How to Build a Porch: Screen Porch Structure

Add an enclosed screen porch to your house using basic framing and deck building techniques.

Time

Multiple Days

Complication

Advanced

Price

$501-1000

Introduction

You tin can add a spacious, blusterous outdoor porch to your home. Nosotros'll evidence y'all everything you need to complete the project yourself, including how to frame the porch, attach information technology to your house and all of the finishing details. Sure, information technology'll have a lot of time and work, but one time it'south done, you tin can beat the bugs and spend more than fourth dimension outdoors during the summer.

Tools Required

Gyre up your sleeves!

A screened in porch is a big improvement, but building a porch is too a large project, one that might consume nigh of your spare fourth dimension this summer. Then, we're keeping this how to build a porch design simple.

Uncomplicated two×4 wall construction.

You lot can build it with standard dimensional lumber, and it doesn't require heavy beams or circuitous joints. The simple ii×4 walls are light and airy looking. Two horizontal bands of 2x4s ready 10 in. from the top and bottom of the wall, add a design element and stiffen the 2×4 framing enough to support the hand-built trusses.

With this how to build a porch design, there'due south no demand to precisely align the overhangs. And the exposed rafters and open soffit await great on many business firm styles. Plus, to create the optimal relaxation spot for your porch, try out these 10 tips.

outside view of porch Family Handyman

The total toll of this how to build a porch was $vi,500, simply you could save hundreds of dollars without sacrificing quality by substituting treated decking for the cedar or using natural language-and-groove pine rather than cedar on the ceiling.

Straight forwards construction.

Even though how to build a porch project is a big project, virtually of the construction is straightforward. If you lot've built decks or sheds, you'll exist able to tackle this job with confidence. In this how to build a screened in porch article, we'll show you the key steps for building this porch. Report the drawings and photos for more details.

how to build a porch trusses Family Handyman

The tools you'll need:

The screened porch offers a nearly unobstructed view of the outdoors and yous'll need a full fix of bones carpentry tools, a circular saw and a drill to build this porch. In addition, a reciprocating saw, a table saw and a power miter box volition make the chore go quicker and requite you better results. To reach high places safely and easily, we recommend renting a rolling scaffold organisation for a month.

Project step-past-step (21)

Step 1

Plan ahead to avoid construction headaches

figure a j porch overview

You can add this screened in porch to well-nigh any house, only attachment details may vary from what we evidence here.

  • On most two-story houses, yous won't take to worry about tying into the roof, but you lot may have to situate the porch carefully to avoid covering a window.
  • The house roof sloped 5 in. per human foot (this is called a v/12 gradient) and extended 18 in. at the overhang. Your roof may vary from this, and the details of how the porch ties in will vary equally well.

These illustrations higher up evidence the plans for the screened in porch, deck framing, gable framing, ledger, truss block, side walls and the end wall. To impress these how to build a porch plan, see Additional Information at the end of this story.

Step two

Tips for joining the screened in porch and house roofs

If you're non sure how to neatly join the screened in porch and house roofs:

  • We recommend hiring an architect to help work out the details.
  • Some other option is to build a full-size mockup of a roof truss out of inexpensive and lightweight 1x4s. Figure out where the elevation of the wall plate would exist if you built the porch according to our plans (Figures A – H). Then support the mocked-upwardly truss at this height to meet how the porch overhang meets the roof.
  • If you don't similar the fashion the overhangs intersect, accommodate the level of the deck slightly, alter the wall peak or change the width of the overhang.
  • Contact your local building inspections section to detect out what's required to obtain a building permit.
  • Start this process at to the lowest degree a month before yous program to build. This will allow plenty time to work through potential problems.

Step 3

Build the deck square and level and assemble the perimeter joists

porch assemble the perimeter joists

Install the ledger board.

Start by marking the ledger lath location on the house wall. We located the top of the ledger board 90 in. below the bottom of the soffit. On our house, this left a six-in. step down from the patio door to the deck surface. Remove the siding and adhere the ledger with 1/ii 10 four-in. galvanized lag screws (Figure D). Make sure information technology's perfectly level. If the ledger attaches to concrete, predrill holes and insert lead shield lag screw anchors earlier installing the lags.

Outline deck frame and ready beams.

