Since building our house several years ago, we have thought that having a screened porch was something that would allow us to use the back porch more frequently. We considered just putting the plastic strips over the existing wood posts and rails that would allow for screen material to be rolled into them, and provide a usable area in the most inexpensive manner possible. This solution was discounted however because maintenance of the wood would be an on-going issue, something that I definitely did not want.
Following much consideration, we decided to go with an all metal solution. After a much searching, we found a company in Boaz, AL., that did metal work and we asked them about building our porch railing, handrails and framing for the screen. Since this was their type of work, they were anxious to give us a quote. They came out and after taking measurements of our front and back porches, they went away to work up a quote. Surprisingly to us, they took the project a step further. Instead of just putting up a frame and attaching the plastic screening tracks, they actually found a company to provide aircraft grade aluminum material required to support the porch, replacing the existing wooden posts, but with the screening tracks built directly into the metal. Not only would the metal to be used allow for screening directly without adding any extra parts but would be powder-coated and since it is aluminum, would never rust. This, in my opinion, was/is the best solution for maintenance free construction. In addition, the front porch will be wrapped in railing with handrails leading to the driveway, something that should have been done when the house was originally built, but wasn't.
The front and back handrails will be made of ornamental iron and custom fit to both the front porch, front steps, back landing and back steps. All the ornamental iron will also be powder-coated to virtually eliminate the on-going maintenance requirement. Below is the information about the company providing the work as well as before and after pictures of the areas involved.
Work Performed by Absolute Perimeter
Doug Martin
Glenn DuBois
(256) 673-0734
(205) 470-5324
Commercial and Residential Fencing, Handrails and Gates