Installing french doors in place of window
#1
12-11-11, 04:11 AM
Installing french doors in place of window
I have been getting quotes to put in an exterior french door in the place of two windows that are side by side, I lack the confidence to do this on my own, however I'm not liking the bill that i'm getting
from the quotes even more, so maybe I'll tackle it. The windows are 43" wide with 12" of wall between them bringing the total opening
to 98". The door I want to install is a 72" door. I know I will have to frame part of the wall back up. I guess my question is, will there be one continuous header goes across both windows or will I have to put a new one in?
from the quotes even more, so maybe I'll tackle it. The windows are 43" wide with 12" of wall between them bringing the total opening
to 98". The door I want to install is a 72" door. I know I will have to frame part of the wall back up. I guess my question is, will there be one continuous header goes across both windows or will I have to put a new one in?
#2
12-11-11, 06:36 AM
Group Moderator
You will need a continuous header across the entire opening. Your bid probably also includes all the work it will take to install and finish drywall on the inside, and repairing the siding on the outside. If the cost seems high it might be because there are a lot more steps involved that what you imagined. They may also need to get an electrician involved if you have electrical running in the wall below these windows. Electrical often runs horizontally about 16" above the floor.
#3
12-11-11, 06:44 AM
Group Moderator
With 12" between the windows I would bet that there is two headers over the windows. However there is a chance it is one. Using a stud sensor to scan the wall might work. That, or make a small hole with a drill bit approximately where the header might be and see if you hit framing.
#4
12-14-11, 04:22 PM
french door
ok thanks for the advice, seems like a pretty easy job for the most part, "with a little help from my friends". One other thing how wide should I make the header?
#5
12-14-11, 04:40 PM
Group Moderator
Sometimes it just makes sense to use a 2x12 header if it will be installed up tight to the top plate. But a 2x10 would also suffice. Depending on your wall height you may need cripples above the header to fill in any space between the top of the header and the top plate. Instead of making short cripples it sometimes just makes more sense to lay some framing flat. But if you need space for electrical to run from one side to the other, use cripples.
