Many homeowners in the United States do not have a porch, and many more want to add one. A patio is an excellent place for relaxing, dining, entertaining guests, or just enjoying some time outdoors.
If you are considering adding a porch to your home, there are several ways that you can go about it, but one of the most popular options is by enclosing your existing deck with plastic.
This blog post will tell you how to enclose a porch with plastic properly and what supplies you will need if this interests you. This article will teach you how to enclose a porch with plastic with a few simple methods.
Step to Follow on How to Enclose a Porch With Plastic
Step One: Plan
When you are planning to enclose your porch with plastic, make sure you measure the dimensions of your porch. Then decide where you would like to cut openings in the sides or ends of your porch. You will need at least two rectangular pieces of plastic for each side or end that is large enough to cover all sides and ends of your porch.
This will be the main focus when you plan to enclose your porch with plastic, so make sure you have extra plastic in case anything goes wrong and if, for example, you need to cut another opening.
Step Two: Cut Plastic
Once you have decided where to cut your plastic, make sure you take a marker and put marks on the side or end of your porch. Then take a straight edge ruler and draw a line from mark to mark. Next, take a utility knife with really sharp blades to cut the pieces of plastic for sides or ends smaller than your porch.
It will be a good idea to have a second set of hands because the plastic can be very slippery and hard to hold down with just one person. Once you cut all sides, take them over to your porch and see if everything lines up correctly. Once you have done this, put clear packing tape on top of the plastic on all sides.
Step Three: Tape Plastic
Once you have your porch wholly covered in tape, take a piece of fabric and attach it to the top side of your porch by putting screws through the fabric into the wood pieces that hold up your porch roof. Make sure that once you attach one end of the fabric to your porch, the other end is long enough to connect to the other side.
Once you have done this, secure one side of your fabric in between two pieces of wood on the left and right sides of your porch so that there is no slack when you go to pull it tight. This will also be difficult because after you get one end secure, you will have to hold it in place while doing the same with the other end.
Step Four: Attach Plastic to Fabric
After securing both ends of your fabric, go ahead and attach one side of the plastic to one end of your fabric. Then pull it tight and secure it on the opposite side by putting a screw through the plastic and into the wood. You will keep doing this on all sides of your porch until you have it completely covered in plastic, with the fabric only exposed at the top where it is attached to your roof.
You will then need to cut out two pieces of your plastic bigger than the openings you made on each side or end. These pieces will be placed over the openings during inclement weather so you can still enjoy yourself outside without worrying about rainwater coming in through your open sides or ends.
Step Five: Enjoy
Now that you have finished enclosing your porch with plastic, you can enjoy the fact that no rainwater comes in through your open sides or ends. You will also not need to worry about mosquitos coming in while you are outside enjoying some swings on your porch swing.
Step Six: Maintenance
To ensure your porch stays protected as long as you want, you may need to replace the plastic if it becomes brittle and starts cracking. Also, make sure you keep an eye on the screws employed to attach the fabric to wood pieces around your house so that they do not fall out.
If any of these happen by chance, take them out and put in new ones; just make sure to replace them with screws that are the same size and relatively long, so it holds the fabric securely. This will help in how to enclose a porch with plastic.
You can check it to Fix a Hole in a Plastic Bathtub
Step Seven: Extra Protection
Extra protection is always a great idea when trying to enclose your porch with plastic because not only do you want to protect against rain coming through windows but also mosquitos and other bugs that can now easily fly into your porch without you closing the sides or ends.
To do this, tape the extra piece of plastic you have onto all four sides on the bottom of where your porch meets the ground. This will create a barrier so that no bugs get in through open windows or underneath your porch while you are eating or relaxing on it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Enclose a Porch with Cheap Plastic?
No, cheap plastic is not strong enough to hold a porch up. It would be best to use metal, and it would be wise also to use galvanized steel or aluminum for added strength.
Can I Enclose My Porch for Winter?
The best time to do this is during the winter when there is a lot of snow on the ground. The last thing you want to do is have your porch collapse because of the weight of all that snow and ice.
Before you begin, check with your insurance company and make sure they will cover any damages that may occur from insulating your porch.
Do You Enclose a Plastic Porch?
Yes, I enclose a plastic porch. Enclosing a plastic porch is necessary to protect the product from weather and other external factors. It also helps keep the product safe during shipping, which can be quite costly if not done properly.
Can You Install Plexiglass on A Porch?
Yes, you can install Plexiglass on a porch. To install Plexiglass on a porch, you will need to use a staple gun and some silicone sealant or caulking. The process is very simple and easy to do.
Is It Hard to Enclose a Porch with Plastic?
Plastic is easy to use, but you have to remember that it’s not a permanent solution. It’s best to start with the edges of the porch and cover them first, then work your way inwards. You can also apply plastic over old tarps or tarps on top of existing siding.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a way to enclose your porch with plastic, one of the easiest ways is by using sheets. You can buy them at most hardware stores, including Lowe’s and Home Depot. The thickness of the sheet will determine how long it takes to cut on each side, so be sure to measure before buying!
Be careful not to purchase too much because once they are cut, there’s no going back. After cutting the sheets down into smaller segments that fit around your porch posts or even just pieces that cover an entire post, wrap them tightly in duct tape or electrical tape if necessary.
It may take some trial and error but remember – patience is key when trying anything new! The infomercial style of this article has shared information on how to enclose a porch with plastic.
You may also read: How to Attach a Porch Roof to a Mobile Home
