How to Protect and Extend the Life of Your Sunroom or Screened Porch

We all love the outdoors and screened in porches are a very popular feature of country and summer homes. Unfortunately, unless these rooms are protected, they can suffer from wood rot or termites within 7 years of installation. Here are some simple and inexpensive ways to take preventive measures so you can enjoy your investment for years to come.

Within five to seven years after installation, wood will rot if wood surfaces are exposed to water. I’m sure when you added that screened porch you had visions of it lasting much longer than 5-7 years! Unless you take the proper steps to stop it, your wood floors and beams will slowly begin to deteriorate.

Wood rot is accelerated even faster if there is mold and mildew on the surface of the wooden sections of your porch or screened room. Paint is never enough to prevent or slow down the decomposition process. Surfaces that are repeatedly exposed to the elements will undoubtedly rot if you allow them to be exposed to the elements.

Not only do you have to worry about wood rot, but when moisture continually seeps into the components of any wood surface, the area will eventually attract termites to your home. Termites thrive in the presence of wood and moisture, and are often difficult to detect until it’s too late and your home has become structurally unstable.

One of the easiest ways to prevent this is to put removable clear vinyl curtains on your screened porch. During rainy days and winter months, you can put the curtains in place to keep the inside of your porch nice and dry. No snow will seep in the winter and the rains will stay outside.

Not only will this keep your wood nice and dry to prevent wood rot and termites, it will also prevent mold from growing in your screened room. Mold can be very unhealthy, and long-term exposure can pose health risks for many people. It will also keep your furniture in the room smelling fresher. Nothing is worse than sitting on a moldy, smelly couch! Once this happens, you will find that you no longer spend time in the room. What a shame, as it was an expensive and long-awaited addition to the house or cabin.

Outdoor curtains and vinyl panels can keep your outdoor space looking new for years to come. You’ll be able to enjoy the space rain or shine and won’t have to worry about wood rot or mold and mildew.