How to Design a Screen Patio
You can expand your living and entertaining space by building a screened patio area. Creating a room out of wood framing is a good choice if you invest in high-quality materials. Factory-built screen patios are nice additions, but they tend to cost more. Take time to design and install a well-made screen patio area, so that the project increases the value of your home. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Check with local authorities to educate yourself about building codes or permits you will need.
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Consider the size of the patio foundation. You will need a patio at least 10 feet by 12 feet to accommodate space for sitting or dining. Plan to install the patio at a doorway or near a kitchen area. This will help to ensure that family members will actually use the new space a lot. Try to avoid covering exterior windows of the house. Install exterior ceramic porcelain tile on the concrete floor if your budget permits.
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Plan to install framing for the roof and walls using salt-treated boards. In attaching a screen patio room to your home, plan for maximum stability. If necessary, check with expert builders for special considerations about how to secure the framing to the exterior of your home. Build a wooden frame that visually divides the room into upper and lower sections. But make sure support beams run straight down from roof line to the concrete flooring.
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Sketch an exact design for the room and include roofing materials that will match the rest of your home. The roof section of a patio screen room will be extremely heavy, so never skimp on floor-to-ceiling support beams. All framework should be stylish but strong enough to support the roof. Make sure the overall design looks right with the roof line of your house.
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Install metal screening versus fabric screening for maximum durability. Plan to cover all rough edges of installed screening materials inside the structure with exterior-grade wood trim. Paint or stain exposed areas of wood.
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Fully plan where to place light fixtures and electrical outlets in your design. All wiring must be exterior grade. Ceiling fans with light fixtures are good choices if overhead space will not be exposed to rain. Plan for placement of patio furniture and the location of the exterior door.
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Keep a running tab of materials you plan to use, so you stay within budget. Skimping on materials will yield an inferior-looking addition. If you do plan to use inexpensive materials, take time to do a neat job of installation. Complete the project in a timely manner so that weather will not darken the wood before you paint or stain it.
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Tips & Warnings
It's good to create a tight-fitting screen door for the space. You want to keep insects out, so make sure the door is aligned properly and has strong hinges that won't warp or bend.
