Phanthom screens can make and install large roll down screen walls. The large ones are motorized. Here are some of the specs. for the large roll down screens: * * * (cut and pasted from http://www.phantomscreens.com/products/execspecs.html) Executive features Fits most oversized applications Retracts out of sight when not in use Adaptable and versatile Remote controlled at the touch of a button Optional manual retraction system Complete ventilation Keeps pests at bay Enhances privacy Popular, designer colors Variety of screening and shading options to suit your needs Professional service and installation Limited Lifetime Warranty Adaptable to your needs Executive Motorized Screen Sizes Width ......... Pull Length 40" to 25' ..... 2' to 16' Executive Manual Screen Sizes* Width ......... Pull Length 18" to 19' ..... 2' to 11' *Not all mesh options are available in all sizes. A choice of colors Executive Screens are currently available in White, Brown, Almond, Bronze, Sandal Wood and Driftwood Beige. Classic White Rideau Brown Slivered Almond Bronze Sandal Wood Driftwood Beige A variety of options The Executive Screen has a variety of screening and shading options to enhance your home's unique features: Insect screen: Reduces up to 55% of UV rays and is recommended for large openings and to keep bugs out. Solar Screen: Blocks the sun's heat and glare by up to 75% while keeping pesky insects out. Premium Solar Screen: Offers substantial shading and reduces fading by blocking up to 80% of UV rays. Privacy Screen: A complete block-out material that provides up to 100% blockage of UV rays. Ideal for home theatre rooms. * * * Katy Here is a link that might be useful: Phanthom screens

Just saw this thread - I don't read kitchen forum as often now that my kitchen has been completed for almost a year. Our pass-through window is pretty much a miniature version of our sliding doors - one fixed window and a sliding window with a sliding screen. I'm 5' 1" and can reach the bottom of the window to close it or slide the screen but I have to stand on a step stool to reach the latch mechanism because it is at middle height on the center of the window. We are in a mild winter hot summer area (near Sacramento, CA). Since our back wall is mostly glass with 4 full size sliding doors plus additional fixed glass panels, the sliding pass through doesn't make much difference. teedup, for hot summers even with the occasional 115 temp, there is at most a 40 degree temp difference from an internal house temp of approx 75. On the other hand if a house is in a cold winter area where the outside temp drops to say 5 below zero, the temp difference is 80 degrees - twice as big a thermal differential - a very well insulated pass through and other windows is probably a bigger issue for cold winter people. And with our semi-arid climate the temperature drops to comfortable or even cool during the night time so we can cool the house back down with a whole house fan. The issue with our very hot summers is more preventing heat gain from the sun shining in these windows rather than the conducted heat through the windows. We deal with that by trees that give our house lots of shade plus putting up some shade umbrellas on the back deck. Our house is old enough that it was built without double pane windows, but with shade, attic fans (which keep the attic from super-heating) and cooling off with whole house fans when the evening temperature drops, we rarely need our air conditioner in the summer.

Every time I see a picture of a glass enclosed sunroom, with plants and wicker, it always looks so charming and cozy. Then I remind myself that we ripped the sunroom off of the back of the house because it was 150 degrees in there, because I live in the South where 95 in May is a regular occurrence. Design for the real climate you have, and the real life that you live in that climate. 🙂 Don’t get caught up in the mental advertising picture of fantasy using a feature that will not get used. The big tub? The 14’ of wide open doors? The skylights? The kitchen banquette? The marble counters? Take off the rose colored glasses, and see their drawbacks, and how they fit into your real life.

Front or rear, the problem remains. Our (rear) screened porch is in the SE angle formed by the breakfast room and the dining room. It's about 14 X 14 and has a cathedral ceiling with two skylights in the E angle of the roof. The porch and the interior rooms are bright summer and winter. I like houssaon's shed roof -- whether standing seam or not -- but IDK if it could give you enough coverage. How big is the porch? Will it be screened? What direction does the porch face?