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!
Can’t wait to see it finished. I am planning to paint the ceiling of my front ‘porch’ blue as well. I have always loved that look.
Donna
Rhoda,
Your dad is such a cutie! I’m so glad to know there is such a thing as a drywall jack. We’d like to put beadboard on the ceiling of our front porch some day so I’m glad to know that there is a tool that will save arms and shoulders!
Thank you so much for the information on the drywall jack! We are looking at putting beadboard up on our porch ceiling, but did not know there was such a contraption. Can’t wait to show this to hubby! Special hugs to your dad; he is a blessing, indeed.
What a difference the beadboard makes already! It’s going to look great, Rhoda, can’t wait to see what color blue you use. I have such a difficult time picking a good blue.
Your Daddy is one special man…you are so lucky to have him. Can’t wait to see more…it’s going to be beautiful with a blue ceiling! 😉
I just love the relationship between you and your dad and hearing and seeing all the progess. I can’t wait to see this project finished. I am sure it will be stunning.
Cynthia
This is a story about your father before it’s a story about your renovation.
Love reading your dad’s story.
Garden & Be Well, XO Tara
Wonderful progress! That certainly was a lot of work. I love how you and your dad just keep plugging along. Looks great.
Correction: your fantastic Dad is the best thing EVER! The jack is second. Just sayin’
It is coming along beautifully, Rhoda! A drywall jack? Who would’ve thought? My dad and I have always just held up the pieces and prayed to God our arms would hold out until we got them nailed into place, lol. I’m def going to use this the next time. Thanks for sharing.
Oh wow!! That is impressive! It’s going to look FABULOUS!
Oooh! I cannot wait to see it all done! Summer will be here before you know it and you’ll be enjoying the fruits of your and Dad’s labor. I see many glasses of sweet tea in your future. 🙂
Always enjoy your adventures with your Dad. I do have a suggestion. Put some sort of screening under the floor. Since the boards are not touching, lovely things like wasps can get through. Learned the hard way.
Looks Great! I thought the same about the floor – would you consider putting a thing plywood down so it was solid and you could even insulate under there. That way you are that much closer if you want to put plastic panels up in the winter or windows, etc. in the future?
Hi Rhoda! You will enjoy the screen porch so much and I know you will have it decorated beautifully. Your dad is precious and such a hard worker…enjoy every moment with him.
Hugs,
Sherry
Rhoda, Love the last picture of your dear Dad, he is looking younger each passing day! I guess all the work the two of you are doing is keeping him youthful.
I LOVE the idea of a blue ceiling for the porch and never would have know that you would insulate to keep you cool.
Can’t wait to see it all done.
wow, you are certainly blessed with a wonderful father. I have a big back porch. Someday, maybe, it will be screened in too.
Your dad’s the best! He must have been exhausted. That is really going to be a nice space for you to enjoy. I love my screened-in porch!
I just love seeing how you and your dad are doing this together! What wonderful memories you’re creating with him, in addition to creating a fabulous screened porch! Be sure to enjoy a glass of lemonade for me. 🙂
Just wanted to say I love your blogs….first thing I do in the morning with my coffee.
Everyone would be so blessed to have a Dad like yours!
You are such an inspiration as is your Dad!
Bead board just makes a wonderful ceiling. I’d love to do it in the kitchen!
And you know, we LOVE your dad!!
Cheers!,
BB