skip to main content

Building a Home

Building a screen porch

14 years ago

I posted recently about possible making our back deck (about 9x15) into a porch by adding columns and a roof (my post was about possibly using copper roofing). The original plans called for a pergola back there, but we haven't erected it yet. As always, these plans evolve. We are having a beaver problem, and as a result now have wicked moisquitos. I was thinking maybe we should make the porch screened. It faces west, so it would block some of the vicious afternoon sun that comes into the kitchen through the slider.

I'd love to see pictures of your screen porches, or pics you've saved of your favorites, as well as any comments on what you like/don't like about it, etc.

Here is a picture of the rear of my house. Any comments are appeciated. Thanks.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

eventhecatisaboy
14 years ago
We love our screened in porch. Our home wouldn't be the same without it. Great for our picnic/parties and love to eat our meals out there too. Best place to be from sun up to sun down.

Awhile back someone recommended this site for inspiration photos on screened in porches. (I am not affiliated with them at all, in fact they are in TN and I'm in the north.) Pictures are great I think. Hope it helps! BTW, love your house!

Here is a link that might be useful: The Porch Company
sue36
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for that link, there are some nice ideas on there.
Related Discussions
Materials for each part of screened porch
Q
Comments (2)
I would not use pressure treated, if it is the same thing they removed from the market because it had arsenic it. They removed that but they don't know yet what this one will do to humans. Check it out at the home improvement stores and see if they have to wear gloves when handling it. The one they used years ago also warped. Ask plenty of questions. I would use redwood if I could afford it.
...See More
Railing or knee wall for porch
Q
Comments (1)
We built a porch on our last home and we intended to add a railing until I realized it would block vision. We left it open, but it was just a concrete one step up porch.
...See More
New Build Screen Porch flooring - PT wood already on site!
Q
Comments (7)
A lot depends on the look you want. We're also doing a screen porch and will use a composite (not sure which yet) but the type that is interlocking and looks like T&G after install. You can't stain a PT deck immediately so it will have to weather as is for a while - how long I believe depends on how much weather/sun exposure it will get but I believe a year is recommended. Will you be screening underneath the PT flooring to keep bugs out? How will it be fastened? Will they do a blind system so you don't have to see nails in the boards?
...See More
Deck material for screened porch
Q
Comments (23)
I'm not trying to waterproof the floor. :). There's no grout in those pedestal systems. The water flows right through to whatever is beneath. I suggested the porcelain as a nice floor for a deck as a non-water proof deck refacing or for above a complete and correct flat roof system, not tiled to the membrane (which I wouldn't even do with schluter), and I recommended the translucent panels as being nice on a second story deck above another to serve to let light through. Rain will blow onto a screen porch. You don't want to trap it. I would definitely have to have solatubes or skylights above to make the translucent panels worth anything. I think some of us are seeing a dry screen porch at the basement level, some are seeing a "wet" screen porch at the basement level (me, first read through--then I wasn't sure), and some of us are seeing a dry screen porch at the upper level (my second guess). And people are recommending flooring either to make the upper level nice or keep the lower level dry. So this whole thread is a mess. I think OP just wants a nice--not waterproof--floor for a second level screen porch which just happens to have a basement beneath.
...See More
porchtalk
14 years ago
You can find great pictures and screen porch ideas to include building your own, screen materials comparison guides, electrical considerations, decorating ideas and more at http://www.front-porch-ideas-and-more.com

Here is a link that might be useful: Front Porch Ideas and More
User
14 years ago
sue36-

I posted a few pics of our 90% completed porch on a recent thread titled "screen porch using doors". We had one in our previous home and really missed it, it's like being outdoors without the bugs, we eat all meals out there and I don't think we've sat in the LR since the interior was finished.

One thing I would like to add, our porch is 3 sided on the north, south and east, specifically to shield us from the afternoon sun, it can get pretty brutal even here in the land of ice and snow. We also put up a couple of fans to ensure the air moves and have 2 sets of french doors opening into the house, so we have plenty of cross ventilation (no A/C).

I think a porch would look great on the back of your house, perhaps extra long overhangs would shield you from the sun a little better?

Good luck-

sandyponder

Related Stories

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Screen the Porch for More Living Room (Almost) All Year

By Becky Harris

Make the Most of Three Seasons With a Personal, Bug-Free Outdoor Oasis

PORCHES Cool Off This Summer On a Screened-In Porch

By Becky Harris

ARCHITECTURE Houzz Tour: A Most Unusual Trailer in Texas

By Mitchell Parker

With an air-conditioned bathroom, screened porches and a sleeping loft, this riverside trailer site has it all

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Breezy and Bug-Free Modern Porches

Screening keeps pests out of these diverse porches across the U.S., while thoughtful designs keep them visually appealing

PORCH OF THE WEEK A Summer House With Prairie School Style

By Becky Harris

A free-standing screened-in pavilion provides a summer getaway in this couple’s Minnesota backyard

NEW THIS WEEK 3 Fresh Ideas for Outdoor Living Spaces

By Mitchell Parker

Designers share secrets from a rooftop deck, a covered patio and a screened-in porch uploaded this week to Houzz

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Austin Haven with Amazing Views

Natural materials, energy-efficient design and a screened-in porch take in a stunning hillside

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING How to Make a Pond

By Mitchell Parker

You can make an outdoor fish paradise of your own, for less than you might think. But you'll need this expert design wisdom

GREEN BUILDING Insulation Basics: Heat, R-Value and the Building Envelope

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Learn how heat moves through a home and the materials that can stop it, to make sure your insulation is as effective as you think

FARM YOUR YARD How to Build a Raised Bed for Your Veggies and Plants

By Annie Thornton

Whether you’re farming your parking strip or beautifying your backyard, a planting box you make yourself can come in mighty handy

Sponsored

Winks Remodeling & Handyman Services

1 Review

Custom Craftsmanship & Construction Solutions in Franklin County

More Discussions

Roof Framing Looks Worrisome

12

Give your advice on my DRAFT first floor layout

29

It's May 2024. How is your build going?

19

Foundation house plan

15

building costs in Seattle

10