A screen room allows a breeze to pass through the room while blocking insects and some of the heat of the sun. You can either build a screen room from scratch or from one of many available kits. Screen rooms can either be free-standing or attached. Because of the light weight of screens and roofing, building a screen room is not difficult.

Kits

A number of manufacturers make kits that include all the components required for building screen rooms. These kits include all the supports, connectors, screening, roofing and floors for either attached or free-standing screen rooms. The kit will also include detailed instructions on construction, thus making it easier to build. Many screen room kits also include screens that block the heat of the summer sun while allowing breezes to pass through the room.

DIY Walls

If you choose to make your screen room from stick lumber, making a screen room is similar to making other rooms. You will need to frame in the room using lumber. Although standard 2 by 4 inch studs will work well, most screen rooms won't have to support the same weight as other rooms. If you use light-weight roofing materials, like corrugated metal or fiberglass, you may be able to use lighter weight supports placed more closely together. In many cases, you can modify plans for a greenhouse to make a screen room. Simply replace the indicated glass windows with screens.

DIY Roofing

Roofs for screen rooms can be simple. By creating light-weight supports above your room, you can easily support corrugated metal or fiberglass roofing material. Make sure that the corrugated material is at an angle to allow water to drain off. Extend the roof two or three feet away from the screen to keep water from running back into the room. Like wall designs, many greenhouse plans and designs can be easily modified to make a screen room.

Source:

Screen House Unlimited: Round Style Screen Rooms

H2othouse: Screen Rooms and Lathe Houses

Ask The Builder: Building a Screen Porch - Plan to Avoid Headaches

More Information:

Sun Porch: SunPorch Screen Rooms

Ask the Builder: Screened Porches

Front Porch Ideas: Fantastic Screen Porches