How To Enclose A Porch With Plexiglass in 6 Steps

While enclosing a porch can be expensive, it doesn’t need to be – especially if you take a DIY approach and enclose your porch using plexiglass. Not only is this an affordable way to enclose your porch, but it will also shelter you from the elements during the winter months.

To enclose your porch using plexiglass, you’ll need to measure your porch’s screen sections and purchase plexiglass sheets. During the winter months, these plexiglass sheets can be attached to your porch’s existing structure using nails. It is easy to remove the plexiglass sheets during the summer.

If you want to enclose your porch using plexiglass, we’ll break down everything you need to know! Once we’ve explained how you can do this, we’ll guide you through the step-by-step process and outline the benefits of using plexiglass to enclose a porch.

How To Enclose A Porch With Plexiglass in 6 Steps

How Can You Enclose A Porch With Plexiglass?

One of the primary functions of porches is to protect you from the elements when entering your home. In fact, the word ‘porch’ is derived from ‘portico’ and refers to a building appendage supported by columns. The roof of a porch allows it to protect you – but in the winter, that may not be enough!

To increase the effectiveness of your porch, you can enclose it. The national average for basic porch enclosures is around $1200, while the national average for high-end enclosures is around $13,000. Naturally, it can cost even more than this to enclose your porch – but it can also be a lot more affordable!

Plexiglass is a fantastic alternative to enclose your porch, especially during the colder months. Using plexiglass is an inexpensive and simple way to enclose your porch. Not only will this help during the winter by sheltering you from the elements, but it can keep bugs away and increase your porch’s privacy. During the hotter months, plexiglass sheets are easy to take down.

Plexiglass can fit into the existing spaces of your porch by attaching them directly to your porch structure using nails. While you’ll need to measure the dimensions of your porch, this process is compatible with most roofed porches. If you want to attach plexiglass sheets between your porch’s existing vertical beams, you can follow the steps outlined in the following section.

We also have articles on screening in a porch that be useful at this stage as well. You can check them out on the links below and above.

Enclose A Porch With Plexiglass In 6 Steps

To enclose your porch using plexiglass sheets, you can follow these six simple steps!

Step One: Gather Your Supplies

To enclose your porch with plexiglass, you’ll need the following DIY supplies:

Measuring tape
Drill and drill bit
Hammer and nail
Plexiglass sheets
- Clear and frosted plexiglass sheets are available in many sizes to accommodate your porch’s screen section dimensions.
Tool to cut plexiglass sheets (if necessary)

Step Two: Measure Your Porch’s Screen Sections

Before you enclose your porch, you’ll need to measure the width and height of each screen section. As you measure these sections, make sure to write the measurements down. To ensure your plexiglass sheets are large enough to cover each section, you should add 4-inches to the height and width of each measurement.

Step Three: Prepare Your Plexiglass Sheets

Since plexiglass sheets are available to purchase in many different sizes and thicknesses, you should be able to find the right size plexiglass sheets to cover your porch’s screen sections. If your plexiglass sheets are too large, there are many tools that can be used to cut them to the appropriate sizes.

Step Four: Drill Clearance Holes In The Plexiglass Sheets

To ensure your nails don’t crack your plexiglass sheets, you should drill clearance holes in the sheets. The drill bit you use should be the same diameter as the nail you plan on using to attach the plexiglass to your porch structure. You should drill clearance holes in all the corners of your plexiglass sheets.

Step Five: Nail The Top Of The Plexiglass To Your Porch

You may need someone to help hold the plexiglass sheets in place while you hammer the nails into the top clearance holes. Once you’ve hammered a nail by the top right clearance hole, you can nail the top left side.

Step Six: Nail The Bottom Section Of The Plexiglass

Once you’ve nailed the top section of a plexiglass sheet to your porch’s structure, you’ll need to hammer the bottom section of the sheets. Once the four corners have been nailed, the plexiglass sheet will be fixed to that section of your porch. You’ll need to repeat Step Five and Step Six for each screen section until your porch is fully enclosed.

Advantages Of Enclosing Your Porch With Plexiglass

If you’re wondering about the advantages of using plexiglass to enclose your porch, this is what you should know about this popular DIY material!

#1: Affordability

One of the main advantages of plexiglass is its affordability. Plexiglass sheets are inexpensive to purchase and come in various sizes and thicknesses.

#2: Strength And Durability

Plexiglass sheeting is very durable, especially against harsh weather conditions. Of course, the strength and durability of plexiglass can make it a fantastic choice for enclosing your porch during the winter.

#3: Clarity

The optical clarity is another fantastic benefit of plexiglass. By using this material to enclose your porch, you won’t be sacrificing the view from your porch! Plexiglass panels can be purchased as clear panels if you want clarity. If you prefer privacy, you can opt for frosted plexiglass.

#4: Easy To Use

Due to the lightweight nature of plexiglass, it’s easy to use and install. Despite the toughness of plexiglass, it can be cut with many common workshop tools. Ultimately, these properties make plexiglass a great material to use when enclosing your porch by yourself.

Conclusion

Plexiglass is an affordable material that can be used to enclose your porch during the winter. By measuring your porch’s screen sections and purchasing the right size plexiglass sheets, you can nail the sheets to your porch’s existing structure during the winter months. During the summer, you can easily remove these plexiglass sheets.

How To Enclose A Porch With Plexiglass in 6 Steps

How Can You Enclose A Porch With Plexiglass?