I've never screened, but I've seen how it's done windows and stuff. Just roll the screen out, press the seal in with a bead roller. Screen rooms are stretched pretty tight though. Wondering if I can do the sides myself and just pay someone to do the top panels. I'm not climbing up on those posts, let someone else kill themselves.

<center><img src="http://68.202.219.86/Backofhouse.jpg"></center><p>Doing it in July really didn't help either.

How many sq feet are you looking at? The top panels we did in a day using 2 extension ladders (the guy I got the quote from - $2500btw - said they would get up on it to do it.. no way it would support my 210lbs ass) and one A ladder on the ends. The sides took 2.5 more solid days of work, that included trimming it all off and doing the roof junction and doors/weird areas.

Total cost was $650, including food for my dad and a friend :-)

And there is only 3 sides and 2 rows on the top. How hard is the actual process of removing old screen and then putting new screen in? How do you stretch it tight, or did you just lay it in and not worry about it being too tight? I'm looking to do this during the next month or two if I do it myself.

That shouldn't be bad at all.

Old screen is easy to get out, just rip it out and the spline... Then make sure you clean out the tracks with a nose with a nozzle on it.

The new screen -
lay an entire panel length out and get it somewhat lined up (need 2 people).. Then start from one end and press the spline in with the roller (get the big plastic roller, not the little wood one, and use whichever end fits you better.. there is concave and convex rollers on the same tool)...
Make sure it is going straight, and get one side in... Then bring the other side to the opposite track and lay it over the channel, and press the spline in and roll that in. it will tighten up A LOT (!) to the point you think it's coming out at the other end. In the winter you want to do it real tight, as the summer will warm and stretch it out and slack it.

Also, lay the spline out in the sun for 30 mins or so to get it warm, or put it in a 130 degree over for 10 mins... If not it is a PITA to get in, cold.

I did mine and am very happy with it. You can go by the house and look at it if you want.

Screen is about $75 for a 6x100 foot roll. Spline is $8 for a roll of 100..

My quote is for Phifer 18/14 charcoal, I think I've seen that at Home Depot, but never looked at big rolls.

Figure I can get enough to do one or two panels and see how it goes.

Get a 25' roll and try it out..I have the tool ($9) if you wanna borrow it.

You said you used 2 ladders? Put some wood between them to make scaffolding?

then move ladder, do another 6 feet.. I never got on top of it or scaffolded... The pro's would have put scaffolding about 4 feet under the top adn then just walked on it rather than used and moved ladders.

but scaffolding was $500-700 to rent. Ouch.

that you may have to pull a permit or something in which case you have to have a contractors license? anyone know anything further

I believe you will need to pull a permit, as I notice on my property deed that "screen enclosure" is noted when built, even with the pool added on (so it is a separate permit).. I imagine it is because it is a structure attached to the house; you would probably need plans for it and get them signed off by a professional engineer (PE sign-off, if you need one I have a friend in Orlando that can do it).

It would not be that hard with a few folks...Just time consuming to plan and get materials ready.

Mike Mitrook had about 1,000 sq feet completely done for $3k or so. Came out real nice.

put in the hot tub and try it out for a while and see how bad mosquitos get. Fingers crossed hopefully their not that bad. But knowing florida they probably will and either way it would definatley increase property value to add one

Screened in are higher, but nowhere near as much as cool wood deck would be.