How to Enclose Your Porch with Clear Vinyl

Winter is just around the corner, so we decided to enclose our screened porch so that we could enjoy it for more of the year. Karen describes how.
In fact, we finished the project just in time to host our family Thanksgiving diner on the porch.
--------------------------------------------
Per request, here are the links.
www.tapebrothers.com
www.fabric.com
Grommet kit came from Lowes, and I've seen them at Harbor Freight and other hardware stores.

[@enenalan]

Literally exactly what I'm looking to do. 10 years and you're still helping people! Well done!

[@marbbridges]

Of all the videos that I have looked, yours was the simplest and best way to do it thank God you put it on video

[@shonda0919]

So grateful!!!! The cheapest estimate for custom job was $3200!! This, we can handle for sure. Thank you for the post!

[@frankenbeans6930]

Probably a lot better and cheaper than buying. Good job!

[@garethgordon9141]

Thank you for an excellent, clear and well edited video (good fade in and out). I saw this on a pub in England but it was mounted on a horizontal support/draw wire so that the screen could be slid to one side but your video has given me other ideas; my posts are only 700mm apart so one could insert grommets vertically to line up with the posts and secure the vinyl sheet using a wooden batten screwed to the posts through the grommet holes. Windy, wet and nasty here in the UK in winter (I lived in FL for 8 years) so this would keep the sheets more firmly in place. Thanks again, a pleasure to watch and highly informative. Gareth

[@Mouzle]

Thank you Karen, this was the best video I've seen on how I can keep the pups dry and see what they're getting up to in their outside play pen during the day in this none brilliant British weather. Since my stroke in 1998, mental blocks are a constant daily battle. I'm So, so grateful to you for explaining things clearly. Now to put it into practise... x :-)

[@rbraxley]

Thanks for your kind remarks. Glad to know the video is useful.

[@3LeagueSos]

Yes! Thank you so much! This is the final touch I was looking for for my gazebo. Perfect!

[@MrsSandage]

I just want to say that I loved this idea. We were looking into buying Amish made glass inserts when I ran across it and were not in a position to buy them financially nor did we have the room to store the windows. I showed the video to hubby and ordered the supplies. It did take some time to get the done but was worth it! We are currently on our 2nd year of using them (in Illinois cold, warm, blowing winter) and while they are showing wear I am happy with them. They allowed us to extend the time on our deck both in the fall and in the spring. We also have 2 small electric heaters out there to use on sunny days (the deck faces the south) during even colder days during the winter. I do love the idea of using the velcro as several of our grommets did pull, especially in the corners. As we were finishing up the original project, we only did the grommets in the corners and only used the 1 inch washers down the sides and they almost did better. I believe this was because when the grommet was pounded thru the tape and plastic, it compromized it more than just slipping a screw thru it all. One more tip, LABEL your sheets when taking them down at the end of the year. I thought if I just piled them up and worked in reverse when putting them back up I would be ok. Let's just say, the old mind ain't what she used to be. ;) Anyhoo, I hope by this fall we will have the funds to get our actual windows and we now have space to store them. All in all I would do it again. Thank you for sharing!

[@rbraxley]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Yes, label them CLEARLY, or you'll have a tough time when you're ready to hang them back up. (Written from sad experience.)

[@susieepstein2726]

This is SO helpful! I was looking for how to turn part of my screened in patio into a greenhouse for my zillions of potted plants as I've run out of room in my house. Watching how Karen did this - and her detailed instructions are excellent and appreciated ! - has given me other ideas. Thanks again for an excellent instructional video.

[@sallygreen8453]

I did this...It was the best thing ever. Very easy. We are on year two. I did use 40 gauge vinyl though.

[@joycemcinnis5457]

pictures please

[@Django44]

Really, really well done. Nice slow pace, very clear instructions, excellent camera work. Minor suggestion: the speed for driving screws usually works best on the slower than the faster setting. This helps prevent a number of possible problems, not least of which is the screw (at the faster speed) quickly sinking too far and cracking, splitting or twisting whatever is being fastened to the wood. I winced at 10:52 - afraid you were going to poke your eye with the drill bit! Great job.

