DIY Network

Screening the Porch, Part 2 Screening the Porch, Part 2 From "Grounds for Improvement" episode DGFI-203

Figure A

The frame for the screened porch is in place, and soon Bill and Angie will have a little bit more security and control over their children when they play close to the pool. Now it's time to install the screen (figure A).

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Screen base strips are attached to the frame, starting at the top and then working down to the bottom before butt-joining with side strips. These strips are part of a screen system that includes everything except the framing lumber. They're easy to install and can be cut to fit with tin snips, heavy-duty scissors or even pruners. Due to their natural weather resistance, 1" galvanized screws are used to attach the strips to the frame.

With the strips in place, 48"-wide screen is left on the roll and attached from the top down, making sure to leave plenty of screen overlap on all sides (figure B). Next, spline (a ribbed cord made of rubber) is fitted over the screen and worked into a channel in the track with a spline tool (figure C). After the base strip on the top has been splined, the vertical frames are splined next and the bottom of the frame is finished last. The screen and spline are held taut during the splining process, and when complete, the spline and screen ends are neatly trimmed close to the spline line.

Figure B

Figure C

Protective caps are used to cover the spline and tracks for a clean, finished look (figure D). The caps can also be trimmed to fit the tracks and should be tapped into place with a mallet. If the installation is in a tight space, place a block of wood over the cap before using the mallet; the wood block will also protect the caps from accidental damage from the mallet.

To complete the newly screened porch, a prefabricated door -- complete with lock -- is fitted into the frame, and the porch is now ready to offer a safe, secure play area to three energetic boys (figure E).

Figure D

Figure E

RESOURCES :

Black and Decker tools
Website: www.blackanddecker.com
Black & Decker, Inc. (Corporate)
Website: www.bdk.com/main_bd.htm

Porter-Cable Tools
Porter-Cable Corporation
Website: www.deltaportercable.com

Irwin Industrial Tool Company
Website: www.irwin.com

Ames True Temper Tools
Ames-True Temper
Website: www.ames-truetemper.com

American Society of Landscape Architects

Delta Tools
Deltak Power Tools
Website: www.deltamachinery.com

Screen Tight Information

Screen-Tight's™ unique system is easily adapted to most screen porches. The base component attaches to wood framing with 1" wood or sheet rock screws. Make sure to put a screw in each slot. Fastener should be snug, but not so tight that the base strip bends. Put a screw no less than 4" from the end of each base component. The excess screen is cut and removed, allowing cap to snap into base. This completes the installation.

Screen Tight™
Website: www.screentight.com

Cedar lumber and plywood