Enclose a deck without enclosing it?

March 8, 2011 3:03 AM

I might be about to buy a house with a large octagonal deck. 6 of the 8 sides are open to the elements. What kind of large windows could I put on it so that I could make it a cosy space in the cold months, but be able to open it up to the maximum extent possible in the warm months? (frost free almost subtropical location for what it's worth).
posted by singingfish to Home & Garden (3 answers total)

Depending on the structure, you could do most anything, really. If you don't mind removing and storing windows, you could put in full-size window frames and swap between screens, glass, and open through the seasons. Though you may have to have them custom-made, most window companies do that kind of custom work. If you don't want the hassle of removing and storing the glass, then you'd be stuck with actual windows.

Or you could use tilting glass panes, (work sort of like like venetian blinds), where you can crank them open.
posted by rich at 4:06 AM on March 8, 2011

Your search term is going to be porch enclosure or possibly patio enclosure. There are many different systems on the market that will do exactly what you are looking for at various price levels and degrees of permanence.

The system that I am most familiar with is Eze-Breeze by PGT Industries out of Florida. Eze-Breeze is cool (pun intended) because instead of glass in their panels they use a flexible vinyl that is very durable but much lighter. The panels are fully removable or can open to 75% of the window area. Also in my experience PGT offers very good warranties and excellent customer service.

Full disclosure: At my place of employment I sell PGT products but in no way benefit from recommending them.
posted by Bango Skank at 5:49 AM on March 8, 2011 [1 favorite]

Before you go too far down the path of adding structure of any kind, it would behoove you to check out the foundations on which your deck rests (and/or is attached to your home), to be sure that the weight of the windows/walls/screens etc. that you want to add will still leave you with enough live load margin that your modified structure will still be useful. Else, your newly habitable structure + people celebrating your inventive use of your former simple deck could equal a big, unplanned pile of broken glass, lumber and hurt people in your yard. Particularly in sub-tropical areas free of frost, where foundations need not deal with frost heaving, the requirements for foundations for small deck structures can be pretty minimal, and aimed mostly toward specifications for materials that are resistant to insect damage and rot. If your deck is small enough that it wouldn't reasonably hold more than 5 or 6 people, your "foundation" maybe nothing more than a few lag bolts into your home's sill along the deck threshold, and a couple 2x4s, 2x6s, or maybe 4x4 posts, set in a bit of concrete, or on small concrete pads; if you add 800 pounds of windows/walls/furniture in making your deck an all-season "room," your remaining live load margin could mean you have nothing left for the people who will actually use the room, without risking overload and failure of your supporting foundation.
posted by paulsc at 6:01 AM on March 8, 2011 [2 favorites]