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 his 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!
If you want to come to my yardsale on Friday and Sat. a.m. (8-12 both days), please email me tonight and I’ll give you the address. We’ll be setting up and ready to go by 8 a.m. on Friday with some great stuff!
I love your Daddy, too. What a gift you were given in being born to such lovely people! can’t wait for porch pics
You keep working so hard girl and one day your hands might look like your Daddy’s! I hope you can sit back now and rest a while too….though I know we women will always be “fluffing our nests”! Can’t wait to see the whole porch!
Can I borrow your Dad for a week (or month) or two???!!! He is amazing. Love your blog!
Looks fab! I love your sweet Daddy out there working so hard!!!
You’re on the home stretch Rhoda! I love seeing the progress your daddy has made. I so miss my dad, who could build or repair ANYTHING! How precious that he is a part of your blogging journey. Blessings to you, Patti@OldThingsNew
No wonder you love your daddy!
No wonder you love your daddy! Bless his heart, he’s been a real trooper. Your porch really looks good.
I miss my dad. Take some time to enjoy that beautiful porch with your dad!
What a good man your dad is. You are truly blessed to have him in your life…both he and your sweet momma! Every time I see pictures showing their hands makes me wanna cry cause it reminds me of my dear Granny and how her hands looked the same. If they could talk, those hands sure would have stories to tell of the hard work they did. You are so blesed Rhoda but I know you know that already!
Rhoda, everytime I see your Dad it makes me cry. My Dad wants to help my husband and I with our renovation, but he unable to because of a disease he was diagnosed with. He is 86 years old and still does fairly well despite of this. I am blessed to have both of my parents. I love your blog!
You and your Daddy are amazing! Give that man a big hug (I’m sure you do every day!) and let him know that all of your followers think he’s awesome! I can’t wait for my dad to move down South with me so I can put him to work, too! 🙂
Rhoda, I know he loves you too and enjoys working with you.
I have said this to you many times but your father is just amazing!!! The porch really looking better and better every time.
Cynthia
I love your blog! Your dad steals my heart! His hands…you are so blessed!
Your dad is AWESOME!!! He can do anything. Really make me miss mine a LOT. Looking forward to seeing the finished porch.
I love that way of doing screens.
I love your Daddy too!!!!! And I am with Kathy, I love the picture of his hands with a hammer, and a few cuts. How awesome .
I’ve been a reader of yours for quite a while now. I have really enjoyed the posts about your home renovation and how your mom and dad have helped you. My dad was just like yours — could and would do anything for his daughter. Daddy’s been gone 11 years and I miss him. I have, however, enjoyed watching your dad do for you the types of things my dad used to do for me!
I think this is my fav project ever. I love seeing your Dad, but it makes me wish mine lived closer. We used to do so much toether growing up.
since I know you’re running out of projects :), I’d like to suggest you make some interior storms out of plexiglass this summer, because I KNOW you’ll be wanting to use this space year-round. ( Although with that lovely fireplace it may be a draw!) CTD
So blessed. Now you can have an icecream party for your parents hard work and all their help. Oh and tickets to a tropical island vaction for them unless they are wanting somewhere cold with snow about this time. 😉 🙂
Ha! Erika, my dad would be miserable if I sent him on a tropical vacation. He likes to stay home. 🙂 We are going to have my dad’s birthday party on my porch next month! I’ll be sure to share that one.
LOVE IT!!