Lake Wylie Screened Porch With an Arched Terrace

Screened porch projects

At this Lake Wylie home, there was an open deck outside the upper doors and a patio at yard level. Designers Choice built a gabled screened porch upstairs and framed three arched openings below. A staircase along the side connects the porch to the yard and leaves the front of the terrace open.

The finished porch

Completed porch, arched terrace and stairway.
Completed porch, arched terrace and stairway.
Arched openings define the covered terrace below.
Arched openings define the covered terrace below.
Tall screened openings look toward the trees.
Tall screened openings look toward the trees.
Finished porch floor and connection to the house.
Finished porch floor and connection to the house.
The side elevation shows the upper and lower spaces.
The side elevation shows the upper and lower spaces.
Wood stair treads and white railing details.
Wood stair treads and white railing details.

How the lower terrace works

From the yard, you can see through the arches to the doors at the back of the house. The posts divide the terrace into bays, and the staircase lands to one side. Upstairs, the porch screens extend into the gable so you can still see the trees from a chair.

The framing photos show when those decisions were made. The posts and beams went in first. The shape of the arches was visible while the upper roof was still open, before the trim gave both levels their finished appearance.

See the original deck and construction (6 photos)
The original elevated open deck.
The original elevated open deck.
Posts, beams and the new gable roof take shape.
Posts, beams and the new gable roof take shape.
Roof framing and the lower arches under construction.
Roof framing and the lower arches under construction.
Trim and screening framework in progress.
Trim and screening framework in progress.
The side stairway and railings take shape.
The side stairway and railings take shape.
Side view as exterior work nears completion.
Side view as exterior work nears completion.

Read our guide to planning the space beneath an elevated porch.

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