[@rbraxley]

Thanks for the kind words. Good luck with your projects.

[@frenchopen23]

Yes. Now that’s the kind of helpful video I needed. Thank you!

[@rbraxley]

Hi. We used 20 gauge clear vinyl (fabric dot com), brown ProGaff gaffer's tape (tapebrothers), and brass grommits and deck screws from Lowe's. The main tools were scissors and a straight edge for cutting the vinyl, a hammer for the grommit kit, and a power driver for the deck screws. You'll also want a tape measure and a marker or sharpie. The gauge of the vinyl and color of the trim tape would be up to you and your local needs. Good luck.

[@jalentristen1258]

a trick : you can watch series at flixzone. Me and my gf have been using it for watching lots of of movies during the lockdown.

[@braydonkolton292]

@Jalen Tristen Definitely, I have been using Flixzone} for since november myself :D

[@Anitasemp]

Doesn't it get really hot inside?

[@rbraxley]

@@Anitasemp The wraps were only used during the winter.

[@tectalabyss]

Great tips and looks very professional. Thank you for sharing. I am looking forward to more videos. Take care.

[@burgerbarasheville1268]

This is the most helpful video I have seen! All the other "DIY" videos I found were material ordered from a company. Aside from the bonus of saving money, I love making things myself because there is much more of a sense of accomplishment when working on projects for my little bar! Thank you so much because I was really sure where to begin on this project! ~Crystal

[@mamasharoni]

Love Asheville I have to find your bar we are in Marietta South Carolina 40 minutes away

[@mcjaegerful]

I've been wanting to make our screened in porch a 4 season porch to increase the square footage of my tiny house and this is a great guide! Thank you for posting and I will let you know how mine turns out.

[@razztazz1982]

Thanks for the tutorial! I was looking for this very project & yours turned out great.

[@AmitSingh_ct]

Brilliant !! and thank you. I just saved a thousand dollar watching this video,

[@rbraxley]

Good luck with the project.

[@pjdelarosa17]

Thank you so much for the easy instruction and variety of vids. I have many projects to do to repair/ improve my mobile home. I cannot afford to hire someone to do them, so I DIM. These teaching tools will help me get it right the first time!

[@AgentTweety]

I am thinking of doing this on the porch around my front door to cut wind and snow during winter. Thank you very much for this video!

[@SrSrk98]

we have already seen your video...now that we moved to another house, had to watch the video again today and make our screened porch ready for colder weather:) thank you:)

[@msmeganmole]

That was a fantastic presentation. Just what I was looking for to make my project. Thank you very much. Your screened porch looks professionally done.

[@mamasharoni]

Take a look at EZ screen it’s a track system that looks really clean and simple and you put it on the outside of the porch. Then for the screen itself I looked at invisible screen and it is fantastic. You can find all the stuff on the Internet

[@lindatorres9311]

Thank you for your tips, advice and knowledge! I've enclosed a small portion of my patio so far using your idea. More enclosing to come! Thanks again!

[@rbraxley]

Glad you found it useful. Good luck the rest of the way.

[@frannienn4215]

Great video! And, you've come up with such a tidy look. I'm going see if this will make my porch in Arizona usable this winter. Thank you for making this video - what a great help.

[@columbofly]

Still a relevant video years later! I had my deck screened-in two years ago and plan to use your method to help me sit out on my deck for as long as I can in the colder months.

[@TKH7399]

I'm curious how long it lasted for her. If it lasted for 2 years? It would be worth it. If it lasted longer? BIG bonus! I looked through the comments to see if she had updated the success of her creation and couldn't find any comments she made about that. Did you use this method with success?

[@columbofly]

Tamara It could last forever. I went a slightly different route and used marine snaps to secure the vinyl panels to my deck. It was a lot of work in the beginning but it was worth it. In the winter, after I install my vinyl panels, I use a small propane heater and after about 30 minutes my deck is nice and toasty. The only problem I have in the winter is the deck floor being cold. I can sit on the deck for several hours before my feet get to cold. Other than that, I’m glad that I did it! Will send a pic if I can figure out how to.

