About Porch Screens

Function

• Porch screening is an enclosure that typically stretches from porch posts or railings, often used to keep out flying insects, as well as climate conditions such as sun or rain. Screens are sometimes installed with an easy removal system to simply close in an open porch.

Types

• There are several porch screening systems that currently exist, including the traditional staples and trim method, screen frames, screen doors, and frameless screening.

  Staples and trim are a low-cost, commonly used solution which involves stretching screen fabric over a porch frame and stapling the screen to keep it in place.

  Screen frames are created by stretching fabric over aluminum or wood frames, which are kept in place by a rubber spline.

  Frameless screens, on the other hand, use Velcro strips to keep the screen fabric in place, allowing for the screen to be easily rolled up. This is a handy choice for those that wish to transform their porch from open-air to a screened in porch with ease.

  Screen doors are needed to provide access to the porch from the outside. These folding, light-weight doors are designed to open either horizontally or vertically. Larger screens can be installed to allow for a porch to be easily transformed into open or closed

Significance

• Screens are a thin, yet durable layer of vinyl material and were designed to make spending time on the porch a more agreeable experience. A standard screen should protect against flying pests and allow for a modicum of privacy from neighbors and passerby while still letting in the fresh air. It also completes the atmosphere of a room added on to the building, making it seem more like a completed room while still allowing you to enjoy the outdoors.

Considerations

• Certain porch screening techniques are more labor-intensive or more affordable than others. For example, the traditional method of stretching a vinyl screen across frames and using tacks or staples to hold the screen in place is perhaps the most time and labor-intensive approach. However, it is also a more affordable method than may of the newer screening systems, with screens costing around 27 to 37 cents per square foot.

Prevention/Solution

• While screens are surprisingly durable, considering their weight and ease of installation, they are significantly less sturdy than typical exterior walls. As such, when exposed to the elements, they can quickly become worn and in need of repairing and replacement. Regularly maintain the staples or fasteners that attach your screen to the frame and replace any screens with holes that may allow insects into the home. Also, you may wish to install your screen beneath an overhang in order to protect it from rain and wind.