screened patio ceiling material

[LutzTD]

Im looking for a thin bug and rot resistant covering for the inside of my screened patio. the previous owner put drywall and a popcorn plaster coat, of course moisture and a roof leak have caused real havoc with this material. I looked at sheet aluminum, 1/4 marine plywood, abs sheet. hardie board etc but not excited about any of these. the hardie board was going to be the answer but its just too heavy. the patio cieling is about 30x12 in area needing covering. I was hoping to find a fiberglass sheet or something light, then just cover the seams with 1-1/2 wide painted pine. I would like to keep the cost down of course but I also dont want to redo it in my lifetime if possible and the humidity and heat here is brutal on outdoor materials.

Thanx

 

[camarotoolman]

Vinyl soffit. Thats what I did, had the same problem. Just use something you don't have to paint. Once a year I just wip it down with a wet rag, it looks new again. Also its very easy to put up, a 1 man job.

 

[LutzTD]

Vinyl soffit. Thats what I did, had the same problem. Just use something you don't have to paint. Once a year I just wip it down with a wet rag, it looks new again. Also its very easy to put up, a 1 man job.

awesome suggestion, wont even have to buy any tools. I will check it and post THANX

 

[LutzTD]

anyone have any thoughts on the vinyl vs aluminum soffit in FL? Will the aluminum sweat?

 

[5lima30]

+1 on vinyl soffit!

 

[gregs]

Do you have a screened patio that is made from the aluminum tubing like a pool enlcosure? Reason I ask it seems that the span between members is long and the soffit material would sag. They have to stretch the screen material tight to keep it from sagging on the top.

 

[Scoutman]

another vote for vinyl. The back porch of my garage was done in it and it would work great for what you're trying to accomplish.

Here's a shot of it when we were considering this house.

 

[camarotoolman]

I nailed 1x2 over the dw, them screwed the vinyl on the 1x2s.
the vinyl not full lenght because it was scap pieces from a job I was on (freebee). While you are at it, do the walls too! Later I raped the posts in aluminum and built knee walls around the bottom. With all the bugs, and dusty air here it makes it so much easier to keep things looking good. Paint isn't cheap anymore too.

 

[LutzTD]

I ended up finding a wholesale vinyl soffit seller. My challenge was that the length was just over 12 feet. When I tlked to them they said hey we have this thicker material in 12'5" length. turned out very nice. with the soffit, the edges, the cutter, the remanufactured hitachi stapler, and the firring I have about $750 in this ceiling. was about 6 easy days for one man, including adding 3 electric light drops and a switch. thanx for the advise, I never even considered soffit but my wife is really pleased as am I.

note, the discolor in the middle is dust, these came out of the box dusty but it wipes off with a rag.