2" Screened In Porch Systems
Installation manual for the 2" screened in porch kits with existing cover in place.
Thank you for purchasing a ScreenHouse
DIY Porch and Patio Screen Wall Kit
Quality & Warranty
Your enclosure has been designed and engineered with over 20 years of commercial and residential experience. It is proudly manufactured in the USA from responsibly sourced materials at the state-of-the-art facilities of Superior Mason and Four Seasons Building Products.
Your purchase is backed by one of the best warranties in the industry:
Insulated panels: Limited 15-year warranty
Aluminum extrusions: Limited lifetime warranty
Disclaimer
This guide is intended to assist you with installation, but every existing structure is unique and may present conditions we cannot fully address here. Fortunately, this kit is highly adaptable, and most errors can be corrected using the materials supplied.
Successful assembly requires patience and common sense. If you are unsure at any stage, our support team is only a call or email away. Additional resources—including a reference cut sheet, 3D model, and detailed drawings (plan view, roof view, elevation view, etc.)—are available in the customer portal or by request.
Please note: we cannot be held responsible for errors resulting from incorrect cuts to materials.
PLEASE READ AND REVIEW COMPLETE INSTALLATION GUIDE STEP-BY-STEP
Installation Basics #
We recommend 1–3 physically fit individuals with some DIY experience for this project. With proper planning, most installations can be completed in 1–2 days, depending on the size of the enclosure.
Before you begin:
Read this installation guide carefully and make sure you understand each step before starting.
Gather all of the recommended tools listed in this guide—they are required for a successful installation.
Keep in mind that some components may need to be trimmed or adjusted to fit your structure’s specific layout.
Always review this guide together with the custom layout drawing provided with your quote.
Note:
This guide covers porch screening kits using the 2" wall system for a walls-only installation with an existing roof.
If your quote specifies the 2x3 wall system or a full enclosure with roof, please refer to the correct installation manual for your configuration.
Safety First:
Inspect your project area before beginning work. Identify and avoid any hazards such as electrical lines, outlets, or other obstacles.
Do not begin installation until the project area is completely safe.
Tools You’ll Need
The tools below are recommended (and in some cases required) to ensure a smooth and successful installation. Tools are not included with your kit. Because each project and site is unique, review this list alongside your custom layout and call our support team at 1-800-922-4760 if you have any questions.
1–2 friends to assist with installation
4 ft. carpenter’s level
Carpenter’s square
Chalk line (for marking U-channel locations)
Cordless drill / nut driver
Caulking gun
Chop saw with a metal-cutting blade (required for precise cuts)
Ladders
Masonry bits (for drilling into concrete) and masonry fasteners (if needed)
Metal file (to smooth cut edges)
Hammer
Screwdrivers
Drill
Tape measure
Utility knife (box knife)
Work gloves
Safety glasses
Materials
#Before beginning installation, carefully inventory all materials received with your shipment. Do this at a safe distance from your work area to keep parts organized and undamaged.
Each step in this manual will reference the components needed for that task. Because every room is custom, not all items listed here will be included in your order. A room-specific materials list and cut sheet are available through the customer portal or can be requested by email.
Note: While we make every effort to keep this list current, some items may be substituted with equivalent updated versions at the manufacturer’s discretion. These replacements may look slightly different from the items shown here. If you have questions, please call or email our support team—we’ll be happy to provide guidance on how to install the updated material.
A “” in the part number list indicates the color designation for that component.*
**Items labeled as "Special Car Wash" or "Custom Walk Cover" on the BOL you will receive with the delivery are generic catchall line items from the manufacturer. These are not items you will receive, only a label from the manufacturer for the custom bundle that follow below it**
Screen Wall Extrusions
| Diagram | Part Number | Part Description | Dimension |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1701* | Uchannel | .75" H x 2" W x (16' & 24') L |
|
1707* | 1" x 2" mainframe | 1" H x 2" W x (16' & 24') L |
|
1708* | 2" x 2" mainframe | 2" H x 2" W x (16' & 24') L |
|
1706* | 2" x 2" corner post | 2" H x 2" W x (16' & 24') L |
|
052590* | 1.5" x 2" uchannel | 1.5" H x 2" W x (16' & 24') L |
Screen Wall Components
| Diagram | Part Number | Part Description | Dimension |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1101* | 2" Mullion Clips | 1" x 1" x 2" |
|
Varies by type | Screen roll | Width varies, 100' long |
|
25* | Series 2600 Screen Door (assembled or knockdown) | 36" or 32" W x 80" W (standard) |
|
F250K* (18")047475* (24") | Embossed Kickplate | 18"H x 50'L24"H x 50'L |
|
123-SD | Spline | .180" x 1500' |
|
H310A0015 | Foam Tape | 1/2" W x 15' L |
|
P860* | Touch up paint | NA |
|
819536* | Color matched tek screw | #8 x 3/4" (100 per pack) |
|
T410 | Heavy Duty Screen Roller | NA |
Screen Wall Kit Overview #
Additional Resources
Along with the instructions in this manual, you’ll find more helpful resources in your customer portal, specific to the enclosure you ordered. Access details were emailed to you when your order was placed.
