Expand opening in load bearing wall to add door

I am doing some remodeling to turn two small bedrooms into a larger master bedroom. There is currently an opening in a load bearing wall that is 42"x77". We would like to install a set of double doors that are 60"x80". The load bearing wall is actually the outside wall for the 2nd story (the 2nd story is only one room, half the width of the house). First off, would it be possible to expand a load bearing wall that much without compromising its integrity. If so, what steps would I have to do to keep the wall supported as I expand it?

I'm pretty new to home repairs, so any advice would be very much appreciated!

 

Welcome to the forums.

Possible to do this? Sure. What it will take, however, is tougher to answer. Can you post some pictures?
http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...-pictures.html

 

It's not an easy undertaking, you'll have to temporarily support the load while you frame it out and more than likely will need a bigger header than what it currently has. What is underneath this wall?

You might need to get an engineer/architect to look at as the inspector might not sign off unless he sees the engineer's recommendations.

 

I won't be able to post pictures until later today. Underneath is just the crawlspace. I figured we would need to put a header in, but what I don't understand is how to support that weight as the new header is put in.

Thanks for the input!

 

You have to have some support in place, temporary wall sounds like what it would be in this case but it varies with the situation.

 

Welcome to the forums!

Are you working on the first floor of the second story? Is this opening and double door access to a deck, patio or balcony?

As for the details, pictures will help.