Owner-operated · Homeowner guide · Cumming
Can My Existing Deck Become a Screened Porch in CummingCumming · North Georgia
Cumming: You step out onto your deck after work, coffee in hand, watching the light fade over the trees. You wonder if adding screens could make this space usable even when bugs are out. Owner-operated, with a free written estimate.
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Homeowner guide · Cumming
Can my existing deck become a screened porch?
Homeowners in Cumming often ask whether the deck they already have can be screened in, and the honest answer depends on how well it was built and how it has aged.
- The owner comes to the visit and writes the estimate himself
- Crews with 10+ years of combined experience
- Insured (general liability)
- Rated 5.0 on Google across 31 reviews as of Nov 2026
- Photos from our own jobs, not stock images
Cumming
What We Look at First
We start by checking the roof structure the porch will need. A screened porch adds weight from the roof, screens and framing, so we see if your current deck frame and footings can handle it. We look at the size and spacing of your joists and beams, and the depth and condition of your footings, to know if they meet the load needed for a roof. If the frame is undersized or footings are shallow, we may need to sister new lumber alongside existing members or add new footings. This step happens before any screens go up, because adding load to a weak structure risks sagging or failure over time. Breno visits in person to make this call.
Cumming
How the Floor Stays or Changes
Your existing deck boards can often stay as the floor if they are sound and spaced right for drainage under a roof. We check for rot, loose fasteners and how well water runs off. If the boards are in good shape and the slope lets water escape, we can leave them and attach the new porch walls and roof to the frame. If the boards are worn, cupped or hold water, we usually recommend replacing the floor while we have everything open. A new floor lets us pitch it correctly for drainage and avoid trapping moisture under the screens. We stand behind our work for a full year on any floor we install.
How it works
Five steps. No surprises.
Call, text, or send the form
Tell us what is going on: a new deck, a repair, or “not sure yet.” We reply the same day.
Free on-site visit
Breno looks at the deck or the yard himself, measures, and goes over your options with you.
Written estimate
Scope, materials and price come in writing, so you know the plan before anything starts.
Schedule and permits
We agree on a start date and confirm any city, county or HOA requirement for your address first.
Build and final walk-through
Breno is on the job, and we go over the finished work with you before we call it done.
Real B&T work
Photos from real jobs
Real photos from B&T projects in North Georgia, not necessarily from Cumming.
Cumming
How Screens and Walls Attach
We attach the screen walls to a new sill plate that sits on top of your deck frame, using pressure-treated lumber rated for ground contact if it is near moisture. The walls frame in with studs, then we stretch the screen mesh into the grooves and secure it with spline. This keeps the screen tight and easy to replace later. The roof ties into the wall frame with rafters or trusses, depending on the span, and we flash it where it meets the house wall to keep water out. All connections use galvanized or coated fasteners to resist corrosion in the Georgia air. Breno visits in person to detail these parts for your estimate.
Cumming
When Conversion Makes Sense
Conversion makes sense when your deck is relatively new, the frame is solid and the footings are deep enough for the added roof load. It also works well when you like the current size and shape and want to keep the same footprint. If your HOA has architectural review, telling us at the start helps us fit plans into their timeline. We confirm what applies to you based on your exact address, because permit packets for rear decks, porch and deck conversions are published by the city or county depending on where you live. Free written estimates include this check.
Cumming
When a New Floor Is Smarter
A new floor is smarter when your existing boards show signs of age, rot or uneven settling that could cause problems under a roof. It also makes sense if you want to change the decking material to something lower maintenance or if the current slope does not drain well. We never guess about drainage—we look at your parcel before the estimate is written. In areas near streams or the lake, additional limits can apply to where a deck is allowed to go, and we check those early. If your lot is in a subdivision like Windermere or Vickery, we remind you to check with your HOA about architectural review, since plans and approval must fit the timeline.
