RMH in existing buildings

I have family that sits on a cold porch in winter. They use heat lights and propane and electric heaters to stay warm on a cold porch in winter. The porch floor is cement covered with an outdoor carpet and it is screened in. IF I try to build a RMH on this porch, I encounter several problems: I can't go lower unless I bust up the concrete floor. The porch is set up with tables and a walk way that would be disrupted if I try to make a cob bench on top of it. I am concerned that any build in top of the concrete floor with heat will crack the concrete. And I don't want to melt the carpet. The porch itself is roughly 9 feet x 44 feet.

Hilary Thesane : You are Al-most there! You have to start thinking of the Rocket mass Thermal bench as a fine piece of built-in-furnature, something that you create in the very
heart of the house, a family treasure to be passed down through the years, becoming part of the history and story telling of your family, AND a well endowed bank account that
you make regular deposits of small very dry wood, and receive automatic withdrawals in the form of heat, warming gentle soothing Heat ! !

There is tradition in such things as where the bench, and the table and the tables go but comfort, and the old cushions that old chairs seem to collect can be refitted to new jobs
for old backsides that WILL love the heat !

I second that you introduce your men folk to the Pocket Rocket, you have them one over, If anyone in your family still cooks with cast iron pans you can win them over by having
them show you how to season a pan, this will make introducing the barrel super easy, all you have to do is practice building olat a separate location and show up and build the
J-Bend Rocket Burner , the Feed Tube, Burn tunnel and Heat Riser in a couple of hours, after the surprise off the Pocket Rocket, you will get old men who haven't moved after 7
O'clock except to pee, and go to bed, down on their knees watching you and sending kids running for help !

Because there is so much crap out there in You tube land, I rarely send any one to you tube. To help you understand one way to build over concrete, which is our preferred build,
and to show you some of the craftsmanship possible with Cob, and to show you how to protect the wall of the house, Please goto> youtube.com/user/villagevideoorg ,
then scroll down to and clickon> Rocket Mass Heater scenes, watch and enjoy these short videos will convince you want you want to do Is possible,and except for protecting
your houses siding is a little easier !

Come back here and tell us you are ready, and with the help of your fellow members and friends we can make this happen ! For the good of the Crafts , Good luck Big AL !

It sounds like you're saying space is a premium. Have you considered something like a Pocket Rocket (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vblt_kcebdA) on top of a heat absorbant platform (cinder blocks / fire bricks / etc)? That would keep it off the concrete and away from the carpet. The heat generated would warm the thermal mass besides put off a ton of heat in the process. And hopefully the small size could keep it out of the way of the table and walkway... Good luck!