PORCH: To Enclose or not to Enclose...

singforsupper · 08-03-2005, 08:38 PM

Last summer I demolished a terribly rotton front porch on the fixer-upper starter home we bought. I had a concrete slab about 6 inches thick poured in it's place and I am supporting the roof with 4x4 treaded beams.

My wife and I are thinking of enclosing the porch. The framing would not be a problem. It should be simple. The sheathing should be easly too. The question I have is about the foundation.

We live in Western New York and the building codes require a 3 ft. foundation because of of the deep frost line. Since this porch is on a conrete slab with no footing/foundation, can/should I encluse the porch or not?

TIA

Teetorbilt · 08-03-2005, 11:38 PM

Experts will be along soon, but I would say no. The frost heave at my NC home is about 2", I would expect yours to be the same or worse. That is major flexing on a structure.

singforsupper · 08-05-2005, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teetorbilt

Experts will be along soon, but I would say no. The frost heave at my NC home is about 2", I would expect yours to be the same or worse. That is major flexing on a structure.

Thanks Teetorbilt. Your advice concurs with others I have spoken to since I posted this thread. The consensus is NO. Don't do it. I have decided to folllow that advice and just keep the porch.