Owner-operated · Homeowner guide · Marietta
What to Know Before Choosing a Screened Porch in MariettaMarietta · Cobb County
Marietta: A screened porch can turn a yard you rarely use into the room your family reaches for first, but the right design depends on your lot, your trees and your house. Owner-operated, with a free written estimate.
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Homeowner guide · Marietta
What should a Marietta homeowner know before choosing a screened porch?
Here is what we think a Marietta homeowner should sort out before calling anyone out to look at the project.
- Owner-operated: Breno visits and writes your estimate himself
- A team with 10+ years of combined experience
- Insured with general liability coverage
- 31 Google reviews as of Nov 2026, rated 5.0
- Before-and-after photos from our own completed jobs
Marietta
Slope shapes the framing from the ground up
Marietta sits on rolling, wooded ground, so a flat backyard is not something we can assume. A porch on a sloped lot often needs taller posts on the low side, careful bracing and footings that suit the soil, and that framing plan changes how the finished room looks from the yard. Homes near Marietta Square or the Kennesaw House tend to sit on in-town lots with their own quirks, while homes off Roswell Road or Powers Ferry Road may back onto a drop toward a neighbor or a creek. Walk your yard before you pick a spot, and notice where water runs after a storm.
Drainage matters as much as height. A porch floor that sits close to the ground can stay damp, hold leaves and invite rot, so we look at how water moves under and around the structure. Sometimes the answer is simply a better location, a gap that lets air move, or a grade adjustment before any framing starts. Sloped lots can also change where stairs land and how a door opens onto the porch. Think about how you will walk from the kitchen or back door, because an awkward route is something you will notice every single day.
Marietta
Sun and trees decide how the room lives
Mature trees are one of the real pleasures of living in Marietta, and they shape a screened porch more than most people expect. Shade keeps a porch cooler in summer, but it also keeps wood damp longer, and falling leaves, pollen and sap land on the roof and screens. Notice where the sun hits in the morning and in the late afternoon. A west-facing porch can get hot by evening, while a shaded one may feel pleasant but need more cleaning. Neither is wrong, and the choice just needs to match how you plan to use the space.
Bugs and pollen are the reason most people want screens in the first place. Good screen panels, tight edges and a door that closes firmly keep out far more than a loose, patched setup does. Ventilation matters too, since a closed-in porch with no air movement feels stuffy fast. Ceiling fans are a popular answer, and they need solid framing overhead to hang from, so tell us early if you want them. Think about lighting and outlets as well, because adding wiring after the walls are finished is harder than planning for it.
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 Marietta.
Marietta
Materials should match the weather and your patience
Georgia weather is hard on exposed surfaces, with humid summers, heavy rain and the occasional cold snap. Pressure-treated wood is a common choice for framing and floors and can look good for a long time with regular care, while composite and other low-maintenance boards trade a different look for less upkeep. We are glad to talk through both with you. The honest question is how much sealing, staining and sweeping you want to take on, because wood tends to weather faster under shade and falling leaves, and a porch you never maintain will show it.
The floor, the screen panels and the rails each age differently. Screens can be rolled in removable panels so a damaged section can be replaced without redoing the whole wall, which is worth asking about. The roof matters too. How the new roof ties into the existing house roof decides whether water runs off cleanly or finds a way in, and that connection is one of the details we look at most carefully. A porch that leaks at the house wall causes trouble you will not see until it has done damage, so we plan that joint with care.
Marietta
Our visit with Breno covers more than the porch
Breno comes to the house in person, and the visit is about the whole setup, not just the spot where the porch will go. We look at the back of the house, the existing deck or patio if there is one, the slope, the trees overhead and the way water leaves the yard. If you already have a deck that might become part of the project, our Free Deck Health Check gives you a walk-around with written notes on its condition, so you know whether the framing can be reused or should be replaced before you build over it.
We also check what applies to your parcel. Permits may go through the City of Marietta or through Cobb County, so the right office depends on your exact address. Homes near the historic Square may have extra review, and setback and inspection rules can differ from one address to the next. We confirm the right office with you before work is scheduled, and we suggest you also confirm directly with the city or county. If your subdivision has an HOA with rules about exterior changes, tell us early so approvals fit your timeline.
