Adding side door to brick garage

[75gmck25]

My 1940 garage only has one main door (for cars) and I want to add a side door. However, the garage is all brick construction.

The outside is faced with standard brick and and the inside is hollow clay blocks that are about 8"x16" and about 4" thick (wall is 8" thick, total). There are three rows of tie bricks between the outside and layers of brick/clay block.The main garage door has a steel lintel to support the brick above, and a 2x8 below that as trim for the garage door opening.

I plan to cut an opening in one side wall to put a 36" door, but need to figure out what is needed to support the brick above (about 16" of wall above the door, then the soffitt). Can I build a lintel out of wood like you use in a framed wall, or do I need to use a steel lintel and then wood framing for the door?

If I do need a steel lintel I think it would need to be about 7" wide and 44-46" long, and maybe 1/4" or 3/8" thick?

Thanks,

Bruce

 

[wyliesdiesels]

This is the electrical section. U will probably get better info over in the free parking section.

 

[kd3pc]

steel lintel ...would not waste time on a wooden one for a multitude of reasons.

You may want to cut the opening to maximize the strength, ie...make the cut at a place where you can knock out the half brick, leaving the majority of bricks in place. Simply cutting a hole the size of the door frame compromises too many bricks, and is ugly to boot.

3/8" wide and remortor it along with the every other brick along the framing. I would think seriously about a steel door frame as it will last a life time as compared to the wood, and is much stronger.

 

[The Cobbler]

here, per building code we cannot support masonry with wood, has to be steel

 

[captain14]

When you decide to do this job, please post a thread about it. I have a similar 10x20 brick garage about the same age. What size is yours?

Have you found anything on YouTube on breaching a wall?

Man Door swings in or out? If it swings in with a smaller garage it will be tight with a decent sized car inside.

Be interested to see how you do it.

I'm near College Park.

 

[bczygan]

2 steel angles with one leg of each back to back with the other and pointing up. That forms the lintel for brick on the outside and the masonry units on the inside.

Be sure to remove the brick in a toothed manner and don't just cut the opening.

Bill

 

[75gmck25]

First - I apologize for putting my question in the electrical section. I know better, but wasn't paying attention.

It sounds like steel is the way to go, so I'll have to check around and see what I can find in the area. There aren't too many steel suppliers nearby, so I will have to see what they carry.

bczygan's explanation makes sense for support, but looks like it might be a bit of challenge to remove enough brick to get the two L-shaped pieces in place. What would I need for thickness of the steel angle iron? I've looked at the edge of the lintel's used on the windows of my house (also brick) and I think they are no more than about 1/4" thick.

captain14 - My garage is also only about 10'x20', but I'm trying to improve it where I can. I want to add a standard roll-up garage door (I have hinged swing-out doors now), and start using the side door for access most of the time. My original idea was to try to build an addition to the garage, but local zoning limits the size and its not worth it for such a small gain.

A 36" side door would hit the car if its parked inside, but I can barely get out of the car anyway unless I angle it a little to one side. I will probably have to work on my car outside most of the time, and use the garage for tool storage and bench space.

Thanks again,

Bruce

 

[captain14]

Bruce,

Most is the garages in my neighborhood have out swing doors. Also some of the side doors that lead to the unfinished basements that have a small landing inside.

I'm sure someone can advise if you can install an off the shelf in swing to open outwards. I think the threshold is angled down.

Measure the height of the garage wall. Are you going to install in the gable end?

My brick walls support the roof structure. I'm 6'7" and the walls aren't much taller that 6'8". The garage bay door (front) and rear (back) are framed with wood for both gable ends. The lintel above the bay door is wood so there is not any bricks to support.

Maybe post a photo on where you want to install the door?

Ask a moderator if they can move this thread to a better suited section?

 

[Bill50]

Look for construction material yards that have sand ,cement, rock. They may also carry steel lintels. Most will cut to length. The lintel must have 4 to 6" load bearing on existing brick work. If you have a 30" door you want at least a 38" steel lintel. Take two courses of brick out to fit the lintel in. Place the lintels in first before cutting the opening for the door. Brick in the lintel. Use a straight edge or masons line to get the coursing straight. When done snap a chalk line vertically on the sides to cut the brick or use tape. You can use a 4" mini grinder to make the first cuts. We then use a 12" chop saw to cut in the depth of the brick. This takes the pressure off the brick and makes for easier removal of the brick. Check out the International Masonry Institute web site for brick construction. Bill