Keeps Bugs And Debris Away
For many homeowners, insects can be a huge deterrent from spending time outdoors. A screened-in porch allows you to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors without worrying about mosquitoes or other annoyances. And a screened-in porch prevents things like acorns, leaves, grass clippings and other debris from getting on your porch.
Attach Roof Ledger Board And Hangers
Cut away siding from the side of the house 9 feet above the level of the porch floor. Cut out a section 12 feet long and high enough to allow for the 2×6 rafters, 1/2-inch sheathing, shingles, and metal flashingmore than 5 1/2 inches. Attach a two-by-six to the side of the board with lag screws. Caulk all seams. Screw rafter hangers to the ledger board every 16 inches.
Bring In Black Accents
An all-white porch is classic and restful . But for an aesthetic surprise, add black accents, like the lampshades, iron daybed, and wicker ottomon with black trim on this screened-in porch. Though the furnishings are traditional, the black touches help enliven the space. A bar cart doubling as a side table is both functional and fun, ensuring you’ll gravitate to your porch day and night.
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Install Flashing In The Roof Valley
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We wont go into how to roof a house here. In general, cover the eaves and valley with strips of a waterproof membrane and install the sheet metal valley. Place roofing nails about 12 in. apart along the edge of the metal valley. Cut a short piece of valley metal to complete the top on each side, overlapping it about 6 in. onto the long piece.
Staple No. 15 building paper to the remainder of the porch roof, starting at the bottom and working up. Overlap each row 3 in. onto the one below. Install shingles to match the house. Follow the manufacturers instructions for starting, overlaps and nail placement. Use 1-in.-long galvanized roofing nails to avoid nailing through the tongue-and-groove ceiling.
What Are Screened Porches
A typically built screen room is a screened-in porch attached to your house that has large windows and/or screens to bring in the sunlight from outside. These patio enclosures can be a great place to set up a breakfast room, workout area, conversation pits for visitors or any other use you can think of for the extra living space, such as a second family room or a master suite living area.
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Framing Porch Doors And Openings
Youll undoubtedly need a door in your porch to get you outside. Youll want to select the door in the design and planning stage. The door will come with rough-in dimensions. You need these dimensions to know how wide and tall to make the opening for the door. Keep in mind if the door will be installed against or over any finish trim that covers your rough-lumber support posts. Rookies often rough-in the doors too narrow and it becomes very problematic to correct this error.
You need to do the exact same thing with your screened openings. Do you plan to build the screened panels yourself, and if so, how big will the panels be? No matter who builds the panels, be sure theyre built using a rot-resistant wood such as redwood or high-quality cedar.
The openings for both the door and screened panels must be square and not in a helix. An opening is square when the diagonal measurement from corner to corner is the same. This assumes that the vertical distance of both sides of an opening are the same and that the horizontal top and bottom measurements of the opening are identical.
Stretching taught string diagonally across the opening to form the letter X is how you check for a helical defect. The opening is in the same plane, and not a helix, when the two strings just touch one another when switched from side-to-side of the string. If theres a gap between the strings, youve got a helix. Do whats necessary to straighten the opening until the gap disappears.
Snapping On The Screen Tight Cap
Align the cap with the base strip, then strike it with a plastic or rubber mallet until it snap-locks into place. Use the same method to install horizontal cap trip along the top and bottom of the walls, and along the top and bottom of the walls, and along the handrails. Let these pieces run long, then trim them to length with pruning shears.
Cut the narrow, horizontal cap trip to length with pruning shears after tapping it onto the base strip. Cover the base strips and screen splines on the 4×4porch posts with long pieces of wide cap Screen Tight trim. Use a non-marring mallet to tap the narrow cap trim onto the base strips that are screwed to the 2×4 railing.
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Attach Trim And Sill To The Outer Walls
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Nail a 2×10 trim board over the outside joist, 1-1/2 in. below the top surface of the deck. Cut a 2×4 sill piece to width and bevel the top on a table saw. Miter the ends and nail the sill to the top of the 2×10 trim board.
This illustration shows how the corners are assembled and the trim is installed.
Building A Deck With A Screened In Porch
If you dont already have an existing deck, the construction for a new screened in porch is much more expensive. The average cost to build a deck starts at $25 per sq. foot with most homeowners spending around $4,380 to $10,080 total.
Of course many factors go into your final cost, but an average construction estimate to build a brand new screened in porch will cost around $30-60/sqft. This is for a basic setup, if you plan to add additional screened in porch features such as lighting, fans, furniture, and fireplaces, the prices increase accordingly.
