Specialty Fence Products & Custom Solutions in Rocky Mount, NC
Current Availability
Estimate Response
1–2 business days
Lead Time
3–5 weeks out
Demand
High — spring season
Book early if your project has a hard deadline.
Screens Installed to
Existing Porch Frames
100% Workmanship
Guaranteed
Nearly 40 Years of
Installation Experience
An open porch in Eastern NC is a usable outdoor space for about half the year — and a mosquito staging area for the other 6. Fence Craft screens in existing porch frames for homeowners across Nash, Wilson, Halifax, Franklin, Johnston, and surrounding counties. Aluminum framing, fiberglass or aluminum mesh, screen doors, and pet-resistant options — all installed to the existing structure without requiring a separate contractor on standard porch screening projects.
Porch Screening in Rocky Mount, NC
Eastern North Carolina’s warm, humid climate and proximity to wetlands create favorable conditions for mosquitoes, particularly in late spring through early fall. The Tar River basin, surrounding wetlands, and seasonal rainfall across Nash, Edgecombe, Wilson, and Halifax counties create conditions where an unscreened porch is difficult to use for extended periods of the year. Screening work converts an existing open porch frame into a usable outdoor living space without the cost or timeline of a full room addition.
Fence Craft installs porch screen systems as a defined part of our installation work — alongside fencing, gates, and specialty installations across Eastern NC. We work with the existing porch structure: existing columns, headers, and floor framing. If deteriorated wood columns need replacement before screening can proceed, we handle that work as companion work within the same project scope rather than requiring a separate contractor.
Why Eastern NC Homeowners Choose Fence Craft for Porch Screening
Porch screening uses the same installation skill set as our fence and gate work — backed by nearly 40 years of installation experience — framing, hardware mounting, material selection matched to the environment, and clean installation to an existing structure. As part of our broader installation services, porch screening is completed with the same attention to detail applied across fencing, gates, and specialty projects.
- One contractor for porch columns and screening — if columns need replacement before screening can proceed, we handle both as part of the same project scope
- Mesh spec matched to your lot conditions — properties near wetlands or low-lying areas are evaluated for tighter mesh options before installation
- Pet screen experience — we account for pet activity when recommending materials and panel layout
- Screen door placement confirmed before framing is ordered — door swing direction and traffic flow confirmed on-site
- 100% workmanship guarantee — frame pull-through, mesh spline failure, and door hardware issues caused by our installation workmanship
Porch Screening Options We Install
Standard Fiberglass Mesh — 18×16
The most common residential screen specification. 18×16 mesh (18 horizontal strands per inch, 16 vertical strands per inch) is commonly used for general insect control while maintaining airflow and visibility. Fiberglass mesh is flexible, rust-resistant, and easy to patch or replace if damaged. Typical lifespan in Eastern NC conditions before visible degradation due to UV exposure and wear.
No-See-Um Mesh — 20×20
Tighter weave than standard 18×16 — 20 strands per inch in both directions — often used for properties near wetlands, pond edges, and low-lying areas along the Tar River basin in Nash and Edgecombe counties, where smaller biting insects are more common. Slightly reduced airflow compared to standard mesh, but improved insect control in those conditions.
Pet-Resistant
Screen
Vinyl-coated polyester mesh — designed to be significantly stronger than standard fiberglass. Recommended for households with dogs or cats that push against, scratch, or press on screen panels. Same framing system as standard mesh; the upgrade is in the fabric only. Common specification on lower panels in mixed-panel installations (pet screen on the lower half of each bay; standard mesh on the upper half).
Solar/Sun Screen
Solar/sun screen — if selected — uses UV-blocking woven screen fabric designed to reduce solar heat gain and glare while allowing airflow. Particularly useful on south- and west-facing porches in Rocky Mount and surrounding areas.
Screen Doors
Single and double-swing screen doors matched to the framing system. Spring-return hardware (standard) or magnetic closure options. Door width and configuration confirmed at estimate — double doors are common on porch openings that serve as the primary entry point from the yard.
Aluminum Mesh
Aluminum wire screen mesh — available in some applications — is more durable than fiberglass under physical impact; it does not flex as much on contact. Less common in residential applications, but appropriate where standard mesh has repeated failure.
Key Considerations for Porch Screening in Eastern NC
Existing structure condition before screening
aluminum framing channels fasten to existing porch columns, beams, and headers; deteriorated wood members need to be in sound condition before screen framing is installed; we assess structural condition at the estimate visit.
Column replacement scope
if existing porch columns are rotted or structurally compromised, column replacement is required before screening; Fence Craft handles porch column replacement as companion work when required for screening installation.
Mesh selection for site conditions
properties near wetlands, pond edges, or low-lying areas near the Tar River basin may benefit from tighter mesh specifications; standard mesh may not exclude smaller insects.
