How do you put up a screen to enclose a porch?

Sherry Ward
by Sherry Ward

My front porch is like 8x12 with 2x6 boards for the floor and metal 3 legged poles at the corner each side up front sitting on 8 inch blocks and covered but next to house on one side, looks like it is pulling away. I'm wanting something where we can seat outside without mosquitos swarming us. I think I'll have to refloor it and steady it more and fix where roof is pulling away from house. When I say "I", that's exactly what I mean because my husband has had 2 strokes and unable to do it, so I have to fix everything that goes wrong and take care of everything outside also. So I would love for someone to help me out with a total makeover inside and out.


  11 answers
  • Dwp7470b Dwp7470b on Feb 08, 2020

    You need to construct and paint a Wooden Frame for each side of the Porch and you Staple the Screens to the Frames after the paint is cured. Once that is done, you mount the Frames usually using either:

    • Galvanized Nuts and Bolts

    • Galvanized Screws

    Voila! Screened in Porch!

  • Gk Gk on Feb 08, 2020

    You don't mention your age but if you are older there may be some help in your area for projects like this. If you have a local Senior Citizen group in your area ask around. Another idea is to check at a local high school or a vocational school. Usually they have a carpentry program offered and they just may be able to line you up with someone to help you out. Is there family/neighbors who can help you out? This doesn't sound like it would take more than a weekend to repair but it is hard to tell without a picture. Perhaps you can offer a dinner in return for some labor. We would be glad to give you some ideas for an inside makeover but you need to be more specific as to what you'd like and giving us pictures helps us so much!

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Feb 08, 2020

    Hello! Our contractor used the Screen tight system it is diy friendly. Much more attractive than conventional roll and staple screening. We have repaired a damaged screen ourselves. I recommend looking at this system- components.


    https://www.screentight.com/

  • Holly Lengner - Lost Mom Holly Lengner - Lost Mom on Feb 09, 2020

    Hi Sherry, there are lots of screened porch ideas here:

    https://www.hometalk.com/search/all?filter=screen%20porch

  • 17335038 17335038 on Feb 09, 2020

    All screens are not created equal.

    Be sure to purchase screens that have a small enough and dense enough mesh to block the mosquitos (and no see-ums if you have them where you live) from coming through.


    It will also be important to ensure that the joins, seams, or points where the screens are attached to the frame are very tight.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Feb 11, 2020

    Hello,

    I sympathize with your situation and wonder if you had friend or neighbour that would be willing to help you fix this for you. Sounds as if the legs farthest from the house need to be on more stable ground. May need to be jacked up and concreted in for stability. Then a reassessment made of the rest of the porch.

    Second thoughts would be to ask one or two or even three Builders to come and give you a price for fixing the Porch. Ask them what would need doing and how it would be done, What it would cost and how long will it take to do. You may say you can't afford to get someone to fix it, but by asking them for a price to do it, you will then be able to judge if it is something you could tackle on your own or not!

    Maybe there is a DIY group somewhere near where you live, Ask about! Best wishes.


  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Feb 11, 2020

    If you want a quick fix buy screened mesh panels from like a gazebo and hang them on all walls with curtain rods .then get a large indoor outdoor rug and put on the floor.

  • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Feb 12, 2020

    The cheapest, most flexible screen panels are these.

    • Heavy duty flexible nylon mesh
    • Rolls up when not in use
    • Magnetic closure for easy entry
    • Weighted bottom
    • Installs in minutes

    Harbor Freight has 20% off coupons every day.