A screened-in porch extends the living space for family and pets.
Screening in a deck or patio extends the living space of your home into the outdoors. Mesh screens diffuse solar radiation, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. This effectively reduces the heat and temperature of the screened-in patio or deck. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends installing screens as a method to mosquito-proof your home. Screened rooms allow you to enjoy the great outdoors and beautiful weather while simultaneously reducing and preventing mosquito bites, which reduce your chances of contracting a disease or virus from an insect bite. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Repair and paint the room, porch or deck before screening.
Repair, paint or stain and finish any wood on the porch or deck prior to screening. This will protect the screen from paint spray or finishes.
2. A hand-powered staple gun is sufficient to screen a room.
Staple the screen across the top of each opening in the porch framing. Staple every 2 to 4 inches depending on your staple size, mesh opening size and screen weight. Then unroll to approximately 1 or 2 inches below the opening and cut off the roll of screen. Staple down the left side of the opening from top to bottom. Repeat on the right side. Then staple securely across the bottom. Repeat for each opening in the porch frame and on the porch door.
3. Saw the wood trim pieces with a hand saw or electric saw.
Measure, cut and paint 1- or 2-inch-wide trim 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick to frame around the screened-in opening. The trim can also be stained and finished with a sealer. Trims are available in local home development and lumber stores.
4. Staple the trim for a professional and "bug tight" finish.
Staple the finished trim around the screened openings on your room, deck or porch. Staple every 4 to 6 inches, alternating higher and lower on the trim, to secure it. Trim will make your screened room more "bug tight" to keep mosquitoes or other insects out.
Tags: bottom Repeat, each opening, each opening porch, every inches, extends living