give off light cement dust. If you plan to have indoor furniture on the porch, this is not an ideal floor but is practical if the porch is open to the elements and has only outdoor furniture. Flagstone floors are also suitable for a non-weatherproof porch. The stone is durable and attractive but is more expensive to purchase than some other types of flooring and is difficult to install.

Covered Floors

• Carpeting makes a room warm and cozy and has a luxury feel about it. Use carpeting to cover an unsightly concrete floor in a weatherproof porch and to turn it into an extension of your living space.

  Linoleum, cork, vinyl and rubber sheeting are all practical coverings that can be used directly over concrete on a covered porch even if it is not completely weatherproof. These come in a variety of colors and patterns and are fairly easy to install and maintain. The surfaces are relatively durable and comfortable to spend time on, and prices range from low cost to high end.