Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Wanting to build sunroom on existing deck

I have a 10x14 shabby deck that is about 15yrs old however the flooring is about 3yrs old.
The deck sits about 2 feet off the ground.
I would like to extend the deck and enclose the 10x14 section with a sunroom to use year-round.

I'm really not looking to spend much money on the sunroom.
And I'm really NOT that handy but willing to try. Of course my wife screams at the idea of me doing it myself.

Should I approach the project as:
- replace existing deck and start over
- new deck would now be 15x20
- then enclose the 10x14 section by using those doityourself sunroom kits
- If I run into a jam --- call in a handyman to cleanup my mess

Thanks in advance for your advice and motivation

Hello, ebhome and welcome to the DIY Forums!

If you are looking for motivation, I can provide you with that!

You will save a ton of money by DIY.
You will improve your skills.
You will be extremely proud of your clever self.
You can brag to everyone.
Your wife will stop screaming and start beaming!

Do you have carpentry experience, tools and a couple of good friends you can con into helping in exchange for good food and cold beer?

Connie

Any changes to structure require submitting plans to local Building Code Office for approval and permit. That's the first place to begin.

Let's say that you live in the hinterlands where no one has ever heard of building codes or inspectors.

--10x14 shabby deck that is about 15yrs old to be converted to sunroom. What are the specs of this deck? How is it attached to structure? Joists? Beams? Support posts? What type of wood? Termites? How long do you expect this addition to last if supported by existing support system? Other? What do codes require? You need to do your homework.

--Replace existing deck and start over? Depends on the above.

--New deck would now be 15x20. The rules of the game have changed and so have the codes.

--Then enclose the 10x14 section by using those doityourself sunroom kit? Most manufacturers of sunroom kits have minimal specs required to support warranty. You need to do your homework.

--If I run into a jam --- call in a handyman to cleanup my mess? No offense to handymen. I have hired many, including my claim to fame--Rent a Husband. Get serious. The average handyman knows zilch about building codes and likely has never heard of them.

I know you want a soundly and safely built structure or you would not be posting here. You have lots more research to do. While a public forum may provide you with some general insight, Building Codes vary from area to area with some stricter than other.

"A 10x14 shabby deck...sits two feet off ground," and you are looking for specifications from professional builders that build according to code and within local code variances. Your question is too broad and unspecified. Find out what you local codes require and come back with more specific questions that include a detailed description with specifications of the existing deck.

Oh, too often, we have posts here. I want to convert my deck to a sunroom. I want to convert my deck to a familyroom additon. I want to convert my deck to an extra bedroom. Without specs, the pros can not advise.

Too, reconsider the sunroom conversion. If you want to add value to your property for resale. This conversion is not recommended. Only heated and cooled finished flooring space that is truly and addition to the structure adds value to a home if considering an addition. If in doubt, contact a local real estate agent.

The agent will also advise you that if you are making any changes in structure that you will be required to get a permit. Savvy homeowners pull permits to assure any projects done meet code. Don't be a green kangaroo and get caught in the middle. Do your homework.

I have converted covered porches into sunrooms (heated and cooled) many times, and have many happy customers. The main thing you have to do, like already stated, is get the blessings of the planning board and permit department to do the job. Then demo any portion or all of the deck to ensure proper footings. Here in the mountains we cannot use sonotubes if the structure overlooks a drop off. We have to pour continuous footings for the entire length. With yours so low to the ground and suspect age and support, a complete demo may be in order. Digging footings laying down ain't fun. Once you get the foundation problem ironed out, proper support and construction methods will make it possible for you to have a great area to relax in.

I have just started the exact project you are mentioning. I am removing a 12x12 section of an existing 12x24 deck and replacing it with a sunroom. To access the new room, I am replacing a window with a door that will give us access from our dining room.

Like chandler mentioned, after I had an idea of what I wanted the room to be I started with getting a verbal plan approval from the building inspector and reviewed the plans with him. There were a couple of permit issues that I had concerns with, so it important to get them resolved.

