Replacing garage door and window, no existing header?

[Eonblue]

I'm looking to replace the man door and window in my single car garage with a hip roof. Neither of them have a header.

The door is 29-5/8 x 77-1/2, rough opening is 31-1/2 x 85. I'm not too concerned about the window, I just want to have something that can open. The man door seems a bit trickier with the wall height and lack of header.

 

[welder4956]

You would need a rough opening of 32" x 82 1/2" to use a 30" prehung door. You could move the single stud over 1/2" and add an additional stud and header. No need for the 2x4 across the bottom.

 

[manwithtools]

I'll be willing to bet that a 30" pre-hung will fit in a 31-1/2" rough opening - just barely. The problem is if the studs on either side are not perfectly plumb and parallel to each other there may not be much room to use shims to correct for lack of plumb.

 

[The Cobbler]

I think a 30" prehung would fit as mentioned above. they are about 31-1/4" overall as the doors are 1/4" undersized and the jambs are about 5/8" thick

 

[FordTruckWench]

It looks like there is some filler material between the jam and stud on the side of the door by the light switches. The OP hasn't said exactly how the rough opening was measured.

 

[manwithtools]

It looks like there is some filler material between the jam and stud on the side of the door by the light switches. The OP hasn't said exactly how the rough opening was measured.

I'm guessing with a tape measure?

Just guessing

 

[FordTruckWench]

I'm guessing with a tape measure?

Just guessing

Heh, heh.

Rephrased: Was the rough opening measured from the inner edge of the left 2x4 to the inner edge of the right 2x4? Or was it measured from the inner edge of the left 2x4 to the inner edge of the 1x4 that's paired with the right 2x4?

 

[CraigStu]

I am not worried about the door. It looks to me like the roof trusses or other roof support beams are quite close to the studs on either side of the door. I wouldn't mind seeing a short filler added on top of the left side stud though. If a standard door won't quite fit you could build one up easily by gluing together some 1x6s or 1x8s in a double layer w/ the joints offset from one layer to the other. Build it an inch oversized and cut to fit the opening. I have also seen doors like this.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/ReliaBilt-Clear-6-Panel-Solid-Core-Wood-Slab-Door-Common-28-in-x-80-in-Actual-28-in-x-80-in/1000339331

There is a lot of solid wood around the perimeters so you might be able to cut it down to your size. Of course you would need a good weather proof coating. The window structural requirements depends if it is on a wall like the door which is supporting the roof or is it on a gable end wall.

 

[Bucko]

I like to have wide exterior doors myself so it would be a good opportunity to put in a 36" door since the interior is not finished. Could also pay a little extra for a custom height a little shorter so you could put some trim around the top and the door does not go all the way up to the soffit. If you went with a solid wood door you could cut it down yourself but I prefer metal exterior when possible.

 

[nadogail]

This thread is all about trying to use standard sized components, like a prehung door in a non standard situation.

Another example of why a bundle of shingles is needed to be included in the bill of materials for every stick built house.

 

[Eonblue]

Thanks guys, I measured from 2x4 stud to 2x4 stud. Good call on how plumb it is, the stud closest to the overhead door is out more than 1/2". Hip roof so no gable, door and window are both on the same 22 ft wall.

I found some span tables and I think I should be good with 2-2x4 header if I stay under 39". I'll double check when I get home.

In all honesty this garage is going to be torn down in a several years so its just all practice for the new build.

 

[manwithtools]

Given the garages age, if it hasn't fallen down or had major issues by now, you really don't need headers above the door and window. I know it seems odd, but if it's not encountered problems and you don't increase opening sizes there is no need to change anything other than the door and window. Particularly if the entire garage is due for replacement soon.