Garage with no exit door

[Stuart in MN]

While uncommon, garages without a side door are around - an old girlfriend had one like that. She had one of those quick release keys like in post #8 above, but as far as I know she never had to use it.

Another common example is at multi unit housing, like townhouses; they'll often have a row of garages for the tenants that only have the overhead door for access.

 

[ddawg16]

I put a man door in my old garage. Easy weekend job, no permit. <500 bucks, could have been cheaper.

I did it in one day.
Hardest part was cutting a hole in the stucco....

Since the garage is attached....do a door into the house. That is the typical way.
Personally, I wouldn't pull a permit. Your house is already most likely in violation of building codes.

A metal fireproof door (required by code) is less than $200 at HD.
Cutting through drywall is real easy

Note....the garage door into the house can not be into a bedroom

 

[Metal-Marc]

Is this a troll? can't figure out how to reach the door when it's up? No location given or pics of said garage? No man door or window in a garage? I do know they build them like this in England, tho usually with side opening doors, not overheads.

It's either a troll account, or OP is locked inside the garage now with no way to get out.

 

[Natty Bumppo]

It's either a troll account, or OP is locked inside the garage now with no way to get out.

Now that's funny right there!

 

[gungatim]

LGR

 

[mmb617]

Permit? We don't need no stink'in permit. If I couldn't install a man door on a garage without the authorities knowing about it I wouldn't be much of a rebel.

 

[gunguy]

I had a similar situation in my previous house. It was a duplex that was connected at the carports. My carport was a single car unit. The design of of the house didn't allow for a door from the carport to the house and I didn't want to lose the wall space a door would take on the back wall. I had the builder close in the front wall with the garage door and I added the lockable emergency release pull cord. No big deal.

The builder liked the idea so much that all his new follow-on construction in the development had garages instead of carports.

Jim

 

[joe_padavano]

It occurs to me that the problem here isn't the single garage door. The problem is the garage door opener. A single garage door is a non-issue if it's manual. You can ALWAYS open it from either the inside or outside. Lots of storage units only have a single, manually-operated door.

 

[rpcraft]

Some of the garage doors have a lock at the top that pops out and is attached to the release latch mechanism. I know the apartments I used to live in had them that way, if only because I had an attached garage and another one that wasn't attached and it had no door in it so it's not a codes thing. You just have to have a way for emergency access. Here is a link to the Chamberlain version at home depot. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Chamber...3SlDtsmSp3RwWkdv6iUaAp9kEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[yeldogt]

This is really not that unusual ...... they are all over the city. While I typically do put a man door in the back when I do a stand alone garage .... I never put them up front and always use the garage door. I have built as the OP and you install a one of the pull wires. They also make battery back up openers.

 

[jetnow1]

I wonder how many who question the time line quoted to get a permit have gotten one recently, Many municipalities have very long waits with corona virus. That said, I would cut a door in without one, especially if there was a window to convert.

 

[mikedodge]

The only real issue is trying to get in if the motor or one of the springs for the door broke. If you're not using the garage regularly disconnect the opener and use the door manually with a latch.

I wouldn't bother with a permit to add a door. Especially if the garage might have been added at some point as a half *** addition that might just cause more issues.

 

[Uncle murph]

I recently purchased a new home with an attached garage but no exit other than the garage door. There is no door to the house and no exit to the outside. I've never seen anything like this before.

The garage door is automatic so, if the motor ever breaks, there is no way in to the garage. I'm not even sure how I would get into the garage if the motor broke, but I assume it would cause some catastrophic damage!

This seems insane. I can't believe the house was built like this.

So this leaves me with two questions:

1. Short of building an exterior door (cost prohibitive plus 4-6 months waiting for a permit) Is the best idea to simply pull the red disconnect rope, unplug the motor, and use the door manually?

2. To make matters more complicated, the ceiling is very high so I cannot reach the garage door when it's open. I have no real way to pull it down. Is there a solution for this?

Thanks, everyone.

I’ve actually run into this where a lightning strike tripped breakers inside the garage leaving the homeowner without access to their vehicles. I had to remove siding and cut a hole through the wall to reset the breaker.The craziest part was that the owner still chose not to install a man door.By the way,I’m not aware of any jurisdiction where a door install requires a permit.Any competent carpenter should be able to do it in a day.

 

[Glemon]

The OP wrote he recently purchased a new home; he did not indicate it was previously owned.

New is new, a resale is not "a new home".

New to him, he clarified later

 

[Glemon]

They also make garage door openers with battery backup. This would be nice in your situation, I hate not having a garage door opener. Personally I would get one with the battery back up and a secure manual release if you don't want to put in a door. Most of us would tackle the door ourselves, but realize that is not an option for everybody.

