suggestions for a screened porch

[Newbiesaukee]

At our lake house, we have a screened in-porch that was relatively inexpensively done. Actually, it is only two of the four walls which are screened but the principle would work. The two open walls have screens which are about screen door size.These are easily removable and replaced by screen door sized glassed windows. We have a gas fireplace on one wall, but any space heater would work. Basically it is a 3 1/2 season room. In Maryland, probably a 4 season room. And it only takes a few minutes to change the panels.

I’m sure there are other solutions but it certainly can be done.

[Doobs41378]

We had these made from Image awnings in Wolfeboro and love them.

[thebix]

Perhaps Jalousie windows. We used them on my grandfathers camp on Lake Wentworth back in the 50's. No so common today, particularly in NH, (All the rage in Hawaii!). They do provide a quick change from closed against the wind, rain, weather, and open for all screens. Might be difficult to find a dealer/installer, but maybe in Maryland?

Check out:
https://retrorenovation.com/2014/05/...ntage-catalog/

[FlyingScot]

Great gift, Susie! I also love screen porches. On the radiant heat--yes that would require serious construction/insulation. At that point, you might also be think of large Pella glass sliders as the walls, so you end up with half glass, half screen when they are open.

Alternatively, a good contractor should be able to figure out fully removable glass for colder months.

We had my first suggestion in Mass years ago, it was wonderful. We basically lived in the room. Today we have just screens, no heat or insulation. This is even more wonderful when it's warm enough, but obviously not as usable.

You can't go wrong with either--greatest gift ever

[Susie Cougar]

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

Great gift, Susie! I also love screen porches. On the radiant heat--yes that would require serious construction/insulation. At that point, you might also be think of large Pella glass sliders as the walls, so you end up with half glass, half screen when they are open.

Alternatively, a good contractor should be able to figure out fully removable glass for colder months.

We had my first suggestion in Mass years ago, it was wonderful. We basically lived in the room. Today we have just screens, no heat or insulation. This is even more wonderful when it's warm enough, but obviously not as usable.

You can't go wrong with either--greatest gift ever

FlyingScot, your porch sounds wonderful! When you got to the double Pella sliding doors,it sounded beautiful, but it is more than I was looking to spend. Just regular, cheap screens on the top.
You say now you just have screens. Do you think it’s worth the extra cost to try to just close in the bottom? Do you think it would make any difference for your room now?

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by Susie Cougar

FlyingScot, your porch sounds wonderful! When you got to the double Pella sliding doors,it sounded beautiful, but it is more than I was looking to spend. Just regular, cheap screens on the top.
You say now you just have screens. Do you think it’s worth the extra cost to try to just close in the bottom? Do you think it would make any difference for your room now?

I don't think a solid bottom with open screens on top will have a significantly longer season than all screens. In either case, the porch will match the outside temperature.

I would not hesitate to go screens only--it's a wonderful gift that they'll enjoy every day for 5-6 months/year. Also, you may conclude that what you gain in extending the season will be paid for by the porch feeling less outside and more inside during the warmer months.

Whatever you decide, send pictures!

[Susie Cougar]

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

I don't think a solid bottom with open screens on top will have a significantly longer season than all screens. In either case, the porch will match the outside temperature.

I would not hesitate to go screens only--it's a wonderful gift that they'll enjoy every day for 5-6 months/year. Also, you may conclude that what you gain in extending the season will be paid for by the porch feeling less outside and more inside during the warmer months.

Whatever you decide, send pictures!

I would not want it feeling more like inside than outside. Thanks for that tip.

I am still in the very early thinking stages. It would probably be about a year from now.

[John Mercier]

We can manufacture gliding windows that will open in both direction. Customers that choose those generally have the intent of having either the full screen, so the view is always comparable through each pane... or they have the intent of removing each of the panels for the warmer months.

You can also match step without oversizing a joist. Joist sizing is most often determined using the live and static load specifications.

The largest factors that we come across are architectural.

