I can build it, and I can help you get the patio enclosure you want! I got my start in the Florida patio industry back in the 70s as a young general laborer looking for something to make a few bucks. At the time I never thought it would end up as my career. Over the years I grew beyond the laborer position, becoming a foreman, superintendent, and then into executive management for some of the largest patio contractors, and material vendors. Now into retirement and slightly bored, I offer consulting services to new and existing contractors, and publish this website to help the people who love their patio's and screen enclosures the most - YOU!
I have an existing stamped concrete pool patio w/ screen enclosure. I want to extend it almost 20’x20′ w/ brick pavers & then extend the enclosure. What should I do prior for the screen enclosure?
Sorry, but I’m not following your question. Depending on the layout of your existing structure, and extended direction you may need to replace the enclosure entirely. Generally speaking adding on to a screen enclosure does not look cohesive and results in upright members within the structure.
Can I lay pavers over the concrete footer then put screen base on top of pavers?
Or does the screen base need to be directly in contact with footer?
You can set the enclosure on top of the pavers, just need to make sure the tapcons go through the pavers, AND far enough into the footer, that they meet the engineers design specs.
I want to remove an old aluminum patio enclosure and replace it with a patio roof cover. Does the footing need to be redone? I was under the impression that the contractor could install the new patio roof cover over the existing concrete slab which has a footing all the way around. The contractor is telling me that since it’s a different structure, the footing has to be done. Also, why is it so pricey? Footing alone is almost $3000 for a 10×20 Allumawood roof cover.
Let me address these point by point.
– Does the footing need to be redone? Yes, if the current wind code in your area requires a larger footing then what was there. Thats not always the case though. The contractor may also be telling you that for liability that they assume if they do the entire project.
– Concrete work is not cheap. it’s hard to find labor (labor costs are much higher then you expect). $3,000 is on the low side for removal of footers and new footers.
Good afternoon.
I am building a 12″×12″ footer for a large screen enclosure off the back of my house. 50’×25′. Can you tell me how the 5″ rebar needs to be laid out and how much I need, please.
Ken, is it possible for a homeowner to pour their own footing for a screen enclosure?
Could I submit a drawing for a permit, dig the trench, add the concrete forms and rebar,have that part inspected, then use the required strength cement and have it reinspected to pass the permit process? or is that not posible?
thanks,
Ray.
It is 100% possible. You’ll need to contact the local building department for a permit. Likely they will require a certified siteplan (by surveyor) and engineering, so you won’t be able to just draw it yourself.
I have an elevated (approx 24″) brick paver patio that was built with no footer but is on undisturbed ground. The elevated walls of the patio were built with interlocking block with each block weighing approx 75 lbs. The first row of blocks are below ground. There are 3 additional rows of the interlocking blocks then the brick pavers were laid on top after fill was added. The patio is 10 ft x 14 ft. Can I install a screen cage on this patio?
Not in Florida. You would need a footing under the pavers, with rebar going through the pavers. THat would be basically impossible to do, so in a practical application, you would have paver veneer over concrete block.
planning to replace pool cage on an existing 4" slab. engineer is calling for 3'x3'x3' footers for each new post. 3 miles inland venice florida. this seems excessive. should I find another engineer?
That does seem excessive, but it depends on far the posts are from the house (projection) and distance between posts.
I’m about to have a 20×40 paver patio installed. I expressed to the paver guy that I eventually want to put an extended roofline and screen enclosure around the entire patio. He said getting footers would delay the process of the patio pavers. My questions are:
1. How hard is it to install footers after the pavers are in?
2. Should I tell him to just leave an 4” or 8” border around the patio so we can have the footers installed around the patio down the road?
3. If we have the patio installed as planned and then they remove pavers to do the footers will that disturb the base of the patio and be more likely to cause the pavers to shift over time?
What’s the best way/suggestion?
If you’re already planning this, get it done right upfront. It will be A LOT more expensive down the road to pull pavers up. A footer could go down around the pavers, but that will look tacky.