Perhaps some ideas for your project. See My Album.

The PorchGuy

Here is a link that might be useful: My Album

thanks, porchguy. What a terrific website. I can zero in on several useful ideas that I might be able to adopt for my project. But I would still appreciate getting ideas from consumers who have been through the process and let me benefit from their experience, both positive & negative.

here are some other ideas...hope it helps

ferrari-construction.com

haus...#1) I wouldn't waste your money installing skylights in your porch roof. One option is to install tubular skylights behind the kneewall you will need to build on top of the exterior wall. #2) At the lowest point you want to try and keep your height at 8' if at all possible while trying to maintain a minimum 3/12 pitch. Anything lower than a 3/12 and you should use rolled roofing.#3)fixed panel screens with black fiberglass mesh.#4) flooring is up to you. If you're going to use indoor outdoor carpeting use PT plywood. If your decking is in halfway decent shape you can even go right over the top of that..Note:you will see lines in your carpet though..#5 wood or metal,,,,stay away from the PVC doors..#6 make sure you get a copy of his workmans comp and license before giving any down payment. Also get a complete written scope of work. And as always check references. Hope this helps...Peace

haus,

I will give you a few of my experiences as a consumer who built a deck and screened in porch area for our home.

1. not sure how well the skylight will work, however we had the same concern and we ended up building our screened in area away from the house for the very same concern you stated. We did not want to lose any natural light in one of our rear rooms. i do know someone that did a full roof out of plexi glass for the light reason. it works well, but keeping it clean is a pain.

2. agree, minimum roof height should be 8ft. I did a 9' ceiling that is valuted up to 12'

3. screens. all kinds of options here. I ended up ordering aluminum screens made up to fit the openings I framed out. they are aluminum frames with "super screen" material. I ordered them on line from a vendor out in colorado. it worked pretty well, and they were about 35% less than anything i could find locally. they are screwed in with screws that have been color matched to the frames and they have held up well in some very strong storms thus far. if one gets damaged, i figured i can take out that individual screen and have it repaired locally.

4. no help on a floor that you can paint. i used IPE tg floor in the screened in area.

5. wide open here, you can buy one or make one out of the same materials used on the project. i ended up putting in a sliding door, but mine is not an opening to the home.

6. not sure... built it myself.

Not sure if that helps, but we walked through a lot of the decisions that you are considering. Take your time and get what you want. I posted a picture for a visual.

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

kenstl, thanks for your post. Your porch looks like it's close to what we're looking for. I love your ceiling. What kind of wood is that?

We're considering building a screen porch with door panels from this company (click on the 3-Season Room menu item on the left). We like the idea of changing out the screens for storms in the spring, fall, and winter (we're in Wisconsin). With the Traditional #11 or #50 you can get the privacy of a knee wall. We're using the Clear Vu with a railing on the inside to protect the screens from kids and the dog, and also to have a place to set drinks, etc. Also click on the article from This Old House, might be helpful.
Good luck!
Shana

Here is a link that might be useful: Combination Door Company

Haus,

the ceiling and soffit's are TG Fir, the rest of the deck is IPE. you can shoot me your email if you want additional photos.

Ken

I will be building a similar situation on my deck. I have architecs plans on a pdf, I'll see if I can post them. I will be using a product called mosquito curtain, insead of screens, they have many advantages. They are also less expensive than screens. When they are pulled open, the entire space is open, and I think the draped screening is atractive. It makes it look softer. I will be using a product called Palram for the ceiling. It's a transparent roofing system. You can use pieces of this stuff to make skylights, but why not make the whole thing out of it. I agree however, that dirt on top would be a problem. You can order it in a milky or pearly finish to obscure the dirt. I'm afraid that if you put it away from the house, it won't get used.

We also put in a door to the space called Nana Wall. It's like a bifold door. You can get a 20 foot opening with it. We only have 8 feet. It's made in Germany and it cost about $1,000. a linear foot. I think it's worth it. If you are in New Jersey, you are welcome to come by and see it.

thank you, freedee, for your thoughtful suggestions. I plan to follow up on them. If you can post that pdf file of your architect plans, assuming it's okay to do that, I would be much obliged.