Screen-to-Glass Patio Conversion in Gonzales, LA
Southern Home Improvement Center (SHIC) recently completed a custom screen-to-glass patio conversion in Gonzales, Louisiana, replacing the existing screen walls with a Southern Sun Room Thermal Three insulated glass wall system.
The goal was not to make the space feel closed off. The homeowner wanted to keep the light, visibility, and open patio feel while gaining a cleaner, more protected room with insulated glass, a solid lower base, and a finished entry door.
From Screen Walls to a Finished Glass Room
The project began with the removal and haul-away of the existing screen walls. Once the old screen system was cleared, our crew installed a custom-manufactured Thermal Three insulated wall system sized specifically for the existing opening.
This type of conversion is a strong fit when a homeowner likes the location of an existing screened area but wants better separation from rain, wind, pollen, humidity, and outdoor debris. Instead of rebuilding the entire space from scratch, the project focuses on replacing the screen walls with a more finished glass enclosure.
For this Gonzales home, the new wall system made the room feel cleaner, brighter, and more usable while preserving the outdoor view.
Project Details: Almond Thermal Three Glass Enclosure
This build had a clear scope, and each detail helped shape the finished look and function of the enclosure.
- Existing screen walls removed and hauled away — the old screen system was taken out so the new enclosure could be installed cleanly.
- Southern Sun Room Thermal Three wall system — the insulated glass wall system was custom manufactured for the opening.
- Approximate wall system size: 13 ft. × 14.5 ft. — the layout was sized to the home’s existing patio area.
- Large Lifetime vinyl windows in Almond — the window package gives the enclosure a warm, finished look.
- 18-inch high, 3¼-inch thick insulated base — the lower wall section adds structure beneath the windows.
- 84-inch tall single-hung windows — tall windows help the room stay open, bright, and visually connected to the yard.
- Low-E glass with argon gas — the glazing package helps reduce heat transfer compared with basic glass.
- Heavy-duty 6 ft. full-view insulated French door — the door adds a more refined entrance and keeps the glass-heavy design consistent.
- Deadbolt lock and built-in transom window — the door area was finished with added height, light, and security.
- Almond finish — the softer neutral color helps the enclosure blend with the home’s exterior.
Together, these features give the space a finished room-like appearance without taking away the natural light that made the original screened area appealing.
Tall Single-Hung Windows for Light, Airflow, and Visibility
One of the strongest design choices in this Gonzales project was the use of 84-inch tall single-hung windows. Their height helps the room feel open from inside while giving the exterior a more vertical, finished appearance.
Single-hung windows also give the homeowner practical flexibility. When the weather is mild, the windows can be opened for ventilation. When conditions are hot, rainy, windy, or pollen-heavy, the glass enclosure gives the space a more protected feel than the original screen walls.
The larger window height is especially important in a smaller enclosure because it keeps the room from feeling visually compressed. Instead of creating a heavy wall system, the design keeps the view wide and the daylight strong.
Low-E Glass and Argon Gas for Louisiana Conditions
Large glass areas can make a patio conversion look beautiful, but the glass package matters. For this project, the windows were built with Low-E glass and argon gas, while the French door also includes Low-E glass.
Low-E glass is commonly selected to help reduce heat transfer while allowing natural light into the room. Argon gas inside insulated glass units supports improved thermal performance compared with basic single-pane glass. For a Louisiana enclosure, where heat, humidity, and sun exposure can affect comfort, these details are important parts of the overall design.
The result is a brighter enclosed room that feels more intentional than a basic screen replacement.
Full-View French Door with a Built-In Transom
The entry system gives this project much of its finished character. Southern Home Improvement Center (SHIC) installed a heavy-duty 6 ft. full-view insulated French door with Low-E glass and a deadbolt lock.
Above the door, a built-in transom window adds height and brings in additional light. This detail helps the door area feel custom rather than purely functional. It also keeps the vertical rhythm of the enclosure consistent with the tall surrounding windows.
For a screen-to-glass conversion, the door is not just an access point. It helps define how finished the room feels from both inside and outside.
Why the Almond Finish Works for This Gonzales Home
The Almond finish is one of the defining visual details of this project. It gives the enclosure a warmer appearance than bright white and works well with many Louisiana home exteriors, especially where neutral siding, brick, stucco, or soft trim colors are already part of the design.
The insulated base creates a solid lower wall line, while the tall windows keep the room visually open above it. This balance matters in a patio conversion because too much solid wall can make the space feel boxed in, while too much screen can leave it exposed.
Here, the finished enclosure has a clean middle ground: protected, bright, and still connected to the outdoors.
A More Finished Patio Space for a Gonzales Home
This project shows how much can change when an existing screened area is upgraded with the right wall system. The homeowner kept the bright patio feel, but the space now has insulated glass, a solid base, tall windows, a full-view French door, and a cleaner architectural appearance.
For Gonzales homeowners, this kind of project can be a practical option when a screened porch or patio still has a good location but no longer provides the comfort, protection, or finished look the family wants.
It is not the same as a full room addition, and it is not just a screen repair. It is a custom glass enclosure that gives an existing patio area a more polished, more usable, and more permanent feel.
Related Project Ideas for Homeowners
These related Southern Home Improvement Center (SHIC) articles can help homeowners compare different layouts, finishes, and enclosure styles before planning their own project.
Thermal Three Glass Room in Kenner, LA
A larger Thermal Three glass room example with a 21 ft. × 24 ft. layout, Low-E glass, argon gas, an insulated base, and dedicated comfort control.
View the Kenner glass room projectScreened Porch Conversion in Covington, LA
A screened porch conversion showing how an existing opening can be upgraded with insulated walls, Low-E/argon windows, and a more finished enclosure style.
View the Covington conversionInsulated Glass Wall in Mandeville, LA
A custom Thermal Three glass wall project with large windows, an insulated base, and a full-view French door for a sunroom-style space.
View the Mandeville glass wall projectClay Insulated Patio Cover in Gonzales, LA
A Gonzales patio cover project for homeowners comparing covered outdoor living upgrades before choosing shade, screens, or glass enclosure options.
View the Gonzales patio cover projectPlan a Custom Glass Enclosure in Gonzales, LA
A successful glass enclosure starts with the existing space: the opening size, roofline, floor condition, window layout, door location, color choice, and the way the homeowner plans to use the room. To plan a custom glass enclosure, sunroom, or screen-to-glass patio conversion for your home, contact Southern Home Improvement Center (SHIC) by phone or fill out the form at the bottom of the page to request a free estimate.