screen under decking? - Fine Homebuilding (2024)

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Replies

1. 

   csnow |Oct 24, 2003 12:24am |#1

   In New England, I have witnessed many instances of mosquitos taking advantage of this breach.

   Easiest to apply wide screen material across the bottoms of the joists, if possible. Plastic screen withstainless staples.

   Because of the roof and side screens up top, not much debris falls through to accumulate on the screen. Should be ok for several years.

   Eventually they will probably clog up. Worth the maintenance, imho. Hate them mosquitos...

1. 

   TLJ |Oct 24, 2003 01:49am |#2

   Thanks, Corey. You are probably right about the debris. I guess it would take a while to fill up.

   Anybody in the Midwest?

1. 

   Luka |Oct 24, 2003 01:54am |#3

   Stretch the screen on frames.

   Attach the frames to the joists in such a way that they can be removed later to clean and/or repair.

   Can't we all just get a log ? - Paul Bunyon

   Quittin' Time

2. 

   JohnSprung |Oct 24, 2003 03:17am |#4

   Another approach might be to put a complete solid surface over the gapped decking. Nothing falls thru, nothing flys or crawls up.

   -- J.S.

3. 

   archyII |Oct 24, 2003 03:46am |#5

   Since it isa screened porch (protected from the weather) why not use T & G decking.

1. 

   TLJ |Oct 24, 2003 03:52am |#6

   Hey, Archy, that's a great idea. I could use Tendura because they want composite. Then transition to Rhinodeck on the rest. Oh, I guess I didn't say that the screened-in part is only over half the deck. (Another step back:) It's an existing room over an existing decka story off the ground that's about to get torn down because of decay (the deck that is). The room stays and has to be propped up while the deck is being rebuilt. Pretty hairy, huh?

1. 

   exchef |Oct 24, 2003 06:00am |#7

   we recently did a porch with a trex deck and the screen beneath asper the architech's spec i was not convinced of it's longgevity but it did make it through construction. the home owner has many cats and cotten wood trees so we will see as to the maintance

   noah

4. 

   dIrishInMe |Oct 24, 2003 03:00pm |#8

   Screen under a screened porch is very common here in the SE. There are 3 or 4 solutions, some already mentioned: 1) staple screen up under joists. 2) staple screen on top of joists and then apply decking (my least favorite, but common in new construction). 3) build screened frames toscrew up under floor system - my favorite, but by far the most labor intensive. Frames can be removed for cleaning. Make sure you charge a premium for this method. 4) Homeownerrolls outin-door/outdoor carpeting. Gives kind of a warm, homey feeling, if done right. I've saw one with astro turf, which pretty much looked terrible.

   Matt

1. 

   TLJ |Oct 24, 2003 03:20pm |#9

   Thanks Matt for summarizing the options. The framed screens will be the most likely solution unless I go with T&G flooring. Fortunatly, the framed screens is the option the HO suggested. So it won't be hard to sell or bill for.

2. 

   JohnSprung |Oct 24, 2003 10:19pm |#10

   > 4) Homeownerrolls outin-door/outdoor carpeting.

   Doesn't this potentially hold water in contact with the deck and cause rot, termites, and mold?

   -- J.S.

5. 

   abw12 |Oct 26, 2003 10:43pm |#11

   I'm in MA, have a screened porch (just the sides) haven't ever noticed a problem with misquitoes, but I suppose it's personal preference about that screen under the floor business.

1. 

   TLJ |Oct 27, 2003 04:01am |#12

   Thanks.

   I guess in this case, the situation is: the customer wants it, the customer gets it. I know I'd at least try a season without it just to see if it's necessary.

1. 

   donpapenburg |Oct 27, 2003 05:43am |#13

   Staple screening to the back of lattice and hang from deck rim joist to the ground or a pt board set in the ground.

1. 

   TLJ |Oct 27, 2003 06:27am |#14

   That's a good idea, Don, and one I will keep in mind in the future. I have in the past been asked to put lattice around the skirt of a deck. In this case, though, it's a second story deck that will be open underneath.

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