askjake

Natural lighting under a porch or deck

Lea asks:

Jake,

I have a home with a full finished basement. My question is how would I put a front porch (I just have a stoop right now) with having basement windows. Do I use lattice to allow light? I have a family room below the living room and I have a bedroom below the upstairs bedroom. I only make $8.80 an hour so I will be doing what I can myself and would like any savings tips. Thank You

Jake's answer:

Lea,

When you build the front porch you will substantially reduce the amount of light you currently have streaming through those windows. Try placing some boards over the window wells to give you an idea of what it might be like.  

Also take into account if the windows serve any kind of emergency exit. A deck over the windows could really hinder egress, either in or out.  

I have seen glass blocks embedded in the deck flooring that is above the windows. Glass block is not that expensive. You will have to get a little creative on how to alter your floor framing to accept the glass block. Good luck!

Interior finishing for a four-season porch

Question from Carole: 

What is the best interior finish for a 4 season porch. I have been told that drywall should be avoided. I live in Michigan. 

Jake's answer: 

Carole, 

By a 4 season porch I assume you must be referring to a porch that is opened to the elements. If the porch is not opened to the elements, drywall would work fine. If opened, I suggest a fiber cement product manufactured by James Hardie. You can get lots of information on it at JamesHardie.com These panels come in various sizes and textures. It is a very durable, it is paintable and it even comes in pre-finished panels.

Keeping the bugs out

To prevent insect entry contractor wants to use pt t&g flooring in new screened porch (about 12\" off the ground)rather than 5/4 pt pine with screening underneath. Is the pt t&g dimensional stable?

I'm not sure what you mean when you write "pt", I will assume you mean "paint".  I would suggest using a cedar or redwood T & G floor.  It would be best to prime all 4 sides before you install to help minimize any future wood rot issues.  Cedar and redwood are both fairly rot and insect resistant. I am not a big fan of using pine on the floor or installing the screen below the floor joists.  Pine wood is fairly unstable under extreme weather conditions and is subject to wood rot.