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    Brad_n_Catie's Avatar
    Brad_n_Catie Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Feb 2, 2009, 08:29 AM
    Tearing out the window to make a door.
    Hi everyone, I am wondering if I can tear out a window on the house and break away the blocks below it to make room for a door? We don't have the house yet but we are trying to plan on what we need to do and everything so we can get to work right away. The house has no back door and we want to put one up so is it possible to take the window and concrete blocks out and put up a door? Thanks so much!
    amricca's Avatar
    amricca Posts: 851, Reputation: 92
    Senior Member
     
    #2

    Feb 2, 2009, 09:27 AM

    It is possible, whether you can D.I.Y. is the real question. The opening would have to be re-framed and the block cut, not broken away as you describe above.
    rtw_travel's Avatar
    rtw_travel Posts: 347, Reputation: 36
    Full Member
     
    #3

    Feb 2, 2009, 12:17 PM

    Will the door be the same width or narrower than the existing window? That would make it way easier.

    I agree with Amricca. It'll be easy to make a mess of this if you've not been there/done that before. Ask friends for a recommendation of a carpenter in your area and ask for a quote... or just agree on an hourly rate. You'll be able to save some money and get the satisfaction of doing it yourself if you get a good carpenter to lead the job. You can certainly do the running around buying material, cleaning up, and doing demolition under direction.
    Brad_n_Catie's Avatar
    Brad_n_Catie Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #4

    Feb 2, 2009, 01:22 PM

    Well I have done a few diy projects but not this. I don't know as much about this as my boyfriend does and he is the one who would be doing it, I would help with what I could though.
    21boat's Avatar
    21boat Posts: 2,441, Reputation: 212
    Ultra Member
     
    #5

    Feb 2, 2009, 04:49 PM

    Its possible but there are some things to think hear.
    Is there wiring under that window in the block wall.

    Is the ruff frame after the window going to work and is wide enough to frame out to build IN the door jambs.

    If not and you have to widen the window ruff opening and now the original window HEADER needs to be re done and framing.

    The block should be cut with a diamond cutoff saw and a lot of dust even if you use a 4"diamond" grinder wheel to make the block cut. Now you have hollow block jambs.
    That hollow inside exposed core needs filled up , or the block cut and toothed and relayed to make a solid block jamb. Normally you use a 2x? Width for a jack stud to ruff frame out the opening so when you set the new door jamb the knob is far enough from the jamb not to be a knuckle buster in clearance.
    There's basically 2 ways to do this and one way is much better as I mentioned above.
    How wide are the blocks?
    Let me know because that changes the reveal on the installation and how its set up to work properly.
    Its not super complicated but LAYOUT is very important here for the finish and the nailers on the outside for brick mold or other trim inside the new opening
    Ive done plenty of these and being and even the tradesmen miss on layouts. So get back when it comes up and I can help you or someone here can help you

    Good luck on your new house

    Signed 21 Boat

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