We recently moved into a new home, and do not have enough storage in garage. I am thinking about extending the deck 10 feet more and making underneath all storage. I have a few ways i am thinking about doing it, but do not what would be best. I want to attach the same siding that is on the house so it does not stick out, and my subdivision will not allow free standing storage sheds. There will be a 16x25x12′ tall space under the deck that will become enclosed. I live in kansas city, so i believe the frost line is 3-4 feet, i will have to check that. I know there are many water drainage systems for under deck to keep it dry, not sure which one i will do yet.
I think the best way, but the most expensive way will be to dig a 36-48 inch footing around where the deck will be, pour it, pour a slab after that and put 2×4 constuction walls up. So no 6×6 post for the deck extension, the deck will sit on the walls. I will use outside double doors, and windows. I am unsure if i will heat it in the winter or not, im worried if i dont it may heave. I think if i do it this way i can make a door coming out of the basement into the shed.
Another way would be drill multiple 48″ holes, fill with concrete and run a 6×4 (or something simmilar) over them and put concrete, or gravel in the middle, but the outside edge would be held up by the 4×6 on bottom. If i do this i would prob plant multiple 6×6 in for the decksupport.
The final way would be putting 6×6 support for the deck, and making floor joist with sheeting on top of it. I would have to make a ramp going up to it, and leave it off the ground a bit. there would be a 16′ span so may have to double them, or drill pillers in the middle and put some sort of beam under it.
My main concern is how it will look from the outside, there are some restrictions on storage sheds in my subdivision so i want it to look like part of the house. I think the first plan would be the best, but pricey. It will be vertical wood siding to match the house, so will put it on 16 centers. I am open to any suggestions, I have tried doing research and seen where some people just poured a 4″ slab, but i am concerned that the ground will heave and push the deck up, i have also seen some people make a free standing shed, but will 12′ walls i do not that that would last. Thanks
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Pictures?
Can you provide any pictures so we can get a better idea of what you are talking about? Is there an existing deck now? Are you thinking of tearing this down and replacting it with this new structure? Are you planning on doing this yourself or having someone build it for you?
In general, the biggest problem you are going to have is successfully waterproofing the deck area to prevent water from getting down into the enclosed storage area and the supporting walls. Especially if you are thinking of working with an existing deck....
heres the pic
There is an existing strucure, with a coverd porch. I am not going to expand the roof, i will expand the deck to where the house jets out, i will have to move the water and hvac lines. I am planning on installing a gutter type system under the deck where anything that comes between the deck will be taken outside. I am planning on doing this myself, i just need to figure out what kind of structure i should do. Hope the pic helps
If it were me...
First, I would never recommend doing this project....I don't believe there is any way this will result in a good looking, functional addition.
Using the existing columns is problematic. They're already supportng a deck and roof above. Unless you know the size of the footings and the soil bearing, you won't know if they can support additional loads from the storage shed. Also, water proofing around columns that go thru the under-deck waterproofing system is unrealistic. If it were me, I would frame a structure separate from and inside the deck columns. This way you can extend the waterproofing system over the top of this new wall framing and not try to wrap it around those columns. Regarding footings, I don't know what the grade is like around the structure....It seems like it must be sloping steeply. If so, I would install post footings below the frost line and frame a floor off the ground - it's a lot less excavating and a lot less concrete in an area that may be tough to get to...
Get a permit!
open air structure with temporary walls
make an open air, free standing structure. use vinyl for walls - temporary and removable. I would definitely check with your subdivision to see if this is permissible though.
open air structure
How would you do this? The deck is about 12 feet tall, i was thinking about this originally so i would not have to worry about the ground heaving, but with walls that big i would be worried about them blowing over. The only way i can think of doing this is to put pillars below the frost line and attach to them that way if i do need to take it down i can put dirt over the pillar. I am looking for a long term plan, i am not planning on tearing it down, thats why i want it to look likes it is part of the house. thanks
I'd just cover everything under the deck with a big brown tarp.
Problem is, after about 20 years the tarp gets kind of ratty.
They're still cheaper than a shed.