In my latest attempt to complete smaller projects that have big impact, I cut in and screened the porch windows. This gives me a functional screened porch which is highly desirable at this time of year when the sun gets hot and the bugs are out in full force.
When the siding was installed, we opted to simply put up the full sheets, thus enclosing the porch, as a matter of speed. The porch didn’t have a full floor and wasn’t otherwise a usable space, anyway, so this made sense at the time. It also allowed for some flexibility in how the windows would be cut and framed for the screens. There were a number of different ways to do this, so it gave me a chance to think this through.
Ultimately. I decided to attach the screens to the frame on the inside of the porch. Later, I’ll add exterior trim to cover where the siding has been cut and to cover the 2×4 framing. This allows for the maximum window sizes which is most desirable in this space. I used aluminum screen which is more durable than fiberglass and nearly as “see through”. It was a little more expensive, but not much – and since the entire screen was less than $75, we’re not talking about a notable expense.
Ultimately there will be electric, lighting, and a ceiling fan on the porch, so this will be a very comfortable space. In fact, at nearly the same size as the living room, I expect the porch to be the most used space in the house. Once there is the ability to truly start actually using the house as, well, a house, rather than a construction site.