adding awning and hardwood floor

[Rex]

We recently added a patio and want to cover it with an awning. We were told city zoning requires the awning to be free standing, not attached to the home. The other homes in our area that have awnings all have them attached. When we pointed that out we were simply told that they did it wrong and the city doesn't really enforce this rule. Our home is fairly new and we won't be moving it. What are the pros and cons of attaching or not attaching? Why would the city care? We were also thinking about a canvas awning that can be rolled up. What are the pros and cons there? Also we want to tear out the carpet and add a hardwood floor to the living room. Under the carpet the floor is made out of wafer board which is not smooth. Would that be a problem? Thanks for any help.

[Tom]

Basically attached would be more secure. I cannot answer why the city requires that, alot codes do not make sense but we have to live with them. I would do some pricing of different material for the awning and look at the literature to see what will work best in your situation.

You must read the installation instructions on the floor, all have different requirements. Usually you will put down a leveling compound prior to laying the floor. Tom

[Rex]

Thanks for the reply.

[Annaz]

We added patios and awnings to our first home w/out permits, since everybody else did it as well. Not a big deal. Best guess is that 80% of manuf home owners do it, although it doesn't mean it's right. And they were right...they did do it wrong and the city doesn't enforce the rule, in AZ either. As far as resale, a buyer may or may not buy because the patio is not built to code or w/permits. Ours did. Our second home, while the patios look completely attached they are freestanding an nobody knows the difference, but it has permits. Your choice.

As far as the floor, you should put down some sort of subfloor or leveling compound, so it won't shift and will be smooth. Check your store.

[Annaz]

a canvas awning most likely doesn't have the same permitting rules, because it's not a structure. Structures require permits.