
Hickory summers are beautiful until the mosquitoes show up. We build and convert screened porches and decks so you can actually enjoy your outdoor space from spring through fall.

Screened-in porch installation in Hickory, NC converts an open deck or bare patio into a fully enclosed, insect-free outdoor room using a framed screen system and - in most cases - a new roof structure. Converting an existing deck typically runs $8,000 to $20,000; building from scratch can reach $25,000 or more depending on size and roofing complexity. Most projects take one to three weeks of active construction.
If you have been avoiding your back deck from May through September, you are not alone - Hickory's humidity and bug pressure make unprotected outdoor spaces genuinely uncomfortable for much of the warm season. A screened porch solves that problem without sacrificing the fresh air and views. If your deck is already showing its age, this is also a natural time to consider a deck repair or replacement alongside the enclosure so you have a solid foundation for the new structure.
If your deck sits empty from May through September because the mosquitoes and gnats make it unbearable, that is the clearest sign a screened enclosure would change how you live in your home. Hickory's humid summers and proximity to Lake Hickory and the Catawba River mean insect pressure here is genuinely high - this is not a problem that fades on its own. A screened porch turns that unusable space into somewhere you actually want to spend time.
If your deck has soft boards, wobbly railings, or connections to the house that feel loose, you may already be at a decision point. Rather than simply replacing the deck in kind, many Hickory homeowners choose to upgrade to a screened structure at the same time, getting more value from the investment. A contractor can assess whether the existing frame can be incorporated or whether a fresh start makes more sense.
Western North Carolina has significant tree pollen in spring, and if your covered outdoor space fills up with oak or pine pollen every April, adding screening is a straightforward fix. Screening keeps the space cleaner with far less effort and makes it usable earlier in the spring season, before the bug pressure even starts.
A screened porch creates a contained outdoor space where kids and pets can be outside safely without the risk of wandering. It is also a space where you can keep an eye on them while staying comfortable yourself. For families with dogs that tend to push against barriers, a heavier-duty screen option makes this practical rather than frustrating.
We handle both new screened porch construction and conversions of existing decks into screened enclosures. If you already have a solid deck frame, converting it is often the most cost-effective route - we add the wall framing, roof structure, and screening on top of what is already there. If you need a screened space built from the ground up, we handle footings, framing, roofing, and screening as a single project. Either way, we pull all required Catawba County permits and schedule the county inspection as part of the job. Many homeowners also pair screened porch work with a covered deck or patio cover or a pergola installation to create a layered outdoor living setup.
For screening material, the choice comes down to your household. Standard fiberglass mesh is the most affordable and works well for most homes. If you have pets that press against the screen, heavier pet-resistant mesh resists tearing far better. Homes with strong afternoon sun exposure may benefit from a solar or shade screen that reduces glare and heat while still letting in a breeze. We can show you samples of each option during the estimate visit so you can see and feel the difference before deciding.
Suits homeowners with an existing deck in good structural condition who want to enclose it without starting over.
Suits homeowners who want a new structure built from footings up, with full control over size, layout, and materials.
Suits most households - affordable, effective against bugs, and available in multiple mesh weights for different bug pressure levels.
Suits homes with pets or strong afternoon sun exposure - heavier mesh resists tearing, and solar screen reduces glare and heat.
Hickory sits in the western Piedmont of North Carolina, where summer humidity regularly climbs above 80 percent and mosquito and gnat pressure is significant from late April through October. That makes a screened porch here genuinely functional rather than just decorative - it is often the difference between using your outdoor space through the warm season and abandoning it by early summer. Catawba County also enforces its permit requirements for attached structures, so any screened enclosure added to your home needs a permit from Catawba County Building Inspections before construction begins. Skipping that step can complicate your insurance or create problems when you sell.
Many of Hickory's established neighborhoods - including homes near Lake Hickory and throughout the older subdivisions off Highway 70 - have decks built in the 1970s through 1990s. Before a screened enclosure is added on top of an existing deck in these areas, we assess whether the deck itself can safely carry the additional weight and wind load of a roof and frame. Homeowners in Conover and Newton deal with the same aging housing stock and the same Catawba County permit process - we serve both communities and know what to expect.
We ask about the size of the space, whether you have an existing deck, and roughly when you want the project done. You can expect a reply within one business day.
We come to your home, measure the space, assess any existing deck structure, and walk you through design options. You receive a written estimate - including what is and is not covered - before we leave.
We submit the permit application to Catawba County on your behalf. Construction does not start until the permit is in hand - permit review typically takes several days to a week.
Most projects take one to two weeks of active construction. After the county inspection passes, we walk through the finished space with you and address any questions before closing out the job.
Free written estimate. No pressure. We handle the Catawba County permit from start to finish.
(828) 282-0725Every screened porch we build goes through the Catawba County permit and inspection process - not because we have to, but because it protects you. An independent county inspector verifies the structure is safe before we consider the job finished. You are not taking our word for it.
One of the most common contractor complaints is a price that changes mid-project. We provide a written, itemized estimate before any work begins and talk to you immediately if something unexpected comes up - not at the end of the job when it is too late to make a different decision.
The western Piedmont gets real spring storms - heavy rain, high winds, and occasional ice events. We frame and anchor every roof structure to handle those loads, not just to look good on a calm afternoon. The county inspector confirms this during the required inspection. NADRA construction standards guide our framing approach.
Adding a screen enclosure to a structurally weak deck is one of the most common mistakes in this type of project. Before we enclose anything, we assess the existing deck - footings, ledger connection, and lumber condition. If reinforcement is needed, we tell you upfront so you can decide with full information.
Every one of these proof points connects to the same outcome: a screened porch you can use confidently, through storms, through the sale of your home, and through the long Hickory bug season. That is what we are building toward on every project.
You can verify contractor licensing through the NC Licensing Board for General Contractors before committing to any project.
Add a solid or open-slatted roof over your deck or patio for shade and rain protection without full enclosure.
Learn MoreA freestanding or attached pergola adds structure and shade to your yard without the full commitment of a screened room.
Learn MoreFall and winter slots fill up fast - reach out now so your porch is ready before Hickory's bug season hits next year.