Garage door to replace man door

[Suicide-D]

Howdy,

Long time lurker, first time poster....

I have a 3 car garage. The third bay was an option, add-on type thing. The third bay has a man door on the backside of it out to the back yard. I would like to put in a regular garage door so I can have drive through access to the back yard.

How difficult is this task?

thanks
Darryl

 

[pmiranda]

If it's stick built you need to know how much load you've got and restructure the wall to carry the load across the larger span. If you're unbelievably lucky they already built it to have a 3rd garage door.
If it's a pole barn then it's easier since there are usually no load-bearing walls.
If there's any electrical or plumbing in that wall you need to properly relocate it.
After that, you have to make sure you correctly complete the exterior of the opening so you don't get water and cold air infiltration. Sounds like an interesting project.

 

[dirttracker18]

Yes you can, it will likely be exactly the same as the framing for the service door in the front. If your interior is unfinished you can see what needs to be done. If not, you may want to call in a friend that knows what he is doing to help you out.

As noted it depends on whether it is a load bearing wall or not. Either can be done it just changes how you get there.

 

[Falcon67]

Cut in the proper header for the door width, knowing it's a load bearing wall. With the header and trimmers in place, cut a hole in the wall and install. You can support the joists near the opening with a false wall while the header is installed. Any good general carpentry book or garage build book will have the details. I would take specs on your building to a lumber yard to get a proper size and quote on a header/LVL beam for the opening.

 

[mhm993]

^^What he said. Basic stick building.

 

[Suicide-D]

It is finished out. I guess I need to tear out the sheet rock to evaluate. I know the joists run parallel to both doors. There is electrical and plumbing to relocate but I can handle that. There is also a concrete tire stop to either remove or deal with...

I must admit, I'm more of a welder than a carpenter...I guess I need to head to the library.

There's the door in the background.

Here's the outside view

And thanks for the help.

 

[Suicide-D]

Took a hammer to the sheetrock above the door and proved what I already knew...I'm not lucky. The header is not the same as the front. I am going to start looking for a professional to do the door and concrete work. I don't have the time to **** with it and too long of a list of stuff I would rather do.

Any recommendations for someone in West houston to call?