A front porch that stopped being a separate room. In Leslieville, D2 Build removed the existing openings floor to ceiling, carried the loads on new steel lintels, and set the whole structure on helical piles, turning a closed-off porch into part of the main floor, with custom millwork built for the storage the family actually needed.
The homeowners wanted the enclosed porch to feel like part of the house. That meant removing the existing wall openings floor to ceiling, so the new space and the main floor read as a single continuous area. Removing that much load-bearing wall required new steel lintels sized and installed to carry the structure above.
Underneath, the new floor structure sits on helical piles rather than a conventional strip footing. Helical piles are drilled to load-bearing depth without excavating the front yard, which matters on a narrow Leslieville lot with mature landscaping, a gas service, and a hydro drop all within a few feet of the work. They also give a clean, engineered bearing point below the frost line.
The original red brick piers on either side of the porch were kept and worked into the finished elevation, anchoring the new grey siding to the home’s original masonry and to the streetscape.
Floor-to-ceiling openings were removed and supported by new steel lintels to fully connect the porch and main living area. Engineered helical piles support the enclosure below frost depth, while original red brick piers were preserved as design features. The envelope utilizes continuous semi-rigid mineral wool insulation to prevent thermal bridging, covered by a vented rainscreen and grey wood-grain lap siding that matches the second storey. The exterior is finished with black casing, vented soffits, proper drainage, and cedar lattice skirting.
Black Fibertec fiberglass windows, including a wide three-lite front unit, were specified for superior thermal performance and dimensional stability. A new full-lite exterior door with a black keypad handleset provides access, with all openings meticulously flashed and sealed to the weather-resistive barrier. The exterior approach is upgraded with new pressure-treated entry steps, an interlocking paver walkway, and rebuilt garden beds framing the foundation. Modern black house numbers and a mailbox complete the facade.
Maximizing concealed storage was the primary interior goal. Floor-to-ceiling slab cabinetry in deep charcoal-navy flanks the walls, paired with a white oak storage bench beneath the front window. Large-format neutral floor tiles laid in a running bond easily handle heavy seasonal traffic. Dark green botanical wallpaper extends into the window reveal, elevating the space alongside fresh paint and a Roman shade. Electrical updates include four recessed pot lights and a matte black exterior sconce.
D2 Build didn’t just close on this Leslieville porch. It brought it inside the structure. Removing the original openings floor to ceiling, carrying the load on new steel lintels, and founding the floor on helical piles turned a seasonal entry into conditioned, year-round space that flows directly into the main floor. Continuous exterior insulation and a properly strapped rainscreen keep it comfortable and dry. Custom floor-to-ceiling millwork makes every square inch of it work.
Connect with D2 Build Inc. today to discuss your porch enclosure project!
