How to Make Snap-On Enclosure Panels for a Screen Porch

This tutorial video shows how to make snap-on screen porch window enclosure panels from clear vinyl. Prolong the seasonal use of your screened-in porch by adding protection from cold weather. Installing vinyl enclosure panels over your screened windows can, in some cases, make it possible to use your porch even in the dead of winter, as it helps to block out the cold and traps heat from the sun. Easy to snap up and remove when not needed, the enclosure panels are not meant to be airtight, but they will still do an outstanding job of protecting your porch from the elements. You can easily make them with supplies and tools from Sailrite. Let’s get started.
CHAPTERS LIST:
Intro - 0:00
Measuring for Snap-On Panel - 0:51
Measuring & Cutting Materials - 1:39
Hemming Perimeter facings - 4:48
Basting & Sewing Top & Bottom Facings - 7:57
Basting & Sewing Side Facings - 13:24
Installing Snaps - 16:18
Installing Enclosure Panel - 19:33
Materials & Tools List - 22:58
MATERIALS LIST:
Strataglass™ 30 Gauge Vinyl Window Material 54" x 110" Clear - SKU: 791123 - www.sailrite.com/Clear-Vinyl-...
Weblon Regatta® White 62" Vinyl Fabric - SKU: 624171 - www.sailrite.com/Brand/Weblon...
Seamstick 3/8" Basting Tape for Sailmaking & Vinyl (50 yds.) - SKU: 659 - www.sailrite.com/Seamstick-3-...
V-92 Natural UV Bonded Polyester Thread 4 oz. (1,350 yds.) - SKU: 106386 - www.sailrite.com/Thread-V-92-...
DOT® Snap Fastener Cloth-to-Surface Set 3/8" Screw (Stainless Steel) - SKU: 444002 - www.sailrite.com/Snap-Fastene...
TOOLS LIST:
Scribe-All® Black Marking Pencil for Vinyl - SKU: 121977 - www.sailrite.com/Scribe-All-W...
Professional Stainless Steel 10" Scissors - SKU: 123615 - www.sailrite.com/Professional...
Clear Acrylic Ruler 6" x 24" - SKU: 102400 - www.sailrite.com/Clear-Acryli...
Sailrite® Ultrafeed® LSZ-1 PREMIUM Sewing Machine With WorkerB® Power Pack (110V) - SKU: 311603 - www.sailrite.com/Sailrite-Ult...
Sailrite® Ultrafeed® Industrial Sewing Table - SKU: 120934 - www.sailrite.com/Sailrite-Ult...
Sailrite® Canvas Patterning Ruler - SKU: 107040 - www.sailrite.com/Sailrite-Can...
Pres-N-Snap Installation Tool - SKU: 109011 - www.sailrite.com/Pres-N-Snap-...
Sailrite® Snap Fastener Deluxe Installation Tool - SKU: 100949 - www.sailrite.com/snap-fastene...
Sailrite® Snap Fastener Deluxe Installation Tool - SKU: 100949 - www.sailrite.com/snap-fastene...
Snap Fastener Installation Tool - SKU: 25204 - www.sailrite.com/Snap-Fastene...
Sailrite® Drill Hole Cutter Set - SKU: 121825 - www.sailrite.com/Sailrite-Dri...
Barry King Mallet Hammer Style 3# - SKU: 68563 - www.sailrite.com/Mallet-Hamme...
Drill, Tape Measure, Pencil, T-Square
ALTERNATE ROLL UP WINDOW CURTAIN TUTORIAL:
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[@tom_olofsson]

This video just saved me over 1,000 staples per year. I have been stapling plastic to my porch windows for years. This is a huge time saver. Thanks.

[@ckrose09]

Almost done building our screened in porch and wanted to make storm windows. This alternative will save us so much since each panel of plexiglass would cost us $77!

[@karenreneelyles261]

I love watching your videos. You explain what you are doing and give tips along the way. Does not sound scripted yet very detailed. Thank you!

[@SailriteDIY]

Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm glad you find my videos helpful and detailed. It means a lot to me that you appreciate the effort I put into explaining things and giving tips along the way. Your support keeps me motivated to create more content!

[@cwlesli]

These home improvement projects are my favorite yet!

[@bradlafferty]

Excellent tutorial! Great way of explaining and guiding the learning. Thank you!

[@chofbrighton7014]

Excellent idea. Thank you for sharing.

[@SailriteDIY]

Thanks! I'll take credit for the idea, but the real magic is in your execution.

[@chaneyfarm]

I have learned so much from your videos. Thank you for making the time to share your knowledge. It's a good thing! ;)

[@giniloua]

I wish I had all the tools you have to so what you have done here. Wow. I have an aluminum patio for my screen. No way I could do this, but wish I could. I am a 76 year old widow, and want something like this on my patio for winter, but don't know who could do this or something similar. I put clear plastic up by myself with packaging tape. Duct tape left too much sticky behind when I took it down. You are welcome to come to Tyler Tx and do this for me!! LOL. Awesome.

