Alternatives to traditional painted wood, screen-porch-trim. PVC, or other low maintenance suggestions?

[fieldgrade]

I’m in a five year old house that is brick veneer, Hardiplank siding, and PVC or aluminum trim everywhere, and vinyl windows. It has required zero maintenance to date other than cleaning, which I need to do.

Except for the painted, treated pine screen porch. I’ve proposed a more durable screen porch enclosure to the missus, but she insists on her “old school” screen porch, like she grew up with.



There are 136 of these lame little hex head sheet-metal style screws to be removed (and then replaced) to take out all thirteen panels of screening to scrape, prep, and paint the wood, then replace the 13 panels of screening.

I suppose I could hire it out, but it has looked like crap for a year or so, and I’d like to redo this with something with a finish more impervious to the elements.

Suggestions?

 

[rdinatal]

PVC is the way to go. I found two things that prove problematic.
1 - Cost. The material is expensive but, for the long game, worth it.
2 - Availability and selection. Seems not all dimensions are available. I've only seen planks in thicknesses of 1/2" and 5/4" (true 1"). The widths anywhere from 3" to 8".

 

[Bocephus]

My father just had his replaced with aluminum. PVC or aluminum is what I would replace the wood pieces with if looking for something that will last longer

 

[fieldgrade]

My father just had his replaced with aluminum. PVC or aluminum is what I would replace the wood pieces with if looking for something that will last longer

I’m in southern Wake county. Is he close by? I might be interested in a contact for the sub who did the work if he’s also local.

 

[Bocephus]

He is in Clayton, so close enough. If you are interested, I’ll get the name of the company they used

 

[fieldgrade]

He is in Clayton, so close enough. If you are interested, I’ll get the name of the company they used

Yes please, I’d be interested in the company info.

 

[Red Marley]

I have replaced some wood trim with PVC. No maintenance, but it expands and shrinks with temp changes more than the wood it replaced. Makes for gaps.

 

[sig229r]

 

[sig229r]

PVC wrapped posts and trim. SCREENEZE with Betterview screening. I've been doing this for all my screen porches since 2014. I went back to the first project about a year ago and the screen was still tight.

SCREENEZE | No-Spline Screen Porch Systems

SCREENEZE® is a no-spline, self-stretching system that allows for huge panels. The base secures to the post/column and the cap when pressed on, secures and stretches the screen fabric. Recently, we released SNAPTRACK by SCREENEZE®. SNAPTRACK installs to the face of your post/column. The base is a “T

www.screeneze.com

BetterVue® Screening - Phifer

Phifer BetterVue insect screening offers insect protection, improved airflow, and greater visibility. See the view and protect your home from most pests.

www.phifer.com

 

[SimpleMan]

Is there a better “paint”, or like a hard coating type stuff that could be applied? Something more durable than standard paint? May be cheaper and more palatable for the missus.

 

[AverageDad]

You can strip the current paint and get down to bare wood, then use a high quality stain. Thus would be less maintenance and you can restain every 3 to 5 years without stripping on sanding anything. I can pm you details on stripping if you'd like.

 

[fieldgrade]

Thanks for these suggestions fellas. I know my wife, and she’ll object initially to changing the look of what we have, which is why she hasn’t let me pursue the Easy Breeze enclosure system that a half dozen of our neighbors have had installed.

I’m going to talk to @bocephus’s dad’s contact first to see what they can do for me re: PVC/aluminum, etc, and go from there.

 

[Bigdave0924]

Aluminum is the way to go. Go to a real lumber yard like Garris Evans, Guy C Lee, Decks and Docks not Home Depot or Lowes and check out the various options available.

 

[Pack72]

PVC wrapped posts and trim. SCREENEZE with Betterview screening. I've been doing this for all my screen porches since 2014. I went back to the first project about a year ago and the screen was still tight.

SCREENEZE | No-Spline Screen Porch Systems

SCREENEZE® is a no-spline, self-stretching system that allows for huge panels. The base secures to the post/column and the cap when pressed on, secures and stretches the screen fabric. Recently, we released SNAPTRACK by SCREENEZE®. SNAPTRACK installs to the face of your post/column. The base is a “T

www.screeneze.com

BetterVue® Screening - Phifer

Phifer BetterVue insect screening offers insect protection, improved airflow, and greater visibility. See the view and protect your home from most pests.

www.phifer.com

This. Our porch has pvc wrapped 4x4s and Screeneze panels. There is nothing to paint.