suggestions for a screened porch

[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.