Do It Yourself Installation Guide
Thank you for choosing Vinyl Porch Enclosures!
Our custom-built DIY kits are designed for fast, simple installation while providing year-round protection and versatility for your porch or outdoor living area.
Tools You’ll Need
- Level
- Tape measure
- Cordless drill with Phillips bit
- 1/8″ drill bit
- 1/4″ and 9mm sockets
- Utility knife or scissors
- Lighter (to seal rope ends)
- Two ladders or step stools
- Graphite Pencil
Optional: Hacksaw (for cutting tracks, if needed)
Outside Mounting
Step 1: Mount the Side Tracks & Zippers
- Place each vertical side track on the face of the vertical support flush with the Inside of the porch posts.
- Zipper insert opening should be at the top. Slide zipper into the track if it hasn’t already been done.
- Tracks should be installed 1/2 inch up from the floor.
- Use 2″ sheet metal screws to fasten: one at the top (1″), one at the bottom (1″), and every 12″ in between.
Inside Mounting
Step 1: Mount the Side Tracks & Zippers
- Place each vertical side track on the inside of the vertical support flush with the face of the porch posts.
- Zipper insert opening should be at the top. Slide zipper into the track if it hasn’t already been done..
- Tracks should be installed 1/2 inch up from the floor.
- Use 2″ sheet metal screws to fasten: one at the top (1″), one at the bottom (1″), and every 12″ in between.
Outside Mounting
Step 2: Hang the Curtain Panels
- With a partner, lift and slowly unroll each curtain to its designated spot.
- Zip a few inches of each side to temporarily hold it in place.
- With the curtain zipped into the side tracks, lift the top track into place keeping the alignment centered within the tracks.
- Raise it to the proper height and screw both ends in with the 2 inch screws.
- Fully zip both sides once mounted.
Inside Mounting
Step 2: Hang the Curtain Panels
- With a partner, lift and slowly unroll each curtain to its designated spot.
- Zip a few inches of each side to temporarily hold it in place.
- With the curtain zipped into the side tracks, lift the top track into place keeping the alignment centered within the tracks.
- Raise it to the proper height and screw both ends in with the 2 inch screws.
- Fully zip both sides once mounted.
Outside & Inside Mounting
Step 3: Install the Pulley System
Each curtain includes a pulley kit with:
- 1 Cleat
- 1 Single pulley (with 1/2″ nylon spacer)
- 2 Double pulleys (with 1″ nylon spacers)
- 3 Steel washers
- 3″ Screws for mounting
Pulley Setup for right-side tie-off
- Right pulley hole: Double pulley
- Center hole: Double pulley
- Left pulley hole: Single pulley
- Reverse layout for left-side tie-off.
Cord Routing:
- Bring the cords around the back side of the panel, under the bar, up the front of the curtain to the pulleys.
- Run them through the pulleys.
- Lead cords across and down the post to the cleat location.
Outside & Inside Mounting
Step 4: Install the Cleat
- Mount the cleat on the post at a comfortable height (36-52″ above ground).
- Wrap the cords around the cleat 4-5 times to secure.
- Trim any excess cord and seal ends with a lighter to prevent fraying.
Twist Locks Mounting
- When mounting the panel, make sure you have enough overhang on each post.
- Once mounted, unroll the panel to prepare marking the twist lock locations on the post.
- Start at one of the top holes and with a pencil, mark the twist lock mounting location through the hole in the panel.
- Place one of the twist locks at the center of the mark and drill in both screws. One at the top and one at the bottom.
- Twist and lock once complete to ensure you have a tight panel as you continue mounting.
- Starting at the top, continue to go from one side to the other mounting the locks and work your way down.
- From here, refer to “Step 3: Install the Pulley System” to continue.