Later y'all mount the ledger, utilise stakes and string lines to outline the deck frame according to the dimensions in Figure B and marker the footing locations. A few days before you plan to dig the footings, call 411 to have clandestine utilities marked in the vicinity of the porch. Your local building department will specify how large and deep the footings should be for your climate and soil atmospheric condition. Pour a concrete pad in the lesser of each footing hole later on they've been inspected. Let the concrete set overnight.

Assemble Frame.

Next, choose the six straightest 2x10s for the perimeter beams. Cutting the 2x10s for the 2 side beams to length and nail the pairs together. Utilize 16d stainless steel or double-dipped galvanized nails for all of the joist framings and to attach the joist hangers to the ledger board. Residuum one stop of each side axle in the double joist hangers and prop them upwardly until level with a stack of wood.

Pace 4

Install the joists and joist hangers

install joists and joist hangers porch

Smash through the joist hangers into the beams at the house to concur them in identify. And so connect the contrary ends of the two beams at the forepart with a 2x10 cutting to the same length as the ledger. Adjust the resulting frame until the diagonal measurements are equal.

Then brace the frame against stakes pounded into the ground to hold it square while y'all install the treated posts, joists and decking. Sight along the outside rim joist occasionally and adjust the length of the joists as needed to go on the front rim joist straight.

Step five

Cutting abroad the overhang and siding to make way for the porch

cut through siding for porch

You'll have to make up one's mind whether to cutting a slot where the porch walls meet the siding. If your siding is stucco, brick or rock, yous may want to butt the walls to the siding.

Make a marking 1-5/8 in. out from the deck on both sides. And so make another marker 5-one/8 in. inside the first marker. Draw plumb lines upwardly from these marks and cut a 5-i/8-in. slot through the siding just not the sheathing. Gear up the saw bract just deep enough to cut through the siding merely. Remove the siding. Waterproof the slot with No. 15 building paper.

Pace half dozen

Cut away the roof

cut away roof overhang

If your house has an overhang, you'll have to cutting it dorsum flush to allow the innermost truss to fit confronting the wall. Kickoff by removing the soffit and fascia boards to a higher place and several feet to each side of the deck. Information technology'due south easier to remove extra soffit and fascia boards and patch them back after the porch is done than to calculate cutoff points now. After the soffit boards are removed, utilise a level to plumb upward from the firm wall to the underside of the roof boards, in line with the exterior edges of the porch.

Marker the two points. Then drive a long spiral or nail upwardly through the roof boards at the ii marks. Snap a chalk line between the nails and remove the shingles below and about half dozen in. to a higher place the line. Chalk a new line and remove nails along the line. And so saw along the line and pry off the roof boards. Be certain to wear safety spectacles and hearing protection when you're sawing. Finally, cut off the rafter tails flush to the house wall.

Pace 7

Construct a jig to gather the roof trusses

build the trusses

Prime Before Painting.

Prime and pigment the truss parts, wall frame and screen stops before assembly. Prime the woods with a special stain-blocking primer such as Zinsser'due south oil-based Cover-Stain. Then brush on a coat of acrylic exterior business firm paint. Make sure to prime number every cut end equally yous work; otherwise, these areas volition blot moisture and crusade staining. We prefinished the roof boards with an oil end (Cabot Clear Solution Natural).

How to construct the roof truss jig:

It's easiest to assemble the roof trusses first, using the deck platform as a work surface. Screw two sheets of plywood to the decking and use the dimensions in Figure J to chalk lines indicating the height of the rafters and the bottom of the 2x6 crosstie. Cut triangular blocks and screw them to the plywood to hold the rafters in alignment as you assemble the trusses.

Stride 8

Build the trusses

figure j roof truss details

How to use the jig:

Cut a rafter using the dimensions in Figure J and apply it as a design to mark the remaining rafters. Place a pair of rafters in the jig and screw the tops together. Adjacent screw the 2x6 crosstie and 2x8 spacer to the pair of rafters. Keep the crosstie screws clear of the bolt pigsty locations. Complete each truss by screwing another pair of rafters on superlative.

Assemble the rafters and trusses.

Check the ends and tops of the rafters as you lot assemble the trusses to brand sure they're perfectly aligned. The trusses must exist identical so that your roof boards and soffit trim will line upwards. Finally, drag the truss on blocks of wood while you drill a pair of 1/two-in. holes into each end of the crosstie for the carriage bolts (Figure J). Run the i/2 x 5-i/ii-in. wagon bolts through the rafters and crosstie ends and tighten the nuts.

