Great Additions, Inc.

Our phone numbers are:  day time 570-283-5050 and evenings 570-675-0852

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The foundation

(1) Many additions are built on pier footings which require;

   A.  Digging 16” diameter holes 42” deep in the ground. Usually 4 to 8 of these.

    B.  Installing forms and steel reinforcing “re-bar” and pouring concrete into them.

    C. Disposing of the excess dirt.

(2) Instead of pier footings, trench footings with concrete or cinder blocks involve;

  A.  Bringing an earth digging machine such as a “Back hoe” or an “Excavator” onto the site, unless you have “youthful” assistance available to manually dig the trench. (Seldom recommended)

  B. Digging a 16” wide trench 42” deep all around the perimeter of the floor system.

  C. Form and pour an 8” deep x 16” wide footing with concrete and reinforcing steel bars.

  D. Laying 8” concrete blocks and covering the outside of them with “parging” ( a thick  cement mixture applied to the outside of the exposed blocks.)

  E. Backfilling the foundation with dirt and then disposing of the remaining dirt.

  F.  In some cases a foundation drain pipe system called a “French drain” will need to be connected to a existing system.. 

The Flooring

(1) The floor can be a wood system or concrete.
(2) Both systems require a foundation for support that is also protected from frost movement.
(A) CONCRETE FLOORS;
(1) Concrete floors are usually best if the level of the floor is close to the level of surrounding ground. 
(2) A foundation "footing wall" consisting of a 40" deep trench filled with concrete will surround the floor on three sides. 
(3) Foam insulation can be installed on the perimeter of the foundation and under the floor if the sunroom is to be heated, as well as a vapor barrier.
(4) Carpet, ceramic tile, or hardwood flooring can be installed for the finish flooring.
(B) WOOD FLOORS;
(1) Existing wood decks can sometimes be used for the floor if they are properly constructed.
(2) A wood floor system must have a suitable foundation. 

(3) This would consist of either a number of concrete piers or continuous foundation wall.
(4) The pier system is 40" deep holes approx. 20" diameter that are filled with concrete to a height of 2" above the ground. Round "sonotubes" are used as forms for the concrete.
(5) A steel post connector is attached to the concrete pier and a treated wood post is installed to support the deck/floor. 
(6) The continuous foundation wall system consists of a 40" deep trench around three sides of 
the floor system.
(7) The trench has a concrete "footer" poured in it, then concrete blocks are laided up to the bottom of the floor joists, similar to a standard house foundation system.
(8) The wood floor system is built with floor joists and 3/4" tongue and groove plywood. 

(9) Insulation is installed between the floor joists if the sunroom is to be heated. 
(10) In the case where a pier system is used and insulated, wind barrier along with either plywood, O.S.B. sheathing, or vinyl ceiling panels are installed on the underside. 

(11) With a pier system, the area between the floor and the ground can be closed in with a variety of exterior paneling or lattice. 

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Last modified: October 06, 2009