Expert: Daniel Humphrey - 2/18/2008

Question
QUESTION: Our house has a screened in back porch that we're looking to close in.  The roof of the house already fully extends over the existing porch, with attic crawl space.  The floor is currently a concrete slab.  What we'd like to do is build an exterior wall 2-3' high and then add windows (preferable larger sliders) for the remainder of the space (approx. 8').  Given that the porch currently has the concrete foundation AND the roof over top, this doesn't seems like a job TOO difficult for me and a couple friends to take on.  I've done a decent amount of work on our home and helped my dad on a number of projects, but nothing on the level of building an exterior wall.  The approx dimensions of the space to enclose is 5'x42'x10'.  Is it something you would recommend a homeowner try themselves?  I'd appreciate any suggestions or links to online resources that you think would be beneficial.

Thanks.



ANSWER: Michael,

This could be a very straightforward job, especially if you plan it out well. If this is your first project of this type, try to stick with standard hardware store windows and things like that. Try to avoid the temptation to do a lot of innovation--keep that to a minimum.

As you describe it, the real structural work has been done, and all you need to do is keep the weather out and make a nice living space.

As you get closer, come back here and ask more questions.

Daniel

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: "all you need to do is keep the weather out..."

Easy for you to say!  Thanks for the quick reply.  I'll be doing some research on my end and let you know if I have any additional questions as things move forward.

Answer
Michael,

Remember to pay close attention to keeping the water out of the wall, especially at the floor/wall connection. Use treated wood for the sills, and if you can, provide a way for the wall to breathe by making an air space between the framing and the siding.

If you are right at ground level, consider a cement stem wall to get the wood framing up a bit and seal that connection to the slab.

Daniel