[@paularcher4607]

What a great instructor!!!

[@Vera-dc7my]

Fantastic you saved my day. I thank you. Excellent video.

[@hipretty]

I love it!!! 💗 I cannot stand the nasty screens on my porch. Thinking of stripping them all out and doing this!!! Thank you for sharing your creativity and this clever DIY!!! 💗🙏🌺

[@anythinginteresting7472]

Looks so easy to do, thanks for the video!

[@tycarter7668]

Thank you for posting this video. I can't wait to get started.

[@pervezdurrani3421]

Beautiful explained, May God bless you and your family.

[@frannienn4215]

I ordered tape from the vendor you used, and their price was good and delivery was the next business day, followed up with the tracking number. Good service!

[@sherrystacyrn3522]

I am so happy to have found this wonderful presentation! I've downsided into a +55 community and have a small balcony on the 2nd floor. Karen's instructions and video are exactly what I was hoping to find. I read the comments and believe for me and my situation the velcro is the way to go. Now, if anyone has an idea as to how I could have it extend "past my balcony" by 12 inches all the way around the outside.......that would be awesome. I have plants on the railing and I have hanging baskets I really wanted to keep as I grow some leafy greens. I live in NE Ga in Ringgold. The area that is open at my balcony that I wish to cover is 11 foot 7 inches across and 7 foot 5 inches down. There are so many wonderful helpful people with great ideas, thought someone can pass some ideas my way. If not, I'm doing it Karen's way! ....Gosh, I've been thing about this for months wondering how to block the constant cold winds at this apartment complex on a hill. .....It's nickname is Windy Hill! Thank-you for this video!! Ms Sherry

[@rbraxley]

Glad you like the video, and good luck. Maybe somebody can make a useful suggestion on your extension. We're in Athens, so not too far away.

[@sherrystacyrn3522]

Thank you, you're just down the road a piece.

[@epvendetta]

It's 2019. This is still excellent.

[@clintoliveira8698]

this is a light-weight solution and very well presented by the narrator. I recommend EnclosureGuy for your heavy weather applications.

[@vivianzinszer5322]

Thank you for the great idea and instructions!

[@tomboysuzecarroll5993]

Great job! Thanks so much. I'm doing something similar, but am making wood frames to fit into the existing wood frames. Your links are really helpful. Thank you again!

[@mamasharoni]

That’s an excellent idea! How did that work out? I see that you did this eight years ago. I’m in South Carolina and want to do the same with my plants and have a little sunny room during the winner. The frames are brilliant!

[@monamendiola1]

This was a great idea, I used it for my cargo trailer conversion for the back drop down door. Thank you so much for taking the time to put this video up

[@darktoadone5068]

That's a good idea, I live in the Southeast part of the US and every year I have a mess on my screened in porch due to pollen and it's such a pain to deal with. This would definitely help me.

[@BrodyMcCain]

You're a great teacher. Thank you. I learned a lot.

[@mistyeve9467]

This is nice. I was just thinking while watching her roll this out that I had seen this clear vinyl down on the rolls where I buy my table clothes. I have a small porch and was thinking of giving this a go.

[@rbraxley]

Good luck with your project.

[@belikeshanana]

Many thanks! This is very helpful.

[@Cniloticus]

Very helpful video! Thanks for posting! I'm going to give it a try!

[@karinholm807]

Fantastic video, thanks SO much for sharing!!✨

[@willieboy8798]

good job....young lady! i like the tape idea...

[@dorothyalderson5414]

Thank you for your video as I want to do the same thing to my porch. Very good directions and simple things to buy.

[@rbraxley]

Good luck with your project.

[@tammyrose6816]

I had thought about sewing fabric for the grommets but this seems much easier. Thanks. I also thought about velcro but havent had good luck even with the heavy duty stuff. I have yet to find one with glue that will stick long enough or endure heavy weights. Perhaps grommets with velcro added to give a seal. I may even check for magnetic strips as well just to seal out the air.

[@MrJoeyBoombotz]

What a beautiful job and video. Kudos.

