sleeping porch

Has anyone ever created a sleeping porch? We have a flat roof (over a kitchen extension) that’s off the master bedroom and we’d like to sleep there especially on warm nights. We’re working on installing the railing now and could use input on the flooring (light weight, interlocking, removable … what else? suggestions on manufacturers?) and the bed (hopefully better than an air mattress … maybe a metal frame futon that we cover in winter with removable mattress that stays inside?). Maybe planters for privacy and a mosquito net? Would love to hear from folks who have created similar space – thanks!

tara

in General Discussion 6 years ago

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NeoGrec | 6 years ago

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I’ve seen a sleeping porch almost exactly like the one Cate describes in a Clinton Hill brownstone. The owners told me the space is uninsulated (most of the walls are windows) but of course they don’t use it in winter. I dream of having something similar!

Guest User | 6 years ago

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My husband’s family sleep outside on their porches in on the West Cost. They have the metal frame folding beds with a mattress. I believe they had zip covers that go over the whole bed when folded. And the bed frame had wheel so the folded bed can be rolled off to the side. For window screens there are quite a few manufacturers – mainly in the south; Florida primarily. They make the screens that Cate mentioned that slide on tracks. There are several companies in Long Island as well.

tanah.spencer | 6 years ago

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Sleeping porches, very interesting to me and I really like it.

cate | 6 years ago

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The old fashioned sleeping porches of yore, at least in Brooklyn, were not actually porches. They were often located in the rear above an extension like you have and they were similar to sunrooms, with windows all around, starting at about waist height. The windows might be sliding on tracks (or could come up or go down), with screens, so all the windows could be out of the way and the whole thing become a screened-in porch for maximum ventilation. The interior would be finished in bead board. If memory serves, Jane Powell might have a small section on them in her book “Bungalow Interiors” and one occasionally sees sleeping porches in real estate listings. Here’s a cool one from an old listing: https://www.brownstoner.com/real-estate-market/brooklyn-apartments-for-rent-clinton-hill-36-downing-street/