Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  0
Needs Pictures Needs Pictures:  0
Picture(s) thanks Picture(s) thanks:  0
Results 1 to 8 of 8
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    22

    Default Converting window into a door

    Hi,

    We have a large double window in our rumpus (~3.8m wide standard height). I want to knock this out and convert this to a large door way perhaps using bi-fold doors leading out to a decking area. Currently, there is about 2 rows of bricks which where the current windows are which will need to be knocked out if I am to put a door there.

    My question is, structurally, Is it safe to knock these 2 rows of bricks out?

    Thanks in advance!

  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Kentucky NSW near Tamworth, Australia
    Age
    85
    Posts
    3,737

    Default

    If they are below the window yes. If they are above the window I would doubt it depending what is holding up the roof but there is usually a steel beam or angle holding up the bricks above a window.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Tallahassee FL USA
    Age
    82
    Posts
    4,650

    Default

    Make sure there are no electric lines in the interior wall below the window. If there are, you'll need to re-route.

    Joe
    Of course truth is stranger than fiction.
    Fiction has to make sense. - Mark Twain

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Perth, WA
    Posts
    104

    Default

    Hey Joe (that sounds like a song...)

    I have the same situation, however knocking out 4 brick courses. Question for the forum, how would I secure an aluframe double doors to the existing double brick. Don't want to ruin the job by placing half a doz holes in the frame to secure by bolt into the bricks. I know that most windows, doors have brick ties I assume are no use to me.

    Thanks

    Damo

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Sydney
    Age
    63
    Posts
    1,619

    Default

    Depends on the situation.

    Countersunk screws in the rebate would be covered by the door when closed. Some aluminium frames have a black plastic insert that you can install screws behind. You could install an aluminium angle as a storm mould screwed into the brickwork and into the frame with small countersunk longthreads. If you didn't want to look at the screws you could glue a small piece of timber in the corner with max bond using the 'contact' method, then glue another aluminium angle the other way around over the top of the timber. It would look like a square aluminium bead matching the door frame with no exposed fixings.
    You may be able to fix some small bits of angle to the back of the frame (if there's a flange or something) before you install it, so they're sticking out ready to be chased into the brickwork a little bit. Cover them over with an angle glued on or a painted bead or something, or just render over them when you patch up the reveal. A timber reveal on the inside would cover it all if you were putting architraves instead of a rendered reveal inside. Or just fix the reveal from behind before instaling it, then screw or nail the reveal to the brickwork.
    If it comes with 'brick in' ties you could take a few half bricks out and grout them back in with the ties in place.


  7. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Kentucky NSW near Tamworth, Australia
    Age
    85
    Posts
    3,737

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Damon_11 View Post
    Hey Joe (that sounds like a song...)

    I have the same situation, however knocking out 4 brick courses. Question for the forum, how would I secure an aluframe double doors to the existing double brick. Don't want to ruin the job by placing half a doz holes in the frame to secure by bolt into the bricks. I know that most windows, doors have brick ties I assume are no use to me.

    Thanks

    Damo
    Hi Damon

    I haven't forgotten about the other subject will try and do it shortly.

    With windows and aluminium doors there is usually a timber reveal that is attached to the flange/fin on the window or door frame especially on brick veneer houses and usually the window manufacturer installs this when they make the window or door and that is one of the things you have to specify is the depth of reveal required when you order the window/door.

    When you install the window/door you fix the reveal to the internal wall of the cavity wall through the timber reveal either with nails or screws and you just punch or countersink the screws/nails below the surface and fill the holes with putty and then fix a storm mould around the outside..

    If it it is a single skinned brick wall or a double brick wall you can still use a timber reveal or you can use aluminium angles as storm moulds both on the inside and the outside to fix the window/door.

    If it is a stud wall with gyprock on the inside and an external cladding e.g. Fibro, weatherboards etc. you still use a timber reveal and fix the reveal to the stud wall to hold the window in place and have your external cladding go in behind the front lip of the window on install an architrave around the window/door.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Victoria
    Posts
    664

    Default

    Are they domestic or commercial aluminium windows? The fixing methods will be different depending on the type.

    Tools

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    24

    Default

    Thanks for the info guys, I am about to do this in an old weather board... never thought about the electrical wiring before I started cutting

    GMC


Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 4
    Last Post: 1st January 2004, 03:23 PM
  2. Door and window construction plans needed
    By Dennis Hill in forum WOODWORK - GENERAL
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 30th January 2002, 03:25 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •