Covered patio screens in Tulsa extend usability by controlling insects and wind during Oklahoma’s spring and fall seasons. The question VistaScapes & Design receives regularly is whether screens should be incorporated into the covered patio at the time of construction or added later. The honest answer depends on how consistently the homeowner plans to use screens and how much the screen aesthetic conflicts with the open outdoor room feel. Here is what Tulsa homeowners should know about covered patio screen options.
Covered Patio Screen Options for Tulsa
- Fixed insect screen panels – A framed screen panel system that fills the open sides of the covered patio with insect screening; the screens attach to the structural columns and fill the space between columns from post to ground; the insect screen eliminates mosquito and fly pressure during Tulsa’s spring and fall seasons (when the outdoor space is most actively used); cost: $3,000-$8,000 for a standard 16×22 covered patio with fixed screen panels on three open sides; the fixed screen panels permanently change the open feel of the covered patio — a trade-off worth considering if the homeowner also values the open outdoor room aesthetic when screens aren’t needed
- Retractable screen systems – A motorized or manual retractable screen system that rolls into a housing at the top of the covered patio opening when not in use; the screen deploys downward when insect control is needed; retracts fully out of sight when the open outdoor room feel is preferred; brands: Phantom Screens, Phantom Retractable Screens, Custom Screen Solutions; cost: $800-$2,500 per opening depending on width; a three-opening 16×22 covered patio: $2,400-$7,500 for retractable screens; the retractable screen allows the homeowner to choose between an enclosed, insect-free space and an open outdoor room without removing screens manually
- Solar shades vs insect screens – Solar shades are a different product than insect screens — they reduce UV glare and sun heat transmission rather than blocking insects; solar shades are fabric roller systems that reduce direct sun on the west or south face of a covered patio in the afternoon; cost: $400-$1,200 per opening; appropriate for Tulsa covered patios that face west or southwest and receive intense afternoon sun that makes the bar seating zone uncomfortable; solar shades do not block insects but provide glare and heat reduction that complements the ceiling fan air movement system
- Privacy screens for Tulsa covered patios – Privacy screens are solid or semi-solid panels that block sightlines from neighboring properties or streets; appropriate for Tulsa covered patios in neighborhoods with close property lines where the outdoor kitchen and dining are visible from adjacent yards; privacy screens can be: wood lattice panels (partial privacy, decorative); solid cedar or composite fence panels between columns (full privacy); corrugated metal panels (contemporary aesthetic, full privacy); the privacy screen selection should coordinate with the covered patio’s overall aesthetic direction
- Screens and outdoor kitchen compatibility – Insect screens and outdoor kitchens have a compatibility consideration: cooking smoke and grease must have somewhere to exit; a fully enclosed screened covered patio with a built-in grill can trap smoke inside the screened enclosure when grilling; the grill should be positioned at or near the open face of the covered patio, or one screen panel should be designed to open or roll back at the grill zone to allow smoke to exit during grilling. VistaScapes discusses grill positioning and smoke management when screen panels are part of the covered patio specification
Call VistaScapes & Design at (918) 779-1317 for a free covered patio consultation in Tulsa. We discuss screen options that fit your outdoor living goals and the covered patio’s design direction. Free on-site visit, no obligation.