If you no longer have those instructions, please contact our customer service team and they’ll be happy to resend them.
2" Screen Wall System Exploded Detail
Step 1: Install U-Channel
With the guidelines below and the drawing provided with your quotation, you should have everything needed to assemble your unit. Before cutting any material, lay out all the pieces and confirm how each one will be cut and placed to ensure you have enough for the job. If you are unsure at any point, please contact us for clarification before making cuts.
Important Note on Material Lengths:
Because aluminum extrusions are supplied in standard lengths (16’ and 20’), some profiles may require butt splicing to make the most efficient use of materials and keep pricing reasonable. This is most common for top, bottom, and rear wall U-channels.
Purpose of U-Channel:
The U-channel frames in all openings and provides a surface for securing both vertical posts and horizontal mainframes with spline grooves. It is mounted:
Along the floor
To the underside of your existing roofline
Vertically up the house wall on each side of the room and along existing posts
Door Openings:
Do not run U-channel across the floor where a door will be installed. For a standard 36" door, leave a 36" opening between U-channels (adjust if your door size is different).
Corners:
You may miter-cut U-channels where they meet, but the simpler and more common approach is to butt them together. For example:
Run the top and bottom U-channels in a single piece from the house wall to the corner post.
Install the vertical U-channel on the house wall between the top and bottom U-channels.
For standard outside screen rooms, the horizontal U-channel runs the full width of the front wall (top and bottom).
Surface Preparation & Installation:
In your hardware box, you’ll find rolls of ¾" x ¾" foam tape. Use this behind vertical U-channels if installing against uneven or rough surfaces (e.g., brick or step siding).
For mounting to concrete or brick, use Tapcon screws or drive anchors.
For mounting to wood surfaces, pre-drill starter holes in the aluminum and use appropriately sized wood screws.
Sealing & Drainage (Optional):
To waterproof the base, apply a bead of high-quality silicone to the underside of the U-channel before securing it to the floor.
If your pad is sloped and you prefer drainage, you may drill holes along the U-channel length. Keep in mind, this could allow insects to enter.
We recommend spacing screws or fasteners every 18” to 24” depending on the total length of the installation
Step 2: Installing the Vertical 1x2 Members
With the U-channels in place, you can now begin installing the vertical members. Refer to your custom layout drawing to identify the correct positions, then install and secure each vertical into the U-channel to complete the framework of your room.
Installing the 1" x 2" Mainframe
Cut and install the 1" x 2" mainframe into the U-channel previously installed along the house wall and any existing posts.
Use the U-channel to help keep the mainframe plumb.
Secure the mainframe with the supplied self-tapping hex head Tek screws. Fasten both sides of the mainframe, using about 4 screws per 8 ft. length on each side.
Note: Do not drop the 1" x 2" all the way into the U-channel. Be sure to leave the spline groove exposed for screening, as shown in the illustration.
Using 1x2 or 2x2 Mainframe Against Existing Walls/Posts
In most cases, a 1x2 mainframe is installed against existing house walls or posts (shown as the green lines in Step 3).
A 2x2 mainframe may be supplied instead if:
A door is being installed next to the house wall, or
You specifically requested it.
Installation is the same for either profile. Always check the drawings for your custom room to confirm which mainframe size applies to your application.
Step 3: Install 2" x 2" Vertical Mainframes
Install the 2" x 2" vertical mainframes according to the spacing shown in the drawing provided with your quotation.
Make sure the spline grooves are oriented correctly for your installation:
The most common setup is outside screening.
If outside access isn’t possible, inside screening works just as well with this system.
Note:
Spacing in your drawing is measured from the post/house wall to the centerline of each vertical, and centerline to centerline between verticals.
Cutting the verticals doesn’t require extreme precision—any small variation will be hidden inside the top and bottom U-channels.
