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February 5, 2008
Turning a window into a door
hey all,
I've got a rear garden level kitchen, and I'm interested in taking the large window that faces the yard and turning it into a door (maybe an insulated french double door.) This would entail removing the window and knocking out the back wall below it, and installing a doorframe and door. Are there any structural issues I should consider/worry about? And anyone have a rough guess what a job like that might cost? It would basically provide garden access directly off the kitchen rather through the narrow side hall.
Comments
The knocking out the wall part -- is it masonry? Structurally it could probably be handled by a steel angle for a lintel, and would be pretty quick work.
Costs would depend on some variables first soft costs. All these are approximate +/-:
-Filing, expect at least $1500 for the paperwork and engineering.
-Asbestos test. required by the City for any filing and runs about $350
-Permit costs $400
-Does your coop (if any) have a renovation fee?
Hard costs:
-Door depends on materials, custom vs catalogue stock, $2500 might be a good number for this. Aluminum? Wood? Low-E glass?
-Structural reinforcing of lintel, 4x4 less than 6' wide (could be carried by hand) $1200
Wildcard: finishes. Are you having to match a stucco surface on your garden wall? are you having to match plaster on the interior? A threshold could require some levelling work, etc.
I hope this is helpful
Posted by: Smokychimp at February 5, 2008 8:25 PM
If you are not changing the top elevation or width of the existing window you don't need any lintel work - it already exists for the window. Just cut out the masonry below and fit in a door frame.
Posted by: guest at February 5, 2008 8:39 PM
True dat -- I read it as removing more than the window width. Removing masonry below the window would not be structural work.
Posted by: Smokychimp at February 5, 2008 8:52 PM
doing exactly the same as part of my gut rehab... been quoted $7500. You need permits, this is a 'change to the egress'.
Posted by: denton at February 5, 2008 9:12 PM
if the window is 6+ feet ...
remove window, install door, install small step up inside and outside of new door. no structural work required.
Posted by: guest at February 6, 2008 12:30 AM
Hey all, thanks. It's a 36-inch wide window, so no widening necessary, and I think a door frame can fit in the space. The top of the window frame is about 7 ft. So not the highest door, but not bad. Also it's my house, not a co-op board, so no permissions needed there. But would I really need a permit from the city, because of "change of egress? I'd keep the other door as well (tho probably change it into more of a storage shed.) Thanks for the advice, sorry for not being more clear.
Posted by: Frederick Law Homestead at February 6, 2008 1:03 AM
Changing a wall as you've described requires a permit.
Posted by: Smokychimp at February 6, 2008 9:25 AM
Of course, everyone I've known (3) who've done this didn't bother with a permit. Make sure you have nice neighbors.
I spent 3200, Elegant Entries, I believe, did job in a surprising 4 hours (not including steps.) 36" wide. Door fits well and is well insulated, but I wish I had more glass area (door is 30) compared to the window. I'd look into "bodega doors" someone mentioned on this list, but I guess commercial doors are not energy=efficient.
Posted by: cmu at February 6, 2008 10:16 AM
permits, schmermits.
If your house and especially if only 1 or 2 family do whatever you want.
Posted by: guest at February 6, 2008 3:55 PM
Not filing a construction project is a really, really bad idea. No matter how small the project. There are three reasons:
1. It's illegal.
2. The DoB can fine you (minimum $5000) if you are caught. With the new anonymous call to 311 to report illegal construction, the odds of getting away with it have changed.
3. It's a breathtakingly foolish risk. You are becoming a temporary employer of a group of people, their subcontractors, to repair an asset worth (x) millions of dollars (fill in the blank with your building's value). Anyone injured on the jobsite can sue you against the value of your building. The contractor hiring them dissolves their company, you are left as the responsible party calling your insurance company to protect you. What does your insurance company say? See point number 1 above. They walk away.
Posted by: Smokychimp at February 6, 2008 4:12 PM
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