As I mentioned on the painting diamonds post, I’ve already moved on the porch and can’t wait to show you. The day before I got the furniture moved in, we finished up the screening, so I wanted to show you that process. Our screens are nothing fancy, but they will work just fine. We didn’t opt for pop in screens that are pre-made, but rather we bought rolls of screen and cut them to fit each section, 3 in all.
Outside the old boards were removed that held in the old screening, which had rotted and was all torn out when we started renovation. We’ll add new pieces of trim boards here.
From the outside, the new screening will get nailed up and then all trimmed out on top to hide the nails. We were going to use my small nail gun with staples, but the staples ended up cutting through the screening altogether, so my dad used some small drywall nails with a head on top to tack down the screening. It worked fine!
We bought enough screening to wrap around all 3 sides of the open windows from Lowes. Each section was cut to fit each of the 3 sides of the porch.
We rolled it out on the grass and measured our first piece which would be tacked up first. Luckily, my windows were the exact same height as this premade screening and we didn’t have to cut that part, just the width.
I used a Sharpie to draw a line to follow for cutting the screen.
And we were ready to start putting up the first piece. We both got up on the ladders, my dad on one side and me on the other, pulling the screen taut. It covers that whole side and we stretched it taut and pulled top, bottom and sides, tacking it with the nails as we went along.
Finishing up in the corner, this end was complete.
We then moved to the long side and added screening on this side, working around to the far side which is the shortest side.
Here are the nails we used, pulling taut, and tacking it all down. We tacked it on the top, bottom, sides and on the vertical pieces of wood in the middle.
Tacking the nails in.
One side done.
And all of it complete now! We will go back and add the trim pieces outside as soon as we can. Most of the stairs are finished and once the trim is done, then I’ll paint things out.
I’m so happy to be on the porch finally and can’t wait to show it all decorated! I’m in LOVE with this porch, a cozy 10 x 14’ space. It’s amazing how having an outdoor room like this adds to a home. I’m so grateful to my dad for helping me with this project and hanging in there with me this spring, getting it done. He’s my hero and I appreciate his expertise so much. He’s ready to get this one done too so he can relax a bit the rest of this summer. We were just thinking back on last year when we were going full speed ahead on renovating my house. So glad it’s all done and this is the last big job to be done! I love my daddy!
Wow, looks amazing. I wish my dad was that handy! I’m sure it will be so pretty when finished.
Looks awesome, Rhoda! Your Daddy and you are quite the team!
Looks wonderful! My favorite picture is the close up of your Daddy’s hands! So blessed you are! I miss my daddy so very much! Looking forward to the finished pictures! Thanks for sharing!
Your porch is fabulous, but the pics of your daddy’s hands are priceless! Can’t wait to see your porch all decked out.
Kris’s comment above made me cry. I have said before that I am blessed, as well, to have a handy daddy…and the hand photos are my favorites. Does your daddy make furniture too? I will bet you are going to make us wait until Monday to see that finished, decorated room. Looking forward to seeing your magic there!
I have to agree with Kathy (and Kris), when I saw that picture of your Dad’s hands it made me tear up. Not because of my father but because of my grandfather, I’ll never forget his hands..miss him so much. Those are the best pictures.
I’m looking forward to seeing your dad relaxing! It’s been such a hot summer – hope you all can relax and enjoy the rest of it!
I LOVE the close shot of your dads hands with the hammer! Someday this picture will have more meaning to you than you can ever imagine and the memories that it will represent to you. I lost my dad 7 years ago so cherish these times with both of your parents as I am sure that you already do. Love your porch so far…can’t wait to see it done.
So far (with all the rain) the bugs are really bad here in the South and you finished your project just in time. Your father is a real trooper and you are very blessed to have him. Can’t wait to see your decorated porch.
I love the pictures of your Dad’s hands, they look so much like my Dad’s hands and he was a hard worker too. I miss him so much. Enjoy every minute with your Mom and Dad and never take them for granted. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful story with all of us.
Looking good! What a sweet Dad you have! That makes everything even more special! I’m really looking forward to the furnished pics!
Love seeing posts with your Dad in them. You must have every Daddy’s girl that follows you sighing with this post. Can’t wait for the final reveal!
What a great dad you have. He reminds me of my own who still works fulltime at 78 years old. I love that you and him get to work together on your projects. You are a lucky girl. Love the screen porch, can’t wait to see how you decorate it.
I can only echo what has been said before Rhoda…your dad is a treasure.
Your porch is going to be gorgeous, I just know it. Can’t wait to see it!
you & your dad are just incredible! this post has given me the motivation to finish up my kitchen renovation ASAP! i was slacking a bit the last couple weeks, but i need to move on it & get it done so i can enjoy it. great job on your beautiful porch!
I love the screen; you have us all waiting with baited breath to see the final product!
We have two screen porches on our lakeside home, both 12’x42′, one downstairs and one up. With such large spaces to screen, my husband opted for a product called Screen-Tite. It’s an awesome system that’s easy to install and looks very finished, both inside and out. It’s been up about 10 years and we’ve had several tornadoes and lots of windstorms; and it still looks wonderful.
PS–Would have given my right arm if my Daddy could have helped 🙁 You are a blessed lady to still have him around.
Rhoda,
I have a very similar porch, but without screening. Do you find that the bugs still find their way into the room through the space between the slats in the floor? I don’t want to screen mine in, only to find that the bugs and bees still come up through the floor, ykwim?
I’m really liking this series.
Marie Claire
HI, Marie, time will tell on mosquitoes coming up under the floor. I’ve seen one in there so far, but it’s only been a week. I’ll definitely be noticing to see if they are coming up and if so, I’ll find a way to stop it. I really don’t think it will be a huge problem.
Sandy Lewis’s comment was what I was going to say, I can’t say it any better…
I love all the posts with your Dad, now be sure to included him and your Mom in the finished product posts Rhoda, his loyal following will be disappointed if you don’t!
Great Dad! Great job! Can’t wait for the big reveal!
Love seeing your progress. I love the pictures of your Dad’s hands in this post. Those are the kodak moments to cherish. My Dad had hard working hands and he was also a hard working man. Miss him.
Thanks for making me remember.
Rhoda, your porch looks great! You and your Dad have such a special relationship! What a blessing you are to each other! He always amazes me with his energy and tenacity! I can’t wait to see what you do with your porch decor!