The spacing between verticals is also flexible by about ½" to 1", as long as it does not exceed the maximum screen width (.1") provided.
Securing the 2x2 Mainframes
Place the 2x2 mainframe inside the top and bottom U-channels.
Secure it at both the top and bottom—and on both sides—using the supplied self-tapping hex head Tek screws (see overhead cross-section illustration on the right).
Framing the Door Opening
Install 2x2 mainframes on either side of the door opening, making sure they are plumb and spaced correctly for your door.
For example, if you are installing a 36" door, the daylight opening between verticals must measure exactly 36" wide x 80" high.
Always double-check your quotation drawing before proceeding, to confirm the correct door size and spacing for your specific application.
Correct Installation of 2x2 Verticals (Outside Screen Application)
The images below show the proper setup for an outside screen installation. The kickplate grooves on the inside face of both the vertical and horizontal mainframes should line up neatly, as shown. This alignment ensures a secure fit and smooth installation of the kickplate and screen.
Tips for Door Placement
If you plan to install your door in the first section against the house wall, or on a post, use a 2" x 2" mainframe in the wall U-channel instead of a 1" x 2". This adjustment is already included in the materials we’ve supplied.
Door openings do not require a bottom U-channel or a 1" x 2" mainframe.
Step 3A: Install Corner Posts (Optional)
In some installations, existing posts may not be used (for example, when building inside or outside of existing posts or railings). If that doesn’t apply to your room, simply move on to the next step.
For these situations, 2" x 2" corner posts are provided so you can screen two walls that meet at a 90° angle. Take extra care when installing them: if a corner post is installed upside down, the screen and spline will not seat properly, and the screen may pop out easily.
Installing Corner Posts in the U-Channel
When placing the corners into the U-channel, double-check the orientation of the grooves:
The screen spline grooves must face outward on both the front wall and the side wall. This ensures the screen can be installed correctly.
The kickplate grooves should face inward, sitting on the inside face of the corner post in each direction (inside the U-channel).
Taking a moment to confirm the orientation now will prevent issues later during screening and kickplate installation.
Install Horizontal Mainframes
#The exact installation method depends on the options chosen for your room during the quotation stage. Each configuration requires a slightly different approach:
Step 4A is required for all installations.
Step 4B applies if your room includes a chair rail.
Step 4C applies if your room includes a kickplate.
If your room has both a chair rail and a kickplate, complete all three steps (4A through 4C).
Step 4A: Install Mainframe in U-Channel
Installing the 1" x 2" Mainframes
Cut the 1" x 2" mainframes to fit between the vertical framing members.
Position them in the floor and roof channels, then fasten using the supplied self-tapping hex head screws.
Be careful not to drop the 1" x 2" mainframe all the way down into the U-channel. You must keep the spline groove exposed for screening.
Once correctly positioned, secure the mainframe in place with the self-tapping screws.
Installing the Door Header
Without a Chair Rail: Install a 1" x 2" mainframe as the door header, positioned 80" from the floor to the underside of the header.
With a Chair Rail and/or Kickplate: If your unit includes a chair rail or a kickplate capped with a 2" x 2" mainframe, use a 2" x 2" mainframe as the door header instead. The opening must still measure 80" from the floor to the underside of the door header.
Multiple Chair Rails: If your room has more than one chair rail, repeat this step for each opening that includes one.
Install Chair Rail
#For rooms with openings wider than 42 inches and no kickplate, we recommend adding a chair rail for extra strength. The chair rail is made from the same 2" x 2" mainframe used for the vertical members.
Cut a piece of 2" x 2" mainframe to fit between the vertical members you installed earlier.
Position the chair rail horizontally at your desired height. Unless local building codes specify otherwise, you can choose the placement.
For best results, sit in your favorite outdoor chair and install the rail at a height that does not block your view into the backyard.
Installing the Horizontal Mullion
Attach one mullion clip (from your kit) to the 2" x 2" vertical framing at the desired height.
Place your cut piece of 2" x 2" horizontally on top of the clip, then fasten the clip to the underside of the horizontal piece on that side.
Set a level on the horizontal 2" x 2" before installing the mullion clip on the opposite side. This ensures the mullion is perfectly level.
Mullion clips are color-matched to your room. If your kit includes unpainted clips, you may spray them with touch-up paint before proceeding with the screen mesh installation later in these instructions.
