Hi Barryw,

What are you thinking??? I'm not sure what you mean by clever. Do you want a year-round porch or just a summer one? Is it on a slab or is the porch raised a bit? How big is it?

Give more info, please. Again, what are YOUR thoughts???

Jay J -Moderator

We had a slab poured when we built(new house). The footings for the deck are just
beyond the slab. I want to build a screen
porch for warm weather use only(May-October in Minnesota).

Problems:
1.Keeping water, dirt and bugs from above out.

2.Avoiding a classic roof pitch if possible; bottom of deck is about 9.5 feet above slab and the porch will extend 12 feet out from house.

3.Making it attractive

4.I may need to pour a foundation around the
perimeter of the porch. I'd rather avoid this if possible.

As I drive around looking, I see almost no screen porches under decks. I am mostly looking for ideas that I can adapt. I have rarely worked on a project where I can't find existing designs to "borrow" ideas from.

Any thoughts would be appreciated

Thank you

Barryw

Hi Barryw,

Well, this is a toughy. To me, for what you want, it sounds like you have to frame it out as you would a normal additions. Can you use piers instead of a foundation? Of course, you'll have to go below frost line in either case. (If you're not familiar w/piers, find a good book and read up ...)

I don't know how 'imaginative' one could get. I think that's left to the 'finish' work on this job. There are magazines that might have some pictures for you. In my town, there are a couple of stores that specialize in selling magazines. And, boy, there are TONS of them! Maybe you'll find one that specializes in decks, porches, and combos. Gee, I wish I could offer more.

My best to ya and hope this helps.

Jay J -Moderator

I don't have an answer, but I do have a similar problem. I recently bought a house and outside the back door a concrete patio (12x30)has already been Laid. I want to cover the patio (open) but am having difficulty finding ideas on the web. I live in a small rural Arizona town (Camp Verde) so resources are few, but so are bugs and frost. I'd like to know what I want prior to having a contracter make a bid, and possibly if I could do it myself in whole or part. Any ideas?

Resourceful One-The web is very handy for ideas. Do a search for Screen Porches, Sun Rooms, Screen Rooms, etc. The sites that come up almost all have pictures. It should give you some ideas on possibilities. You might also check for home and garden trade shows in the nearest large town or city. The Chamber of Commerce should be of help. If it is anything like Minneapolis, there will be some large shows where you can see all of the latest ideas and products all set up. Good Luck.

[This message has been edited by Barryw (edited May 23, 2001).]

Barryw,

did you complete the room-under-deck? If so, how did you go about it - self or contractor? Also, do you have any reference photos or cost estimates? I am Minneapolis as well, have the same type of deck, and want to build the same type of room --

any info would be greatly appreciated!

joemichaels

My company specialize in building sunrooms, screen rooms and decks. I think it is very simple solution. You can finish botoom of the deck with Under Deck ceiling, so you can use your screen room when it rains and build screens around the deck. look at atached photo, or you can visit my website http://www.millenniumsunrooms.com for more information