Garage door conversion

[EZSnow]

My wife and I bought a house at the end of Oct., and have been working on it ever since. Moved in about dec 15, but shower and use the john downstairs, use the b-room sink and mirror upstairs, and do dishes in the laundry tub. Downstairs bathroom is almost ready for paint, then sink and flooring to make it fully functional. Kitchen has new tongue-and-groove hardwood, new cabinets and countertops. Whole house has new interior doors and casings, new window casing, and soon to have all new baseboard. Everything has been painted, and we're working on getting the electrical "situation" up to snuff.

Now for the garage...
It's deep enough to swallow ol' smokey, even with the trailer hitch on! It's barely tall enough, but that's better than barely NOT tall enough, I suppose. The problem is the doors. The garage is a 2+... almost 3 wide, but what might be a third stall is tucked behind the house, good for little more than a workbench. Rather than having one big, useable door, it has these two cute little doors that barely (even closer than the top) clear my mirrors. I know myself too well to go on like this. Mirrors are expensive.

So, what does it take to make this into one enormous door? Can I do a 18' or so door that covers the gap from post to post? Is it as simple as installing a header and removing the post? All wokr would be completed by somebody who can swing a hammer better than me- I promise.

What say you?

[Tileman]

EZ yes it can be done. But with out looking a some pictures of the building can't say just how much work it will take.
You may be able to install one large door 16 x 8 or two samll doors 8 x 8 all depends on what is there to work with.

Post some pictures with some demisions and we will see what can be done.

Sounds like you have picked up a great project house.

Rich

[Waterchikn]

I agree with Rich. Pics of what you have or a detailed explaination could render a solution from someone alittle easier. Also the size of the header or beam you use depends on the load of the roof and or any living/storage space. If the door is on the gable end of the garage, there is considerable less roof load being transferred to the walls and you may be ok with what they have built there now. Sometimes they just seperate the 2 doors with a simple partition and there is no dependancy on the partition. Some pics would make this alot easier to help you out with. If you have problems with posting them, email them to me and I could look at them as well as post them for you.

[John DiMartino]

Like waterchkn said it depends on the layout of roof and where the loads are.You may need to do a little sistering of the existing studds on the outsides of the current garage doors to hold the extra weight. Ideally you shoud get a structural engineer,and pay to get it done right. Sounds like a great project!

[EZSnow]

Alright, I'll borrow my bro's digi and snap some pics. If I understand "gable" correctly, it is not on the gabled side of the roof. As in, if I were to install a gutter, it would be above the garage door. So, best I can tell, that wall is as load-bearing as it gets.

Right now, I'm planning on getting my ducks in a row to make this a summer project, but deep inside I just want to tear it down and build a 2-1/2 wide by double-deep attached and be done with it. I imagine there are few feelings in the world like pulling into the garage, plow and spreader attached, drop the blade, go to bed, and come out to a thawed-out truck. Hmmmm- I get all warm and fuzzy just thinking about it. No more plugging in, no more cold-butt in the morning, no more freezing my nougats off going out to start the truck in the AM...

{EZ drifts off to dreamland... ... ...**

[Waterchikn]

That sure would be nice to pull in and just walk into the house without plugging in or worrying about freezing my tush off when needing to work on something. When you snap some pics, get a picture of the inside wall above the doors with the doors closed. That is of course if the frame work is exposed and not covered with drywall or plywood.

[urethane dino]

If you want to install one door than yes it is as easy as a new one piece header and remove the existing center posts. However ow you get from point A to B is bit more involved. I would frame a temp wall in about 2' to supposrt wall while work is under way. Then get the largest LVL aterial you can find that still allows or the head room you need. On the ends of the header, install a double jack stud to support the header and then double the full length studs as well. It would take less than a full day to complete the refram of the opening for me and a helper. A full day including tieing in the siding and exterior details. Door will a few $$ tho.

In fact monday we will be doing a similar project in a kitchen remodel. I will have to bring the camera along and document the procedure.
Dino