screen edge battens

[wreckwriter]

Hi guys,

My hurricane porch rebuild project is finally near completion. I'll be screening soon!

Its a wood frame and I'll be attaching screen with staples then covering the edges with something. Therein lies the point of this post.

I still haven't found the perfect material to cover the edges of the screen where the staples will be. I need something that can be had in widths to cover both 4x4 and 2x4 edges. I want something thin enough that it won't look odd but thick enough that it won't want to curl after exposure to weather. It will be primed and painted.

I wanted to use "screentight" which is plastic spline channels which are attached to the wood frame but they cost like they were solid gold instead of plastic. I can't justify, or afford, dumping $1000 to attach screen.

I've considered just plain trim boards, and that's the likely answer but thought I'd throw it up here and see if anyone has better ideas.

[just4funsies]

I did one way back when, and just used plain trim boards painted to match the framing. Looked fine, and are easy enough to take off (if you attach with finish nails), which is something you sometimes have to do to replace or re-stretch the screen. For a little more flair, you can bead the surface of the boards with a router or shaper, or even get them already milled that way. You'd probably want to miter the corners if you use beaded trim.

[9johnny5]

Hey wreckwriter -

I was thinking either rip 1/8" thickness lengths from 2X4 material, miter the corners and finish nail, OR you could use some preformed composite molding cut to length, mitered corners and finish nailed to affix. (That way you could find some with beading/detail work already on it).

Just the first couple of ideas...HTH.
johnny

[wreckwriter]

Thanks guys. Those are both possibilities I'm considering. Just had another idea, let me run it by you.....

I was thinking I could build aluminum frames, basically like window screens, and screw them onto the posts. It seems the materials can be had easily. Found this site: http://www.azpartsmaster.com/shopazp...een+Frame.html offering tracks and corners in various colors, including white to match my wood. They stand 3/8" high and are 3/4" wide. The 3/4" would give me plenty room to drill and attach with screws.

What you think guys, any chance this would look decent or is this a weird idea??

[wreckwriter]

I just found a much cheaper source for the Screentight channels. I may be able to go that way after all.... Sorry for wasting your time.