How Do I Build a Screened-In Porch on My Carport?

Have a Plan

Have a detailed plan for what you want the final porch to look like and draw a sketch of it. Determine if you want a screened door for access to the yard and where you want that door to be. Design your seating and storage areas as well.

Wall Layout

Some carports are built in wooden frames. Others have roof supports at each corner. If your carport has the latter, you will need to frame in the walls.

Begin by laying out your floor and top plates. Cut 2-by-4 wood into firestops that you can later attach between the studs. Nail the studs to the plates, then nail in your firestops between the studs. If your wall is taller than 8 feet, you will need two or more firestops between each stud.

After you have built your frame wall, attach it to the floor and roof using concrete fasteners and nails. It is best to have the studs on no more than 4-foot centers. Vertically space the firestops as well, since screen is usually sold in 48-inch widths.

If you want to install a door, you can purchase a premade screen door and frame at a home-improvement store, and incorporate it into the wall.

Screening

Cut your screen into the proper widths to stretch from stud to stud and plate to plate in each opening. If you want your walls and wooden trim a certain color, stain or paint them at this point.

Attach the screen with a staple gun to the exterior side of the 2-by-4s, holding it taut at all times to prevent sagging. Once the entire porch is screened in, cover the staples with trim to give your porch a nice, finished look.