[@buckhenry2431]

brilliant. i used the grommets only on top, creating a loop that i could put a pvc supported by a steel rod inside, across the top. curtain rod holders support that. I can manually roll the plastic windows up and tie them off (thru the grommet holes) when I want them up. they become inconspicous. the edges are attached by stainless marine snaps , the kind where one side screws into the wood frame, and the other side is hammered into the edge of the 20 g vinyl used for the enclosure. a radiant heater provides heat.

[@rbraxley]

Sounds like a great upgrade.

[@skylife459]

You Go Girl!!! Nice job 👍

[@jayallison8110]

Great instructional video. If you like this , search"How to enclose a porch with eze breeze windows." Less maintenance and you get year round use for a fraction of the cost of glass but still having the classy appearance of glass.

[@_mikishi_]

10 years later, I found this one. Thanks, I am going to do it.

[@wiregala8719]

very well explained ... thanks a lot

[@YourMom-bn9yu]

I love this lady.

[@laurieclarkson9180]

I really like the way they look! I have had AWFUL luck with diy grommet projects in the past so I'm glad to hear the velcro idea. Thank you for such a great video! You explain everything so well and I love that you tell us where to find the materials that you used. I love your porch. Does anyone have any tips on the best place/way to get an outdoor rug that will hold up and not cost a fortune?

[@sueashcut1280]

I think this is brilliant!

[@sueashcut1280]

I like it more for the keeping bugs out not the cold, but that's just me.

[@RobertPlattBell]

Nice job! Very clever!

[@synergyhypnosis8843]

This is a great idea! Thank you! I may see if I can find some clear vinyl shower curtains that already have the grommets in them and add more grommets as needed to the bottom.

[@rbraxley]

Hi. If we were starting today we would use industrial-strength velcro instead of the grommets. See other comments.

[@synergyhypnosis8843]

Thanks for the reply. How did the tape hold up? Would you use tape again to frame the vinyl or would you sew on something to frame the vinyl?

[@rbraxley]

Hi. The tape has held up pretty well, but as mentioned, we would use velcro if we were starting over. We might still use tape to dress the edges, but I'm not sure of that.

[@CandycaneBeyond]

@@rbraxley I would prefer hooks to mount, that way I can put up and take down easier. I think doing this over and over each year would ruin the original holes eventually. I bought rolled shades for inside to keep most thunderstorms and summer rain out. Only gets wet on edge.

[@rbraxley]

@@CandycaneBeyond Interesting idea. What kind of climate do you live in?

[@PoolBoysTX1]

Woman and power tools.... Great combo... nice work...

[@zzzcozumel]

I put my vinyl up using the spline on the lower sections. I left screen up on top where wide roof eves protected the porch from Florida rain.Water used to flood directly onto the floor when tropical storms were torrential. The vinyl waterproofed very well. The hot sun would eventually cause the vinyl to become brittle. Replacement no big deal.

[@Handmemoretramadol]

Excellent thanks for sharing going to go get some supplies and do the same

[@anav.3483]

Great tutorial!

[@lilyred8120]

Great ideas. After my husband died, I built a screened porch off my bedroom. It is open on three sides and I have a SpaBerry hot tub out there on concrete flooring. My dilemma has been rain blowing straight thru the porch, the cold in the winter and the awful yellow pollen in the spring. I think I can do this. Sometimes have terrible winds, though. I'm in the middle South, winters are not bad but do have some cold months. Brrrrr. Thanks so much for this idea. I had looked at ordering curtain weight canvas "tarps" but getting the different sizes cut was cost prohibitive. I could get the material and do it myself, I guess.

[@rbraxley]

+lilyred Hi. Yes, we have "yellow" season too. Hard to describe to someone who has never lived through it. Good luck with your project.

[@alanajoyal]

Thank you for making this video!

[@rbraxley]

You're welcome.

[@notmyhome]

Good on you, well done!

[@rbraxley]

Glad to hear it. Wish we got a commssion. Sounds like you too have wrapped your porch.