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Marietta
Estimates should spell out every important detail
A free written estimate is where a good project either becomes clear or stays vague. It should name the framing and floor materials, the type of screen panels, the roof style and how it connects to the house, the door, the stairs and any rails. It should say what is included, what is not, and what happens if we find rot or damage once old boards come up. If something is left out, ask about it. Written details protect both sides, and they let you compare one proposal against another on equal terms instead of guessing at what each one means.
Have a few things ready before the visit. A rough idea of how you want to use the porch, whether for dining, lounging or a grill nearby, helps us plan the size and layout. Gather any HOA paperwork, a survey if you have one, and photos of the yard from several angles. Think about furniture and fans, and decide whether you want power outlets or lighting. We stand behind our work for a full year, and we will explain what that covers in plain words. Neighbors in Kennesaw, East Cobb and Acworth ask us the same questions, so no question is too small.
Straight answers
Marietta homeowner questions
Can I keep a grill on a screened porch near my house in Marietta?
We advise against running a grill inside a closed-in porch, since smoke, heat and sparks near screens, wood and a roof are a real concern. A grill is usually safer on an open patio or deck a safe distance away. Check your grill maker's directions and your local fire rules, and we can plan a spot nearby.
Will my porch floor hold heavy furniture, a hot tub or a full dining set?
A properly framed porch floor can carry a dining set, sofas and a crowd, but a hot tub or very heavy planters need to be planned up front. Tell us at the visit what you want to put out there, and we will frame the floor with that weight in mind.
How do I keep pollen from taking over my porch every spring?
Pollen around Marietta tends to coat screens, floors and furniture each spring. Rinse the screens gently with a soft brush and water, sweep the floor often, and wipe surfaces before it builds up. Avoid harsh scrubbing that can damage screen mesh. Regular light cleaning is easier than one big scrub after the season.
What should I do to maintain the porch through summer heat and fall leaves?
In summer heat, check that fans work and air can move through the room, and watch for wood drying and cracking. In fall, clear leaves from the roof, gutters and floor often, since damp leaves hold moisture against wood. A seasonal check of fasteners, screens and sealant keeps small problems from growing.
What happens to my old deck and the debris if you build the porch over it?
It depends on the old deck's condition. Sometimes sound framing can be reused, and sometimes it is safer to remove it. Our Free Deck Health Check gives you written notes to decide. If we tear out old boards, we haul away the debris, and the estimate should say so clearly.
My Marietta lot slopes toward the back fence. Will that cause trouble for a screened porch?
A slope does not rule out a porch, but it changes the framing. Taller posts, careful footings and bracing are often needed on the low side, and water must be directed away from the structure. We look at how rain moves across your yard at the visit, then explain the plan in writing.
Do trees near my house make a screened porch a bad idea?
Not at all, and trees often make a porch more pleasant. They do bring shade, falling leaves and sap, so the roof, screens and floor need regular cleaning. Limbs hanging over the roof are worth a look before building, and we will point out any that concern us.
Do I need HOA approval before the porch is built, and who handles permits?
That depends on your address and your association. Permits go through the City of Marietta or Cobb County depending on where the property sits, and an HOA may have its own review. Confirm with the city, county and association directly, and tell us early so we can plan around it. To talk it through, text or call Breno at 470-863-3707.
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What the neighbors are saying
These are verified Google reviews from B&T customers.
★★★★★
“If you're looking for a trustworthy contractor, B&T Properties is the right choice. Great workmanship, fair pricing, and excellent customer service.”
★★★★★
“Breno F. is an incredible man. He helped my aging mother when no one else would and went the extra mile with a complex home repair. His work is meticulous and his follow through is commendable. He is a good man with a great heart. Highly recommended!”
Who’s doing the work
About B&T Properties
B&T Properties is run by Breno, who visits the job, writes the estimate and stays involved until the work is done. The crew has 10+ years of combined deck experience, and the company carries General Liability insurance. We work in Marietta and across Cobb County.
Upgrades
Upgrades worth asking about
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.
Cover or screens
A roof or a screened section for shade and bug-free evenings.
Stairs and landings
Wider steps, a landing, or a second set of stairs down to the yard.
Railing styles
Pick the rail that fits the house: aluminum, composite or wood, in several styles.
Lighting
Soft LED lighting along the steps and rail, so the deck is usable after dark.
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 Marietta deck — free and in writing.
No call center, no sales rep — the person who answers is the person who does the work.