[@SailriteDIY]

Haha! I wish I could teleport myself to Tyler, Tx to help you with your patio project! You could contact a sewing friend and have them watch the video to see if they would be willing to do it for you.

[@johnmdiscenza8162]

They look great. By installing the side facings first with only sewing the inside stitch ,then the top and bottom facings sewing completely around the outside edge. Then finish off by sewing the inside edge of the top and bottom facings. This will give you a finished outside edge around the panel.

[@avalisha]

I just finished making my panels and this was such a worthwhile project!!

[@SailriteDIY]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! It means a lot to me that my video inspired you to take on this project and find it worthwhile.

[@avalisha]

@@SailriteDIY I'd love to share a photo of it. It's so wonderful to have a warm porch now!!

[@SailriteDIY]

@@avalisha Feel free to send an image to [e-mail], we would love to see how it turned out.

[@ryanmcclellan4741]

Would love to see a tutorial on truck seat covers! I'm sure you guys carry fabrics perfect for this application!

[@SailriteDIY]

Does this work? kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZLQn62koq2NeqM

[@monawize1]

This is brilliant! Thank you!!!❤

[@SailriteDIY]

You're welcome! Just doing my part to make the world a little more brilliant. 😄

[@sandrapetrovich8894]

Excellent idea. Looks seamless. Thank you! You're a great teacher!

[@jouansbloggerman9977]

🙏👍😀 thanks 😊

[@donnabarbaro]

I only have a residential sewing machine and my sewing skills are pretty bad - my machine and I have a love-hate affair for MANY years, so can these be made using only the double-sided tape to secure the edges? I want to use the panels on frames for my chicken enclosure and we already bought a roll of 20 gauge vinyl. I would purchase from you the vinyl for the edge facing and the snaps. The video is amazing and your instruction is perfect and easy to follow.

[@Ifailedeverything]

If you do a lot of sewing on vinyl they make Teflon tape, anywhere notions are sold, to stick onto your stitch plate and your presser foot to prevent sticking.

[@SailriteDIY]

Yes, that can help with a non-walking foot sewing machine. Good suggestion.

[@jimevans5956]

Great video - thank you for posting it. Why did you use Strataglass for this project? It's almost twice the price of other 30 gauge vinyl such as Crystal Clear or Regalite.

[@laniec.f.2531]

We are looking for similar ideas for our porch-type area (in Maine), but I wonder if the wind or snow would damage these things? They are the exact type of thing we need - see through and easy on/off for seasons. I only have a sewing machine that is for in-home use, although I might be able to get my treadle Singer to work. We'll ponder it and see if this could work - price wise and functionality. Excellent video - well done, simple to understand. Thank you.

[@lynnestreick8486]

I use corrugated white plastic Home Depot sheets cut to fit snug into our wood frames of our summer enclosed porch. I do use longish nails stop them from blowing out during winter storms. Come spring I pull the nails, remove the corrugated plastic sheets & out the white plastic blinds back up. Have used the sheets for over 10 years.

[@wadecoffie7255]

Would 45 mph wind gusts blow these snap on panels away? We have very windy conditions during the winter.

[@calilivin4963]

Hey great video ! I was wondering if you think itd be possible to add tint or something like tint to this?

[@SailriteDIY]

Some higher quality clear vinyls have a slight tint. Like this one: www.sailrite.com/Crystal-Clear-40-Gauge-Vinyl-Window-Material-54-x-111-Light-Smoke

[@TonyMuniz-ec3ri]

how does it do with high winds. here in las animas colorado we have 60 to 70 mph winds some times.

[@mjremy2605]

That was very helpful and a great system! I will be doing this to my screen door which has mesh for summer ventilation but a pain in winter. Very clever system! Your sewing skills need fine tuning. And the backing strips are poorly planned out with gaps in between. I would have done that slower with more precision so it looked seamless.

[@SailriteDIY]

Thank you for your feedback! I appreciate your honesty and will definitely work on improving my sewing skills for future projects.

[@bonogden2642]

Are there covers for the screws when the plastic is not installed? Would look nice to have white plastic covers to blend in with my porch exterior

[@SailriteDIY]

You may want to consider these covers for screws: www.sailrite.com/search?keywords=screw%20cover

[@goldenguy62]

What size needle? I’m trying to follow as close to your instructions as possible but you have not mentioned needle size.

[@SailriteDIY]

We are using a V-92 Polyester Thread with a size #20 needle.

[@meh9682]

How is tool you used different from the "snap tool system " on site? Thanks

[@63tartaruga]

mi spiace immensamente capire poco i video pur avendo comprato la PRIMIUM blu pervhè èoytri usarla di piu... perche traduzione video non è sempre capibile

[@FlyNineVictor]

Hi, I want to let you know that I am quitting KZbin due to their excessive ads. I'm unsubscribing from all my channels to hopefully send KZbin a message. Best of luck to you