Q–The bugs are driving me crazy in my back yard. It is time for a screened enclosure. Is it possible to build an economical screened enclosure using readily available materials? What are your feelings concerning aluminum enclosures as opposed to wood? Do you think this is a project for an accomplished do-it-yourselfer? Do you have any tricks of the trade you will share?
A–Every screened porch that I have built has relieved the bug agony you are now experiencing. This is a project, I believe, that can be successfully tackled by a serious do-it-yourselfer. You will need to have well thought-out plans, proper zoning clearance, a building permit and about 160 man/woman hours of time.
Think before you do anything. How many people will enjoy breezy mornings and evenings within this enclosure? Are you going to have a table and chairs? Your living room or dining room can serve as a template for sizing this new structure. To be on the safe side, set existing furniture out in your yard where the structure will be. Create a square or rectangular shape, measure and start to draw.
After you have obtained permission from your local governmental officials, it is time to build. Wooden screened porches often allow you to match the architectural details of older homes. This feature, however, comes with a price tag–sustained, periodic maintenance.
Aluminum screened enclosures offer rapid construction capabilities, low maintenance and numerous design possibilities. Aluminum structures, however, usually require professional installation services.
Building a screened enclosure is possible on a tight budget. There are several tricks you can use to accomplish this goal. Consider building the porch on top of a ground hugging-wood deck instead of a concrete slab. Use ready-made full-panel screen doors for your walls. These doors can be installed side by side in between the support posts of the structure.
Use construction-grade redwood for your support posts. This grade of lumber will give you many years of service if you prime and paint each post, including the top and bottom, before installation.
Construct a simple gable or hip roof for your porch. The rafters and roof sheathing will be visible from the inside of the porch. However, if you paint the underside of the roof a medium gray, it will look very acceptable.
The angles created when building a hip roof will make for interesting conversation when your friends are sipping iced tea. Accept the challenge and try to construct this roof system.
There are several things you can do to minimize maintenance and maximize comfort. Prime and paint (or stain) all wood before it is assembled. If you build the porch and then paint, numerous wood surfaces will be bare.
Rain water will eventually invade this wood and cause paint failure and eventually rot. Be sure to plan ahead for the installation of electrical outlets, overhead lights and a paddle fan. Install these electrical devices in accordance with the National Electric Code, remembering that screened porches can become wet, creating increased shock hazards.
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Have questions about the remodeling process? Write to Tim Carter, c/o The Chicago Tribune, P.O. Box 36352, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236-0352. Questions will be answered only in the column.
For a list of detailed, step-by-step construction procedures for a simple screened porch; manufacturers of screened enclosures, and other tips on building screened porches, send $2 and your name and address to Tim Carter at the above address. Ask for Builder Bulletin No. 131.
For a list of past Builder Bulletins and a wide variety of individual job bid sheets, send a business-size, stamped, self-addressed envelope to the same address.
Ask the Contractor can also be accessed via the Internet at http://bancodeprofissionais.com/go/askcon.
