New patio cover and/or enclosed patio

jcrizzy

wondering if I can leave the current concrete patio/pad to build new wood patio cover, or best to tear out and re-pour new concrete FOUNDATION < if I also plan to enclose the patio with framed knee wall + windows all around.

2 projects that are related. In Los Angeles, CA area

#1 New patio cover. Currently have an 20yr old light-weight metal patio cover over concrete pad. The 3 metal columns look like this pic (not my house but same exact style columns) columns are attached to concrete with small metal ties.



If i want to replace the patio cover and build w wood beams, tied to house with ledger board and 4x4 wood posts...Safe to say I should make sure to have footings for the columns at that point. So retrofit the current pad w footings or place footings outside the current pad (extend to the grass a bit)

#2 I *might* want to enclose this patio decently with framed knee wall + windows, drywall the ceiling maybe... if so, should I rip out current concrete and get proper foundation poured. At that point it becomes more like a room addition. trying to avoid if I can frame walls and enclose on top of current concrete pad.

thanks much

leenamark1

Patio cover looks nice. Why you want to change it?

oh'mike

If you want to frame in walls and windows--you need proper footing---and a stem wall to keep water from seeping under the sill plates----

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joecaption

I agree, by far water coming in under the wall will be your biggest issue.
That back door is sitting so low to the grade that there's no way I can see to repore and raise the grade on this one.
What type siding is that? If it's alumium then there's another major challange.
It's near impossible to just remove and reinstall pieces without damage to the siding.

silversport

That's not the OPs house.....

jcrizzy

Thanks guys. yeah that pic isn't actually my house. but kinda similar and same patio columns.

yeah if I enclose I can def see needing proper foundation/stem walls to keep out water (although in SoCal with not too much rain).

But see some people enclose patio (4 season room screened in only) and seems like some just go from existing patio/pad. Still to do it right I can see new foundation will be better and more $$$$$ of course!

joecaption

Your in an earth quake prone area I'm sure the building dept. will have something to say about how it's built.

oh'mike

A lot of sun porches are built right on a slab---water on the floor makes for trouble --wet rugs and mats--ants and such----it's usually a sory customer that calls me to see about a fix.

Don't cut that corner---

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AndyGump

Depending on the thickness of the slab and how much weight the total porch cover is, you may be able to just attach to the slab and not have to pour footings.
Not that I would recommend it but you can do it according to code.

Andy.

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jcrizzy

Thanks Andy. Great info. I like that if it's light it can be done per code (probably how my current metal cover is done since pretty light weight). But still footings would feel better for a new (wood) patio. thx again.