AboutMichael J. Owen Expertise Most questions about how to build, repair and maintain wood decks and fences.
Experience Have built many wood and man made decks in California, Bahamas, Florida and Georgia.Now living in Panama, Central America after 25 years in the U.S.
Organizations None
Publications Just had my late mothers book published. A murder mystery set in England.
Education/Credentials High School, College graduate.
Awards and Honors None
Past/Present Clients Too many to list in three countries and three states.
Expert: Michael J. Owen Date: 6/25/2008 Subject: Replacing a screen in a wood porch
Question Dear Mr. Owen:
I am refinishing a western red cedar deck that is 5 years old.. The deck has a screened-in porch also made of western red cedar. To strip and power wash the porch, the screen has to be removed. The screen is attached to the porch with wood strips.
I am trying to decide how to re-install the screen to the porch once the staining process is completed. One suggestion has been to build metal or wood inserts with screens attached that could pop in and out of the porch. This would allow us to remove the screened inserts in the future anytime we want to do any maintenance to the porch.
We would like to maintain the current look of the screen being attached to the porch in long sheets and held on by wood strips. We like the way the porch looks now and do not favor having metal between the wood.
What would you recommend and do you have any suggestions on who could do the job?
Sincerely,
John
Answer Hi John. This is right up my street as I have installed miles of screen material using every kind of attachment imaginable. When you remove the wood strips you will either find the screen is stapled either to the frame or the back of the strips. This causes a problem removing the staples if you intend to re-use the screen. However, you may be able to carefully remove the staples or cut the screen out. You could then make a new 3/4" x 1-1/2" wood frame to fit between the porch uprights, top beam and floor. You may even be able to recycle some of the existing strips.
To avoid warping the new frame too much, I used to lay pieces of wood between the new screen frame to stop it from bending as you stretch the material and staple on the outside. Then attach it with rust proof screws for ease of removal at a later date.
Hope this helps.
