Screen Deck Upgrade

Sep 26

So we have a screened in porch in the back yard the we LOVE. And although is keeps bugs out all year round, There’s two times a year, where the space is basically unusable. Yep - you guessed it, the height of summer and the freezing temperatures in winter.

We decided to remodel it with 4 track vinyl windows from https://ezebreezestore.com/. They allow you to get 3/4 of the window open because the sliding panels nest together. Also, the window panes are vinyl. so they are super durable! The frames are all aluminum.

Always double/triple check your measurements - with different measuring devices. I didn’t catch my error until I checked my distances that I had captured with my laser tape with a regular tape measure. I almost purchased custom windows (non-returnable, non-refundable, etc) 5/16 of an inch too wide. I was very lucky. since then, I’ve also noticed that one of my tape measures has a bent catch on the end that adds around 3/16 of an inch. Not good. Sometimes, the adage, measure twice, cut once, is just not enough. Sometimes you need to measure your measuring things with different measuring things.

If I had purchased all the windows the wrong width, it wouldn’t have been the end of the world… but they would not have installed as easily as they did. Some of the posts would have had to have been moved, or cut thinner. Much more effort than I wanted.

After placing the order and waiting for the delivery (2-3 weeks manufacture, 1 week delivery estimate). I started a different project. I was supposed to be contacted before the deliver to arrange a time. Turns out one Wednesday afternoon I was on a call with [day job], and got a phone call. I ignored it. They called back, as one does when you are sitting in the street in a box truck trying to deliver a huge amount of cardboard to a jerk who is not answering his phone. When I did walk outside to meet him, he first asked me for a screwdriver and a hammer so he could open the pallet.

Time to start installing.

For the most part, everything we easily. The most complicated part was installing the windows over the fish pond… Spoilers - I did not fall in. YET - there is still more to do, plenty of time to fall into my pond.

I tried to reuse as much of the old cedar as I could, cutting it to fit the new areas. Then, after ordering more wood (it’s VERY expensive now), was able to get the outside done-ish, and started focusing on bug-proofing the inside.

Current status: