How do you screen an existing porch?

 Screen porch enclosures are a great way to enjoy the outdoors, even when it's hot. But if your porch was built and didn’t have any structure or has been untouched for decades, it may need some updating.

Luckily, there are plenty of solutions to updating your home porch with modern solutions to enjoy a custom porch enclosure for years to come. All it takes is a little bit of preparation and maybe the help of a professional team of installers. In general, you want to be aware of:

Building Codes

If you're unsure what your city or county's building codes are, try contacting your local building inspector and fire marshal. They'll be able to tell you what sorts of screening would be required to pass inspection, as well as whether they need to approve any changes you make.

If your porch is attached to a house, it's also likely that the porch has been hooked up with utilities such as gas and electricity. If this is the case, you will definitely have some hoops to jump through before making any changes—especially if those changes involve digging up part of the foundation.

Frame Preparation

Before you begin the screen porch enclosure installation process, it's essential to ensure that the frame is in good condition. You'll want to remove all debris from the porch, including nails and screws that may have been left behind by previous owners or contractors. 

Frame Installation

Most modern enclosures include easy-to-install screen porch panels that can quickly fit into place with minor tools and hardware. A professional team of installers is your best bet to ensure everything is appropriately secured and leveled before moving onto the roof or screens.

 

Screening

Before you begin, you'll need to decide what type of screening is best for your porch. There are three types: aluminum, wood, and vinyl. Aluminum screening is the most popular option because it's durable, easy to install, and lasts for years without needing any maintenance. Choose a material that ensures you get the most value out of your screen porch enclosure, no matter the season.

Roof

This will either go on as you frame or after everything else has been fit into place. A roof protects you from the elements year-round, like heavy rain, sleet, snow, and wind. This way, you can have your furniture on the porch without worrying about sun or rain exposure. You may also want to leave space for an outdoor fan or entertainment system.

Every Porch is Unique

Every porch is unique. This makes screening tricky because you need to consider the design of your existing porch when you pick out your screen material and how it will be installed.

Once you know what material you want to use, keep in mind that different types of screens work better for different spaces. Your best bet is to contact a professional team for your screen porch enclosures.