Home Remodeling: Enclosing a Patio – Things You Didn’t Know
CONVERTING YOUR PATIO TO LIVING SPACE – THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW
Converting your patio to living space is not as simple as just putting up walls!
SO YOU WANT TO ENCLOSE YOUR PATIO
Enclosing your patio, porch or screen room looks especially nice when you take the time to blend the new room with your existing home.
But, there are many things to consider before you begin the process.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
IS THE FOUNDATION STRONG ENOUGH?
Your porch foundation (the concrete slab) will have to be investigated. You may find that the slab does not meet the building code for this change.
The slab must be able to support the new construction of the walls and all of the inside materials in addition to the roof. The process includes undermining the existing slab or cutting the edges and pouring new footers to meet the code if they are not of sufficient size.
IS THE SLAB HIGH ENOUGH?
Usually a patio or porch slab is about 4 inches lower than the main house. You should raise the slab surface up to match the existing house in an effort to match finishes in the new living space.
In addition, even if you are not trying to match the floor elevation of the existing house, you may still be required to raise the floor level to that of the existing house to meet building code elevation requirements. If you have a sunken living room, or a sunken shower, you may not have to raise the floor level.
MEANS OF EGRESS FROM OTHER ROOMS
How did you get to your patio / porch before? If you went through a sliding glass door from a bedroom, you may have to change or add a bedroom window so there is a means of egress – that is a way to escape from a sleeping room directly outside. If enclosing a porch eliminates the only window in a bedroom, a new egress sized window will definitely need to be added.
It is against the Florida Building Code not to have a means of escape in case of a fire. The code requires at least one emergency escape and rescue opening in every sleeping room where the:
- Sill height shall not exceed 44 inches above the floor.
- Minimum net clear opening shall be 5.7 square feet.
- Minimum net clear opening height shall be 24 inches.
- Minimum net clear opening width shall be 20 inches.
ARE YOU PUTTING A CLOSET IN THE ROOM?
If the room has a closet, it will be considered a bedroom – even if you say that it is a den. This can add other costs to your project, especially if your home is on a septic system. You may need to increase the size of your septic tank and/or drain field because the Florida Department of Health determines the required size by the number of bedrooms in your home and the total square footage of living space.
IMPACT FEES
Palm Beach County charges impact fees when a home is constructed to provide services (parks, fire stations, etc.). The fees are based on the square footage of living space in your home.
The increase in square footage may bring you to the next level. If that happens, the county, not your builder, collects impact fees based on the difference between the two sizes of living space.
OTHER THOUGHTS
You should enlist the services of a design-build contractor, like Leading Edge Homes, Inc., because it is more than just putting up walls and windows.
You will need electrical service, air conditioning and heating, cable TV, telephone, perhaps plumbing, and more. Your design-build contractor will help you with the design to meet your needs and ensure the enclosed room looks like it has always been a part of your home.
Your design-build contractor can provide you with a set of plans, including structural engineering, that is ready to submit to the building department.
Lastly, you should pay attention to the details. If your house is concrete block, you should coordinate your exterior finish of the enclosed room to match. You should also plan on how the new room flows with the rest of your house and match wall and ceiling finishes.
Enclosing a room is not a do-it-yourself project. If you want a professional remodeling experience, contact your local design-build contractor, Leading Edge Homes. Inc.
Want to see some of our work? Visit our website or view our online book.
Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.
If you have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.
Leading Edge Homes, Inc. specializes in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more! In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust.Visit the Leading Edge Home’s website or call 561-795-2551 to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.