I’m back from the beach, but before I left, finally, the weather is cooperating and we got more than one day of sunshine to continue working on the porch. Dad and I got out there on a recent Saturday and made some huge progress on the screened porch, so I can actually see the end of this one and we should be sipping a cold drink out there by June. It might take me that long to get it all painted. We’ll see.
In the meantime, here’s how we did the ceiling. I had always envisioned beadboard out there from the very beginning, so that’s what I bought. It comes in 4 x 8’ sheets and we needed 6 to complete the ceiling. All of this came from Lowes, my fave home improvement store. Two of them were ripped down to fit in properly.
First things first, we added some insulation up in the rafters to help block some of the summer heat, so hopefully this will make the porch cooler.
It was a little tricky getting this in place, but Dad came up with a solution, using wire and nails. He tapped nails in the sides of the 2 x 4’s and then we cut wire and strung it from one side to the other, holding the insulation in place. It’s so lightweight that putting the beadboard on top will not be a problem and it will all squish into place.
We both worked on this and I helped nail the nails up and added the wires and row by row we got it all done.
Insulation in place and ready for the beadboard. Happy day!
We had to wait a few days for another sunny day, but it finally came and I rented this wonderful piece of equipment to help us out. There is NO way we could have completed this job without this drywall jack. I got a 9’ drywall jack from a local tool rental company for $26 a day and that was money well spent. We were able to finish in a day.
That top piece goes in place and that’s where the sheets of beadboard will sit and then the machine cranks up so that you can place the plywood or drywall all the way to the ceiling. Talk about a lifesaver! I used my nailgun and then nailed everything in place into the 2 x 4’s.
Dad working.
We set up the sawhorses and he had to make a few cuts to get around some of the 2 x 4’s that were up there. It wasn’t too bad, but there were a few cuts to make. I did go ahead and prime the beadboard too (with Zinsser oil-based primer) before we put it up, that will at least help some in the painting process.
He had to notch out a couple of spots to fit in there just right.
Then we put the first piece of beadboard up on the jack and got it into place. Once in the right spot. I began nailing with the nailgun until it was all secured.
First piece done!
We worked til lunch and got 3 pieces up, then took a lunch break.
Then we got back to it, finishing the job in one day, about 6 hours total. What a big job it was and I’m happy this one is behind us too. The rest of the trim out won’t be so bad.
That jack was the best thing ever!
We got all of it up and then had to rip down 2 pieces to go against the house, using my dad’s table saw.
All finished and ready for trimming out. There will be one trim piece down the middle of the beadboard sheets and everything else will get caulked and painted out. I’m definitely going to do a light blue ceiling out here and the rest of the trim will be white. Can’t wait to get to that part too!
Dad and I were very happy to get this one finished on such a beautiful Spring day. We’ll get the rest of the trim work finished and then I’ll be painting it all out as quickly as I can, getting it ready for the furniture. I already have all the furniture and accessories I need for this space and it will be so much fun to finally get it all in place again.
My dreams of having a screened porch are finally coming true. It doesn’t take that much to make this girl happy and I’m so glad the Lord blessed me with a porch!
Beautiful! Love the fact you will paint the ceiling blue. It will be stunning I am sure. So enjoy seeing the photos of your father – such a treasure (the photos and the relationship)!
Glad you enjoyed the beach, Rhoda, lots of us have re-designed Janet’s house whilst you’ve been gone!! 🙂
Anyway, back to the porch. 1) give that man a medal – what a great job! 2) It never occcured to me over here that you might have to insulate against heat …… just against cold, but if you get hot summers, that is a great idea. Can’t wait for it to be finished (and I don’t even live there!)
Rhoda – the Lord not only blessed you with a porch but also a precious Daddy to help. How special the time is that you get to spend with him and your Mom!!
Loving the porch!
Judy
I am SO happy you are finally going to get your screened in porch. You deserve it. Your Dad is great. He reminds me so much of my own sweet Dad. ‘Can’t wait for pictures of the final outcome.
Rhoda- you and your dad make quite the team. So happy you are finally getting your screened porch. Blessings Paula
Rhoda – The ceiling looks great! I envy you having such a great dad to help your dream projects come true. He is a jewel for sure. Can’t wait to see the finished and decorated porch 🙂
Hope you are doing well and from all indications you are.
So happy for you. By the way, I think of you everything I walk through my LR and see my chandy I purchased from you. I love it. I will have to email you a photo. Take care and enjoy your beautiful home.
Mary
Thank you, Mary! You are always so sweet and supportive and yes, I’m thriving over here. I couldn’t be happier right now.
Hi Rhoda, give your Dad and extra big hug – what a champ. I loved it when my Dad and I would work on the ceiling/walls/wiring/insulation work in my basement. We were a good team, he knew how, could do all the stuff and I helped with anything possible. Love the drywall lift. You both used it to such great advantage. Saved arms, shoulders, heads and time. Looking forward to your next posts on the completion of your dream of a screened porch.
Joy
It looks fabulous Rhoda! I can’t wait to see the finished room! God bless your Dad! Angie xo
LOVE the look! We borrowed a jack like that when we were putting up a new ceiling inside our house and it was a life saver! Great job 🙂
Rhoda,
You are really going to LOVE this porch…I know I sure LOVE mine.
Blessings,
Linda
You have made such great progress and your father is such a sweetheart!
Hey Rhoda –
I am in the process of painting my new porch right now as well. I wanted to do the light blue ceiling. You are so good with colors, I was wondering what color blue you were thinking about for your ceiling?? Thanks for sharing! Missi
Hey, MIssi, nice to see you! I haven’t picked a color yet, but I’ll let you know when I do. I’ve got to get busy with that.
Thanks Rhoda!
You know we love your dad! You will long think of his help with your home. Makes it more than just a house.
http://northislandcottage.blogspot.com/
Grandaddy’s such a cutie!!
Hi Rhoda
So sorry I missed you this visit. I finally got on a Zpak and I’m so much better.
I’m blogging…again. Can’t wait to see what all you’ve been doing.
Big hugs,
Kat
I am so happy for you, a screened porch, laundry room, this girl is jealous but you so deserve it. Your father is so handy and such a resourceful person. He makes me miss my sweet dad. I can just see you all sipping tea! Thank you for sharing, Di
The beach and a screened in porch, what more could a girl want. Great job! You and your dad make a good team, and he’s so cute!
I work for a rental store. For almost all DIY projects, your local rental store can help you out. If you are just starting out or are an accomplished DIYer, there are some tools you just don’t want to spend money on. This drywall jack is one. Our store rents these along with nail guns, airless sprayers, floor sanders, just about everything. We also rent out items for lawn and garden. Check out your local store and see what’s available. You’ll probably be surprised. Great job Rhoda and dad! I can’t wait to see it finished!
Sherry
Rhoda,
The porch progress is coming along! I can’t wait to see all your beautiful furniture and decorating come alive out there!
How blessed you are to have such a great father that works so hard to make your dreams happen. You are truly blessed!
Are you thinking of staining the porch floor a solid color? I used a nice neutral creamy tan on my screened porch floor at my old house in Richmond and it really brightened the entire space. Plus, it made it much easier to clean with a mop. Just a thought!
Looking forward to the finished pictures! I have a feeling you’ll be spending a lot of time on that porch!
Betsy Gordon
Hey, Betsy, right now I’m going to do a diamond pattern with white and gray out there, using porch & floor paint.
God bless your father.