On the porch American-style
A feature of homes in America’s southern states are screened porches - a virtual necessity in a humid climate.
Modest homes or mansions alike, all typically feature this enclosed outdoor space. Hell, even Miley Cyrus has one.
So considering the hot, wet, bug-beset summer we’ve just experienced, is it time we get on board with the idea too?
Just imagine the freedom of dining with friends on a breezy late summer evening but minus pungent insect repellent or that horrid mosquito whining that means a new bite is on its way.
Let’s look at what a screen porch is and what it can offer.
Essentially a living space open to the air on three sides, a screened porch is lined with insect-resistant mesh in the window spaces and a covered roof that extends from the home.
Different from what we might currently think of as an outdoor room, screened porches have power and indoor-style furniture, as well as ceiling fans for air circulation, fireplaces (and plenty of iced tea and mint juleps).
Whilst uncommon in the land of the long white cloud, it can be agreed that they make good sense.
‘‘Conservatories turn into baking sort of rooms in summer,’’ said Rowan O’connor of Screens R Us.
‘‘Screened porches are a better solution.’’
A screen porch can be created from an existing veranda by building in the sides with mesh, but be sure that your roof over the space is watertight as to protect what furniture will be in there.
If you plan on locating furniture like wicker close to the screen windows, it may be better to opt for an artificial wicker-look piece than the real thing, and opt for an outdoor-friendly fabric on any cushions.
If you have the option to purpose build, you’ll need to think about what grade of mesh you need. Types on offer range from fine insect mesh, to ‘‘paw proof’’ mesh, which can withstand contact with cats and dogs.
In terms of price, the most expensive option for screening is stainless steel mesh, advised O’connor. ‘‘But it’s also the most secure,’’ he said.
As a ballpark figure, two by four metres of stainless steel mesh screening could cost around $3000. So it’s an investment, but one that will last and may well be worth the while if you live in a mozzieinfested area.
The next rung down is the ‘‘paw proof’’ variety, then fibreglass mesh, and then following that, standard insect mesh which is the cheapest but not secure as it can be easily cut through.
No matter which type of mesh you choose, O’connor recommended securing the entrance into your screened porch with lockable mesh doors, and then with a lockable security door into your home itself.
Things to consider before beginning your project are council requirements, loss of light to interior rooms, your desired ceiling and roof type, your own DIY abilities, and the size of the furniture you would like to use.