Screened In Porches A Guide To Faster Installation

It’s a labor-intensive method, and screens installed this way typically develop noticeable sags after just a few months. Plus, when it’s necessary to replace a damaged screen or fix a sagging one, you must remove several battens and yank out about a million fasteners. But there is a much better and easier way to install screens, and it doesn’t require a lot of experience. This project will show you how to rescreen an existing porch using the Screen Tight installation system. You can use the same techniques detailed here for new and remodeled porches, deck enclosures, breezeways and gazebos.

Steps on How to Install a Screened In Porch

1. Remove the Wood Battens

Remove the 1x2 battens to expose the staples that secure the old screens in place.

2. Remove Old Screening

Pry the vertical 1x4 battens from the porch posts. Pull down all the old screening and pound the staples flat.

3. Install Vertical Base Strips

Fasten the vertical base strips to the outside of the porch posts. Use the 3½-inch base for 4x4 posts.

4. Trim the Base Strips

Use pruning shears or tin snips to trim the base strips to length. Screw 1½ inch-wide base to 2x4 rails.

5. Install the Screening

Pull the screen fabric tight with one hand as you roll the spline into the groove in the base strip.

6. Trim Away Excess

Remove excess screening by drawing a utility knife along the edge of the raised spline groove.

7. Reinforce the Bottom Screens (optional)

On this porch, we installed tough, tear-resistant PetScreen to the lower portion of the walls and to the door.

8. Install Wide Cap Trim

Cover up the base strips and screen splines on the 4x4 porch posts with long pieces of wide cap trim.

9. Install Narrow Cap Trim

Use a non marring mallet to tap the narrow cap trim onto the base strips that are screwed to the 2x4 railing.

10. Install Base Strip Trim

Cut the narrow, horizontal cap trim to length with pruning shears after tapping it onto the base strip.

11. Install the Screen Door

To complement the new screening system, we installed a matching solid-vinyl screen door. It never needs painting.