| There are a number of lakes in the Twin Cities | | | | As long as you can "dream" about your perfect |
| and where there are lakes, there are bound to be | | | | little nook, then it could be built. Traditional screen |
| flies and mosquitoes that could make your life | | | | porch designs are of wooden frames. If you are |
| miserable during the summer months. Instead of | | | | using wood as the framing material for your |
| enjoying a relaxing night by the deck or porch | | | | screen porch, make sure that all the frames are |
| you are left to spend warm summer nights | | | | kiln dried and painted on all sides before attaching |
| indoors. What to do? Build a screen porch as it is | | | | the screen. It is wrong to attach the screen on |
| a great idea for you to enjoy the outdoors | | | | the frame then painted. This is one sure way to |
| without the hassle of being actually "outdoors"! | | | | let moisture seep in the unpainted portion of the |
| What are the things that you need to consider | | | | frame which might result to dry rot. |
| when building a screen porch? If you do not | | | | Using aluminum framing is a better option as it |
| already have a front porch or a deck, you need | | | | requires little or no maintenance at all. However, |
| to decide where to locate the new structure. | | | | wood is wood and nothing can beat the beauty |
| Remember that a screened porch will be an | | | | and warmth evoked by wood. |
| extension of your living area and therefore should | | | | Take note that there are different types of |
| meet that criterion. If the existing porch's or | | | | screen that are available in the market today. |
| deck's location is not feasible for a relaxing nook | | | | Newer screens afford more visibility than the |
| for you, then find a more convenient location. | | | | thicker screens of yesteryears. Newer screens |
| You are not limited in constructing your screened | | | | also have some degree of resistance to UV |
| porch at ground level or somewhere near the | | | | (ultraviolet) light. This is important as UV light can |
| front door. Use your imagination. You can build | | | | make synthetic screens degrade over time. |
| your screened porch at the second storey level | | | | Screens made of galvanized iron or brass is not |
| with access stairs from ground level. You can | | | | affected by UV light but these materials are |
| even extend your living room into a screened-in | | | | uncommon now. |
| porch by tearing down the exterior wall, then | | | | A screen porch with a vaulted ceiling is best for |
| framing it with screen. | | | | that spacious look and feel. A vaulted ceiling will |
| Before you decide on the size of your screened | | | | have room for a ceiling fan for better air |
| porch, it is best to actually set up existing chairs | | | | circulation in the screened porch. Make sure you |
| and tables, set them up and try to imagine the | | | | have provisions for extra electrical outlets and |
| size of your screen porch. Take a tape measure | | | | light fixtures. |
| and see the possible dimensions of your proposed | | | | Building a screen porch in the Twin Cities is not a |
| screened porch. However, if you decide to take in | | | | problem as there are a number of qualified screen |
| a contractor, you will be saved a lot of hassles | | | | porch contractors within the area. Browse on |
| and trouble as a suitable floor plan will be drawn | | | | some designs and make your dream screened-in |
| to meet your requirements. | | | | porch a reality. |
| Designs for a screen porch are unlimited. | | | | |