Screened Porch Foundation
#1
06-07-17, 09:05 AM
Screened Porch Foundation
I'm having a single car attached garage built and was originally planning on having the builder do a screened porch off the back of the garage, but it doesn't appear to be within budget, so I am considering having him do only the garage and I would do the foundation for the screened porch. I would basically build a 120 sq ft deck and have him come back at a later date and do the columns, roof, etc. I'm thinking I could save several thousand doing it this way.
Are there are any additional measures to be taken when building a deck that will eventually be covered and screened in? For instance, can the roof be supported by a 2ft cantilevered deck (2x10 joists), or should the support posts for the roof be positioned directly over the beam? Are 6x6 posts on 2 ft tall concrete pillars (2 ft is the frost line) with doubled up 2x12 beams sufficient to support the deck and roof? Should I dig a little below the frost line to be safe? Is it a bad idea to have a screened porch with roof on stilts that will be attached to another structure (the garage roof) that is sitting on a poured concrete foundation? My primary concern is the deck/screened porch settling and eventually pulling away from the garage and house over time.
Are there are any additional measures to be taken when building a deck that will eventually be covered and screened in? For instance, can the roof be supported by a 2ft cantilevered deck (2x10 joists), or should the support posts for the roof be positioned directly over the beam? Are 6x6 posts on 2 ft tall concrete pillars (2 ft is the frost line) with doubled up 2x12 beams sufficient to support the deck and roof? Should I dig a little below the frost line to be safe? Is it a bad idea to have a screened porch with roof on stilts that will be attached to another structure (the garage roof) that is sitting on a poured concrete foundation? My primary concern is the deck/screened porch settling and eventually pulling away from the garage and house over time.
#2
06-07-17, 10:44 AM
I know dirt work can get expensive quickly and you may have asked the builder this. I'm wondering how much more it would cost for your guy to dig the footer/foundation for the porch when he does the garage? You could then have the concrete poured at the same time.
I'm imagining in my mind that the garage would be completed as you wanted but the foundation would be ready behind the garage for the porch when you are ready to tackle that project.
I'm all about doing projects in stages as it tends to keep costs under control. I'm just wondering how much more expensive your guy quoted you to do the 10 x 12 footer/foundation you'd want for the porch.
Your thought about pulling away from the garage would also be my main concern if the foundation was not all one poured slab/footer.
I'm imagining in my mind that the garage would be completed as you wanted but the foundation would be ready behind the garage for the porch when you are ready to tackle that project.
I'm all about doing projects in stages as it tends to keep costs under control. I'm just wondering how much more expensive your guy quoted you to do the 10 x 12 footer/foundation you'd want for the porch.
Your thought about pulling away from the garage would also be my main concern if the foundation was not all one poured slab/footer.
#3
06-07-17, 11:00 AM
Oh, you're saying I should have a contiguous footer poured for the garage AND future porch? I was thinking the porch would be on concrete pillars. I would basically build a deck later this year and have them build a roof on top of it next year. I like the idea of everything being on the same footer though. Would I be able to get final inspection on the garage even with an exposed foundation footer exposed for the future porch area?
#4
06-07-17, 11:12 AM
Yep that is exactly what I was thinking about a contiguous footer. Only the future porch foundation would be exposed like you say.
Your question about whether or not it would pass inspection is the reason I'd like to pursue my general contractor's license. I am not sure if it would pass in your area or not. In the past when I've had a question about things like this I've just asked the codes/building permit department.
I would wonder if the future porch footer was at the soil level, if the inspector would have a problem with it. I could potentially see an inspector not liking a footer if there were concrete block on top and nothing else. That could be a potential hazard for trips, falls, etc.
Also, if you had a real footer in place that passes inspection, it gives you even more options further down the line should you decide you want an enclosed porch.
Your question about whether or not it would pass inspection is the reason I'd like to pursue my general contractor's license. I am not sure if it would pass in your area or not. In the past when I've had a question about things like this I've just asked the codes/building permit department.
I would wonder if the future porch footer was at the soil level, if the inspector would have a problem with it. I could potentially see an inspector not liking a footer if there were concrete block on top and nothing else. That could be a potential hazard for trips, falls, etc.
Also, if you had a real footer in place that passes inspection, it gives you even more options further down the line should you decide you want an enclosed porch.
#5
06-07-17, 11:18 AM
I could have the builder pour the footer like suggested, then I could install the posts after the footer is dry, then have the builder backfill everything prior to final inspection. Having three posts sticking up 3 feet out of the ground seems like it would be okay. Better than a trench in the ground.
#6
06-07-17, 11:29 AM
Yep I agree with you about have the posts sticking out of the ground. You could always dress those up a little by affixing some of those trendy ceramic lanterns on top of the post. Around here they can be purchased for less than 20 bucks. Place a couple of deck chairs and a small table out there and you have a place to sit and think about the porch you are going to build 