[@JulianMitchellJBnet]

And by the way....we are happily using this solution right now. Our porch is large, but one small natural gas heater from Northern tool raised the temperature 12 degrees in the porch yesterday. So instead of a room that was unusable at 58 degrees, we had a useable room at 70. If you sit nearer the heater it works to a much lower temp. We also have a stand up propane heater that in conjunction with the NG one allowed us to use the porch at New Years when it was more like 40 degrees out!

[@vinessacampbell3337]

I luv your idea. The only thing I might do to install it. Is I would use two sided tape to hang it before I put the screws to secure it. Enjoyed your video.

[@azimmey]

impressed! good job and thanks

[@thepracticalaudiophile]

Excellent. Thank You.

[@MSCLOVERCT]

Thanks I just had a I call it sun room built and wanted to find some way of using it in the winter. I think you gave me just what I need. I also live in Ga. I'll let you know how it turns out.

[@rbraxley]

Good luck with your project.

[@lolajohnson3675]

Enjoyed your video ... We put shrink plastic up EVERY ( :) ) year looks great & usually last all year if a bird doesn't decide to fly into it ... very clear , just like glass . After watching this we may try using the material's you have used , we have to throw away the shrink plastic each yr. ... Thanks again

[@lolajohnson3675]

You could also apply some double stick tape on the back side of the duct tape to help to seal it

[@rbraxley]

lola johnson Interesting. How do you keep the shrink wrap up? That is, how to you fix it to the frame of the porch?

[@94757598494309438]

Good Job/ Good Video! Exactly what I plan to do!

[@cassandragriffin3793]

Thanks for posting this. I paid to have someone install plastic on in my screened breezeway and it come down the next morning. Last year I tried to use clear vinyl shower curtains on a rod to enclose the screens, but it didn't work. I am going to try it again using the tape around the edges and the screws at the top like you suggested.

[@cassandragriffin3793]

My vinyl panels were installed a week ago and it looks great. I used shower curtains since they already had the grommets at the top. The handy man added grommets to the bottom to hold it in place. My concern is whether the curtains will be able to survive the cold winter weather in Chicago. I purchased a small space heated for that space. I tried it last night on low and it was still very cold in my breezeway. I will have to adjust the temp. Anyone ever have the vinyl crack?

[@lisagronke727]

Looks great. Thank you for sharing. This is a great help. I hope I can do as well!

[@stevencurry9349]

Well done .

[@rexrexerest5023]

Good video, good idea, thanks.

[@juliadawnyel4331]

I went with shower curtain then. Old wooden shutters worked great

[@rbraxley]

Hi Kurt. Actually, the panels have held up well, though we have lost a couple of the grommets, which we'll "patch" when we re-hang in a couple of weeks. While we do get below 40 degrees, we don't get much hard cold here. Interesting idea about the velcro.

[@MushtaQ_Q]

Good job lady thanks

[@amberjay5361]

Thank you so much!

[@Mollysky1]

Brilliant!!! Thank you! (And BRAVA!)

[@rbraxley]

Glad you liked it.

[@Sanzarmaan]

Thanks for the video

[@rbraxley]

Hello. As mentioned elsewhere, we live in the Deep South, so we're not really faced with serious cold. If we are, we hibernate. The vinyl wraps do keep the porch warmer that it would be otherwise, so we consider them a success.

[@carolynzuniga645]

Awesome!

[@JDela-le2kp]

great idea good work

[@rbraxley]

Hi. Agreed. The approach we took works well for our mild climate, but don't think it would make much difference in a really cold region.

[@EricJRW]

I'm undertaking a similar project, but I opted to use snaps to hold the windows in place. Initially I was going to use turn-buttons (aka "common sense fastener"), but the cost of these proved prohibitive ($1.40 ~ $2.40 ea). It also requires a $50 tool to cut the oval holes. 100 snap studs, with wood screws, are $14. The other parts are even less. I'm using "gypsy" studs for where the window overlap. It's more work, but it solves the "what about the screw holes?" problem. I used Rochford Supply.

[@1lefty123]

Awesome video and instructions. My only concern is the glue on the tape separating in the heat.

