Making screen panels for a lake view

[Tom DiBiasio]

At my lake house I have an outbuilding of sorts (we call it the cabana) where one side is completely open with a great view of the water front. I want to screen in this side of the building to keep the bugs out this summer. I plan on building a series of simple screen panels with poplar frames and domino joinery. The panels will be 37” wide by 72” high. My question is do you think a panel this size would require a horizontal rail in addition to the top and bottom rails. Either 1/3 way from the top or bottom? My preference would be to have no additional rails as it will slightly obstruct the view of the lake when sitting in my lounge chair enjoying a cocktail. I guess I could just build one and see how rigid it is but thought I would ask here first.

[Cameron Wood]

Yes. the screen will bow in the sides without.

[Kevin Jenness]

Depends on the width of your stiles. If you want narrow stiles use a stretcher.

I avoid poplar for exterior work as it has little rot resistance. Look around for torrefied wood. Western red cedar, Atlantic white cedar, Spanish cedar, sipo and sapele are worth considering.

[Mel Fulks]

Green (in color) poplar is pretty durable. Used a lot of it in employments making stuff for exterior use. Some contractors doing
high grade work, will ask for it , much better than some more expensive stuff, like pine . The white poplar is fine for interior trim and
does not exude …pine-sap.

[Kevin Jenness]

Mel, can you get poplar that is primarily heartwood? I have never seen it come that way in these parts. I worked on a large house trimmed outside in poplar with a lot of attention to flashing, sealing end grain and paint maintenance and it all went to mush within 20 years.

[Richard Coers]

Green (in color) poplar is pretty durable. Used a lot of it in employments making stuff for exterior use. Some contractors doing
high grade work, will ask for it , much better than some more expensive stuff, like pine . The white poplar is fine for interior trim and
does not exude …pine-sap.

Actually poplar heartwood is rated as; Rot Resistance: Heartwood is rated as being moderately durable to non-durable; susceptible to insect attack.
https://www.wood-database.com/yellow-poplar/#

[Mel Fulks]

I think a number of woods are played down to boost sales of other woods more expensive. I trust what I’ve seen more than some of the
books, and I think that’s the way of many. That makes for choice ! Lot of soft pine trim is used outside and pine is , I think less
durable than green (color) poplar is constantly chosen by many in the trades , while something a little more expensive makes some
people sleep better, and that’s OK.

[Kevin Jenness]

I don't question your experience with poplar heartwood, Mel, but it just isn't available here as such. I have read elsewhere of old growth poplar being quite durable, and we have a meeting house in my town trimmed out with old growth white pine ca. 1890 which is going strong. I wouldn't bet $.010 on the same building built today with second growth material. Perhaps the same is true of today's poplar as opposed to the old material.

[Richard Coers]

I think a number of woods are played down to boost sales of other woods more expensive. I trust what I’ve seen more than some of the
books, and I think that’s the way of many. That makes for choice ! Lot of soft pine trim is used outside and pine is , I think less
durable than green (color) poplar is constantly chosen by many in the trades , while something a little more expensive makes some
people sleep better, and that’s OK.

A conspiracy theory? I trust what I have used more than books, but not believing science has become a real issue these days.

[Mel Fulks]

A conspiracy theory? I trust what I have used more than books, but not believing science has become a real issue these days.

Not a conspiracy theory , just a good understanding of home -boy “ my Grampa says the wood around here is the best, I don’t like
green wood ….when I want GREEN I USE PAINT”. Lot of “ Scientists” thought Einstein was a nut. Well, he wasn’t a nut , he was a
ugly guy who loved young girls and figured out a way to be sought by young girls. THATS GOOD SCIENCE !
Oops! I forgot to say he married a cousin and dumped her soon as got famous.

[Bill Dufour]

Sit in your chair and relax look at the view. Then decide where the cross pieces should not be placed. Do the same for standing at the rail. Now decide where to place them.
Do you want a good view or a geometrically correct screen, golden proportions and all that ?
I still chuckle when I see the new improved high school with fancy welded awnings above the windows to keep the sun out. Well done and a good idea. a huge waste of money and continuing maintenance costs for the ones on the north side of the buildings.
Kind of like San Francisco promoting solar power in one of the foggiest cities around.
Bill D

[Richard Coers]

Not a conspiracy theory , just a good understanding of home -boy “ my Grampa says the wood around here is the best, I don’t like
green wood ….when I want GREEN I USE PAINT”. Lot of “ Scientists” thought Einstein was a nut. Well, he wasn’t a nut , he was a
ugly guy who loved young girls and figured out a way to be sought by young girls. THATS GOOD SCIENCE !
Oops! I forgot to say he married a cousin and dumped her soon as got famous.

Sosrry Mel, but very little of that makes sense to me. No idea what young girls has to do with wood rot resistance.

[Mel Fulks]

Sosrry Mel, but very little of that makes sense to me. No idea what young girls has to do with wood rot resistance.

It’s ok Richard , I didn’t understand that “Sosrry” word and It’s not in the dictionary.

[William Hodge]

It’s ok Richard , I didn’t understand that “Sosrry” word and It’s not in the dictionary.

Try using The Google. "Sossry" is right there. I never knew, hadn't come across it, added a new facet to this jewel of a day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI-m...Mp4X2pNUTX5VrA

[Holmes Anderson]

I assume the screen frames will not be supported on the sides by the framing of the building because otherwise this wouldn't be a problem. 2x screen frames should be strong enough without support on the sides. Sort of like a lattice frame. Not sure why wood species is a concern for something protected from rain by the roof and ventilation front and back to dry it out quickly.