Patio screen enclosureComponents used in a patio screen enclosure
Most screen enclosures are built up out of 3 components. "C-Channels", "H-Bars" and "Corner Bars". These pieces, all made of aluminum are usually made by the same company that makes aluminum storm doors, so everything will fit together.The contractor needs to accurately measure the space for the patio screen enclosure and then the storm door manufacturer provides all the necessary lengths of C Channels, H Bars and Corner Bars necessary to make the whole enclosure go together. That makes it easier for the contractor, who now puts the whole enclosure together like a giant erector or construction set. The contractor usually only has to be concerned about how the roof will be constructed. On many porch and patio enclosures, there is often an existing roof so it just becomes necessary to cut the various bars to fit. The picture shows a typical "C-Channel". In this porch enclosure system, the parts are all designed to work with a 1 3/4" storm door extrusion. The C Channels are laid on the concrete slab that makes up the foundation and also are screwed directly to any vertical brick walls as required. C Channels are also used to enclose the top of the enclosure where it meets the existing roof. Once one panel is screwed in placed in the C Channel, An "H Bar" as shown in the picture is used to join the panels together. Sheet metal screws are installed right through the H Bar into the panels, and then covered with decorative plastic caps to conceal them. H Bars are used in between all the panels and also along the top, if there are any transom or additional panels above. Agian sheet metal screws go right through the corners into the panels to secure them in place. With these different shapes a contractor can quickly fabricate an enclosure to fit just about any available space. Care has to be taken if the space to be enclosed is over 8 feet high. It may be necessary to install reinforcing for the porch enclosure if large amounts of glass need to be supported. This is usually accomplished by building wooden beams into the porch enclosure, and capping them with aluminum to match the rest of the enclosure. Porch Enclosure Colours and StylesOne of the nice things about aluminum porch enclosures is that they are available in a variety of colours that never need painting. Once installed just periodic washing with soap and water is all thats necessary.Wooden porch enclosures are beautiful in their own right but do require more maintenance. Water will get into a wooden enclosure over time no matter how good the joinery is. I have a number to references for good patio screen enclosure installers for the Greater Toronto Area in Ontario, Canada. They all use the enclosure components pictured on this page. If you would like me to have them contact you, please use the contact form below. Where to get Porch EnclosuresFor more information check the screen houses page here: Screen houses page Click the patio screen enclosure link to get back to the home page.
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Once the perimeter of the porch enclosure has been laid out with C Channels, The panels can start being installed. The panels will usually be all the same height and, if its a big enclosure, will be similiar widths. The panels are set up with a single hung vertical storm window with screen and a decorative kick plate below. Although they can be made entirely with glass, or screen or in whatever configuration is desired.
At the corners of the porch enclosure a "Corner Bar" is used. These are vertical bars designed to join panels at right angles. They make a nice tidy looking corner. 