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A Breath Of Fresh Air And A Healthier Lifestyle
For many, life has changed and allowed people to spend more and more of their time at home, whether it be the increase of remote work opportunities or the convenience of things like Netflix and food delivery apps. While this new reality offers many benefits, its not the best thing to be stuck inside all day.
This makes screened-in porches the best of both worlds. A screened-in porch gives homeowners an outdoor space where they can soak up the fresh air and sunlight, allowing them to boost their health, energy levels, and creativity while still being in the comfort of their own home.
Fill In Gaps With Potted Plants
For a botanical, greenhouse vibe, tuck potted plants into every corner of your enclosed porch. In this lushly outfitted space, we love the juxtaposition of the warm-toned vintage rug with the bright green color of the loveseat and plants. Vary the height and scale of your greenery to draw attention to your porch’s architecture, from painted floor to soaring ceiling.
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Screened In Porch Installation Costs
There is no substitute for a genuine lack of planning. To do all you can to make sure everything goes off without a hitch, it is worth paying close attention to the following list and taking action where necessary. On average, a contractor will charge around $300 for installation, not including materials, doors, add-ons, and more.
Install The Joists And Joist Hangers
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Nail through the joist hangers into the beams at the house to hold them in place. Then connect the opposite ends of the two beams at the front with a 2×10 cut to the same length as the ledger. Adjust the resulting frame until the diagonal measurements are equal.
Then brace the frame against stakes pounded into the ground to hold it square while you install the treated posts, joists and decking. Sight along the outside rim joist occasionally and adjust the length of the joists as needed to keep the front rim joist straight.
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Tips For Joining The Screened In Porch And House Roofs
If youre not sure how to neatly join the screened in porch and house roofs:
- We recommend hiring an architect to help work out the details.
- Another option is to build a full-size mockup of a roof truss out of inexpensive and lightweight 1x4s. Figure out where the top of the wall plate would be if you built the porch according to our plans . Then support the mocked-up truss at this height to see how the porch overhang meets the roof.
- If you dont like the way the overhangs intersect, adjust the level of the deck slightly, alter the wall height or change the width of the overhang.
- Contact your local building inspections department to find out whats required to obtain a building permit.
- Start this process at least a month before you plan to build. This will allow enough time to work through potential problems.
Tips When Selecting Porch Contractor
Once bids start coming in, our guidance would be to never select the cheapest bid to get the job done. Better contractors are worth more, and those who are Better Business Bureau A+ rated and have good reviews online are likely to cost a little more.
You are buying yourself peace of mind when working with a company who sends clear and concise communications, is fully licensed and insured, finishes on time, and finishes on budget, like Capnovate Construction in Elmwood Park, NJ, with Average project completions 92% on time and budget. Companies like that who consistently deliver excellence will always bubble to the top.
In summary, we suggest you look for contractors who fit in as many of the following groups as possible:
- Licensed contractors
- Have an A or A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau
- Have excellent ratings on social media sites
- Include a clause in the contract that allows you to back out before work starts with a full refund
- Include setup and complete cleanup costs in the quote
- Provide excellent communication from your first phone call or e-mail
Hire your porch contractor today, and enjoy a new bug-free existence.
Get free estimates on HomeGuide from trusted porch builders:
Daniel W.
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Build The Deck Square And Level And Assemble The Perimeter Joists
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Install the ledger board.
Start by marking the ledger board location on the house wall. We located the top of the ledger board 90 in. below the bottom of the soffit. On our house, this left a 6-in. step down from the patio door to the deck surface. Remove the siding and attach the ledger with 1/2 x 4-in. galvanized lag screws . Make sure its perfectly level. If the ledger attaches to concrete, predrill holes and insert lead shield lag screw anchors before installing the lags.
Outline deck frame and set beams.
After you mount the ledger, use stakes and string lines to outline the deck frame according to the dimensions in Figure B and mark the footing locations. A few days before you plan to dig the footings, call 411 to have underground utilities marked in the vicinity of the porch. Your local building department will specify how large and deep the footings should be for your climate and soil conditions. Pour a concrete pad in the bottom of each footing hole after theyve been inspected. Let the concrete set overnight.
Assemble Frame.
Next, choose the six straightest 2x10s for the perimeter beams. Cut the 2x10s for the two side beams to length and nail the pairs together. Use 16d stainless steel or double-dipped galvanized nails for all of the joist framings and to attach the joist hangers to the ledger board. Rest one end of each side beam in the double joist hangers and prop them up until level with a stack of wood.
