We all love the outdoors and screened in porches are a very popular feature of cottages and summer homes. Unfortunately, unless these rooms are protected, they may suffer from wood rot or termites within 7 years of installation. Here are some simple and inexpensive ways to take preventative measures so you can enjoy your investment for many years to come.

Within five to seven years after installation, wood rot will occur if wood surfaces are subjected to water exposure. I am sure when you added that screen porch you had visions of it lasting much longer than 5-7 years! Unless you take proper steps to stop it, your wood floors and timbers will slowly begin to deteriorate.

Wood rot is accelerated even faster if mold and mildew are present on the surface of the wooden sections of your porch or screened room. Painting is never enough to prevent or slow the rotting process. Surfaces that are repeatedly exposed to the weather will, without a doubt, rot if you allow them to be exposed to the elements.

Not only do you have wood rot to worry about, but when moisture continually finds its way into the components of any wood surface, the area will eventually attract termites into your home. Termites thrive in the presence of both wood and moisture, and are often hard to detect until it is too late and your home has become structurally unsound.

One of the easiest ways to prevent this is to attach removable clear vinyl curtains to your screened in porch. During rainy days and winter months, you can fasten the curtains in place to keep the interior of your porch nice and dry. No snow will filter in in the winter time and the rains will stay outside.

Not only will this keep your wood nice and dry to prevent wood rot and termites, you will also prevent mold from growing in your screened room. Mold can be very unhealthy and long-term exposure can pose health risks for many people. It will also keep your furniture in the room fresher smelling. Nothing is worse than sitting in a smelly, mildewy sofa! Once this happens, you will find you no longer spend time in the room. What a shame, since it was an expensive and long awaited addition to the house or cottage.

Outdoor curtains and vinyl panels can keep your outdoor space looking like new for many years to come. You will be able to enjoy the space rain or shine and you will not have to worry about wood rot or mold and mildew.

Article originally published at Source by Richard P. Ostler