Question:
need advice fitting a door in my garage wall?
mblethyn
2008-10-28 13:07:42 UTC
i am fitting a door into the side wall of my garage so i can gain access to it from the garden. Like a house back door. Can anybody offer any advice on what i will need for the job where to buy etc and how to go about it? Are there any how to guides on the internet?
Six answers:
ozarks bum
2008-10-28 13:30:55 UTC
Simplified: You will have to reframe the upper portion of your studs where they will be cut off in order to accommodate the door and frame. That means taking off the wallboard or siding or other wall material at least six inches around the outer dimensions of the new door and its frame. Then, you do some measurements. You will need to brace up the framing over the door by use of a header. That supports both the joists above the frame and gives you something to attach the top of the frame into. You remove the studs that will be in the way of the door. You add some studding where necessary to accommodate the uprights of the door frame. Make sure there is solid structure on the hinge side of the door, because that is where the weight of the door is going to be supported. Once you have an opening that will accommodate the door frames, which are usually a unit that comes together with the door, you slide the door and frame into place. You then attempt with shims to make the door as perpendicular or "square" as possible, driving long screws through the frame and shims on the hinge side, into the support studs. Your frame should include some trim around what will be the outside of the door. That trim will match up with your outside wall surface and help hold the door true to the wall itself.

You then use interior framing trim to cover the door's frame and the hole running along side it, and to extend past and onto your wall.

You will need: Door with frame, hopefully one piece type construction. Shims. Some 2X4's for headers and sisters (the upright supports for the frame), nails, door hardware in the form of locks and handles, interior trim along with whatever stain or paint you want for it, finishing nails to attach the trim pieces. Equipment includes saws, a carpenter square, hammer, screwdrivers, a drill and bits so you don't split out the wood, measuring tapes, and other carpentry tools.

Lots of patience and some thought ahead of time especially about where you are going to knock your hole in the wall. Make sure you are not interfering with any electrical lines. If so, reroute them.



Actually, for a novice, it is a challenging project, since you are going to knock the hole in the wall. That does produce some thorny problems, in that your headers and sisters must be fairly precise to asure the frame fits in securely. It is okay to have 1/4 to 1/2" around the framing to the edges of the wall. You might consider expanding foam insulation for that, or you can stuff fiberglass insulation around it for weathersealing.



I would find a friend who has done something like this before and ask for help. With winter coming on, an opening in your wall even from the garage to the outside could be there a long time while you try to figure out your next steps. It would be better to learn from someone who has done it before, than to try to complete it without ever having had the experience. Next time, you will have a much better idea of how hard it is to do what you want if you don't already have some experience.
anonymous
2016-03-18 14:00:11 UTC
Please don’t go to the expense of additional insulation. If your walls are of cavity construction and have insulation then there is no need, likewise cavity walls are not usually full-fill, by this I mean if you have a 100mm cavity there will be only 50mm of insulation the other 50mm is for airflow, so that’s that point covered also. There are a couple of ways to finish your walls, the way I would do it would be to dot and dab plasterboard onto the walls. You can buy a bucket of premixed paste that you simply ‘dot and dab’ onto the plasterboard and stick it to the wall, ensuring the boards are plumb using a spirit level. Next you apply a mesh tape to the joints of the boards and dry line them, again with a bucket of premixed paste. This is easily applied and when dry can be sanded flush and smooth (much more forgiving than plaster). After this decorate the walls and fit a bit of skirting to finish. Next option would be to plaster the walls (I would use a professional for this) it would be important to remember that your walls may very well need a scud coat to ensure the plaster sticks. I would go for the first option as it is cheaper, cleaner and will generally make a better job. Good Luck!
 Fred K
2008-10-28 13:24:41 UTC
You need a door and a door frame, consider if you also need a sill for the bottom of the door. This will create a step but will help keep water etc. out.

You need to cut a hole in the garage wall the size of the frame, but the construction of the garage affects how easy this is.

Brick or block- need a lintel to support any remaining brickwork above the doorway. Cut with a disk cutter

timber clad - door frame should suffice

Asbestos cement clad - is a job for a professional.
anonymous
2008-10-29 15:23:48 UTC
Check with building control at your local council if you need regs on it.



If you do, get them to have a look, and they're advise on the lintel.



Go to local builders merchant, cut the wall out (cut off saw), put the lintel in (mortar on the top) and pack under neath with slate and point off.



Fit door. Get a handy mate to give you a hand. Can't go wrong.
meatheadfrompax
2008-10-28 13:17:06 UTC
You'll need basic hand tools, hammer, tape measure, etc. As well as some power tools circular saw, saw zall,.drill. Measure the door and make the opening a half inch bigger all the way around. Cut out the opening. You'll have to frame in the opening. Doubling up the studs and making a header. Then get a prefab door and stick it in the opening plumb, level, and square. You'll need basic carpentry knowledge to do this properly.
cakies
2008-10-28 13:11:33 UTC
a builder...they are always handy!!


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