Install a Door Frame in a Brick Wall

One of the most common reasons homeowners want to cut into a brick wall is to install a door. If you are remodeling your home, or if you bought a home that is constructed primarily out of brick, you need to know how to complete this task properly and safely. If you do not have the skills and tools to do the job properly, consider hiring a professional to do the work for you.

Remember not to get in over your head. If you find the operation too difficult, hire a contractor. You don't want to ruin your brick wall.

Step 1 – Determine What Lies behind the Brick Wall

If you are cutting through a brick wall, you want to know what lies behind the brick so that you do not inadvertently cut through pipes or wiring. You will also want to make sure that you are not cutting through a load-bearing wall. If you are uncertain as to whether or not the brick wall is load-bearing, you should consult with a building inspector or a builder that can let you know.

Step 2 – Don Safety Gear

Do not forget to wear your goggles when you cut through the brick wall. You will also want to wear gloves to protect your hands from debris. Wear a mask so you do not breathe in the dust from cutting the brick wall.

Step 3 – Measure the Doorway

Determine how tall and wide you need the doorway to be. If you are going to install a door into the doorway, take into account the exact dimensions of the door when you make your measurements on the wall. Use chalk to mark the areas where you want to cut through the brick. Before you make your first cut, double check the measurements.

Step 4 – Make the Cut

Cut through the brick wall with the saw. Let the blade do the work; you should not have to force the blade through the brick.

Step 5 – Add the Lintel

After you make the cut and remove the debris, you will want to support the opening with a steel lintel. The lintel will go behind and beneath the brick to give it the added support you need. You will want to add the lintel as soon as possible after you finish making the cut.

Step 6 – Clean the Brick

You may find that you have some ends of the brick sticking out from the new doorway. Chisel them away to make them smooth or perhaps cover them with trimming. You will then be able to add your new door.