Step 9

Frame the walls accurately for smooth assembly

assemble the walls

Since the wall framing for this screened in porch is the finished surface, it's worth taking a niggling extra fourth dimension to make the framing material look expert. Nosotros chose the nicest cedar 2x6s we could detect and ripped them into three-1/2-in. and 1-i/2-in. boards. We did this to create abrupt, make clean edges (we also ripped off all the factory rounded edges).

Cut the studs and crosspieces to length and screw the walls together (Figures F – H). Nosotros used a power miter saw for clean, square cuts, but a circular saw volition work too. Use a crosspiece as a spacer when you're attaching the studs to the top and bottom plates. Then cut a x-in. spacer cake to position the crosspieces for assembly.

Footstep 10

Plumb and brace the walls

plumb and brace the porch walls

Stand the walls and spiral the wall corners together. The fundamental to standing the walls is to bank check and double-check along the way to make sure they're straight along their top and bottom plates, perfectly plumb and square, and deeply braced. Start by positioning the walls with their outside edge affluent to the deck and screwing them down. Next, screw the corners together, making certain the top plates of adjacent walls are even with each other. Use a long level to plumb the walls while you attach diagonal braces to concord them in position. Go out the braces in place until after the covering is complete.

Step xi

Attach the Trusses

attach the trusses porch

Y'all'll need helpers for this step.

Circular up a couple of stiff helpers to help in setting the trusses. Showtime by marker the position of the trusses on the top plate and onto a xvi-ft. 1x4 (you lot'll utilise the 1x4 to brace and position the tops of the trusses as you lot stand up them up). The first truss but butts to the business firm wall. The outermost truss aligns with the edge of the top plate, and the iii interior trusses are centered on the studs below. Set up the offset truss confronting the house and carefully center it and so that 1-1/two in. of the bottom 2x6 overhangs the acme wall plates on each side.

Installing the commencement truss.

Screw the truss to the top plates. Then use a straightedge and level to stand the truss perfectly plumb and caryatid it to the roof. Make sure this caryatid is deeply screwed to the roof and the truss because the remaining trusses will be supported past this truss until the roof tie-in framing is complete.

Install the remaining trusses.

Elevator the remaining trusses onto the height of the walls and residue them on the outset truss. Slowly and carefully slide the outermost truss to the outside end of the porch. Align the marks on the 1x4 with the truss at the house and the outermost truss and screw it to the trusses.

Eye the outermost truss on the walls and toe-screw it to the top plate of the walls. Stretch a string line betwixt nails at the peak of the two trusses. Align the remaining trusses with the string line and the marks on the 1x4 and top plates and screw them in.

Step 12

Line upwards the tie-in framing with the porch for a seamless blend

Line up the tie-in framing with the porch

1 of the trickiest parts of the porch construction is joining the two roofs. The cardinal is to extend lines from the new porch and mark where they intersect the existing roof. Do this by using a taut string line or a long, direct lath. Remember to enhance the tie-in framing on the existing house roof ¾ in. to a higher place the porch framing to recoup for the difference in thickness of the 3/4-in. plywood and 1-1/ii-in. roof boards, so use 3/4-in.-thick spacer blocks to raise the line to the right tie-in framing pinnacle.

Pace 13

Install the ridge and rafters

install ridge and rafters

Cut the 2x8 roof plates. If you're not proficient at computing roof angles, start by estimating the angles and cutting the plates an actress 6 in. long. Then gear up them in place, remark the angles and recut them until they fit. Spiral the roof plates through the roof boards into the rafters below. Side by side measure for the ridge, estimate the angle and cutting it a footling long. Trim the angle to fit and screw the ridge rafter to the kickoff truss and roof plates. Consummate the tie-in by installing a pair of rafters. The framing should be exactly three/4 in. above the top of the trusses.

Pace xiv

Install the roof boards

install roof boards porch

To bevel the start roof board, fix your table saw or circular saw to 23 degrees and rip a bevel on the groove border of the lath. Marshal the lath with the ends of the trusses and smash information technology with 16d galvanized nails. Install the remaining boards, making sure to snug the joints tight before nailing them. Allow the boards hang out past the terminal truss to grade the gable finish overhang. Cut the terminal board on each side to fit at the peak.