 

[welder4956]

So this leaves me with two questions:

1. Short of building an exterior door (cost prohibitive plus 4-6 months waiting for a permit) Is the best idea to simply pull the red disconnect rope, unplug the motor, and use the door manually?

2. To make matters more complicated, the ceiling is very high so I cannot reach the garage door when it's open. I have no real way to pull it down. Is there a solution for this?

Thanks, everyone.

1. No, the best idea short of adding a door is to continue to operate the door with the opener. You probably want to also make sure you know how to get the door open from outside in case the motor fails. If you have a problem and can't open it from outside, call a garage door company.

2. Tie a piece of rope to the bottom. All of my garage doors have rope attached to the bottom.

Are there any windows in the garage? It would not be hard to convert a window opening to a man door. I don't know who told you 4-6 month wait for a permit, but I think they were wrong based on my experience pulling permits. I don't think you even need a permit to install a man door in a garage as a homeowner.

 

[billconner]

I’ve actually run into this where a lightning strike tripped breakers inside the garage leaving the homeowner without access to their vehicles. I had to remove siding and cut a hole through the wall to reset the breaker.The craziest part was that the owner still chose not to install a man door.By the way,I’m not aware of any jurisdiction where a door install requires a permit.Any competent carpenter should be able to do it in a day.

I've never lived in a jurisdiction that didn't require a permit for installing a door. Last place before here they were quite clear on their website replacing a screen door required a permit.

 

[billconner]

Interesting that California passed a law requiring battery backup for garage door openers - new ones, not requiring retrofit.

 

[ericm]

Interesting that California passed a law requiring battery backup for garage door openers - new ones, not requiring retrofit.

That was passed after some people died when trying to evacuate from a wildfire. The power went out and they could not get their car out to escape. Not everyone can lift a garage door even if they know where the release is.

 

[ddurrett896]

That was passed after some people died when trying to evacuate from a wildfire. The power went out and they could not get their car out to escape. Not everyone can lift a garage door even if they know where the release is.

Is this a joke? Anyone can drive thru a closed garage door....

 

[billconner]

Is this a joke? Anyone can drive thru a closed garage door....

I thought I read a legislator was caught by this. Does it surprise you he wouldn't think to drive through the door?

 

[PassnThru]

Interesting that California passed a law requiring battery backup for garage door openers - new ones, not requiring retrofit.

That was passed after some people died when trying to evacuate from a wildfire. The power went out and they could not get their car out to escape. Not everyone can lift a garage door even if they know where the release is.

Is this a joke? Anyone can drive thru a closed garage door....

I thought I read a legislator was caught by this. Does it surprise you he wouldn't think to drive through the door?

The battery backup is like the ones that a UPS uses - you'll get 3 years maybe out of one. And 95% of people won't replace them. So in three years you're back to where you started. A properly balanced garage door should not be an issue to raise manually for anyone that was able to get to the garage to begin with. I'm sorry people (probably one) died but there has to be a line. It should require great thought and reflection and evidence to move that line. That doesn't seem to be the case anymore. Think of all the things we could do to save just one life........

 

[ericm]

I can't find an exact number but it sounds like it was more than one. You're welcome to look for it.

Keep in mind there are a lot of people who are disabled or elderly who can still drive but can't lift stuff overhead like we can. People who are in a panic to evacuate are not thinking totally clearly. Yes, even you and me. Few people are going to try to drive through a garage door and I am doubtful that a car from a dead stop with no runup can drive through one. Some garage doors take a lot of effort to open because the springs got weak or were not adjusted tight enough to begin with, so weaker but not elderly or infirm people (i.e. most women) have a hard time opening them manually.

I thought it was superfluous when I first heard about it, because hey I don't need it. But the more I think about it, the more situations I can think of where it would be needed.

The point about batteries is a valid one. I'm not sure what if anything the openers do to let users know the batteries are flat or how hard they are to replace.

 

[billconner]

My ups is 15+ years old and kept my computer gear powered for over an hour a little while ago. I think the 3 yr notion was from early days of hoses.

 

[PassnThru]

My ups is 15+ years old and kept my computer gear powered for over an hour a little while ago. I think the 3 yr notion was from early days of hoses.

Really?
If you have a SLA that has been charging for 15+ years and held up to a power outage for over an hour then you found a unicorn. You also found the brother of the 100MPG carburetor.
I would be interested in knowing what equipment was actually hooked up to it that stayed up for an hour. I doubt that it was a desktop computer.
While we're at it - I'm not sure what 'from the early days of hoses' means?

 

[mikedodge]

I remember the California thing. A lot of people also don't know about pulling the release and that its pretty easy to open the door by hand. Then in a panic to leave in an emergency i agree some wouldn't think of that.

