Part II - How to Build a Screen Porch - From Foundation & Deck, to Walls and Support
See "Part I - How to Build a Screen Porch"
The Foundation
Nothing bothers me more than deck posts that are not centered on piers. Builders and homeowners go to great lengths to try to figure out where to dig piers. They can spend hours! Then you go to build the deck and find out that you were off by 6 inches. That is why we just built the deck outline FIRST. Now that the corners of the porch have already been established you can easily drop a plumb bob and find the center of your piers. Since you haven't placed any other floor joists, it will be easy to dig the holes with a post hole digger standing both inside and outside the box.
I prefer to dig to the frost level in my area and pour an 8 inch thick layer of concrete in the bottom of the hole. Then the next day, I insert the treated lumber post which is attached or notched to accept the joists. I fill around the post with rounded gravel to within 6 inches of grade level. The final 6 inches are filled with another layer or doughnut of concrete. By doing it this way, it is easy to replace the post should it become necessary.
The Deck
Construct the deck or floor of the porch after you install the remainder of the floor joists. Use treated lumber for all of this. Do not put any spacing between your decking boards. They will shrink slightly over time creating a slight gap. Before you start nailing, you may want to consider pre-finishing the deck boards with a sealer, especially the underside and the edges that will not be exposed after you nail them down. Also, how about getting your electrical feed wires installed and possibly a gas line for your grill. You better think about how these things are going to get from the house to the porch!The Walls
The walls of the screened porch are simply screened panels that fit between posts that support the roof structure. The types of panels are up to you. To minimize posts, you will need to create large panels. The width of the panels is a function of the width of screening material that is available. Do not build your panels and then try to find screening! Plus, building the right size will minimize waste of screening. Local lumber companies will be able to hook you up with someone who makes screen panels. If you want to make your own, or use prefab panels, go for it. You can always buy extra wide and tall screen doors and just use those. By the way, you don't put these panels up until the last day!
Corner/Support Posts
All of the wood that is below roof level must be treated lumber or a naturally decay resistant lumber such as cedar or redwood. I have had great success using redwood for my screened porch projects. Many people do not realize that there are various grades of redwood available. The lower grades often have very acceptable tight knots. It is very economical. I would give this serious consideration. Do not use treated lumber corner posts that you wrap with redwood. Invariably the treated posts will twist as they dry out. This will cause problems. Your design and plans should call for corner and intermediate support posts that beams rest upon. The beams span over the posts and are connected with special post and beam galvanized hardware. The Simpson Strong-Tie Company makes a full line of galvanized steel framing connectors.
Part III of "How to Build a Screen Porch " awaits! The final stages of your construction project will soon have you enjoying your splendid outdoor room!
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Ernie 11 Apr 2009, 12:22
If I dig down 3.5 feet and pour an 8 in. slab of concrete and the next day
put in post, gravel and doughnut of concrete, wont the doughnut shift
because it is not below the frost line?
jenny walker 09 Jun 2009, 05:46
do you rec. building a screen porch on the old existing(12yrs) porch and
laminate the porch flooring?
thanks, Jenny
Caesar Hill 09 Jun 2009, 22:03
Sir, I have a 16ftx17ft slab of concrete in my backyard. I would like to
build a Screen in patio on it. My question is do I really need to build a
wooden deck first or can I just start building on the slab? Also, are
there any patio plans with dimension available online? I’m lost on the
lingo too!
Band board or ledger board (Difference?) Floor joists (using joist hangers) Drop a plunb bob and find the center of your piers. Your help in this matter is great appreicated.
Joseph Giambrone 12 Jun 2009, 15:08
I have the same questions as a post msg from caesar hill posted on 9 jun
2009. May i please have that response. Thanks, Joe
Scott 31 Jul 2009, 20:11
I have new screened porch off of house that sits very close to ground. The
treated 2x12 joists and frame sit on the footings with 6x6 posts but in
places touch the ground. very little room between ground and joists.
Outside, the siding was taken from the 1/2 walls below the decking to the
ground with pressure treated wood filling the small gaps to keep out
rodents and kids balls. The inspector took his final look and suggested
the outside walls below the decking line (tongue/groove mahogany) need to
be vented or I'll end up with wood decay (decking/framing) b/c lack of
circulating air. He suggested venting would be easy fix and that it is
code. How big of an issue is this?
dipak sen 05 Jan 2010, 04:43
For a roof top garden i want to make shaded structure of 10 ftx10ftx10ft
i want to put shade net on top as well as on 3 sides. How sq mt or sq ft net i should buy. is it 400 sq ft or 36.8 sq mt.?
JoAnn 16 Mar 2010, 12:21
I want a screen porch. If I use cyderblocks for the outer edges, filled
w/sand & place rebar rods and start w/layering process-felt paper,
sand-ponded, 1-1/2 rock, crushed granite, and top surface is 16x16 stones,
grout lines filled in w/ cement. How long with the flooring last??
Please advise
AUDERY 26 Apr 2010, 20:54
IHAVE A 8X10PORCH HOW MUCH SCREEN DO I NEED TO SCREEN IN MY PORCH
D Henry 12 Jul 2010, 22:12
When building a screen porch with a deck floor,do you lay screen over the
deck joists before putting the floor boards on? Above you mentioned to not
leave spaces between the floor boards do you also put screen under the
floor boards?
karen wert 30 Sep 2010, 14:46
I have built a screened room off the house and now an wondering what to put
in the gap between the first post and the profile of the siding to keep
bugs out. Any suggestions?
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