DIY Porch Windbreaks
Porches offer homeowners shelter from the elements, but they can't stop the wind. Strong storms can even carry rain or snow sideways into the porch. Natural windbreaks include trees and bushes planted beside the porch, but trees may encroach on the area and cut off views. Tree roots can even damage the foundation. When trees are not an option, you can build some structures to serve as porch windbreaks.
Trellis Windbreak
Use a tape measure to measure the porch opening on the side that suffers most from the wind. Cut a piece of clear plastic 2 inches larger than the opening.
- Porches offer homeowners shelter from the elements, but they can't stop the wind.
- Natural windbreaks include trees and bushes planted beside the porch, but trees may encroach on the area and cut off views.
Cut four 1-inch by 1/2-inch boards with a saw the same measurements as the opening. Use a staple gun to staple the corners of the plastic to the inside of the opening. Lay the boards along the edges of the plastic, then staple the boards to the edge of the porch opening. The clear plastic should be sandwiched between the porch and boards.
Cut a piece of lattice work a few inches larger than the porch opening with a saw. Cover the outside of the porch opening with the lattice and nail the lattice in place.
Canvas Windbreak
Cut two 2-inch by 1-inch boards with a saw so they are the same width as the porch opening. Use a pair of shears to cut a piece of heavy-duty canvas, like the type used for sailboat sails, to the same width as the opening but 4 inches longer.
- Cut four 1-inch by 1/2-inch boards with a saw the same measurements as the opening.
Fold the sides of the canvas over and glue them down with the glue gun. This hems the canvas without a sewing machine. Cut a piece of rope or clothesline 24 inches longer than the width of the opening. Lay the rope along the bottom of the canvas and fold the canvas over the rope. Glue the bottom of the canvas down.
Staple the top of the canvas to the top of the opening and nail one of the boards over the top of the canvas. Screw one large eye-hook into the side of the board. Nail one of the boards to the bottom of the opening with 2-inch long nails. Screw two large eye-hooks into the bottom board.
- Fold the sides of the canvas over and glue them down with the glue gun.
- Screw one large eye-hook into the side of the board.
Roll the canvas up and secure the ropes to the inside hook. On windy days, unroll the canvas and tie the ropes tightly to the bottom eye-hooks.
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Writer Bio
Karen Carter spent three years as a technology specialist in the public school system and her writing has appeared in the "Willapa Harbor Herald" and the "Rogue College Byline." She has an Associate of Arts from Rogue Community College with a certificate in computer information systems.
