Ethan Clarke
Adding plastic lattice under your porch can improve your home's exterior and offer benefits such as storage and pest control. It is a simple DIY project that can be completed in a weekend. Before installing the lattice, ensure that no animals are living under your porch. You can encourage them to leave by allowing light to enter the space and running a hose next to the deck. When selecting your lattice, consider the size of the holes in the design, as well as the colour. The lattice should complement your home's architecture and can be painted or stained to match. You can also choose from various patterns, such as diagonal, diamond, or square lattice. To install the lattice, start by constructing a solid frame between your deck posts and then secure the lattice pieces with nails or screws. You can also add an access door within the lattice for easy access to the area under your deck.
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What You'll Learn
Measure and cut the lattice to size
Before installing plastic lattice under your porch, it is important to measure and cut the lattice to size. This process involves several steps to ensure a precise fit. Here is a detailed guide to help you through the process:
First, you need to calculate the dimensions of the lattice frames. Measure the openings between the support columns or posts of the porch. It is important to ensure that the completed frames are slightly narrower and shorter than the openings to allow for proper fitting. The recommended dimensions are 1/2 inch narrower than the overall width and 1 inch shorter than the height. This small difference will ensure the lattice panels do not snag or buckle.
When selecting your plastic lattice, consider the size of the holes in the lattice design. Avoid lattice with holes that are too large, as they can become the focal point of your house, drawing unwanted attention. Instead, opt for a diagonal or diamond lattice pattern, which is commonly used and provides a more subtle appearance. Additionally, the colour of the lattice matters. Painting the lattice white, especially in shiny plastic, will make the holes stand out more.
Once you have selected the appropriate lattice, it's time to start cutting. Wear protective gear, including eye protection, earplugs, and work gloves, especially if you're working with a circular saw. Cut the lattice to the measured dimensions using a metal cutter or a reciprocating saw. You can also use a circular or jigsaw for more precise cuts, especially when working with lumber. If you're cutting multiple pieces, it's worth investing in a metal cutter, as it will make the process easier and more efficient.
After cutting the lattice to size, you can proceed with installing the framed lattice panels. Attach the panels to the porch using T-hinges or straps, ensuring that the number of hinges is proportional to the length of the panel to distribute weight evenly and prevent sagging. Screw the hinges to the lattice frames first, and then place each panel inside the openings under the porch. Use a pry bar to adjust the lattice frame so it fits tightly against the porch, and then screw the hinges to the porch using a drill with a screwdriver head.
By following these steps, you will be able to measure and cut the plastic lattice to size accurately, ensuring a seamless installation under your porch. Remember to take your time, work carefully, and wear the appropriate safety gear when using cutting tools.
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Remove any old lattice
Before installing plastic lattice under your porch, you must remove any old lattice. This can be done using a flat pry bar, being careful not to damage the porch, deck, or support columns. If the lattice is stapled, use a screwdriver with a blade just wide enough to fit onto the staple and gently pry it off. Cut the lattice into smaller pieces with a reciprocating saw if you are having trouble removing it. You can also use a small carpenter's cat's paw to pry off small nails.
Before removing the old lattice, make sure there are no animals living under your porch or deck. Animals tend to like dry, dark places to nest, so you can encourage them to leave by allowing as much light in as possible and running a hose next to the deck. If you are having difficulty relocating animals, contact your local animal control office.
Once the old lattice has been removed, measure the openings between the columns or posts. The completed frames should be 1/2 inch narrower than the overall width and 1 inch shorter than the height to allow for a proper fitting. Clear the area beneath your deck of any debris and vegetation and level the ground if necessary. Check the deck's support structure for any issues and address them before installing the new lattice.
When selecting your new lattice, consider the size of the holes in the design. If the holes are too large, they will be too bold and attract attention. Similarly, if the holes are too small, it may look optically strange and make you dizzy. The color of the lattice also matters; the holes will be much more noticeable if the lattice is painted white. If you choose plastic lattice, you can paint it a darker color or the base color of your house to improve its appearance.
In addition to color, the pattern of the lattice is important. Lattice typically comes in a traditional diamond pattern or decorative styles with botanical and leaf designs. You can also create your own pattern with slats of wood. Square lattice with vertical slats in the front of the horizontal slats is more popular and follows the upward flow of the building.
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Attach the framed lattice panel to the porch
When attaching framed lattice panels to your porch, it's important to ensure that the panels are secure and complement the overall look of your home. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
Step 1: Prepare the Lattice Panels
Before attaching the framed lattice panels to the porch, you should first cut them to the required size. Lattice typically comes in widths of 2 or 4 feet and lengths of 4 or 8 feet. Choose a lattice size that requires the fewest number of cuts for your space. You can use a metal cutter or a circular or jigsaw to cut the lattice to size. Additionally, decide whether you want to paint or stain the lattice to match the exterior of your home. Painting or staining the lattice can be done before or after installation, depending on your preference.
