Convert garage from 2 door to 1 door?

[pfunk42]

I've got double 8' doors on my garage and my trailer is too wide to fit inside. My beam might just barely fit but between some of the hardware for the door it'd be too tight a squeeze to really want to try to put it in on a homemade set of a bunks/dolly or something for the winter. I was wondering if anyone had done the conversion from double doors to one big door and if there were some rough estimates? I know it will vary a lot, just looking for some ballparks. I believe the piece between the doors is load bearing so they'd need to put in a new header,etc. Just looking to get an idea of roughly how long it would take for it to pay for itself to see if it'd be worth it.

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Convert garage from 2 door to 1 door?

A lot of variables here, including what area you live, is garage attached or detached and if attached is there a second story overhead.

You would likely end up with a deeper header than you now have. That extra depth could come down (reducing overhead clearance) or go up (or both). You would also likely have to put additional shear bracing on one side (maybe both sides) of the door.

The rough calculations are not complex and any decent contractor should be able to give you an idea of what would be involved and the cost. If you are thinking of diy, your local building department may have standard specs. for the header/related construction for the two door span (make sure you budget a couple of cases of beer for the friends you will call on to help lift the new header into place). You can find on-line sources for determining the loads and required header size. Whether you would need any engineering depends on your local building codes.

Cost effective? Depends on how you value the capability to garage your boat for the winter.

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: Convert garage from 2 door to 1 door?

Pictures would help - Is the door on the gable end or the sidewall?

LK

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Convert garage from 2 door to 1 door?

Where are you? Around here $2500 +-/ plus the new door.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Convert garage from 2 door to 1 door?

Maybe you can just move one door jamb in order to install a one foot wider door?

 

[rbh]

Re: Convert garage from 2 door to 1 door?

Heres what I am thinking??

Build temp stud wall to take the weight of trusses,
wrecking time,
build support for big old header, 3x-2x12
(steel I beam, may be overkill???)
Once everythings in and secure, remove temp wall and its time to do the new door, track, spring take up.


remember the preload for the spring is dangerous, get the proper tools to set it.


The cost to finally get your boat in the garage "PRICELESS"

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Convert garage from 2 door to 1 door?

What's the age and construction of the house? Is it wood framed, concrete block/stucco, brick? Is the interior of the garage finished off with drywall and/or interior ceiling? Is there electrical in the door divider that needs to be relocated? Are there storm ratings/hurricane codes that you have to abide by? In this area, any renovation like that is also going to require a permit as well as stamped engineered drawings showing everything from the header to the nailing pattern.

 

[rockyrude]

Re: Convert garage from 2 door to 1 door?

you're going to need to build in the sides also, most single doors are 16'. if yours is like mine, the center post is about 16", so you need to build that back.

 

[Raystownboater]

Re: Convert garage from 2 door to 1 door?

If all you want to do is put the boat on dollys for the winter, you'd be better off just pulling all the trim off the garage door opening and get down to the studs. That will give you an extra few inches to slide in the boat. Otherwise, you will be into a pretty major remodel. You are looking at permits, materials, labor, etc. We definitely need more details about your location, whether or not the garage is attached to the house, what's above the garage, siding or brick, etc. However you look at it, it will NOT be inexpensive.