Homeowners who learn how to screen in a porch can turn a mosquito infested torture chamber into a calm and soothing space. Screened in porches create an outdoor space that can be used anytime without worrying about a pest invasion.

How To Screen In A Porch With Ease

Your existing porch may have a great view, but adding screening will give you the opportunity to enjoy that view without competing with annoying insects. Porches can be screened with basic hand tools and carpentry skills. Here’s how to screen in a porch the simple way:

• Anatomy of a screen porch. You can screen in your existing porch by adding a simple wooden frame to stretch the screen on. This frame should be made out of pressure treated wood to withstand moisture. While the frame won’t be load bearing, it does have to be strong enough to stand up to the elements and day-to-day use. Like most wall framing, the screen porch frame will have a sole plate at its base, vertical stud members that reach floor to ceiling, a top plate at the ceiling and horizontal rails to add rigidity and stability.
• A little sole. First, install a 2”x4” sole plate around the edge of your existing porch and between the support posts. Make sure the sole plate is square. For a wooden porch, screw the sole plate in place—a concrete porch will require the use of a masonry nail gun.
• Up on top. Next, stand a stud up on the sole plate resting against the wall of the house. Plumb the stud and nail it into the exterior of the house. Set a 2”4” top plate on top of the stud and use a string line to make sure the top plate is positioned directly over the sole plate. Nail the top plate to your porch’s ceiling. Run the top plate around the perimeter of your porch, checking at intervals to be sure it is positioned correctly over the sole plate.
• Install studs. Set vertical studs in place, making the width between studs 3” shorter than the width of your screening material. Most screening comes in 3’ or 4’ widths, making your stud spacing 33” or 45”.
• Install rails and balusters. With a level and chalk line, mark a line on the outside of the porch framing 32” above the floor of your porch. Cut 2”x4” members to fit horizontally between your studs and nail them in place, using the chalk like to guide their positions. Us 2”x2” wood to create vertical supports (called balusters) between the rail and the sole plate. Install the balusters using finishing nails.
• Types of screen. Screening is available in vinyl or metal. While metal screening will last longer, it is more expensive and prone to crimping or creasing.
• Install screening. Working carefully, measure the length of screen required to cover an opening, leaving an inch or so of overlap on all sides. With a heavy-duty staple gun, fix the screen material to the frame. Start at the middle top and work toward both ends, tightening the screen as you go. Move on to the bottom, again working from the middle outward. Finally, secure the sides, tightening as you work from middle to ends.
• The big cover-up. Cover the screen seams with 2”x2” wood strips cut to fit. Attaching these cover pieces with screws will make them easy to remove when it comes time to repair or replace your porch screens.