Ideas For Screen Porch Windows
Screen porch windows that can be removed and clipped back in during cooler weather also extend the screen room’s use. However, they can limit design possibilities. In a room that’s fully outfitted with screens, you aren’t limited by window sizes and can use larger pieces of screening to provide more of an outdoor feeling. However, this will also require all-weather furniture and lead to more dirt and dust in your screen room.
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Bronze Mesh Screen Cost
Another metal in the alloy category, this is a combination of copper and a number of other metals including aluminum, manganese, zinc or nickel, and tin. Like brass, the same discoloration will occur over time, but it is not affected by exposure to salt, making it another option for coastal homes and businesses. When bronze is new, and before any discoloration has changed its appearance, it is the same color as a new penny. Bronze is also much tougher than brass and copper and is quite stiff, which makes it more challenging for the installer when it is used for screening a porch. Bronze screen mesh costs on average $0.85/sqft.
Attach 2x2s Over The Framing
Family Handyman
After you stretch and staple each section, cut off the excess screen with a sharp utility knife. Then cover the edges with 2×2 trim pieces. We screwed these on to allow for easy removal for future screen repairs, and the trim covers the staples along all of the edges. Frame and screen the outer gable end following Figure C.
Screen door details:
If you use a wood door like ours, start by trimming it just enough to fit in the opening. Then set it in place and mark the door for final fitting. Use a sharp plane or belt sander to trim the door. You may have to repeat this process a few times to get a good fit.
Nail 1/2 x 2-in. wood stops to the framing at the door opening. Then hang the door using galvanized or brass screen door hinges. Mount a latch and door closer to complete the job.
Additional Information:
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Choose A Weatherproof Floor
Setting a strong foundation makes all the difference. Read about designers’s top four flooring material picks, starting with the least expensive.
Concrete $
Affordable and edgy, concrete floors add a bit of grit. But while theyre relatively easy to pour yourself, the material is prone to cracking. Hide imperfections with an indoor/outdoor rug.
Tile $$
A great way to incorporate pattern and color, and super easy to clean. Consider that tile can get more slippery than other materials when wet.
Brick $$
Often found on preexisting patios that were turned into screened-in porches, brick floors are more slip- and stain-resistant than concrete.
Wood $$$
According to Still, the best decking hands-down is element-resistant ipe wood. Worried about termites? Opt for yellow cedar or redwood. Budget conscious? Composites can be a great alternative.
More Usable Living Space
As mentioned, screened-in porches and patios add valuable living space to homes. This brand new living space could be used for all sorts of things. And its entirely up to you.
Want a second living room? No problem. Or how about a chill-out reading den with a chair swing, hammock, or yoga area? Sure thing. Or, better yet, an outdoor kitchen or dining area, which would otherwise be impossible due to pesky flies and other insects? You got it! You can even use them as a place to keep your furry friends. The possibilities are truly endless.
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Screened In Porch Removal Or Replacement Cost
Average porch screen removal cost is between $300 and $450. If the screen being installed on your porch is a replacement for an older existing screen, you will need to factor in some extra time and expense for your installer to remove all the existing components and dispose of them appropriately according to local regulations.
For your contractor to dismantle the existing screen, remove all the framing and screen, and place in a truck or a construction bin, expect them to be occupied for between 3 and 4 hoursdepending on the size of the screen being removed. The remaining portion of this stage of the job is the time it will take to drive the debris to a proper dumping ground. If necessary, return any rented vehicles used for transportation.
Designing A Screen Porch Use These Tips For Planning The Location Choosing Materials And Decorating Your New Indoor
Jessica Bennett is an editor, writer, and former digital assistant home editor at BHG. She covers interior design, decorating, home improvement, cleaning, organizing, and more. With nearly five years of combined experience in digital and magazine journalism, she has contributed over 800 articles for BHG.com to date, and her writing on interior design and decorating has been featured in 16 national print magazines, including Do It Yourself, Country Home, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, Secrets of Getting Organized, and more. She is currently pursuing an interior design certificate from the New York Institute of Art + Design.
A custom-built screen porch gives you an outdoor living space you can enjoy almost year-round. It’s the ideal setting for a cool lemonade on a hot summer afternoon or a warm mug of coffee on a crisp autumn morning. Your screen porch can serve as a quiet, private spot to start your days and an insect-free entertaining space in the evenings.
Depending on your climate and lifestyle, you might prefer a true screen room with no windows or a three-season room with windows that can open and close. Either version can be an attractive way to extend your living space. With careful planning and a few design tricks, you can create an ideal screen porch that bridges indoors and out. Use the following tips on planning and designing a screen porch to get started.
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