Porch Framing & Screening Commonly Asked:
1) Why should I screen my porch?
Southern regions of the United States are known for biting insects: mosquitoes, no-seeums, and horse flies. Screening a patio or porch creates a barrier between you and those bothersome creatures, but still allowing enjoyment of your outdoor space. South Carolina is known to have worrisome mosquitoes all summer long and into the fall.
Some insect meshes offer a 45%, 50% and 64% UV Block, helping to reduce heat gain and still allow for great airflow. Screening a porch provides some relief from summer heat. Make sure to select a polyester core PVC coated mesh for heat relief.
Screening a porch also adds value to your home and comfort. Southern regions enjoy warm weather up until late fall or early winter. Folks love sitting outside to enjoy fresh air, views, nature or spend time with family. Screening also helps keep out falling leaves, rodents, and nesting birds. Just keep in mind, that spiders, lizards, lady bugs, and stink bugs somehow find ways into our homes and on our porches; sometimes hitching a ride on the back of a shirt or bottom of a pants leg.
2) What are No-Seeums?
No-seeum insects are commonly found in marshy coastal areas of the Southern regions of the country. They are tiny winged insects that are about 1 mm to 3 mm long. Their bite hurts and leaves an itchy spot.
3) What screen mesh size is best for keeping out No-seeums?
Phifer No-seeum mesh has a 20 x 20 grid, meaning there are 20 holes horizontally and 20 holes vertically per square inch. Phifer No-seeum mesh is a fiberglass core vinyl coated mesh with a .013 strand thickness. Airflow is reduced.
Twitchell Nano 70 No-seeum mesh has a 23 x 21 grid, meaning, there are 23 holes horizontally and 21 holes vertically per square inch. Twitchell’s tight woven mesh is a polyester core PVC coated mesh with a .021 strand thickness. No-seeum insects will have a tough time getting through those tiny holes. Make note airflow is reduced.
4) Does No-seeum screen mesh reduce air flow and outward views?
No-seeum mesh is a densely woven mesh that does restrict airflow compared to a 17 x 14 or 18 x 14 grid mesh. Phifer No-seeum has a 20 x 20 grid and Twitchell Nano 70 has a 23 x 21 grid. More holes per square inch means smaller holes and more material. Outward views are still great, but airflow is reduced.
5) What is the best insect mesh for airflow?
Select an 18 x 14 grid, 17 x 14 grid, or 17 x 17 grid for best air flow. A 17 x 14 grid mesh means 17 holes in one direction and 14 in another per square inch. The fewer holes means bigger holes, which means better airflow.
6) What is the most durable insect mesh?
A polyester core vinyl (PVC) coated mesh is the strongest mesh and has the best warranty. The composition is the most important feature and the thickness second.
Phifer TuffScreen mesh is a polyester core PVC coated mesh with a .018 strand thickness. Phifer offers a 10-year warranty. TuffScreen is tear and puncture resistant, making it more ideal for use around pets. The mesh also naturally provides some UVA block, helps reduce heat gain, glare, and UVA damage. Mesh provides great airflow and good outward visibility.
Twitchell Nano 50 and Nano 55 (commonly known as Super Screen) is a PVC coated polyester mesh with a .020 strand thickness. Twitchell offers a 15-year limited warranty. Nano 50 and 55 are tear and puncture resistant. Mesh has a 50% UV Block: no fading, reduces heat gain, reduces glare and reduces damage caused by UVA. Mesh provides great airflow with a 17 x 14 grid or 17 x 17 grid and great outward visibility.
Phifer PetScreen was designed to be pet resistant. PetScreen is a polyester core vinyl coated mesh that has a .032 strand thickness with good airflow. It is highly durable and withstands most clawing, chewing and pushing. PetScreen has a 10-year warranty. PetScreen has a 60% UV Block
7) What screen mesh provides the best airflow, bug protection and some sun protection?
