Marcia, Please help me find out what kind of snake I came across today. While I was at the local dog park (near Orlando) I came across a yellow with black stripes snake. It looked to be between 3.5-4 feet long and did not appear at first glance (that was all I gave it out of fear) to be shiny. I was about 3 feet from it and didn't know it until my dog almost stepped on it. She obviously didn't see it either. The snake seemed a pit peeved about the whole thing but it decided not to attack and to slowly slither towards ME to get away from my dog. Needless to say, I took off in a different direction real quick and hollered for my dog to follow. I am not like you or others on this site. I am not a fan of snakes and am extremely afraid of them. Although, I don't mind the black racers that seem to have taken up permanent residence in MY back yard and they love to procreate often (or so it seems). I have seen a lot less field rats since the racers moved in and that makes me very happy. Anyway, can you help me figure out what this snake was? I have spent hours and hours online tonight trying to find it and just can't seem to find anything that looks like it. I am guessing that it is not dangerous to me or my dogs??? I am scared to take my dogs back through those woods that they so dearly love. As soon as I told them, "No more woods until the snakes are gone again," they "told" me to find it if it was dangerous or not and if it isn't that they want to go back again. So that is mostly why I am asking you for your help. We all love the walks but I am afraid of the snakes. Please help me feel safer about going back. Thanks in advance for your help.

The material costs of slate aren't that cheap unless you are buying the box store stuff that has about a 40%-50% cull rate. And the installation costs for slate are a LOT higher than almost any other natural stone, which is in turn higher than any porcelain. Because even gauged slate will vary a lot, slate is a lot of work to get set correctly without a lot of lippage. It's best set in an old fashioned mud bed rather than with conventional thin set, and there simply aren't a lot of people out there that have the skills to do that anymore. Plus, it takes up more thickness for the floor, and you have to account for that from the beginning of the design if you want flush transitions. If this is to be a completely covered 3 or 4 season room, then I'd recommend some type of porcelain, even a faux slate if you like the look, together with underfloor electric heating cables, or hydrionic if you're doing a boiler. Electric won't soley heat the room in winter, but if you are using a woodstove, it will help keep your feet warm. If you do the PEX for the water, it will provide a toasty warm and comfortable environment for the winter months if you also use good quality windows. If you're not up for putting in high dollar windows, then forget heating the space int he winter and have a 3 season rather than 4 season room. You should make sure that your slab is insulated properly from the surrounding soil regardless of if you choose in floor heating or not if you want to use this in the colder months.

Thanks Perky for the kind words! I can't wait to see your photos. It amazes me how many different styles of screened porches we have seen just on this forum. I love the brick pavers, too. I don't know if I could have done those on this porch..since it's a full story up...I don't think so. But if I were screening in on a lower level or ground level...I would love to use the brick pavers. The look of brick is so warm and cozy to me and you can water your plants without having to worry about the water splashing on the floor. I really like the stamped concrete pictures I've seen here, too. With this porch we just had built, I am going for an old fashioned looking screened porch...with the white wicker. The forum may not still be going on come Spring...but if it is...or a similar forum...I'll post some photos once I get the porch furnished, now that I know how. I bought an old china cabinet/side board I'm going to paint a soft green or a periwinkle blue...or some pretty whimsical color...it will be on the porch to store things in...like dishes/china for dining. I've been looking for an old drop leaf table I can paint to put on the porch. It will stay closed down until I want to have a candlelight dinner party out on the porch. Hard to imagine that happening when my it's 23 degrees outside and snow on the deck. I have faith though...spring/summer will come again! :-)

Won't the wind blow around the solar screen (is this really screen like window screen or fabric that "screens" out the sun?) or solar fabric? I guess I don't really understand the situation, a pic would help. Could she put the 48 inch stuff across the top so the top 48" had fabric, kindof like a giant valence? Good luck! Kathy