This customer was thinking they wanted to improve the large screened in porch. They were talking about maybe reframing the openings, new moldings, and replace the screens. So I asked if they had considered re-framing for double-hung windows instead of screens to make full side porch enclosure.
Side Porch Enclosure
They liked the idea so much there was no looking back. She wanted know what it was going to look like on the outside. I said we would use the same cedar siding as on the house to tie it all in together for a unified look.
Once she was happy with the curb appeal, their minds were made up. Rather than having floor-to-ceiling screens, the knee-wall was already in place, and it was pretty easy to frame out the desired window sizes. We stayed with the exact same window height used on the front of the house. Again, without this the addition wouldn’t be contiguous.
No-Rot Outside Trim Boards
We trimmed the windows outside with weatherproof PVC boards, which don’t need to be painted, if you like white. We also used the same size trim board between the windows and the roof, again so it has the same look as the main house.
Getting the Details Right
We replace the half-round window as it was in bad shape, and used aluminum siding on all the window sills. As you can see, we painted everything the same color as the main house. And the windows we used weren’t white, but we special ordered the same color windows as the main house.
We trimmed the windows on the inside inside and used wood wainscoting below and above the new windows. The ceiling was left undisturbed.
Weather-Sealed Entry Door
We special ordered a wooden entry slab-door to fit the existing opening, as is, the way it was framed (shown above). Then we added weather molding around the door and a steel and rubber threshold beneath.
She also request a storm door, which we added.
She hired us because she wanted the details done right, and she was not disappointed. If you’re interested in getting this done, be sure to check out my carpentry page.