Screen porch conversion
If this gets posted twice I apologize.
I hit submit and there appeared to be an error.
Anyway, I am posting a potential project for a screen porch conversion to a conditioned space.
Typically, I have stayed away feeling too many potential issues.
However, this one I am interested in pursuing.
What should I be asking myself on this project?
Here is a quick high level scope of what the client envisions.
Add oak hardwood floors
Add windows to match those already in the house
Condition using a mini-split with a head unit on the wall
Keeping the brick exposed
My thoughts quickly are in regards to the framing over the existing brick and having no insulation in the brick in this area which wraps around the entire perimeter of the screen porch.
No slope on the current brick wall rowlock.
What questions do I need to be asking?
What details will I need to make sure I hit in order to make this a successful project?
Thank you in advance.
Craig
Greensboro, North Carolina
GBA Detail Library
A collection of one thousand construction details organized by climate and house part
Replies
GBA appears to have an error right now. Posts are dated in 1970 and I've had to post several times. I see that others have as well.
I have alerted the web development team to this error message issue. Thanks, all, for your patience.
Hi Craig. I can think of two main sets of issues:
First, you're converting outdoor space to indoor space. Outdoor space is typically constructed differently from indoor space. It can be tricky to add insulation and air sealing if the structure wasn't built with those in mind.
Second you need to join it to the existing building envelope. Again, this can be tricky if it wasn't designed into the original building. Joe Lstiburek talks about the "perfect wall" having four layers -- rain control, air sealing, vapor sealing and insulation -- and all four layers have to meet all around the house. His stock advice is that if you take a plan of the building, you should be able to draw each layer without taking your pencil off of the page.