Address Structural Repairs

• Weather can damage a porch's structure over time. Check for leaks or weak areas in the roof or walls. If the porch's roof calls for it, replace roof sheathing before adding new shingles. Don't invest time in adding screening before you strengthen all framework and roofing. It's easy to damage brand new screening as you work on roof areas.
  
  

Check Screen Borders

• Rotten framework might not hold staples or nails. Don't install screening that looks appealing -- only to have the support framing come loose. Check the borders where you will nail or staple nylon or metal screening. Use a screwdriver or other small tool around the perimeter of each opening that will hold screening. Gently press a screwdriver tip into the wood every few inches where new nails or staples will go to ensuring the wood is solid. Add new wood trim when replacing screening and secure in place with screws.
  
  

Examine Flooring Needs

• Replace any wooden decking or repair concrete flooring inside the porch. Pry loose any floorboards or patch concrete gaps before installing new screening. Over time, piles of leaves inside a screened porch can rot wooden decking. Ensure the decking and any structural posts are sound. The cost of replacing or repairing major damage might not be worth the investment. If not, tear the structure down to ground level and start over.
  
  

Stain or Paint Before Screening

• Staining or painting the wood works best before installing new screening. It's difficult to paint along screening under the best of circumstances. Stain or paint will be almost impossible to remove from nylon screening, because harsh chemicals will dissolve the fabric. If you want to stain the wooden framework of the porch in redwood, for example, brush all of the coloring on and allow to dry for a couple of days. Finish the new screening as a last step.
  
  

Remove Old Screening Carefully

• If you rip out old screening, you can damage framework beyond repair. A better method of taking out screening is gently prying any staples or nails -- so that wood is not damaged. In a worst-case scenario, whereby screening embeds into the edges of the wood, the screen loose. Install new screening with a staple gun. By folding the screen's edges under, nail new trim to cover any seams or rough edges.