Steps for a Indoor Patio

Considerations

• Learn the regulations for constructing an indoor patio from your local building code department. Purchase plans or have custom plans drawn up for the project. You will probably need to submit drawings to the building department in order to get the proper permits before you can start your indoor patio project.

  Consider things like the position of the sun over the course of a day and the patio's access to rooms such as the kitchen or family room. Also, think about whether you want to be able to access the patio from outside.

Foundation

• Once you decide on positioning, line up the patio with the house. Lay out the patio dimensions by sticking stakes in the ground. Put nails in the center of each stake, and run string around the perimeter. You will need to excavate the area and fill it with gravel. Check your building code for the proper depth for foundation footings, which are usually 36 to 48 inches. The foundation ensures that the patio structure doesn't settle, slip and slide out of its initial position.

  If the ground is not level, construct a traditional foundation, which entails building separate footings and constructing a foundation wall from poured concrete or concrete blocks.

Walls

• For traditional designs, wood is a popular choice. Construct knee-high walls, which are anywhere from 24 to 36 inches high. Build the walls with 2-by-6-inch wood studs, which will give you 5 1/2 inches of cavity for wall insulation. Install any electrical or communication wires before finishing the wall with drywall.

  Install high-performance insulation to get the maximum R-value, which is the insulation's level of resistance to allowing heat to pass through the material. Apply oriented strand board or plywood for the exterior sheathing. Install house wrap as an air barrier, and insulate the exterior wall with rigid foam board insulation. Cover the walls with siding or other material.

Windows

• Purchase high-quality windows that offer superior insulating value for year-round use. If you want a traditional look, wood is a good choice, though it will require you to do periodic maintenance. Vinyl windows offer the best value compared to the more-expensive aluminum and wood windows. Vinyl windows are energy efficient, available in a range of colors, can be painted and are virtually maintenance-free. If you live in a colder climate, triple-pane glazing and argon-filled windows provide the best insulation.

Floor

• The concrete slab floor will enable you to choose from a wide variety of coverings for your patio floor, including stone, tile, vinyl and carpet.

Roof

• For a solid roof, frame the structure using prefabricated roof trusses placed 24 inches on center (OC). OC is the distance from the center of one board to the center of the next component. Install plywood to cover the roof, and finish with shingles or a material to match the roof covering on the house. Install skylights to provide additional sunlight and ventilation.