Framing in an entry way

[wormdunker]

Hello all,

OK sit back and relax. I'm really not sure if I can explain this right,but here goes.

I have 2 front doors to my house and I want to eliminate the one closest to the garage. The house is 3 story (well 2.5 really I have dormered living space upstairs) walk out.

The house once had a detached garage. The previous owner attached the house to the garage. In doing so he added a basement and 3rd level in that space(which was formerly a breezeway), it is very usable space and includes: basement storage, main level dining room and entry way and a 3rd level bedroom/office.

The original front door enters into our living room in the center of the house(currently not used at all but we want to change that). The entry way nearest the garage also has an entry door from the garage and a small closet (3' x 5') as well. Of these 2 doors we use the garage entry door far more than we use the front entry door.

We want to eliminate the exterior door next to the garage in lieu of gaining more closet space but also change the curb appeal to the front of the house.

The area has a stoop that is recessed into the interior entry way, basically an exterior alcove. The stoop measures 3' deep x 8' wide and has a single step to it from the side walk. The perfect space for an 8' long closet.

I have been contemplating whether I need to tear out the stoop prior to framing in this small area or frame right over it. I dont know if there are footings under the stoop or not.

My plan is to frame the new wall up flush wtih the front of the house, get it weather proof then tear out the existing exterior door and wall. This would in essense create a mud room/high traffic entry of sorts and increase the storage space greatly.

When I was a kid my dad framed over two very similar structures stoop type structures at our house. I drive by that house everyday and nothing has changed. The walls still stand the doors still open and close.

Doe sanyone here have experience with this? The stoop has been there for nealy 30 years and has not moved at all.

Thanks

[SkunkedAgain]

Some pictures might help

[soldoncass]

Does the basement go under the stoop...or follow the exterior wall line? Sometimes a basement was put all the way to the outside, another wall (could be block or framing) put in at the wall line, and that stoop area used as cold storage (root cellar). If the basement goes under the stoop, I'd take the stoop out.....if it doesn't ,leave it there and frame over it.

[wormdunker]

The basement does not go under that particular stoop. The basement block wall follows the exterior wall of the house, the wall the door is on.

Sorry dont have pictures with me at work. Will post later if you think it is still necessary.

[soldoncass]

If the basement doesn't go under the stoop, it will ALWAYS BE A COLD SPOT, inside the house. You may be able to glue foam insulation on it, and step up into the closet, but I think I would dig down outside, and see if there is a foundation under the face of it.(or partial foundation) There is probably a sidewalk there, but you would take that out anyway, no matter HOW you frame it, right?

[wormdunker]

Yes I would take the sidewalk out.

[soldoncass]

If I am understanding what you have.....I believe the right way to do it would be: take out the stoop, if there is a foundation in line with the house, insulate the block foundation inside vertically with 2 inch foam (NOT the white stuff)40 inches. Then match up the framing with your house.

If there is NO foundation there: dig down 42 inches, pour footing, lay blocks up to house blocks.....insulate, frame as above.

I think there will be some blocks there to hold up an 8' stoop. Good luck!

ps. Before you take out the existing wall/ exterior wall, make sure where the bearing points are.