I am planning to install aluminum windows and a door in a free standing old garage for an office conversion. There are no windows or door there now and the studs are opened to the interior. Problem: it's on a hill and rather inaccessible from the far side. Question: are there ready made alum windows with frames that ihstall from the inside (how does one weather seal such a thing given a tall ladder?) and should I have the drywall in first? Thanks.

 

Doors and windows are installed from the outside. I've heard of the bridge that leads to nowhere, so is this door leading to nowhere as well? My point being, if the sides of the garage are currently inaccessible, but the door eventually will be leading somewhere- such as to a deck or steps that aren't built yet, or similar, why not wait to put the door and window in until you have something out there to stand on? At any rate, there's no building that can't be scaffolded in some manner. Maybe you should look into extension ladders, ladder jacks and scaffold planks, or sections of scaffolding. There are also walk plank brackets that can be attached to the side of a house prior to siding.

Regarding whether you should hang drywall first, that's up to you. If you know your rough opening sizes, you can do your rough framing and drywall first, waiting to put the door and window in until later. That also serves to keep the door and window clean.

 

Thanks for that X. I couldn't actually visualize alum windows that would mount from the inside. The garage, however, is wide enough to accomodate a door on the left side with room to spare. But then the hillside begins. And shrubbery. You confirfmed my worst apprehension - that scaffolding may be the only way to go. That in itself is a daunting project. Ladders are really out of the question unless one is a daredevil acrobat in Cirque de Soleil. Cheers.