[@flyingcat2054]

Nice job! I have a heavy duty frame greenhouse we use for sitting, but have a reflective tarp over roof. The biggest problem is sun will destroy any plastic within 2 years, and if using in winter, need tightly sealed plastic/edges, which gromments wont work for that, wind goes through. I have to replace one panel of my green house, and am looking for something that has uv block in the plastic before doing the labor on this. Even outdoor fabrics get trashed by sun in 2 yrs. Again, a fabric thatcan handle sunlight, so not to replace every two years.

[@profitprofit19]

Awesome..!

[@38gastricbypass]

Hello, I had this idea for recovering a 10x20 pop up gazebo. The finish was beautiful and I was able to make it water tight with the gorrila glue and some silicone. My only caution is that this material is not for what we used it for. With that being said it did not last long for me 1 year tops. The best material is the vinyl used for marine enclosures. Their material has uv resistance and has water repellent as well. It is very expensive and lasts years.

[@rbraxley]

Hi Quigley. Cannot really answer your question. We live in the Deep South, so we don't bother to heat the porch, though we can bring out a couple of ceramic heaters for "spot" heating on colder days. I can say the the vinyl panels did have a noticeable effect on keeping the porch warmer, but we're just not faced with very many really cold days. If it's really cold (by our standards) we just chicken out, but this did allow us to use the porch throughout the winter. Good luck.

[@rbraxley]

Comedy Rules, I should point out that the video is NOT endorsed by the College of Education. That's where I work, and (unfortunately) the KZbin accounts are linked. I responded to another comment and, too late, realized I was not in my personal account. Oh well. FWIW, the vinyl still looks good, but we don't leave it up during the warm months. We roll the sections for storage, as opposed to folding. Yes, vinyl does age over time, no doubt. We do not pretend that this solution will turn a screened porch into an indoor room. We live in a mild climate and using the wraps allows us to enjoy the porch for more of the year. It's early Nov and we haven't yet put the wraps on for the winter, but probably will in a week or two. If we were to start over today, we would consider using velcro instead of the grommet and deck screw method, which does not provide a tight seal. No auto parts on my front lawn, even if I do live in the Deep South.

[@lindacirillo2089]

+rbraxley AHA,,, VELCRO!!!!!!!! GLAD I READ THIS,,,,BECAUSE I AM GOING TO ATTEMPT THIS,,,,,THAT IS VERY HELPFUL

[@vikikis]

+rbraxley What size are the grommets?

[@UGACOEducation]

+vikikis Don't honestly remember, but they were a standard size purchased from Home Depot or Lowes. They were a little larger than the head size of a standard deck screw. As mentioned elsewhere in this discussion, we would use velcro instead of the grommets if we were starting the project today. That would be more expensive though, and the grommets have done the job. Velcro would make it easier to put up and take down, and would provide a smoother look.

[@vikikis]

+The University of Georgia College of Education Would you glue velcro to the tape (tape, which you have added on the PVC) or sew it on the PVC? I am concerned, because at winter temperatures drop to -20 degrees and glue could work only for year.

[@jmartin9059]

At minus 20 "the vinyl may become brittle and crack apart". Perhaps you should Consider Lexan or Plexi-Glass.

[@willrothfuss]

Ah, Pro-gaffe! Gaffer's tape. I'm in the business (entertainment) and this is our go to product.

[@KMB950]

Here's something I forgot to mention in the video: Don't fold the vinyl! If you fold it, you will get visible fold marks. Also, don't roll up the vinyl and leave it rolled up for more than a few minutes unless you leave the backing paper in place. Rolled-up vinyl will collapse on itself and will also leave visible marks.

[@tomiko2683]

so how do you store it for the off season?

[@jaysin3690]

Heat gun restores those marks . Low and slow with the heat

[@kimevans3151]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video. The thing that concerns me is making holes in the wood of the outside of the deck. When you take it down, are there visible holes from the desk screws? Otherwise, great job to you.

[@Weisz82]

great Job

[@yashhalvawala]

Thanks for sharing this idea, may be i could use it in my flat during rainy season. By the way which soundtrack it is in background !!!