Pet screen placement strategy
full-panel pet screen in every bay is the safest option for homes with dogs; mixed-panel (pet screen lower / standard upper) is a cost-reducing compromise; we confirm pet activity patterns at estimate, so the right spec goes in the right location
Screen door placement and traffic flow
porch layout, yard access patterns, and furniture arrangement all affect where screen doors should be located; confirm at the estimate visit before framing is ordered
Existing porch lighting and electrical
pendant lights, ceiling fans, and outlet locations in the existing porch framing affect where screen bays and doors can be positioned; note existing fixture locations before the estimate visit
Materials & System Details
Aluminum Screen Framing
- Frame channel: extruded aluminum; standard width profiles for screen bay framing; powder-coated finish
- Standard colors: white, bronze, and mill finish; color-matched to existing porch trim on request
- Attachment: fastened to existing porch columns, headers, and sill plate; no new structural framing required on standard porch conversions
- Corners: mitered or corner-bracket system; matching finish
Screen Mesh
- Standard fiberglass: gray or charcoal; flexible; rust-resistant; often replaced within 5–10 years in Eastern NC conditions
- No-see-um mesh: tighter weave; slightly reduced airflow
- Pet screen: vinyl-coated polyester; increased durability compared to fiberglass (often specified at approximately 7× tear strength)
- Solar screen: UV-reducing woven fabric (availability varies)
- All mesh is installed using a spline-and-groove system; the spline color is matched to the frame
Screen Doors
- Frame: extruded aluminum; finish-matched to screen frame system
- Hardware: stainless steel or coated hinges; spring-return or magnetic closure
- Door bottom: vinyl sweep; reduces the gap between the door bottom and the threshold
- Standard widths: 32″ and 36″ single doors; double door configurations to opening width
How We Screen In a Porch in Eastern NC
1
Site Visit, Scope Confirmation & Estimate
We inspect the existing porch frame — columns, headers, beams, and floor — for structural condition. We confirm dimensions, door placement, and mesh selection based on site conditions. A written line-item estimate is returned after the visit. You can also start here:
2
Material Order &
Column Prep (if needed)
Aluminum framing, screen mesh, and door hardware are ordered to confirmed dimensions. If porch column replacement is required, it is completed before screen framing is installed. Typical lead time is 1–2 weeks.
3
Frame Installation,
Mesh & Screen Door Set
Framing channels are installed to the existing structure, mesh is set in each bay, and screen doors are installed and adjusted. We review the installation with the homeowner before completion.
Is Porch Screening Right for Your Project?
| Good Fit | Consider First |
|---|---|
| Existing open porch with sound framing, columns, and headers ready for screen installation | Columns or beams are visibly rotted or compromised; structural repair must precede screening |
| Nash, Wilson, Halifax, or Franklin County homeowner with a porch you’ve stopped using during warmer months | Porch floor is in poor condition — screening won’t address underlying deck or floor issues; floor repair may need to precede screening |
| Property near wetlands, pond edges, or low-lying areas where smaller insects are common | Project requires full porch enclosure with insulated glass panels — that’s a sunroom or enclosure project, not a porch screening service |
| Households with pets that have damaged or pushed through previous screen installations | Existing porch electrical or fan wiring is in the way of planned framing locations; layout must be confirmed before ordering |
| Homeowner wants to reuse the existing porch structure without a full room addition | Porch lacks adequate columns or structural anchor points for framing channels — assessment required |
Where We Do Porch Screening Work
Residential Properties — Nash County
Rocky Mount, Nashville, Spring Hope, and surrounding Nash County communities are the primary market for porch screening work. Many homes have existing porch structures ready for screening or restoration. See full service area.
Residential Properties — Wilson, Franklin & Halifax Counties
Wilson, Franklin, and Halifax County properties with similar porch structures. Lower-lying areas near wetlands often require more careful mesh selection.
Johnston County Growth Corridor
Clayton, Archer Lodge, Selma, and Princeton — newer homes with existing porch framing where homeowners want to make the space usable.
Ready to Turn Your Open Porch Into a Screened Space?
Start with a site visit — we confirm column condition, mesh options, door placement, and any companion work needed before framing is ordered. A written line-item estimate is returned after the visit. Porch screening projects are scheduled based on current workload and material lead times; early scheduling helps avoid peak-season delays.
Schedule your Free Estimate Today!
Frequently Asked
Questions
What’s the difference between standard mesh and no-see-um mesh for Eastern NC porches?
Standard fiberglass mesh is commonly used for general insect control, but may not exclude smaller insects. Tighter mesh options (such as 20×20) are often used near wetlands, pond edges, and low-lying areas along the Tar River basin in Nash, Edgecombe, Wilson, and Halifax counties, with a slight reduction in airflow.
Will the pet screen hold up to dogs pushing against it?
Pet-resistant screen materials are designed to be stronger than standard fiberglass (often specified at approximately 7× the tear strength) and to better withstand contact from pets. Performance still depends on use and behavior.
Do you replace porch columns as part of a screen-in project?
Permit requirements depend on whether the work is considered structural under local code and interpretation. Some non-structural porch modifications may not require a permit, but this will be confirmed during the estimate visit.
How long does porch screen mesh last in Eastern NC?
Screen lifespan varies based on exposure, material, and conditions. In Eastern NC, standard fiberglass mesh is often replaced within 5–10 years due to UV exposure and wear.
How long does the porch screening installation take?
Most standard porch screening installations are completed within 1–2 days once the materials are on site. Overall project timelines typically range from 2 to 4 weeks, including ordering and scheduling.
