[Jim McC]

We are considering building a 4 season porch, but doing it in stages. Stage 1 would be to do the frost wall and concrete floor. This would replace our current deck, until we build the porch. Does anyone see a problem doing this? Our house is a ranch, and the current deck is about 18" above grade. We are also not sure if we should do a step down from our patio door, or make the concrete floor the same height as the patio door?

If we did an acid stain to the concrete, would the finish hold up to the weather conditions here in S/E Wisconsin?

Thanks.

 

[Bud9051]

With a frost wall and slab inside in WI you will want to install lots of rigid insulation on the walls and under the slab. The problem is more than just a cold floor, that floor will result in condensation at some points during the year and especially, with a smooth finish, it will be slick.

I can't say for sure whether it would be a problem leaving it exposed over the winter, but I wouldn't. They say the frost expands in the direction of the heat loss, so not sure if you will have frost or whether it would present a problem.

Bud

 

[joed]

If you are not going to cover it then making the floor level will be an issue with rain and melting snow coming into the old part of the house.

 

[Jim McC]

Thanks guys. Assuming the porch is all finished with a roof, is a step down from the patio door a bad idea? It will probably take some getting used to because our deck has been level with the patio door for many years.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Along the lines of water problems,....

Most floors are poured dead flat, 'n level,....

Patios need to have pitch to drain the water,....

Exposed through a winter or 2 wouldn't be too bad, but the water issue is a Biggie,...

 

[Jim McC]

Thanks. What about my question about having a step down while exiting the patio door? Is that mainly personal preference?

 

[Canarywood1]

Most all are step downs that i've ever seen, there's a reason for it as Bondo said.

 

[jlhaslip]

My sister has a step down into her 3 season room.
She also has a small platform built so that the platform is level with the inside floor.

Some times the platform is in place, and some times it is not.

 

[Jim McC]

Most all are step downs that i've ever seen, there's a reason for it as Bondo said.

Even in a totally enclosed 4 season porch?

 

[Bud9051]

Just my opinion, but no need for a step down. Only considerations I see would be the threshold of whatever door will be installed.

With a frost wall and all necessary insulation that space will be conditioned living space, no longer a porch.

Bud

 

[Jim McC]

Only considerations I see would be the threshold of whatever door will be installed. Bud

What do you mean by this?

 

[Bud9051]

An interior door may have no threshold allowing a flat transition through the door. An exterior door will be air tight, but will have a slope to the outside to drain water away. Not a problem, just a consideration.

Bud

 

[jomama45]

We do the floors and foundations for these once in a while, and I share some of the same concerns of the others. If it's going to be exposed for any length of time, it should either be pitched away from the house slightly, be a step down, or both. Obviously, these aren't ideal long term whn it's closed in.

As for acid staining & sealing, it's going to be extremely slippery when wet, unless you add a traction additive to the sealer. Same thing as above, not ideal once it's enclosed.

 

[Jim McC]

Thanks. It sounds like we better wait and build it all at once.

The reason I'm considering a step down from the patio door is for the extra ceiling height. We have a ranch house with a 4:12 roof pitch.

 

[Bud9051]

My bad, I thought you were trying to avoid a step down. If you want a step, and low ceiling is a good reason for having one, that's perfectly fine. Just use a comfortable height. For some reason, small steps can be as awkward as big steps.

Bud

 

[Jim McC]

One of the carpenter/builders I had out recommended doing a frost wall, but not a concrete slab floor. He recommended framing a wood floor system on top of the frost wall, and insulating between the floor joists. Would this be a warmer floor than an insulated concrete floor?

Thanks.

 

[jomama45]

One of the carpenter/builders I had out recommended doing a frost wall, but not a concrete slab floor. He recommended framing a wood floor system on top of the frost wall, and insulating between the floor joists. Would this be a warmer floor than an insulated concrete floor?

Thanks.

Absolutely, it would be warmer, or at least feel much warmer.

I'd consider making the area a partial crawlspace at minimum to run a heat vent to an exterior wall, unless the new floor joists would already be running the corect way to do so.

 

[Jim McC]

Thanks