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Cumming
How Terrain Affects the Job
Cumming sits along the GA-400 corridor north of Atlanta, with rolling hills and wooded parcels that can affect how we set the porch. Properties influenced by Lake Lanier toward the east may need extra attention to drainage and tree rules, which we review as part of our walk-around. We use the Free Deck Health Check to note conditions and give you written notes. Lots range from smaller in-town parcels near downtown Cumming to larger wooded or lake-adjacent ones in places like Polo Golf & Country Club, and each brings its own considerations for footings and drainage. We confirm what applies to you based on your exact address.
Cumming
What About Nearby Cities
We also serve homeowners in Johns Creek, Alpharetta and Milton, but each city and county has its own permit process. Inside the City of Cumming, building permits go through the city, and outside the city limits they go through the county, so the right office depends on your exact address. We never state what a rule requires—we tell you to confirm with the city, county or association. HOA communities are common in Cumming's subdivision-heavy market, and if yours has architectural review, we remind you to tell us at the start so plans and approval fit the timeline. Breno visits in person to go over these details.
Straight answers
Cumming homeowner questions
Can I keep my current decking boards when converting to a screened porch?
Yes, if the boards are solid, rot-free and spaced for drainage, we can often leave them and build the porch walls and roof on top. We check each board during our Free Deck Health Check to confirm.
Do I need new footings for a screened porch roof?
Maybe not—if your existing footings are deep and wide enough for the added load, they may work. We measure and assess them to know if sistering or new footings are needed.
How do screens stay tight and last?
We stretch the screen mesh into a spline groove in the frame and secure it with spline, which holds it firm and lets you replace it later without taking the wall apart.
Will a screened porch change how water drains off my deck?
It can, if the roof changes the slope or blocks runoff. We check the pitch and make sure water still flows away so the floor stays dry.
Does converting a deck need a permit in Cumming?
It usually does, and whether you apply through the city or county depends on your exact address—we help you confirm which office to use.
What if my HOA requires approval for changes like this?
We ask you to tell us at the start if your HOA has architectural review, so we can include plans and timing in our process from the beginning.
Is a screened porch heavier than a deck?
Yes, because it adds a roof, walls and screening, which increases the load on the frame and footings we must evaluate first.
How does lake proximity affect a screened porch project?
Properties near Lake Lanier can have extra limits on drainage or tree removal, which we review early so your plans match what applies to your parcel. To talk it through, text or call Breno at 470-863-3707.
Verified Google reviews
What the neighbors are saying
These are verified Google reviews from B&T customers.
★★★★★
“Outstanding service! Breno is knowledgeable, honest, and takes pride in his work. It's hard to find a company this reliable these days.”
★★★★★
“If you're looking for a trustworthy contractor, B&T Properties is the right choice. Great workmanship, fair pricing, and excellent customer service.”
Who’s doing the work
About B&T Properties
You deal with the owner. Breno visits, quotes and oversees the work, and the crew brings more than ten years of deck experience between them. B&T carries General Liability insurance, and Cumming is part of our regular service area.
Upgrades
Make it yours: popular upgrades
Ask about any of these when Breno comes out for your free estimate. They are easiest to price in when we plan the project, not after it is built.
Stairs and landings
Stairs that are easier to use: more width, a mid-level landing, or a better path to the yard.
Cover or screens
Add a roof over part of the deck, or screen it in for shade and fewer bugs.
Multi-level layouts
Step down a sloped yard with separate levels for dining and lounging.
Lighting
Stair and post lights that make evenings outside safer and nicer.
Service area
Cities we serve
Written warranty
1-year workmanship warranty
One year, in writing, on our labor from the completion date. If our own workmanship is why something fails, B&T Properties makes it right at no cost to you. Materials fall under the manufacturer’s warranty; wear, weather, misuse, neglect and third-party work are not covered. Request service in writing.
Free written estimate
Tell Breno about your Cumming deck — free and in writing.
No call center, no sales rep — the person who answers is the person who does the work.