Your covered porch has potential. It’s already there, already attached to the house, and already has a roof overhead. The question is what to do with it.
Porch enclosure options range from a simple screen system that keeps bugs out to a full vinyl window enclosure that extends your usable season well into fall. Each option sits at a different price point, delivers a different result, and suits a different type of porch and homeowner.
As the team behind Outdoor Oasis, with over 20 years of custom home construction experience, we install porch enclosure systems across the Greater Milwaukee area regularly. This article walks through every main option available, how they compare, and what questions to ask before choosing one.
Not sure which system fits your porch? Reach out to our team for a no-obligation consultation, and we’ll give you a straight recommendation based on your specific space.
As an authorized Sunroom dealer in Milwaukee, we work with the full Sunspace product line, which means we can match the right enclosure system to your porch without steering you toward one option for the wrong reasons.
Why the Right Porch Enclosure Depends on More Than Budget
Most homeowners start with budget as the deciding factor, and that’s reasonable. But two homeowners with the same budget can need completely different systems depending on their porch configuration, how they plan to use the space, and what their existing structure can support.
A wide, shallow porch with multiple bays needs a different window system than a narrow, deep porch with standard openings. A homeowner who wants maximum ventilation on summer afternoons needs a different product than one who primarily wants wind and rain protection in October. Getting this match right is what determines whether you actually enjoy the space.
So before looking at options, be clear on three things: how you want to use the porch, which months you want to use it, and what your existing structure looks like.
The Main Porch Enclosure Options
Here’s a breakdown of the primary systems available for covered porches in the Greater Milwaukee area, from lightest to most substantial.
Screen Room Systems
A screen room is the lightest-touch enclosure option. Aluminum framing holds fiberglass mesh screens that keep insects out while allowing full airflow. There are no panels to open or close. The space stays open to the air at all times.
This option works well for homeowners who primarily want a bug-free outdoor space during Wisconsin’s summer months. It doesn’t provide wind or rain protection, and it doesn’t extend your season meaningfully into spring or fall. But for a true outdoor feel without the mosquitoes, it’s the most affordable and straightforward starting point.
WeatherMaster Vertical 4-Track Window System
The WeatherMaster Vertical system is the most widely installed porch enclosure product in the Greater Milwaukee area. Vinyl window panels stack up or down within a 4-track aluminum frame, giving you up to 75% ventilation when open and full weather protection when closed.
Key features include:
- Panels stack up or down and bunch in the middle for maximum ventilation
- ViewFlex vinyl glazing is more durable than glass and time-tested for over 40 years
- Available in four tint options: clear, smoke gray, dark gray, and bronze
- Stainless steel hardware throughout for rust resistance
- Rust and rot-proof extruded aluminum frames
- Fits openings up to 12 feet wide by 8 feet high on the Stereo Triple configuration
This system is best suited for porches with openings that run taller than they are wide, which covers the majority of standard residential porches in Southeastern Wisconsin. Installation requires no structural modification in most cases, which keeps project timelines and costs reasonable.
WeatherMaster Horizontal 4-Track Window System
The Horizontal system uses the same vinyl glazing and aluminum framing as the Vertical system, but the panels slide left and right rather than up and down. This makes it the right fit for wider porch bays, gazebos, and multi-bay screen enclosures where the opening is wider than it is tall.
The Horizontal 4-Track system covers openings up to 192 inches wide, which handles configurations the Vertical system can’t. If your porch has wide, shallow openings or wraps around multiple sides of the house, the Horizontal system is typically the better fit.
WeatherMaster Plus and Full Glass Systems
For homeowners who want a cleaner, more finished look with higher clarity than standard vinyl panels, WeatherMaster Plus and full glass window systems offer a step up in aesthetics and performance.
Full glass systems use tempered or safety glass panels in aluminum frames, delivering a sharper visual clarity and a more interior-quality appearance than vinyl. These systems cost more than standard WeatherMaster installations but suit homeowners who want the enclosure to look and feel like a finished room rather than a functional screen system.
