Adding a screen to your porch is a fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors while keeping pesky insects at bay. However, the traditional porch screen installation method hasn’t changed much in the last few decades, often resulting in sagging screens and difficult repairs.
Fortunately, there’s a more efficient and user-friendly approach to porch screening that doesn’t require extensive experience. This article will guide you through the process of rescreening an existing porch using the Screen Tight installation system. You can apply this DIY method to new and remodeled porches, deck enclosures, breezeways, and gazebos.
Steps To Install a Screened-In Porch
Rescreening your porch using the Screen Tight system typically takes about a day for an average-sized porch. Follow the steps below to install your new porch screen:
1. Remove the Wood Battens
- Carefully remove the 1×2 wood battens that cover the edges of the old screens. These battens are usually nailed or stapled in place.
- Use a pry bar or flathead screwdriver to gently lift the battens, being careful not to damage the surrounding wood.
Pro Tip: Tom Silva, This Old House general contractor, advises priming and painting screen frames before fitting the screen and molding: “This provides full protection for the wood without having to painstakingly paint around the screen.”
2. Remove Old Screening
Once you’ve removed the battens, you’ll see the staples or tacks holding the old screens in place. Now you can remove the old screens as follows to prepare your porch for a new screen:
- Pull down all the old screening, taking care to avoid damaging the porch structure as you do this. Make sure to wear gloves to protect your hands during this process.
- After removing the screens, use a hammer to pound any protruding staples flat against the wood. This creates a smooth surface for the new installation.
3. Install Vertical Base Strips
The Screen Tight system uses base strips as the foundation for the new screens. Here’s how to install them:
- Attach vertical base strips to the outside of the porch posts. For standard 4×4 posts, use the 3 1/2-inch-wide base strips.
- Secure these strips using wood or sheetrock screws, making sure to place one screw no more than 2 inches from the end of each strip.
4. Trim the Base Strips
After installing the vertical base strips, you’ll need to trim them to the correct length as follows:
- Use pruning shears or tin snips for a clean cut.
- For 2×4 horizontal rails, use the narrower 1 1/2-inch-wide base strips.
- Screw these base strips into place along the top and bottom rails of your porch.
- Make adjustments as necessary to make sure everything lines up properly.
5. Install the Screening
Now that you’ve prepared your porch, you can install the new screen fabric by following these steps:
- Start at one corner and unroll the screen along the length of your porch.
- Working from top to bottom, use one hand to pull the screen taut while using the other hand to press the spline into the groove of the base strip.
- Continue this step until you’ve screened in your entire porch, ensuring the screen is tight and wrinkle-free.
Material Tip: For groove-and-spline systems, Tom Silva recommends fiberglass screening over aluminum. “If you mess up, just take it out and do it again,” he says. “Metal stays kinked.” Cut the fiberglass screening three to six inches bigger than the frame all around to give yourself plenty of working room.
Pro Tip: Tom Silva, This Old House general contractor, advises always rolling the spline in one direction: “Always go in the same direction. Don’t back the wheel up.” As the spline goes into the groove, it actually pulls the screen taut. When you reach a corner, use a flat blade screwdriver to force the spline tight, since the roller won’t make it into tight corners.
When pressing the screen into the groove, use the convex-edged roller of a spline installation tool to gently push the screen into the channel first. Then turn the roller around and use its concave wheel to push the rubber spline deep into the groove, locking the screen in place. Once the spline is fully seated, use a utility knife to trim the excess screen close to the spline for a clean finish.
6. Trim Away Excess
At this point, you probably have excess screening material hanging over the edges. You can carefully trim away this excess using a sharp utility knife. Draw the knife along the edge of the raised spline groove for a clean, professional-looking cut.
7. Reinforce the Bottom Screens (Optional)
For added durability, especially in high-traffic areas or homes with pets, consider using a tear-resistant screen material for the lower portions of the walls and door. This extra reinforcement can significantly extend your screened porch’s lifespan.
Pro Tip: If your bottom screens do get damaged before you can reinforce them, Tom Silva recommends a quick patch using remnants of old screen material. Cut a piece about three-quarters of an inch larger than the tear, fray the patch edges by pulling out a couple of wires, and bend the frays to a 90-degree angle. Then press the patch over the tear and pinch the frayed ends over on the opposite side. As Tom says, “It doesn’t matter which side you put it on. The key is making sure the wires line up with the screen’s.”
8. Install Wide Cap Trim
To give your porch a finished look, install wide cap trim over the base strips and screen splines on the 4×4 porch posts. These caps snap into place, covering the hardware and providing a clean, professional appearance.
9. Install Narrow Cap Trim
For the 2×4 railings, use the narrower cap trim. Gently tap these caps into place using a nonmarring mallet to avoid damaging the trim.
10. Install Base Strip Trim
After installing the cap trim, you may need to cut the narrow, horizontal pieces to the exact length you require. Use pruning shears for a clean cut to ensure a perfect fit along your porch rails. This final trim piece completes the overall look and hides any visible hardware, giving your porch a polished, cohesive look.
11. Install the Screen Door
Consider installing a matching solid vinyl screen door to complement your new porch screen. These doors are durable, low-maintenance, and never need painting, making them an excellent choice for a long-lasting screened porch solution. Carefully align the door within the frame and ensure it operates smoothly before securing it in place.
