Screened Porch Plans

A porch is a part of the house, built as an extension to the main building, attached either on the front door or at the back door, unlike a patio. A porch, usually, comes with one or two sides enclosed, and one side of the wall attached to the building. Usually, one or more sides remain open, allowing free passage of air and sunlight. Porches are multipurpose, and can be used by any member of the family. The primary purpose of a screened porch is to help you enjoy a little peace. It can also accommodate playthings for children, such as a swing.

Screened Porch

A screened porch is much more effective than regular porches in preventing bugs and insects from troubling you. It also helps you to enjoy warm and soothing sunlight during the winter days, and ensures an escape from the suffocating and bug filled summer nights. It is often used as an extension of the living room, but people sometimes use it to keep their flower pots. Before you start to build a screened porch, you have to take a lot of things into consideration. Its simple enough to just staple screens to your house frames, but if you want it to stand the test of time, you need to make plans.

Plan to Build a Screened Porch

First of all, draft a plan as to how you would like to design it, thereafter the choice is yours whether you want to build it yourself or hire a specialist to do it. Even though, there are a lot of do-it-yourself packages in the market, it isn't always as easy as it sounds. Hence, it is always better to hire a specialist. In any case, you will need to draft a plan as anything more than just stapling in the screen, will need a lot more thinking. While planning, there are factors that we need to keep in mind. The plan should be simple and easy to understand, as these will be the guidelines to assist you while doing it yourself. It will also make it easier for you to explain your ideas to the specialists. Before you start any kind of construction, always make sure that you have submitted the building plan to the local building authority and have acquired a permit to build the same. Otherwise, they can declare your porch, an illegal structure.

A screened porch plan could start with a preliminary sketch, showing your idea of the porch, in accordance with the existing house plans. Nowadays, there are home design software available that aid in the making of such plans. You should also make sure that your screened porch blends in with the surroundings.The porch should be adequately equipped to withstand all kinds of weather. The addition and the modifications that result, should integrate with the overall design and style of the house. The raw materials, colors, roof styles and others should be able to blend in with the existing structure. A screened porch can be built completely from scratch or it can be developed from an existing porch. In case, people have to start from scratch, they need to build a whole new porch with a new roofing, which will definitely cost more. This is not exactly a very feasible option. Most people prefer to develop it from an existing porch, which already has a roofing, as it is much cheaper and easier.

Screening a Porch

The actual act of screening a porch, is a very simple process. After framing the wooden support on the porch, people usually fasten the screen on the wooden frame with batten boards. The screen should be strong enough to withstand all kinds of natural onslaughts. It should be ensured that the screen does not sag or wrinkle, while fastening.

Nowadays, there are customized, do-it-yourself screens available in the market. It usually comes with a ready-made screen, and instructions on how to do it. This product is becoming a lot more popular as it is usually hassle-free.There are a wide range of materials that can be used for screening, such as bronze, copper aluminum, vinyl, etc. Among these, vinyl is the most preferred, as it is easy to work with, and is extremely durable. New materials, such as rustproof bronze and anodized aluminum with a bronzed finish, are also becoming popular.

Plan for a Screened Deck Porch

There is a slight modification to be made, if a decked porch is to be screened. We need to ensure that the flooring of the deck is done with a solid raw material. The material should be strong enough to keep the deck from cracking up, as a cracked floor will allow the insects to come up through the floor. The base of the deck needs a very strong support, as it has to carry the additional weight of the porch. A strong material should be used for the support, as it also has to sustain the weight of snow that's usually accumulated, mostly in the northern regions of the hemisphere that experience snowfall. Some basic tips to help in planning for a screened porch.

Space: The space of the porch should be carefully planned, as the size will differ according to the purpose of the screened porch. Whether its to be used as a playroom, or as an extended living room or for storing flower pots, the amount of space available will always matter.

Exposure: The location should be decided, according to the level of exposure you most prefer. If it's to be used for keeping flower pots, it can be constructed in the front where the lighting will be the most, or if you want to use it for some private moments, then you can always construct it at the back, where you get the least exposure.

Raw materials: The raw materials should be chosen with careful deliberation, keeping in mind the natural surroundings. The durability of the material should be high and the color should be chosen, according to the appearance of the house.

Access: Access to the porch, should be unhindered. The location should always be nearer to the living room, or from a point where it's easily accessible for everyone.

With all the help that's available, it will be a lot easier now to plan for a screened porch for yourself . Now you won't need to go looking for an oasis elsewhere, as it is right there, in front of your eyes. You just need to discover it.