Three-Season and Four-Season Sunroom Conversion
At the far end of the spectrum, a full sunroom conversion goes beyond a window enclosure to create a properly enclosed room. This involves aluminum structural framing, glazed panels, a finished roof system, and in the case of a four-season build, insulated walls and a heating solution.
This option is covered in detail in our porch enclosure vs. sunroom conversion article. If you’re weighing a window enclosure against a full conversion, that article gives you a clear side-by-side comparison before you commit to either path.
How the Main Options Compare
| Option | Ventilation | Weather Protection | Season Extension | Typical Cost Range |
| Screen room | Full airflow | Insects only | Summer only | $3,000 – $8,000 |
| WeatherMaster Vertical | Up to 75% | Wind, rain, UV | Spring to fall | $8,000 – $18,000 |
| WeatherMaster Horizontal | Up to 75% | Wind, rain, UV | Spring to fall | $8,000 – $20,000 |
| Full glass system | Moderate | Wind, rain, UV | Spring to fall | $12,000 – $25,000 |
| Three-season sunroom conversion | Moderate | Full enclosure | Spring to fall | $20,000 – $40,000 |
| Four-season sunroom conversion | Moderate | Full enclosure | Year-round | $40,000 – $75,000+ |
Ranges reflect typical Greater Milwaukee projects under standard site conditions. Foundation work, structural repairs, and add-ons affect the final number.
What to Consider Before Choosing a System
The table above gives you a starting framework. These four questions narrow it down further for your specific porch.
How wide are your porch openings?
Openings that run taller than wide suit the Vertical system. Wide, shallow openings suit the Horizontal system. Getting this wrong means the panels won’t operate correctly.
How much ventilation do you want?
If open-air summer use is important, the WeatherMaster systems give you up to 75% ventilation when fully stacked. A full glass system or sunroom conversion offers less ventilation but more weather protection.
What months do you want to use the porch?
Screen systems work for summer. WeatherMaster systems extend the season through spring and fall. A four-season conversion is the only option for January use in Wisconsin.
What’s your existing foundation situation?
A WeatherMaster installation on a standard porch typically doesn’t require foundation work. A sunroom conversion almost always involves a foundation assessment, and older porches often need new frost-protected footings before conversion work can begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular porch enclosure option in Greater Milwaukee?
The WeatherMaster Vertical 4-Track system is the most commonly installed porch enclosure in the Greater Milwaukee area. It fits the majority of standard residential porch openings, installs without structural changes in most cases, and delivers genuine season extension from spring through fall.
Can I install a porch enclosure on any covered porch?
Most covered porches can accommodate a WeatherMaster system, provided the existing framing is in sound condition and the opening dimensions fall within the product’s size range. A site assessment will confirm compatibility before any work is quoted.
Do porch enclosures require a permit in Greater Milwaukee?
In most municipalities across the Greater Milwaukee area, yes. Your contractor should confirm the specific requirements for your county and handle the permit application before installation begins.
How long does a porch enclosure installation take?
A WeatherMaster window installation on a standard porch typically takes one to two days once the custom units are manufactured and delivered. The overall project timeline from contract to installation is longer due to custom manufacturing lead times and permit processing.
What’s the difference between WeatherMaster Vertical and Horizontal systems?
The Vertical system has panels that stack up or down and suits openings taller than they are wide, which covers most standard residential porches. The Horizontal system has panels that slide left and right and suits wider, shallower openings and multi-bay configurations. Your contractor will assess your opening dimensions and recommend the right system.
Can a porch enclosure be upgraded to a sunroom later?
In most cases, yes. A WeatherMaster installation doesn’t lock you into anything structurally. If you decide later that you want a full sunroom conversion, the enclosure can be removed or replaced as part of that project. It’s a reasonable staged approach for homeowners who want to improve the space now without committing to a full conversion.
Talk to Our Team
The best porch enclosure for your home depends on your porch’s specific configuration, how you want to use it, and what your budget allows. There’s no single right answer across all homes.
Outdoor Oasis is the authorized Sunspace dealer serving the Greater Milwaukee area. If you’re ready to get a clear recommendation for your specific porch, reach out to our team for a no-pressure site assessment and quote.
