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Enclosing Porch

874K views 123 replies 17 participants last post by  joetab24 
#1 · (Edited)
I've mentioned in some previous threads a desire to do more with a pergola built by the previous owner of my home. It appears my best course of action is to tear the structure down.

How about enclosing my covered front porch? Here are some pics:







Some neighbors have enclosed their porches with screens. Others have fully enclosed this space and have it heated.

Here is what I'd like to do:



I've never done a job like this, but I think it is doable. What would be my first step? Framing, I assume. Would I use 2 X 4s? Any help is appreciated! Thanks for taking the time to look!
 
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#86 ·
was thinking about how much I spent on this project. I actually stopped keeping track of the $ spent on this project half way through. Probably around $2500-$3500 if I had to pull a # out of the air. I did get some tools along the way, including a table saw, and I learned a lot of valuable lessons/skills. I also gained a lot of confidence and humility along the way.

Not sure what a pro would have charged; I do know he would have had it done a lot (a lot!) faster. Regardless, if I would have paid someone to do it, I am pretty sure I wouldn't drive around the block three times to see how seamless a corner looks. Or be able to talk for 30 minutes about that one section of molding on the inside corner, not that anyone but me enjoys that story!
 
#106 ·
I scrolled back through to the beginning. I barely remembered saying that it was a shame to close in that porch. I have to admit I was skeptical that such an enclosure could do anything but detract from the architecture of an older home but that does look nice. You're current enclosure looks at least ten times better than your original attempt. The screen will keep insects off your front porch and it looks like it may even give you a little privacy from nosey neighbors. Nice job! Time to finish up and start enjoying.
 
#5 · (Edited)
alright......this is a work in progress.

i am going to use this space to plan my project. this will help me think through each of the steps. any tips/advice are appreciated greatly.


from watching the video/reading the plans I linked to it appears that I am going to need to do the following:

1. on the front of the porch (facing street) secure knee wall sole plate to concrete. in the video above, the builder attached two 2X4s, the bottom one was pressure treated and used expanding anchors to secure them to the concrete. the 2 Xs were placed on top of a piece of foam insulation.

2. next he installed a top plate 3 feet from the ground and secured studs.

Next Actions/ Questions

1. I have to remove the vinyl cover (see pics) and expose the existing top plate.
2. I need to determine how many windows I am going to add and the spacing needed for the windows. I am thinking 4 or 5. I will list the measurements tomorrow. I am pretty sure the width of the front opening is 15' 8. Will double check.
3. Am I basically going to frame the windows following the image below?


 
#7 ·
have spent much of the past week thinking about adding a deck to my back patio, which until recently had a rotted pergola on it.


before i start the deck, which i still haven't gotten the wife's ok on, i want to revisit screening in the front porch.


because the bugs in our area (SE PA) get pretty nasty by July, I think I get the most bang for my buck by enclosing this area.

i've familiarized myself with the screen tight product that depot sells and I like what I see.

as far as framing goes, this seems pretty basic. Although for me, it will be a fairly big job since I've only ever framed one wall along my basement stairs.

Found this video on screening a porch

http://www.diynetwork.com/videos/screen-a-porch/8055.html

What should I use for framing? The wood in this video looks a 1 X 4?


any advice/tips on framing to screen in a porch are appreciated greatly. Thanks!
 
#49 ·
have spent much of the past week thinking about adding a deck to my back patio, which until recently had a rotted pergola on it.


before i start the deck, which i still haven't gotten the wife's ok on, i want to revisit screening in the front porch.


because the bugs in our area (SE PA) get pretty nasty by July, I think I get the most bang for my buck by enclosing this area.

i've familiarized myself with the screen tight product that depot sells and I like what I see.

as far as framing goes, this seems pretty basic. Although for me, it will be a fairly big job since I've only ever framed one wall along my basement stairs.

Found this video on screening a porch

http://www.diynetwork.com/videos/screen-a-porch/8055.html

What should I use for framing? The wood in this video looks a 1 X 4?


any advice/tips on framing to screen in a porch are appreciated greatly. Thanks!
That kit Rocks! Not sure how much it costs, but looking at that video it would be worth it to me!:thumbsup:
 
#9 ·
IMO you have a beautiful, inviting front entrance area. I think enclosing it without a very serious thought on the style of the architecture will make it look like a wart on a toad's butt. I personally would not change it but if you do, I would consult an architect.
 
#10 ·
i hear ya about the architecture, but a lot of the porches on my block are screened in (if you look at the above pic you kinda see that). and the screen tight system appears to me to preserve the "essence" of the porch. in other words, it's not like i am throwing a bunch of vinyl siding up and encasing the space. i guess it's worth it to me to try this. the wood and screening shouldn't cost that much and, in the end, if it's "wart like" i'll dismantle it. thanks for your honest feedback :)
 
#12 ·
a few people have told me that it would be ok to add the top plate to the existing material as long as I am nailing into something solid. what do you think?


also, should I add weep holes (?) in the bottom plate? someone mentioned that, regarding any water that may get in.
 
#13 · (Edited)
You don’t want to nail a plate to vinyl soffit. If it’s in your way, get rid of it. The soffit should be loosely nailed with roofing nails and can usually be removed without tools by just snapping the nail flange over the nail head , you‘ll see what I mean once your looking at it. Start were the last piece of the run is (probably a cut piece) once you get that one out the rest will be easy. Don’t worry if you have to destroy the first piece after that salvaging the rest should be no problem.

There should defiantly be a way for water to escape a screened porch I don’t know about weep holes though. I’d hold the whole thing up 1 ½” having your plate connected to a series of blocks along the bottom with big enough openings so you can hose out without getting plugged up.
 
#14 ·
about to start this project.

if you take a look at the columns, they have a stucco finish. is it ok to put a 2X4 right onto the column?
I am going to use a powder actuated gun, which i know will secure the wood. But am I going to have a hard time getting it plumb?
The other surface that I am questioning is to the left of my front door. The concrete is somewhat uneven. Will this create a problem?
 
#15 ·
as a follow up, just doing a dry run this evening to see how things lay out, when I placed the 2X4 against the column there was some contact with the stucco column on the bottom and top of the stud, but a gap that varied in size; it was as large as 3/4" in some section. should i just put some molding over this opening?
 
#16 ·
the screen tight system that i am installing has a cap and base system that attaches to the wood so i am going to have to cover the gap (mentioned above) and install the cap/base on the 1.5" side of the stud. is there moulding made specifically for outdoor application? so i am going to have to cover the gap and install the cap/base on the 1.5" side of the stud. is there moulding made specifically for outdoor application?
 
#17 · (Edited)
the screen tight system that i am installing has a cap and base system that attaches to the wood


http://www.qualitywindowscreen.com/store/images/screentight_...


so i am going to have to cover the gap and install the cap/base on the 1.5" side of the stud.

is there moulding made specifically for outdoor application?


somebody on another board suggested grinding down some of the stucco to create a flat surface for the 2 X4. any thoughts on this?
 
#18 ·
2 X 4 on stucco

part of a longer discussion about screening in my porch


when I placed a 2X4 against the column there was some contact with the stucco column on the bottom and top of the stud, but a gap that varied in size; it was as large as 3/4" in some section. should i just put some molding over this opening? or should i try to chisel or grind the stucco away before securing the wood? thanks!


 
#19 ·
You can either profile the 2x4 to the inconsistancies of the column or cut the colum to provide a tighter fit for the wood. Your choice.
Ron
 
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