Screened in Lanai

[HADave]

I've read of a few folks screening in their lanai, wondering about what methods they are choosing to do this. Are you making up removable screens or are you simply filling the hole between the posts hope those of you will share you applications with the rest of us. I'm supposing also it is being done for critter purposes and flying debris.

Do you find that the wind eventually stretches the fabric screening or is metal screening the perfered choice?

Thanks for your thoughts HADave

PS has anyone screened in under the home ?

[leilaniguy]

Aloha HADave, We've got 3 screened Lanais. I use nylon screen stapled up, because it's easier to work with (no sharp edges) and it's cheap. Copper and stainless are too expesive for me, because the screen can only be cleaned so many times before it gets holey and needs replaced. the combination of humidity and blowing dust gets them pretty dirty and they must be wiped down with a bleach/soap soaked rag every few months. Aluminum decays here because of the hydrogen sulfide and salt in the air. I haven't tried screening under the house, my cats and dogs would probably have it ripped out in no time.

[Cindy Blankenship]

I like the nylon screen idea Leilani Guy.
I am considering screening in our upstairs lanai for our cats. Then they will have a pet door from the lanai into the house.
She says I will need to glue pieces of the
nylon screen together and then attach to a 2/4 or something like that and then to the roof. But if the cats are pushing against the screen, it seems they could break through.
How did you put yours up?


Thanks!
Cindy

[Cindy Blankenship]

Oops. Should I have posted this to the general forum since I'm not building a home. I just wanted advice on screening in the lanai (upstairs decks)of a home I'm going to be renting. The owner and my friend says I'm welcome to screen this in for our cats, but I'm not sure how to do it - and on a budget. So I searched the forum and saw Leilani Guy's post and didn't realize I was in the building forum. I guess after we're there it will be
easier to figure out.

Cindy

[leilaniguy]

Aloha Cindy, posting here is just fine. I'm not sure what you mean by gluing the screen together, it is avaialable in 4 and 5 foot widths on 100 ft. rolls sold by the foot. Just measure the openings and buy as many lineal feet as you will need. With a friend holding the other end, hold the screen level and taut across the top, staple the top every 6" or so, then start at the middle across the bottom, stapling each way, smoothing the screen flat as you go. My cats have only pushed through the screens a couple of times when frightened. I just get out the stapler and fix it.

[Scott_S]

Dave, I seen this system a while back at Home Depot or Lowes, looked interesting. Might be a little overkill.

http://www.screentight.com/

Scott

[Cindy Blankenship]

Thanks LeilaniGuy, I think the owner meant that because the screen isn't as wide as the lanai, that we'd have to glue them together. It's just one big deck with a railing that is now solid and a roof that rain comes through. It might look tacky but wouldn't a tarp on top of the roof prevent it from raining under the deck's ceiling?

Anyway, I think it's around 7 feet from top of railing to roof. And if the screen's stapled from the inside of the railing then the cats could lie on the railing and push through. But the screen wouldn't be wide enough. I think that's why the owner's thinking this may not work after all. There wouldn't be any support.

Thanks Scott. This looks really nice but I'm sure is out of my budget range after the expense of moving with three pets.

I'll post again after I see the lanai or get more info from the owner. There may be posts reasonable close together that I don't remember.

Cindy

[Carey]

Cindy, they do sell thin strips of wood & plastic for screening at all of the lumber stores (sreen strips) that help keep the screen taught. Glueing screen is hard, if looks don't count, duct tape works to splice screens together. For pets, most of the hardware stores sell an extra heavy duty screen called pet proof that I know Deb n company in HPP have used on their lanais.
For the roof, even semi thick plastic sheeting will do, as long as you have something to attach to, and is cheaper than the average tarp.
Aloha, Carey

[HADave]

Well we gave the nylon screen, at our mainland home, a try. Rolled up and stored along the inside of the porch header and joined with velcro while rolled down, 3/4 hardwood strip at the bottom to help keep taut. It has seemed to work great for all our concerns here. It also helps keep the rain from infiltrating the area to some degree. Always loved sitting on the porch watching the rain come down. Such a simple project made our, very expensive, outside living space both useable and enjoyable during the many times we couldn't before and has proven a good choice for our soon to be Island Home thanks for everyone's input

Scott, the site you posted has the better curb appeal to it and also sparks the idea that one , if there porch/lanai were deep enough one could hinge them and lift them in toward the ceiling for storage when a more open feel was wanted.

Thanks for everyone's thoughts and suggestions.

Aloha HADave

[Cindy Blankenship]

Thanks Carey and HADAve. I like both of these ideas - either framing the screens or connecting with Velcro. Hadn't thought of the
clear plastic for the roof. That would look better too. I had a question about my tarp idea that would apply to the clear plastic as well. Since moisture would get under it, could this cause a mold problem on the roof?
I love the idea of sitting on the lanai with the rain coming down around us but not on us.
And my son and I want to try keeping our cats in. I'm usually so tired of typing by the time i finish work and get on here i make all kinds of typos . In my last post I meant to say that with the screen on the inside of the railing the cats won't be able to lie on the
railing and push it out.

Thanks again for your ideas. I'm sure onceI get there (next week!) and refresh my memory I'll have more questions since I've never built anything in my life, as I'm sure you've guessed.

Well, it's about 2 a.m. here...
G'night


Cindy
http://www.CoconutRoads.com