Chair Rail Installation – Correct Alignment
The images below show two proper ways a chair rail can be installed:
Left Image: Correct for an inside screen configuration. The kickplate grooves line up on the inside of the posts.
Right Image: Correct for an outside screen configuration. The screen spline grooves line up on the outside of the posts.
Both alignments are acceptable, depending on your installation setup.
Step 4C: Install Kickplate (if applicable)
Kickplate is typically secured in place with a 1x2 mainframe, as shown in this section. For room openings wider than 54 inches, a 2x2 mainframe will be supplied instead. The installation process is the same in either case.
Installing the Kickplate and 1x2 Mainframe
Cut and Install Kickplate Sections
Cut (or score and snap with a box knife) each kickplate section.
Each piece should be cut 3/8" longer than the opening width between vertical framing.
Slide the kickplate into place (see second illustration on the right).
- Tip: Kickplate is delivered in a coiled roll. It’s easier to install if you cut the sections and let them flatten out before sliding them into the grooves.
Prepare and Place the 1x2 Mainframe
Measure the opening above the kickplate, then cut the 1x2 to fit between vertical framing members.
Temporarily set the 1x2 mainframe over the kickplate and confirm the kickplate slides completely into the designed groove (see first illustration on the right).
Install Mullion Clips
While the 1x2 mainframe is in place, slide a mullion clip under it where it meets each vertical framing member.
Lightly mark the vertical framing member with a pen at the bottom of the clip.
Remove the 1x2, then screw the mullion clips (one per side) to the framing using your mark as a guide. The top of each clip should sit about 1/4" above the top of the kickplate.
Level the Kickplate Across Openings
To account for ceiling, floor, or deck slope, make sure the tops of the kickplates line up evenly from one opening to the next.
A string line stretched across the full width of the installation works well as a reference.
Final Adjustment
Trim the bottom of each kickplate section as needed to match the slope of your floor or application.
Installing the 1x2 Mainframe (Single Slope B Example)
If you are working with the “Single Slope B” style:
When you install the 1x2 mainframe on top of the kickplate so that it follows the roof line, the kickplate height on the outside edge will gradually increase as you move from the house wall toward the front of the installation.
If you choose instead to run the kickplate parallel to the deck or patio surface, the outside vertical measurement of the upper screen section will increase slightly as you move away from the house wall toward the front.
Once positioned, place the 1x2 mainframe onto the mullion clips you installed earlier. Secure it by driving the supplied self-tapping hex head Tek screws down through the top of the H121 into the clips.
Note: If your room is designed with a double-height kickplate, repeat this process a second time to complete the full height.
Step 5: Install the Screening
Using the supplied screen, spline, and spline roller, fill in all openings created during construction. Each opening should have visible spline grooves around its perimeter. If you find an opening without a groove, refer back to the appropriate section of this manual to correct the issue before continuing.
Single Openings: If your room has no chair rail or only a kickplate, each wall section will have one large opening to screen.
With Chair Rail: If your room has a chair rail, you will have two openings per section—one above and one below the rail. The small opening above the door also needs to be screened.
We recommend starting with the vertical spline grooves. The most tension will occur at the midpoint of each side. Once both vertical sides are started, it may help to have someone apply gentle inward pressure on the screen as you roll the spline into place. Another option is to lightly drag your fingertip across the screen just ahead of the spline roller—this prevents the spline from pulling the screen too tightly.
Installing the Screen Mesh
Begin by screening side to side. Pull the screen so it is snug, but not overly tight.
Once the vertical sides are in place, complete the section by rolling the spline and screen into the top and bottom (horizontal) grooves.
Use four separate pieces of spline per section rather than one continuous piece. Each piece should fit snugly against the next, but they will not touch because the vertical and horizontal grooves do not meet (see photo).
Trim off any extra screen by running a sharp razor blade or utility knife along the back edge of the spline.
Important: Take extra care not to pull the screen too tightly in the vertical direction, as this can cause the center horizontal bar to bow or warp.
Tips for Easier Installation
Cold Weather: Below 50°F (10°C), the spline may feel stiff and harder to handle. To soften it, warm it briefly with a hair dryer, or tuck the roll inside your jacket and feed it through your sleeve as you work.
Wide Openings: For larger spans, or if you’re having trouble keeping the spline in place, use spline clips. They’ll hold the spline steady and make the process much easier. (Clips are available here.)
CONGRATULATIONS!
We hope you enjoy many years of maintenance free protection from bugs and the elements. If you have questions or need support at any time, please call us toll free at 1.800.922.4760.
