Home addition advice

[Mr Janny]

We moved into our house 4 years ago. And while we love it, the one area that it's lacking is usable outdoor space. We have a deck off of the main floor, but it's uncovered, with no shade, and because we have a walkout basement, the deck is a full story off of the ground.

Ultimately, we'd like to add a 3 season porch and a covered patio area.
The question is, would it be easier to add the 3 season porch under the existing deck, which would involve cutting a new door to the house, where a window currently is, or is it a better idea adding the porch where the already existing walkout door is, but would probably force us to relocate the stairs to the deck.

If we put the porch under the deck, would we have to scrap the existing deck, or could it be incorporated? Is it even worth trying to waterproof the bottom of the deck, in order to make it the roof of the porch?

For the record, we'll be using a contractor for this. Definitely not a DIY project.

 

[Jeremy]

We moved into our house 4 years ago. And while we love it, the one area that it's lacking is usable outdoor space. We have a deck off of the main floor, but it's uncovered, with no shade, and because we have a walkout basement, the deck is a full story off of the ground.

Ultimately, we'd like to add a 3 season porch and a covered patio area.
The question is, would it be easier to add the 3 season porch under the existing deck, which would involve cutting a new door to the house, where a window currently is, or is it a better idea adding the porch where the already existing walkout door is, but would probably force us to relocate the stairs to the deck.

If we put the porch under the deck, would we have to scrap the existing deck, or could it be incorporated? Is it even worth trying to waterproof the bottom of the deck, in order to make it the roof of the porch?

For the record, we'll be using a contractor for this. Definitely not a DIY project.

I have no answers for any of that. But, I'm glad it's not a DIY project because I'm pretty sure I was busy all those weekends you had planned, whenever they are

 

[BirdOfWar]

We moved into our house 4 years ago. And while we love it, the one area that it's lacking is usable outdoor space. We have a deck off of the main floor, but it's uncovered, with no shade, and because we have a walkout basement, the deck is a full story off of the ground.

Ultimately, we'd like to add a 3 season porch and a covered patio area.
The question is, would it be easier to add the 3 season porch under the existing deck, which would involve cutting a new door to the house, where a window currently is, or is it a better idea adding the porch where the already existing walkout door is, but would probably force us to relocate the stairs to the deck.

If we put the porch under the deck, would we have to scrap the existing deck, or could it be incorporated? Is it even worth trying to waterproof the bottom of the deck, in order to make it the roof of the porch?

For the record, we'll be using a contractor for this. Definitely not a DIY project.

If you added a roof to the current deck and made it a 3 seasons porch, underneath that space could then be a covered patio area. Would that accomplish what you are wanting?

 

[wxman1]

When in doubt. Always put in a sex swing.

Edit: Also I want to make sure you are keeping with the CF bylaws and paying in cash?

 

[3TrueFans]

When in doubt. Always put in a sex swing.

Every swing is a sex swing if you're limber enough.

 

[Mr Janny]

If you added a roof to the current deck and made it a 3 seasons porch, underneath that space could then be a covered patio area. Would that accomplish what you are wanting?

Potentially. But I think ideally, we'd like to have the 3 season porch and patio to be a connected space.

 

[Mr Janny]

Every swing is a sex swing if you're limber enough.

 

[JP4CY]

Potentially. But I think ideally, we'd like to have the 3 season porch and patio to be a connected space.

I would have an engineer/good contractor look at the deck footings if you go the route of covering the deck. You'd be adding/transferring weight to those columns/footings.

 

[Gonzo]

We moved into our house 4 years ago. And while we love it, the one area that it's lacking is usable outdoor space. We have a deck off of the main floor, but it's uncovered, with no shade, and because we have a walkout basement, the deck is a full story off of the ground.

Ultimately, we'd like to add a 3 season porch and a covered patio area.
The question is, would it be easier to add the 3 season porch under the existing deck, which would involve cutting a new door to the house, where a window currently is, or is it a better idea adding the porch where the already existing walkout door is, but would probably force us to relocate the stairs to the deck.

If we put the porch under the deck, would we have to scrap the existing deck, or could it be incorporated? Is it even worth trying to waterproof the bottom of the deck, in order to make it the roof of the porch?

For the record, we'll be using a contractor for this. Definitely not a DIY project.

This sounds pretty similar to how our house is set up. I've never been a big fan of trying to utilize outdoor space under a deck in that way. Just seems like it's always going to be dark under there with the deck overtop, and I'd think it'd still be kind of a haven for bugs, spiders, cobwebs, etc. At least that's how it would probably end up if we tried this. Would you be able to turn the existing deck off the main floor into the 3 seasons porch, or would that not work because it's a full story off the ground? Having the 3 seasons porch off the main floor, then maybe adding a pergola to the patio below and a hot tub under the deck might be a cool set up.

 

[Donqluione]

We moved into our house 4 years ago. And while we love it, the one area that it's lacking is usable outdoor space. We have a deck off of the main floor, but it's uncovered, with no shade, and because we have a walkout basement, the deck is a full story off of the ground.

