Install a Door Frame in a Brick Wall

One of the most common reasons homeowners decide 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 or 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 at any point you find the operation too difficult, consult a contractor. You don't want to end up causing damage to your home, or injury to yourself. Do your homework before you start the job.

Determine What Lies Behind the Brick Wall

When you are cutting through a brick wall, you need to know what is on the other side. This way you will not inadvertently cut through any 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 it is load-bearing, you should consult with a building inspector or building professional who can lead you in the right direction.

Measure the Doorway

Determine how tall and how wide you want the doorway to be. If you are going to install a door into the frame, 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.

Wear Safety Gear

Do not forget to wear safety goggles and a face shield while you are cutting your new doorway if using a cut-off saw. 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 4 – Make the Cut

Cut through the marked area with the saw. Let the blade do the work; you should not have to force the blade nor should you. Use caution and do not be afraid to leave the work to the professionals if you feel unsafe or sure at any point. Research and know your subject before you tackle any job and do not improvise or compromise in safety or quality simply follow the instructions and you can do anything yourself.

Add the Lintel

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

Clean the Brick

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

You now have a beautiful new entryway in your brick wall. This can be a great way to add a new room or create a feeling of openness.

Door Frame in a Brick Wall FAQ

Can you put a door in a brick wall?

It is possible to cut a door in a brick wall but only in the cases where that wall is not load-bearing. Cutting into a load-bearing brick wall can create extreme structural damage that makes the building unsafe.

How much does it cost to cut a doorway in a brick wall?

The cost of cutting a new doorway in a brick wall varies greatly based on the size and type of door you choose, how thick the brick wall is, and how much of the work you perform yourself.

Including permits, support from professional structural engineers, materials, and possibly labor from a contractor, expect to pay between $1,400 to $3,500, on average, to install an exterior door into a wall.

Is brick wall a load-bearing wall?

Every brick wall is not necessarily load-bearing, though strong materials like brick are frequently used for load-bearing walls because of their strength. In order to determine whether or not a wall is load-bearing, you may need to consult with a professional structural engineer.

There is another way to check if a wall is load-bearing by examining the way the joists run. However, this technique is not always 100 percent accurate and when it comes to load-bearing walls, you want to make absolutely sure.

If you have access to the original blueprints for the house, and blueprints for any additions or changes that were later made, the load-bearing walls will be clearly marked here.

What is the best tool to cut a hole in a brick wall?

Multiple tools will cut into brick walls. A hammer drill will probably get this task done the quickest, as it is specifically designed to pierce holes in brick and make large cuts.

The hammer drill is a power tool, so it requires less human power to get it to work.

You can also pre-drill holes with a masonry drill bit and a power drill. The holes will make it easier to cut into the brick with a diamond-coated hole saw and a masonry pilot.

You can also use a masonry chisel to cut bricks by hand. However, this is typically only used for very fine detail brickwork, as it takes a lot of personal elbow grease to chisel away at a brick wall.

How do you drill into brick without cracking it?

A hammer drill with a good masonry bit will drill clean holes into a brick wall, without creating cracks as long as you work slowly and precisely.