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Building A Screened In PorchOn Your Existing PorchIf you are building a screened in porch on an existing porch, here are detailed steps and helpful tips to save you time and money.
Be sure to see how you can use screen porch kits to erect a
screened porch on your deck or patio too.
Custom designed front porch - screen porch combination from The Porch Company
The information on this page is solely intended to give you the basic steps required to screen in an existing porch. Every porch is different in some way so it is impossible
to address every issue here. But after reading through our steps, you should be able to decide if you can do it yourself or if you should hire someone instead. Do
not use the following information as a "how-to" guide; it is for information only.
STEP 1 - The Plan To build a screened porch from an existing porch, you must start with a plan. Your plan for building a screened in porch need not be too detailed at this point but should contain at least a basic scale drawing and measurements (very important). 
Note the width between existing columns.
This distance will either be spanned by a screen frame or divided to accommodate two or more screen frames.
IMPORTANT TIP: If you plan to make it a 3-season porch in the future, you will need to ensure your framing is more substantial
in order to replace screen panels with glass panel inserts.
STEP 2 - Codes, Building Permits, Home Owner Associations Consult your local codes department if you are building a screened in porch to see if you need to pull any permits. Chances are you won’t need any to build a screened porch unless you are adding additional electrical or structural features. Also check with your homeowner's association and read your subdivision's covenants if that applies to you. Be a good neighbor and potentially save yourself a lot of grief!
If you are hesitant about consulting with your codes department please read our page on building permits before proceeding.
When building a screened in porch or other structures, building permits not only protect you but can also save you money.
STEP 3- Determine If You Need Railings or Knee wall 
If you have a balustrade (railings) or knee wall (a solid bottom portion) on your porch decide if you are going to keep it.
IMPORTANT TIP : Take precautions when building a screened in porch especially if your porch is elevated.
A screen will not stop a child (or pets) from running through it.
It's possible to retain the railings and build to the outside of them; however, in some cases you might have to remove the railings, build your screening, and then reinstall the railings. Otherwise, you can attach screen frames directly to your porch columns and floor. STEP 4 - Choose Your Screening Material Determine your screening material. Use our handy screening materials guide to acquaint you with several options for selecting the right screening for your porch. There's screening available to meet every need, from preventing no-see-um bites to handling rowdy pets! 
Next determine the width of the materials and compare that to your column widths in Step 1 above. You will need to build the frames accordingly to fit your design.
IMPORTANT TIP : It’s usually more convenient and cost effective to use standard sizes when building a screened in porch rather
than custom fitting your frames. However, see our favorite option below.
MY FAVORITE OPTION: Here’s an option that we highly recommend when building a screened in porch. Purchase screen framing kits. This avoids having to build your own frames which may not last as long and also require some skill to make. A wide range of screen frame colors are available and vary by size frame. They are designed for easy installation so that almost anyone can use them. Heavier gauge screen frames are available for applications such as solar screens and very large screens when no cross bar is desired to interfere with the view. Use heavier gauge frames when you are spanning long distances. STEP 5 - Determine the Size and Make or Purchase Screen Frames or Panels To determine the screen frame size you must know the distances between your existing columns or any additional columns you have to add. Are your screens going from floor to ceiling or only halfway with another screen frame on top? Screen materials can come in lengths of up to 9 feet! If using homemade frames or just the columns themselves as the framing members, trying to stretch screen material wider than 4 feet takes skill to do it right. I recommend you not exceed a 4 foot width - you'll be much happier with the result and 48" provides a sufficient viewing area. Make sure your plan has these dimensions marked accurately. This is not the case with screen frame kits. You can screen very large expanses without too many problems which will give you a larger unobstructed view; another advantage of the kits. Consult our handy reference guide for making your own screened porch panels or options for screen frame kits.
IMPORTANT TIP: I've built and used wooden screen frames and don't recommend them over screen frame kits available today. Wood, over time, will
warp, twist, and need consistent maintenance to look good. I'd rather sit in my screen porch than paint my screen panels!
STEP 6 - Frame Your Porch You have your plan and you've selected your screening material, and determined whether you are purchasing screen frames, making them yourself, or just stretching the screening material from column to column. Based on that information, you've updated your plan to reflect the right measurements.
In the porch at right, treated 2x4s (required for exterior use) were used to frame between the columns. Note that you will need a sole plate (affixed to the floor and the ceiling).
Additional 2x4s were added to each side of the columns and framing was installed to create the knee wall along with dividing the space between the columns above the knee wall. You may be able to use the columns themselves without attaching additional 2x4s. When building a screened in porch, you might discover porch columns that may not be flat. Many porch columns are round, tapered, or have a different design. The same goes for attaching the screening to your home's siding. How do you attach framing under these circumstances? You can purchase column wraps to convert various column designs into square or rectangular columns (available at most home improvement stores). Another option is to "box" out the column using 2x6s to create flat surfaces. Or, if you are a somewhat skilled carpenter, you can scribe the pattern of your existing column onto a 2x4 or 2x6 and cut it out using a band saw. You may also need to attach a treated 2x4 to your home to receive the screen frame or screen panel. Here's one way to do it:
Place the 2x4 against your column and use a compass to trace the pattern.
Use a jigsaw to cut the 2x4 along the pattern line.
This also applies if you have siding on your home. Use the same process.
This ensures that the 2x4s lie flat against the surface when you are building a screened in porch and it is also visually appealing.
Miter the studs to match the sole and top plates (you can join them at right angles without mitering). STEP 7 - Paint or Stain Your Framing I've seen where a lot of guides for building a screened in porch leave this step out. However, my experience has been that applying paint or stain at this stage in the process is much easier than waiting till the screening is in place. I know, it's not fun; however, you'll be glad that you did later!
IMPORTANT TIP: Now would be a great time to treat or paint the 2x4s.
We always recommend using the best paint, stain, or sealer available on the market and acceptable to your budget.
I know things cost a lot but you do save money and time in the long run if you use quality products.
STEP 8 - Attach Screening or Screen Panels to Columns and Framing 
Using exterior deck screws attach the frames you made or those your purchased (according to manufacturers instructions)
to the columns and framing on your porch.
IMPORTANT TIP: If you want to save money and recycle materials when building a screened in porch, consider using old screen doors.
Search out a salvage yard and see if you can find screen doors in good repair.
Refinish them and build your frames to fit your doors – instant screening!
Did you ever think that you'd build a screened porch? You're almost done. It's trim time. Consider using trim on your screened porch. Installing running trim and brackets can make your screen porch “cool”!  Building a screened in porch is a great DIY project. Congratulations on your new porch and enjoy a bug-free season. Send us your tips, suggestions, comments, or pictures of your porch screening project to share with our site visitors!
Other popular pages...
Our special thanks to Aaron at Telian Construction Company, Oakhurst, California,
for allowing us to use their photos. If in the Oakhurst, CA., area please contact them for a free design consultation and put them to work for you!
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