Winterize a Sun Room | |
Enclosing a porch or sun room for year-round use makes a lot of sense because the room is already under roof. Many porches offer conversion possibilities that expand living space. Depending on the condition of the porch you might have to hire a contractor to do part of the job. Planning the Job Check out the foundation underneath the porch to appraise its construction and condition. Use a flashlight and make a sketch of what's down there. Note the size and direction and spacing between floor joists and the spans of main beams which bear the full load of the floor joists. Code specifications vary but 2x6 floor joists on 16-in., centers should be considered minimum. Also, check the location of key footings and posts and look for signs of wood rot or pest damage which will require repair and replacement work. If the structure is questionable, call in an engineer or contractor for advise. Look for electric lines and heating ducts where they run from the basement or crawl space adjacent to the porch. If these lines are in the vicinity of the porch, the conversion will be easier and less costly. Gutting and Rough Construction Empty the space of any furnishings and pull down the ceiling and walls using a pry bar to expose the wall and ceiling framing. Add fiberglass insulation between the ceiling and wall framing. To insulate the three exterior walls and ceilings, you can expect to pay about $150 for the insulation. Wear a protective mask and old clothes when stapling the insulation in place. Replace old porch windows with new vinyl clad insulated glass double hung windows which typically run about $130 to $200 each installed. Tuck insulation scraps around the new window frames. Hire an electrician to install about 10 feet of electric baseboard heat for about $400. Finishing Off the Interior Finish the porch with 1/2-in. dry wall on the ceiling and walls which runs about $1.00 a square foot to have it installed and taped. Decorate with paint and wallpaper and wall-to-wall carpeting of your choice. Written by the editors of HouseNet Copyright HouseNet, Inc. |