[Descant]

We stared with a deck that we threw away and added a 14 x 16 screened porch. BUT, we put it on a full foundation with crawl space under and the ceiling had 2 x 10 joists. That brought it up so the floor is the same level as the family room, rather than the step down that is common. The added heft in the ceiling brought that up to a level where we could remove a window and add a room to the master bedroom suite. Never did, but flexibility is a selling point) So it was screened from about 36" up and we had removable plastic wrapped frames to put in the screened areas and used a 4000 watt, 220v space heater. We lived with that for several years, and eventually replaced the screens with duopane sliding windows, added tile floor and an extra heating zone. Point is, we planned some flexibility into the original concept. We've been here for over 45 years and the house is nothing like what we started with. Last thought, I would do things differently depending on which direction things face, shade, sun, view, prevailing winds, etc.
You're very generous and this should be a fun project and result for everybody. Bravo

[Susie Cougar]

Thanks, Descant,

I like your idea of using 2 x 10 floor joists so that you step out onto the porch at the same level as the rest of the house.

To respond to those of you who say I am being generous, I can truly tell you that when you almost die, it changes your perspective on everything. I am in a position now where I can help my kids a little bit with things that they would not be able to afford on their own.

My daughter is a pediatric physical therapist and her husband is a principal in inner-city Baltimore. Both work incredibly hard at helping others and have been living in a tiny little row house in Baltimore city for 17 years now with 2 children now becoming teenagers.
Although, they have owned their home since 2005, the year they were married, it has only appreciated in value approximately $70,000. They made the decision to be close to their jobs in the City, knowing how much time would be involved and thinking that they could move up later on, but the houses in the county were always just out of their reach.
They were trying to find a house last summer when I was rushed to the hospital. My daughter came down and took care of me for 11 weeks and was able to do her job virtually at the same time.
Being able to help her out, means more to me than anything. She has always been such a wonderful daughter.

[John Mercier]

For radiant, you would need to run glycol.

[Susie Cougar]

Originally Posted by Doobs41378

We had these made from Image awnings in Wolfeboro and love them.

So, it’s the bottom panels that you are talking about? They are some type of material?

Have you always had them or are they a new addition? If they are new, what changes have you noticed in the comfort level of the porch?

[Doobs41378]

Originally Posted by Susie Cougar

So, it’s the bottom panels that you are talking about? They are some type of material?

Have you always had them or are they a new addition? If they are new, what changes have you noticed in the comfort level of the porch?

We got them as soon as the porch went on but the black portion can either come off completely or be lifted up like curtains. They are great as no snow gets in, keeps it warmer later and also helps immensely with the pollen. Here is a picture without them so you can see.

[Susie Cougar]

Originally Posted by Doobs41378

We got them as soon as the porch went on but the black portion can either come off completely or be lifted up like curtains. They are great as no snow gets in, keeps it warmer later and also helps immensely with the pollen. Here is a picture without them so you can see.

This looks like what I had in mind. You say you had them specially made, what are they actually called? An awning company would do this type of work?

Your roofline it’s also similar to what I think would work at my daughters house. Thanks again.

[ITD]

Decide how big you want it to be, then double it.

[Doobs41378]

Originally Posted by Susie Cougar

This looks like what I had in mind. You say you had them specially made, what are they actually called? An awning company would do this type of work?

Your roofline it’s also similar to what I think would work at my daughters house. Thanks again.

Yes, image awnings came out and measured each window and then they installed them. I remove them completely every season after pollen and put them back on in November. I believe they are called winter curtains. If you need any more info please let me know. Good luck in your search.

[Susie Cougar]

Originally Posted by Newbiesaukee

At our lake house, we have a screened in-porch that was relatively inexpensively done. Actually, it is only two of the four walls which are screened but the principle would work. The two open walls have screens which are about screen door size.These are easily removable and replaced by screen door sized glassed windows. We have a gas fireplace on one wall, but any space heater would work. Basically it is a 3 1/2 season room. In Maryland, probably a 4 season room. And it only takes a few minutes to change the panels.

I’m sure there are other solutions but it certainly can be done.

This sounds very cool! Do you happen to have any pictures? Do you miss having a view on the side? I guess that would depend on who your neighbors are 😂?