I plan to remove the entire deck that will be in the location of the new room. I could probably build on top of the existing decking but I don't want to chance it. The new room will be built with additional piers (this room will only be slightly elevated also) with new joists and a bolted ledger.

You should be able to build the room relatively inexpensively doing it yourself, but you will probably end up with about $5-$10k worth of material in the project, depending on the quality of windows and doors that you use. We have 10 windows planned for our room with a patio door and an exterior mandoor. You can see that the cost is mainly in the doors and windows.

If you have any questions or I can share any my ideas with you, let me know. We have been working out the details for this room for about 8 months now so I hope I am getting close to know exactly what we want and how we are going to build it.

Good luck

You have, by your own admission, a "10x14 shabby deck", and you want to install a sunroom on top of THAT??

Replace the deck first.

What twelvepole and chandler have already said, I'm not going to repeat.

But most of the decks that I replace are in the age range of 15 to 20 years. There's simply nothing left to them that's worth redecking, and certainly not anything I would put a room on.

Chandler, you mentioned that you have built many sunrooms for customers, so maybe you can help me with this question. We are trying to accomplish four season usage out of our room but given the St. Louis winters it may be difficult sometimes. We plan to extend heating to the room and also install a gas fireplace for occassion use, but it probably will be kept nominally heated in the winter with the utility rates being what they are. We originally wanted to install hardwood floors but the flooring supplier thought we would have buckling problems from the high humidity and temperature extremes. Have you (or anyone) had successful luck using hardwood flooring in a sunroom that is subject to large fluctuations in humidity and is not climate controlled at the same temperature as the main house?

With no solicitation intended, nor any professional communications accepted, (how's that for a disclaimer?) go to http://www.chandlerscarpentry.com/projectsone.html and see some samples. We solved the heat/air situation by using an in wall heat pump. They work exceptionally well, and augment the difference between the house and room just fine. All the rooms have R30 insulation below and are ceiled with either plywood or vinyl soffiting, to keep any fluctuations down. You also will apply a moisture barrier such as roofing felt prior to installing your hardwoods, anyway. We are located in the North Georgia Mountains, so we get a more severe winter than, say, Atlanta. The customers are quite satisfied with the results. Start with a sturdy foundation and you can't go wrong.

rkeepes,

There are 3 season rooms and there are 4 season rooms. The difference is adding heating and cooling to a 3 season room to make it a 4 season room.

That can make a HUGE difference in how the room is constructed, and (at least in CA) how it is taxed.

Once you add heat and A/C to the room, you are creating "conditioned space". That has to be built differently than a patio room, or "non-conditioned space".

Conditioned space has to meet energy calculations. -- Thicker walls, better insulation. a different foundation, and a whole lot different price.

Discuss it thoroughly with your local bldg. dept. and make sure you understand the differences in both what is required and what it's gonna cost before you choose which way to go.

Mike is right. On the ones I build I insist on 2x6 walls, giving R19 on the walls, R30 under and over, so the heat pump will work more efficiently. Once we apply for the permit, it will set the owner up for a tax evaluation, so it is almost automatic where we live.

rkeepes,

It's been VERY well documented in here that codes from one jurisdiction to the next are different. That's why I'm telling you to go talk to your local bldg. dept. and see what THEY require, are enforcing, and what applies.

Chandler will agree that what he can do in north Georgia and what he would have to do in Hotlanta are two totally different things. What I have to do within the city limits of Redding and what's required in the rest of Shasta County is the difference between night and day. (Move 20 feet, and everything changes!!)

OH, absolutely. We are, legally, just coming into the 21st century as far as codes are concerned. I say "legally" because local codes are just now being adopted in our area. More conscientious builders have always adhered to proper building techniques, but we have had a few that forced local code adoption. I do remodeling, and come across construction methods after demo that take my breath away. So checking with your local authorities is absolute. If you don't you will almost assuredly have to do things over at a cost.