Rox,
I do remember this tip for the screened porch. I'll have to run the idea by my builder to see what he thinks. Because I don't know how much its going to cost to finish the porch using standard methods, I can't speculate how the door thingy would compare. There is also the issue of our building code. Were the porch at ground level, we could finish the porch cheaply with full length screens. But, as you noted, ours is 10+ feet off the ground and safety is a concern. I have to have either a standard railing (which I think is around 3 ft high) or a solid wall of the same height. Screen doors would have to have a substantial (solid) lower half to work. By the time I bought enough doors (I'm guessing around 18), plus the framing, I wonder how much I would save, if any. I just don't know. And I don't know if it would meet code, as I said. But, it never hurts to ask and I'll run it by my builder.
Our current plan is standard wall construction on the lower portion with the inside finished with T&G cyprus (for weather resistance) and HardiPlank on the exterior. Certainly, this would be an expensive option, but would provide the "outdoor room" look we like. Alternatively, the standard rail with screen I think would be the cheapest (I'm thinking even cheaper than the screen door trick), but we would lose alot in the looks of the porch. However, desperate times call for desperate measures and this may be one of several compromises we make.
As always, thanks for ringing in on this. I'll update when our plans have been finalized.
I do remember this tip for the screened porch. I'll have to run the idea by my builder to see what he thinks. Because I don't know how much its going to cost to finish the porch using standard methods, I can't speculate how the door thingy would compare. There is also the issue of our building code. Were the porch at ground level, we could finish the porch cheaply with full length screens. But, as you noted, ours is 10+ feet off the ground and safety is a concern. I have to have either a standard railing (which I think is around 3 ft high) or a solid wall of the same height. Screen doors would have to have a substantial (solid) lower half to work. By the time I bought enough doors (I'm guessing around 18), plus the framing, I wonder how much I would save, if any. I just don't know. And I don't know if it would meet code, as I said. But, it never hurts to ask and I'll run it by my builder.
Our current plan is standard wall construction on the lower portion with the inside finished with T&G cyprus (for weather resistance) and HardiPlank on the exterior. Certainly, this would be an expensive option, but would provide the "outdoor room" look we like. Alternatively, the standard rail with screen I think would be the cheapest (I'm thinking even cheaper than the screen door trick), but we would lose alot in the looks of the porch. However, desperate times call for desperate measures and this may be one of several compromises we make.
As always, thanks for ringing in on this. I'll update when our plans have been finalized.