Ultimately, we'd like to add a 3 season porch and a covered patio area.
The question is, would it be easier to add the 3 season porch under the existing deck, which would involve cutting a new door to the house, where a window currently is, or is it a better idea adding the porch where the already existing walkout door is, but would probably force us to relocate the stairs to the deck.

If we put the porch under the deck, would we have to scrap the existing deck, or could it be incorporated? Is it even worth trying to waterproof the bottom of the deck, in order to make it the roof of the porch?

For the record, we'll be using a contractor for this. Definitely not a DIY project.

First thing to consider is where you spend most of the time, second is when/how the 3-season porch and patio will be used. Do you usually head downstairs and spend most of your time in a family space there, or is that more of a "kid level" or whatever, with adults mostly staying on the main floor. Would you use the 3-season porch for casual meals or that sort of thing, wherein it would be more convenient to be proximate to the kitchen that's presumably on the main floor? If you grill/smoke, can't do that inside a 3-season porch, either need to retain/add deck space, or do that on the patio level. How many people do you want to "fit" into each space?

Once you've thought about and decided those and other possible utilization issues, the decision may be made, i.e. the existing deck isn't big enough to be the basis for a 3-season porch, as either floor or roof. OR maybe the 3 season porch ought to be on the lower level, existing deck will become sort of superfluous.

Trying to maximize utilization of the existing deck is likely to compromise the optimal size and use of the 3-season porch and patio, thus a false economy. Don't just blow it away without thought, but I'd not put too much emphasis on its incorporation into the new additions.

 

[Jeremy]

I would have an engineer/good contractor look at the deck footings if you go the route of covering the deck. You'd be adding/transferring weight to those columns/footings.

We had that very issue a couple years ago. We're going to turn the deck into a covered 3-season and found that the existing deck had no concrete footings. And this is on a new house in Waukee. Between resolving that and re-doing the stairs to have a landing and back-curve rather than one long death-fall, we ran out of money for the actual project.

 

[TXCyclones]

We moved into our house 4 years ago. And while we love it, the one area that it's lacking is usable outdoor space. We have a deck off of the main floor, but it's uncovered, with no shade, and because we have a walkout basement, the deck is a full story off of the ground.

Ultimately, we'd like to add a 3 season porch and a covered patio area.
The question is, would it be easier to add the 3 season porch under the existing deck, which would involve cutting a new door to the house, where a window currently is, or is it a better idea adding the porch where the already existing walkout door is, but would probably force us to relocate the stairs to the deck.

If we put the porch under the deck, would we have to scrap the existing deck, or could it be incorporated? Is it even worth trying to waterproof the bottom of the deck, in order to make it the roof of the porch?

For the record, we'll be using a contractor for this. Definitely not a DIY project.

I added a roof and screens around my deck, then added an adjacent "uncovered deck". Absolutely loved it. I put down outdoor carpet so that bugs would just come up between the decking.

 

[JP4CY]

We had that very issue a couple years ago. We're going to turn the deck into a covered 3-season and found that the existing deck had no concrete footings. And this is on a new house in Waukee. Between resolving that and re-doing the stairs to have a landing and back-curve rather than one long death-fall, we ran out of money for the actual project.

No concrete footings for a deck in Iowa? Woof. That's probably illegal.

 

[Jeremy]

No concrete footings for a deck in Iowa? Woof. That's probably illegal.

Yeah, gotta love Hubbell's mass production and sub-contractors.

 

[mynameisjonas]

Yeah, gotta love Hubbell's mass production and sub-contractors.

It was probably soil at the top, but at the bottom for sure it was concrete.

 

[Cybone]

I didn’t read the original post beyond additions, but I am sure Angie would appreciate the stripper pole, disco ball, keg fridge, and home bowling alley.

A padded room could be fun too

 

[CloneFanInKC]

I did a big project along these lines for my house 3 years ago. I can recommend some products for a ceiling of your lower level if you want to “water proof” it and a great screen system. (I researched products and contractors for about 18 months before making a decision)

Let me know if your interested.

 

[RLD4ISU]

We are building a deck next month with an under decking system to also be installed. Our plan is to later pour concrete under the deck and screen in this area. (We have a walkout basement). The deck will be on the south side of our house, so we are also looking at options for shade there - but don't want it completely covered.

The house we lived in prior to this one had a covered deck with a ceiling fan. Prior owners removed the original deck to build it. We loved it, but ran into issues in the summer evenings with sun/heat (the deck was on the west side of the house). We bought/installed retractable sun shades and it made a huge difference.

 

[Jeremy]

It was probably soil at the top, but at the bottom for sure it was concrete.

Nope, they had to dig full footings - I made them show me to prove they weren't just jacking me around. The deck wasn't supported by anything but dirt.

 

[JP4CY]

Nope, they had to dig full footings - I made them show me to prove they weren't just jacking me around. The deck wasn't supported by anything but dirt.

JFC this a deck that should have could have like 100lb/ft2 on it, not a fence.