 

[ambenz]

Dude's... Duh!!! ..... https://doordoctor.com/en/products/residential/garage-doors/specialized-doors/pedestrian-door

 

[billconner]

My ups is 15+ years old and kept my computer gear powered for over an hour a little while ago. I think the 3 yr notion was from early days of hoses.

spell checker - early days of upss - sorry.

6 yr old Dell desktop/tower and two 21" LCD displays. My "cad" machine.

 

[billconner]

Dude's... Duh!!! ..... https://doordoctor.com/en/products/residential/garage-doors/specialized-doors/pedestrian-door

I wondered if folks that said they could install a door in a few hours had these walls in mind. I the other hand, that door in door does not look inexpensive.

 

[yeldogt]

Dude's... Duh!!! ..... https://doordoctor.com/en/products/residential/garage-doors/specialized-doors/pedestrian-door

I had to get one of those for a firehouse I restored in the city. Mine was custom wood so it was very expensive .. but even that one will be expensive and not very good looking ... you also need to have interlocks so the big door will not open unless the man door in locked in place.

In my situation I had no choice as there was no other way into the property --- I never used the man door when entering. Maybe 20% when leaving

 

[Bert_]

Geez a permit to put in a door? I know of a house built within the last 2 years that didn't have a single permit. Nobody really cares.

If you want the door, just put in the door.

 

[Metal-Marc]

My ups is 15+ years old and kept my computer gear powered for over an hour a little while ago. I think the 3 yr notion was from early days of hoses.

 

[driftpin]

I remember the California thing. A lot of people also don't know about pulling the release and that its pretty easy to open the door by hand. Then in a panic to leave in an emergency i agree some wouldn't think of that.

"Every time I walked into my garage without my car in-there, I'd get hit in the head by a stupid rope hanging-down with a red thing-a-ma-jiggy on it. I borrowed my neighbor's stepladder, and used my scissors to cut that stupid thing off! No-more headaches!"

 

[firebirdparts]

Looks like OP has R U N N O F T. Maybe he’s waiting inline at the permit office.

 

[carcruse]

If the motor breaks and there is no way in the garage, use a coat hanger.

 

[Bunsen Honeydew]

Hey, I'm new here,

My fiancée and I just recently bought new construction through KB Homes, and we are finalizing our upgrades before moving toward financing. My question is regarding whether or not to upgrade our current garage door, which is a standard windowless sectional (six, I think), to including windows on the top section for $480.00. We're thinking it's not worth the added expense - we like our privacy and I don't plan on having a shop in there - but we are also hearing some arguments that not only does it add light and curb appeal, the added natural light is a deterrent for mold and critters. Any truth to this? Most of the research I have done online is making the case for windows based on aesthetic only. Thanks for your input!

If if were me, I'd get the door windows, particularly if there is no other natural light source in the garage.
If you are that concerned about privacy, there is a spray paint that can be used to "frost" the glass, so you can have light without visibility.

 

[sschung]

this is common in Canada for townhomes where garage door is the only access to the garage. that being said, there is always a manual latch to disengage the garage door open from the door itself (both from inside and outside garage) and as the door is spring loaded, can easily be lifted by even children. external or internal man doors are conveniences and not requirements. i'm talking residential of course.

 

[Real_PhillBert]

My last house had a detached garage that had no access door. It always scared me that if something catastrophic happened to the opener, getting in would be tough.

I put in one of the keyed disconnects just for peace of mine, but never actually had to use it.

 

[ripperd]

Hey, I'm new here,

My fiancée and I just recently bought new construction through KB Homes, and we are finalizing our upgrades before moving toward financing. My question is regarding whether or not to upgrade our current garage door, which is a standard windowless sectional (six, I think), to including windows on the top section for $480.00. We're thinking it's not worth the added expense - we like our privacy and I don't plan on having a shop in there - but we are also hearing some arguments that not only does it add light and curb appeal, the added natural light is a deterrent for mold and critters. Any truth to this? Most of the research I have done online is making the case for windows based on aesthetic only. Thanks for your input!

I'd get windows for sure. The added light is helpful, and they do look better. And privacy isn't an issue, they should be near the top of the doors.

Also get a man door if you can! I had our builder put one into ours on the backside, and I use it frequently.

 

[billconner]

If this hasn't been mentioned:

Amazon.com: Universal Garage Door Emergency Release Lock Cable, Garage Door Opener Quick Release Lock Disconnect Key Lock : Tools & Home Improvement

Amazon.com: Universal Garage Door Emergency Release Lock Cable, Garage Door Opener Quick Release Lock Disconnect Key Lock : Tools & Home Improvement

a.co

I apologize if it has been mentioned.