Step 2: Position the Lattice Panels
Place each framed lattice panel inside the openings under your porch. Use a pry bar to adjust the panel so it sits tightly against the porch fascia. Make sure there is proper clearance between the panel and the ground to prevent wear and tear. If the panel drags on the ground, use a shovel or rake to remove some dirt from in front of the panel. Conversely, if there is a large gap, add and level out some soil to create an even surface.
Step 3: Attach the Hinges
To secure the framed lattice panels to the porch, you'll need to use either 3-inch or 4-inch T-hinges or strap hinges. For panels shorter than 8 feet, two hinges are sufficient, while longer panels may require three hinges to distribute the weight evenly and prevent sagging. Start by screwing the hinges to the lattice frames. Then, use a drill with a screwdriver head to screw the hinges to the porch, ensuring the panels are securely attached.
Step 4: Test the Panels
Once the hinges are in place, test the operation of the lattice panels. Open and close the panels to ensure they swing smoothly and have the proper clearance from the ground. Make any necessary adjustments to the hinges or the ground level to achieve the correct clearance.
Step 5: Finalize the Installation
After installing the framed lattice panels, consider adding trim pieces around the edges for a more polished and finished look. You can also enhance the functionality of your lattice by installing an access door within the lattice. This will allow you easy access to the area under your porch for storage or maintenance without having to detach the lattice panels. Additionally, you can improve the aesthetics and functionality by installing landscape lighting, such as solar lights, to create a warm atmosphere and increase safety and visibility at night.
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Check for animals under the porch
Before installing plastic lattice under your porch, it is important to check for animals that may be living in that space. Raccoons, opossums, skunks, woodchucks, rats, mice, chipmunks, and even stray cats are some of the common animals that may have taken up residence under your porch.
Animal Sightings
If you notice an animal entering and exiting the space under your porch frequently, it is likely that it has made its home there. Nocturnal animals may be harder to spot, so consider investing in a motion-sensor trail camera to catch them in the act.
Damage and Burrow Holes
Animals can cause damage to your property by digging burrows, gnawing wood, and eating vegetation. Look for signs of burrow holes, gnaw marks, and eaten plants around your porch.
Paw Prints
Spread a light layer of sand or flour around your porch at night and check for paw prints in the morning. This can help you confirm the presence of animals and also identify the type of animal based on the size and shape of the prints.
Droppings
Examine the waste left behind by the animals. Raccoon droppings, for example, are typically darker in color, tubular in shape, and have a granular texture due to their diet. Opossum droppings may be confused with dog waste, but they are often broken into 2-3 pieces and can be found in protected areas like under your porch.
Noises
Listen for scratching, climbing, or climbing sounds made by rats and mice, which are usually most active at night. Chipmunks are active during the day and make high-pitched chips. Skunks and woodchucks may also make noises as they dig or move around under your porch.
If you confirm that animals are living under your porch, there are several humane methods to encourage them to leave, such as using noise, light, or scents they don't like, before installing the plastic lattice.
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Paint or stain the lattice
If you're installing a wooden lattice, you'll need to clean the lattice before painting or staining. You can do this with a pressure washer, or a brush and a solution of water and chlorine bleach. After scrubbing the panel, rinse with fresh water to remove the residue, and let it dry. Scrape off any remaining loose paint and sand the wood to even the surface. Then, use a quality primer to seal the wooden lattice before painting or staining.
If you're installing a vinyl lattice, periodic rinsing with a hose is usually enough to remove surface dirt and keep your lattice looking new. For stubborn dirt, mould, or mildew, try a mixture of mild liquid detergent and water, or oxygen bleach and water.
When it comes to painting or staining, you can brush, roll, or spray the paint on. If staining, choose a stain with the longest manufacturer’s warranty, water repellent, and UV stabilizer. Avoid rainy days so that the lattice can dry completely.
If you want to paint plastic lattice, you can use a primer to form a base before applying paint. Krylon Fusion goes directly on plastic, but the colour selection is limited. Rust-Oleum and Krylon both have a plastic primer that can be used before spray-painting.
It's recommended to decide whether to paint or stain the lattice before or after installation, as this can affect the overall look and lifespan.
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Frequently asked questions
Use a flat pry bar to carefully remove the old lattice. Cut the lattice into pieces with a reciprocating saw if it is difficult to remove. If the lattice is stapled, use a screwdriver with a blade that fits the staple to gently pry it off.
First, make sure there are no animals living under your porch. You can encourage them to leave by allowing light in and running a hose next to the deck. Then, measure the openings between the columns or posts and calculate the dimensions of the lattice frames. The completed frames should be 1/2 inch narrower and 1 inch shorter than the openings.
You can attach the framed lattice panels to the porch using 3 or 4-inch straps or T-hinges. Screw the hinges to the lattice frames first, then place each panel inside the openings under the porch. Use a pry bar to raise the lattice frame so it is tight against the porch, and screw the hinges to the porch using a drill. Check that the lattice frame opens and shuts properly, and adjust the ground accordingly.