Twitchell Nano 50 or 55 (commonly known as Super Screen) provides great airflow, great outward views, and some heat gain reduction. Nano 50 and 55 have a 50% UV Block that reflects infrared rays that cause heat gain. If heat gain is a big problem then consider a 90%, 95% or 97% UV Block mesh by Twitchell. Nano 50 and Nano 55 mesh 17 x 14 and 17 x 17 grids make mesh ideal for airflow. Both meshes keep out flies and mosquitos. Mesh is durable with a 15-year limited warranty.
Phifer TuffScreen screen provides great airflow, great outward views and some heat gain reduction. Flies and mosquitos are kept at bay. TuffScreen is durable and has a 10-year warranty. If heat gain and glare are a problem consider Phifer Suntex solar meshes with 80%, 90%, 95% and 97% UV Block.
8) What is the best material to use to frame a porch for screening?
The most common material used over the past twenty years is aluminum screen framing extrusions. Many other options exist, old and new:
♦ Aluminum Extrusion
- Five color finishes offered: dark bronze, white, ivory, clay, and black
- Aluminum screen framing extrusions allows for 200 sf opening
- Material comes in 24′ lengths, ideal for taller and wider spanned openings. Zero splicing.
- Three width sizes
- Can frame Arched openings with the 1/2″ x 1″ extrusion
- Screen mesh can be pulled drum tight
- Framing extrusions match custom made aluminum screen doors by PCA Products
- Installed on the inside jamb of porch openings
♦ Screen-Eze – spline free nylon capping that comes in four color finishes
- Four color finishes offered: bronze, white, sand, and clay
- Can screen up to 150 sf opening
- Material comes in 8′ and 12′ lengths – seems present where spans are longer than 12′
- Small footprint ideal for exterior or in jamb mounting
- Screen mesh can be pulled drum tight
- Ideal for framing acute angles in gable openings
♦ Fast Track – aluminum tracking with hidden fasteners
- Three color finish options: dark bronze, white, and black
- Material comes in 8′ lengths
- Installed on the inside jamb of porch openings
♦ Screen-Tight – PVC base and capping that comes in three color finishes
- Four color finishes: white, gray, beige and brown
- No visible fasteners – good product for DIY
- Installed on the outside surface of post and header
- Founded and Made in South Carolina
♦ Staple and Lattice – Your Ole Timey Option
- Can paint or stain any desired color
- Designed for 2 x 4 framed porches – Surface mount
- Least expensive porch screening trim
♦ Rolled Form Aluminum Framing – small profile with round spline channel
- Two color options
- Small profile with round spline
- Ideal for exterior or in jamb mounting
♦ Flat Splined Aluminum Lattice Trim
- Cross between aluminum extrusion framing and wood lattice trim
- Two color finishes: dark bronze and white
- Great for openings where handrails occupy the outer most edge of post surface
- Installed on the outside surface of post and header
Palmetto Outdoor Spaces has experience using all seven screen framing options since 2013. In that time, they have discovered which option is the best for certain applications.
Choosing the right option for your porch or patio is important to you. You may call or email to learn more about the different constraints, pricing, and value for each.
If you live in South Carolina or Western North Carolina Palmetto Outdoor Spaces can help you decide which framing material is best for your porch or patio.
See their gallery on their website or Instagram page for ideas.
Call to schedule a free in-home consultation.
https://www.instagram.com/palmettooutdoorspaces/
https://palmettooutdoorspaces.com/products/porch-shades-screen-porches/screen-porch-fixed-screen-systems/
9) What Sizes of Framing are offered for Aluminum Screen Framing Extrusions?
6 x 6 x 24 extruded load post | Bronze & White
4 x 4 x 24 extruded load post | Bronze, Ivory & White
3 x 3 x 20 extruded load with spline channel | Bronze, Ivory, White, & Clay
3 x 2 x 24 extruded screen frame cross member with spline channel | Bronze, Ivory, White & Clay
2 x 2 x 24 extruded screen frame cross member with spline channel | Bronze, Ivory, White & Clay
1 x 2 x 24 extruded screen frame with spline channel | Bronze, Ivory, White & Clay
1 x 1 x 24 hand rail pickets | Bronze, Ivory, White, & Clay
1/2 x 1 x 24 screen framing with spline channel
Bronze, White, Ivory, and Taupe (Clay) material is available for chair rail with 1 x 1 pickets.