[rjn5656]

Was thinking of enclosing our lanai on our Gardenia. Would like to remove the 2 posts and have a long stackable sliding door so we can still open for air and the view when we want. Wonder if anyone has done this?

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by rjn5656

Was thinking of enclosing our lanai on our Gardenia. Would like to remove the 2 posts and have a long stackable sliding door so we can still open for air and the view when we want. Wonder if anyone has done this?

Very interesting idea wonder if it is feasible.

Our Begonia is similar to yours and when we went to Custom Windows showroom before we ordered our Florida room they did not show anything like this.

[villagetinker]

I have the actual house plans for our Gardenia, you cannot remove these posts, they are LOAD BEARING. I doubt you could replace with much smaller columns, but you would need to have an architectural engineer review and draw up plans for this change. IMHO, not worth it, the existing openings are wide enough to put in 3 pane stacking sliders, and I have seen this done.

[villagetinker]

Additional info, the area between the posts or the posts and the walls consist of a U shaped steel channel that is filled with rebar and concrete to form a lintel beam. This beam then provides support for the roof. The lintel bean is NOT continuous and ends at each post or wall connection. Therefore removal of a post would generally lead to failure of the beam in that area.

[caleygirl]

I have seen this done on 2 homes when the owners added a pool and birdcage. It can be done but is most likely costly.

[villagetinker]

I guess if you had the existing lintel beams removed and a single steel beam installed this might work, I would think you will still need the corner post to support the end of the beam. I would also make sure the exisitng foundation will support the additional load.
Good luck with your project, and please let us know if you find a solution.