When you're done installing the roof boards, snap a chalk line at the gable (outer) cease and saw them off to leave an 18-in. overhang. Stop the gable end overhang by installing a pair of rafters and the 1x3 trim. Concur the gable finish rafters tight to the underside of the cutoff roof boards and screw through the roof boards to hold the rafters in place. Then cutting 1x3 trim to comprehend the end grain of the roof boards. Extend the trim around the corners and render information technology along the roof edge to the business firm.

Step 15

Pay attention to flashing and covering details for a watertight job

plywood porch roof framing

Building the tie-in framing on pinnacle of the existing shingles is a good way to keep the firm waterproof every bit you construct the porch, only when it comes time to install the roofing you'll have to cut the shingles forth each of the valleys with a claw-blade utility pocketknife. And then pry loose the cut shingles to make a wide path for the valley flashing.

Encompass the tie-in framing with 3/4-in. plywood. Add blocking as needed and fill in the triangular areas between the existing roof and the new roof.

Step 16

Install flashing in the roof valley

Install flashing in the roof valley

We won't get into roofing details here (so check out our expert guide for how to roof a house). In general, encompass the eaves and valley with strips of a waterproof membrane (an ice-and-water barrier) and install the sheet metallic valley. Place roofing nails about 12 in. apart along the edge of the metal valley. Cut a short piece of valley metal to complete the meridian on each side, overlapping information technology virtually vi in. onto the long piece.

Staple No. 15 building paper to the remainder of the porch roof, starting at the bottom and working up. Overlap each row 3 in. onto the one below. Install shingles to match the house. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for starting, overlaps and nail placement. Use ane-in.-long galvanized covering nails to avoid nailing through the tongue-and-groove ceiling.

Step 17

Fill in the porch gable ends

Cover the triangular opening in the truss above the house wall past building a 2x2 frame and nailing 1x6 natural language-and-groove boards to the dorsum. Then slide the frame into the opening and screw it into place. Fill the triangular space above the outside wall with a 2x4 frame (Figure C).

Then staple screening to it and cover the screens with stops, just as y'all do with the walls below. Practice on scraps to brand accurate patterns for the steep angles. Then transfer the angles to the bodily framing members. You may have to cut these angles with a handsaw; they're too steep for a miter saw unless yous build a special jig.

Step 18

Attach trim and sill to the outer walls

Attach trim and sill to the outer porch walls

Nail a 2x10 trim lath over the outside joist, ane-one/2 in. beneath the acme surface of the deck. Cut a 2x4 sill piece to width and bevel the top on a tabular array saw. Miter the ends and nail the sill to the elevation of the 2x10 trim lath.

Step 19

Trim corner details

screen porch corner details

This analogy shows how the corners are assembled and the trim is installed.

Footstep 20

Staple the screen to the walls

Staple the screen to the porch walls

The charcoal aluminum screening we used is strong and long-lasting, merely yous accept to handle it carefully to avoid creases and dents. Carefully unroll the screen on a big work surface and cut lengths about 3 in. longer than you need. Reroll each piece and comport it to its location.

Start by tacking the two corners, making sure the screen is square to the opening. Then stretch the screen slightly and staple the sides, meridian and bottom. Place 1/four-in. staples every 3 in.

Footstep 21

Adhere 2x2s over the framing

Attach 2x2s over the framing

After you lot stretch and staple each department, cutting off the backlog screen with a abrupt utility pocketknife. Then encompass the edges with 2x2 trim pieces. We screwed these on to permit for easy removal for time to come screen repairs, and the trim covers the staples along all of the edges. Frame and screen the outer gable finish following Effigy C.

Screen door details:

If y'all apply a wood door similar ours, get-go by trimming it just enough to fit in the opening. And then gear up information technology in identify and marker the door for last fitting. Use a abrupt plane or belt sander to trim the door. Y'all may have to echo this process a few times to become a skilful fit.

Blast one/ii x 2-in. woods stops to the framing at the door opening. Then hang the door using galvanized or brass screen door hinges. Mount a latch and door closer to complete the job. Plus, check out these other ten inviting screen porches, rooms and lanais.

Boosted Information:

  • Porch Plans
  • Materials List for the Porch