| In Architecture, a porch is a structure attached to | | | | would be a perfect space for quiet play. |
| a building to shelter an entrance or to serve as a | | | | A screen porch will add value to your home. More |
| semi-enclosed space. It is usually roofed and | | | | in Minneapolis and Saint Paul homeowners now |
| typically open-sided. It may be screened or glass | | | | realize that extensions built on their properties will |
| enclosed. Over the years, the term "porch" has | | | | definitely add value to their homes should they |
| evolved. Its usage has been modified as screen | | | | decided to sell someday. Constructing a screened |
| porches have become extensions of living areas. | | | | porch will dramatically increase the size of your |
| Why build a screened-in-porch? There are a few | | | | home and add value to your property and |
| reasons why. If you have the time and budget to | | | | provide an outdoor extension to your home that |
| spare, building a screen porch would afford you | | | | you can enjoy. |
| the luxury of enjoying the outdoors sans the | | | | There are a lot of DIY-ers today. Most house |
| insects and bugs. Minneapolis and Saint Paul may | | | | extensions like decks, lanais, patios, garages and |
| be different from other US cities in terms of | | | | porches are becoming to be every DIY-er's |
| other aspects but when summer comes, these | | | | weekend project. There is nothing wrong in being |
| two cities are in the same league with all other US | | | | an avid DIY-er. However, it is best to know what |
| cities as bugs, flies, mosquitoes and other insects | | | | a particular work entails before plunging head-on |
| descend like plague to hassle mortals out in the | | | | with a project. |
| open. A screen porch will provide a welcomed | | | | Constructing a screen porch is not that easy. In |
| respite from pesky insects during warm summer | | | | reality, building a screened porch is akin to |
| nights. It will also be a great place to be when a | | | | constructing a typical room but with framed |
| cool summer breeze wafts in from the west or | | | | screens for walls instead of solid ones. To build a |
| when a much-needed rain shower gently falls to | | | | screen porch, you have to know the basics in |
| the ground washing out the dust from Mother | | | | laying out foundations, posts, beams, and roofing |
| Nature. | | | | system. If your plan is to just screen-in a portion |
| A screened in porch is a great place to entertain | | | | of an existing entrance porch, then there is more |
| friends and family. It would be nice to have an | | | | to just happily nailing screens on wooden battens |
| option for outdoor dining without the hassles of | | | | and standing them up on existing posts and girths. |
| "being outdoor". A screen porch could serve as | | | | For you to end up with a beautiful and |
| your own little nook for reading or resting, | | | | symmetrical screened porch, your carpentry skills |
| sleeping even. If you have small children, the area | | | | should be at par with a master carpenter. |