Glass Room Enclosure in Covington, LA — Convert Your Screened Porch into a Four-Season Sunroom
A case study of a screened-porch-to-sunroom conversion in Covington, Louisiana featuring Low-E/argon windows, an insulated base system, and comfort upgrades for true year-round use.
Why Covington Homeowners Choose a Glass Room Enclosure
Covington families love spending time outdoors, but summers are hot and humid, winter cold fronts can be chilly, and afternoon storms pop up fast. A four-season room solves all three:
- You’re protected from rain and wind while keeping the backyard views you built the porch for.
- Low-E, argon-filled windows reflect heat and help the room stay comfortable without overworking HVAC.
- With a dedicated heating-and-cooling unit, the space becomes an everyday living area — reading corner, playroom, hobby studio, or breakfast nook — not just a shoulder-season compromise.
Compared with a traditional screened porch or a simple patio enclosure, a properly insulated glass enclosure adds real, conditioned square footage you’ll use from morning to night.
Project Overview — Screened Porch to Insulated Sunroom
For this Covington home, the goal was clear: replace aging screen walls with a custom-manufactured Southern Sun Room and create a quiet, bright space that works for the whole family year-round. Our scope included full removal and haul-off of the existing wood-framed screen walls and the installation of a new insulated glass room matched to the existing opening.
Removal of Existing Screen Walls
We started by carefully disassembling the old screened frames and door, protecting the adjacent brick and roofline. Debris was removed the same day to keep the yard safe and accessible.
Installing the Thermal Three Insulated Glass System
In place of the screens, we installed a Thermal Three insulated glass room measuring approximately 25.6 feet across the wall line. Key components:
- Windows: large, lifetime vinyl windows with Low-E glass and argon gas for superior thermal performance and glare reduction.
- Insulated base: a 24″ high, 3¼” thick insulated base panel that stiffens the wall system and blocks ground-level heat gain.
- Exterior finish: a clean white colorway that brightens the elevation and complements the home’s brick.
Each element is designed to withstand Gulf Coast weather while delivering the quiet, draft-free feel you expect from an interior room.
All-Season Comfort & Security
To make the enclosure truly four-season, we added:
- Full-view insulated outswing door with Low-E glass and a deadbolt lock — more natural light, better sight lines to the yard, and improved security.
- Heavy-duty hotel-style heat & cool unit (electrical by others), sized for the room’s volume and insulated envelope, so the family can keep a steady temperature in summer and winter without tying up the main system.
What This Upgrade Delivers
- Energy-efficient sunroom: Low-E coatings reflect radiant heat, argon gas reduces thermal transfer, and insulated base panels block conductive heat — a trio that works in our Louisiana climate.
- Quieter, cleaner space: Vinyl frames and sealed glass cut pollen and outdoor noise; no more dust blowing through screens.
- Daily usability: Morning coffee, kids’ homework spot, holiday overflow seating — a year-round room you’ll actually live in.
- Low maintenance: Vinyl and factory finishes resist rot, flaking, and routine repainting.
- Resale appeal: A well-built custom sunroom reads like livable square footage to buyers and appraisers.
Before & After — The Visual Difference
The “before” was a dark screened porch with a dated green frame that trapped heat and humidity. The “after” is a bright, modern façade with clean sightlines, Low-E vinyl windows, and an insulated door — transforming a seasonal porch into a polished, climate-controlled extension of the home.
Materials & Specifications (At-a-Glance)
- System: Southern Sun Room Thermal Three insulated glass room
- Wall length: approx. 25.6 ft
- Windows: Lifetime vinyl, Low-E glass, argon-filled units
- Base: 24″ high, 3¼” thick insulated base panel
- Door: Heavy-duty, full-view insulated outswing door, Low-E glass, deadbolt
- Comfort: Heavy-duty heat & cool unit (electrical by others)
- Finish color: White
A Covington Homeowner’s Take
“Southern Home Improvement did a great job replacing our wall of screens on our back porch with windows and an AC/heat unit. Mike told us exactly what to expect and followed up along the way… We were able to complete the conversion of the back porch to make it a more usable space for our family. Thanks again.”
Real feedback like this underscores why sunroom installation in Covington is one of our most requested upgrades.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Low-E, argon windows really make a difference here?
Yes. Low-E layers bounce heat away in summer and keep warmth inside in winter. Argon gas slows thermal transfer between panes, helping your unit maintain set temperature with less cycling.
Will this count as conditioned square footage?
While every appraisal is different, a properly insulated glass room enclosure with dedicated heating/cooling is treated much closer to interior living space than a screened porch. It’s a meaningful value booster.
How long does a porch-to-sunroom conversion take?
Once custom materials are ready, many projects complete in just a few days. Timeline depends on site conditions and scope (for example, electrical scheduling and any structural repairs).
What about storms?
Our systems are engineered for Gulf Coast weather. Proper attachment, flashing, and sealed glass units help the enclosure shed water and resist wind, while still delivering the transparency homeowners want.
Ready to Convert Your Screened Porch into a Four-Season Glass Room in Covington?
Contact Southern Home Improvement Center (SHIC) for a free estimate — call 985-643-6611 or 225-766-4244, or use our contact form to request an on-site visit. We’ll assess your porch, confirm specs, coordinate electrical with your contractor, and install a custom Southern Sun Room Thermal Three enclosure with Low-E/argon windows built for Gulf Coast weather.
