For starters the acrylic gets really ugly looking fast but you could try Lexan panels and you will need to do some work to actually have them installed if you wantto be able to remove them in the summer.

yes, you'd want them to be removable so that you can clean the side facing the bars or it would be a real mess.

Hi, I was looking at Lexan. Home Depot also has something that seems similar, i.e. treated for UV protection, etc. But for the amount I need, the higher price of the Lexan would not be an issue. And while i want them removable, I don't need them to be easily removable as I will likely leave them on in summer for the noise dampening effect.

The question is, how do I attach them? I used to see this kind of set up often when I was a kid. Obviously it's no longer popular as I don't see it anymore. But I don't know how people attached the panels and the few handy people I've asked don't seem to have a clue what I'm talking about.

Suggestions on actually attaching them, especially from someone that has done it, would be great!

Make them into storm windows, and attach them the traditional way. That’s how most “convertible“ sunrooms are done.

The issue is attaching them to the security bars. The bars are in the open spaces of the porch. I want to attach the acrylic to the security gate and open areas. I don't know how I could attach a storm window to security bars.

Restaurants use clear vinyl curtains/tarps to weather-proof patio areas.

Clear Vinyl · More Info

Clear Vinyl · More Info

https://www.tarpsnow.com/custom-clear-vinyl-curtain.html

Can you post a picture for more suggestions?

"Try Lexan panels"

maecom, did you read the op's posts?

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What's a bot account? Me?!

I should mention that in addition to sound dampening and weatherizing, the acrylic would also act as a barrier to keep people from trying to reach into the porch to unlock the deadbolt on the gate. So vinyl sheeting won't suffice. Currently there is a deadbolt that only opens with a key. Obviously very bad in the event of a fire. But the way my porch is configured, putting in a deadbolt that opens without a key from inside would allows someone to just reach through the bars to open from inside. I don't want to put up that mesh all around because it would darken the porch, so the acrylic would allow light while preventing ability to unlock door from outside.

I'm going to post pictures later today for suggestions on how I might be able to attach.

You can't get out without a key?

For some reason I can't post the picture of the side of the porch. Every time I try it blanks out the page. But similar set up, i.e. the metal is where a window would be. So there is not really a wooden frame upon which to attach the acrylic. I somehow have to attach it to the bars themselves.

Pretty door. My parents have a turn deadbolt and a keyed lock on a side door iron work. The key is nearby. They have a metal grating that would keep someone from reaching in, so the turn lock is used most of the time.

The grating is the option that most mention, but the side of the porch is within easy reach of the lock, so I'd have to put grating on much of the door as well as the side to keep someone from reaching in. I feel it would darken the porch too much. Plus I am really hoping that panels will help muffle some of the street noise. I intend to leave the space above the gate open for airflow, but so long as the actual gate and the panels one each side are covered, I think it will help with noise and also make it a warm place to sit in winter if I want to be outside but not in the rain or wind. It's already very protected from the rain, so really it would be something to warm it up.