DIY Porch Windbreaks

Trellis Windbreak

• 1

  Use a tape measure to measure the porch opening on the side that suffers most from the wind. Cut a piece of clear plastic 2 inches larger than the opening.

• 2

  Cut four 1-inch by 1/2-inch boards with a saw the same measurements as the opening. Use a staple gun to staple the corners of the plastic to the inside of the opening. Lay the boards along the edges of the plastic, then staple the boards to the edge of the porch opening. The clear plastic should be sandwiched between the porch and boards.

• 3

  Cut a piece of lattice work a few inches larger than the porch opening with a saw. Cover the outside of the porch opening with the lattice and nail the lattice in place.

Canvas Windbreak

• 4

  Cut two 2-inch by 1-inch boards with a saw so they are the same width as the porch opening. Use a pair of shears to cut a piece of heavy-duty canvas, like the type used for sailboat sails, to the same width as the opening but 4 inches longer.

• 5

  Fold the sides of the canvas over and glue them down with the glue gun. This hems the canvas without a sewing machine. Cut a piece of rope or clothesline 24 inches longer than the width of the opening. Lay the rope along the bottom of the canvas and fold the canvas over the rope. Glue the bottom of the canvas down.

• 6

  Staple the top of the canvas to the top of the opening and nail one of the boards over the top of the canvas. Screw one large eye-hook into the side of the board. Nail one of the boards to the bottom of the opening with 2-inch long nails. Screw two large eye-hooks into the bottom board.

• 7

  Roll the canvas up and secure the ropes to the inside hook. On windy days, unroll the canvas and tie the ropes tightly to the bottom eye-hooks.