Okay, it's going to be a screened in porch (HOA, house)

[Jkgourmet]

And I thank everyone for their thoughts and recommendations. It clarified our wants and needs. You guys are great.

So now I'm gonna ask for MORE help. (remember, we're screen in porch virgins)

The builder installed the concrete pad and the roof, which is held up by two large, decorative round columns. In order of cost:

One estimate suggested ripping out the columns, and using wood 6X6 posts. The screens would be set into the wood and not removable.
One estimate suggested ripping out the columns, and using wood 6X6 posts, and installing custom screens that could easily be removed for cleaning.
One estimate suggested using aluminum, but would be able to keep the decorative posts. The screens would not be removable.
I have one more estimate to get, who is going to suggest vinyl PVC. I have no idea of the cost on that one.

We are older and don't want a lot of maintenance, which makes us think the aluminum or vinyl is the way to go, but the aluminum was considerably more expensive. Keeping the decorative columns would be a plus, but not a deal breaker.

We really didn't have any idea that this would be so complicated! Help, please? And if anyone has suggestions for companies that we should consider calling, please speak up!

[frankpc]

Originally Posted by Jkgourmet

And I thank everyone for their thoughts and recommendations. It clarified our wants and needs. You guys are great.

So now I'm gonna ask for MORE help. (remember, we're screen in porch virgins)

My wife and I lost our screened porch virginity a couple of years ago ... and the last two years have been awesome.


It's hard for me to visualize the columns - maybe a pic that shows part of the house too? Hard to tell from here how well the columns integrate vs PT 6x6 - although painted 6x6 posts can look nice if you want to avoid the rustic look.
I would definitely make sure the screens are set in frames and not stapled to the wood. While it seems easier to mount the screen/frames on the inside - that creates a great "catch" for all sorts of debris. So mount the screens on the outside.
As far as cleaning the screens - a hose with a spray attachment works well. We put a hose bib inside our porch.




Frank

[h2ohzrd]

Yes, put a picture on this thread because what I envision is something like a 20' column supporting the roof....what this is and why it even there I don't know.
The PVC is what the entire thing is made of? Uh, not into the plastic look but the maintenance is easy. I'm also not a fan of aluminum. My porch is made from treated, painted lumber and the screens are removable. I'm going to have to paint it sooner or later :-(
One word of advice: be sure they put screening material under the floor to keep the bugs out.

[sacredgrooves]

Likely a shed style roof coming off the rear wall with 10-12' columns at the rear corners. I assume you basically have a covered patio that is not closed/screened? Wood can be adjoined to those columns, and look really good, but will take some creativity and skill. You can also remove them and go with rough sewn squared columns, or concrete blocks faced with stone for example if you are not into the standard 6x6 pressure treated supports.

[MarkCanWrite]

Our screen porch is made of wood 2x4s with the screen stapled directly to them, and although it would be sheer hell to replace, I wish they were vinyl-covered posts with framed screens. We live in the woods, and had a terrible problem of mold growing on the underside of the porch ceiling, which was also wood. Finally broke down and had foam insulation installed, followed by vinyl soffit for a ceiling. Sure, it's plastic, but I'm really glad I don't have to clean it any more. Mold just doesn't grow on it. So I vote for vinyl.

[CHTransplant]

My screened porch has removable screens (aluminum frames around the screens which attach to the wood frame of the porch.

We've never once removed them or felt a need to.

[Jkgourmet]

I should have thought to include a photo in the first place. Sorry! Several can be seen at this link:

Patio Pictures

[jeffs555]

I looked at your pictures, and have a hard time imagining how you would frame in a screen porch and keep those round columns. Even if it could be done, I think you would lose the decorative appeal of the round columns and they would look out of place with the rectangular lines of the screens.

[frankpc]

Originally Posted by jeffs555

I looked at your pictures, and have a hard time imagining how you would frame in a screen porch and keep those round columns. Even if it could be done, I think you would lose the decorative appeal of the round columns and they would look out of place with the rectangular lines of the screens.

I originally thought so too ... but this link shows some pics that look rather well done. Maybe a bit grander than what the OP wants, but it would scale OK. I have no idea what the neighborhood HOA will think, but I would suspect that keeping the round columns would be favorable in any sort of architectural review.

Screened Porch With Round Columns Design, Pictures, Remodel, Decor and Ideas

Frank

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by frankpc

I originally thought so too ... but this link shows some pics that look rather well done. Maybe a bit grander than what the OP wants, but it would scale OK. I have no idea what the neighborhood HOA will think, but I would suspect that keeping the round columns would be favorable in any sort of architectural review.

Screened Porch With Round Columns Design, Pictures, Remodel, Decor and Ideas

Frank

These look great, but the framing of the screens will have to be custom fitted to fit tightly next to the column.

When we had our screen porch done, the fitting was not great, as the average contractor does not want to fiddle with small tolerances. We had to caulk the cracks they left behind.

If the OP wants some like this, I suspect it would be expensive to find someone to do it correctly.