Garage Conversion

Carlnorwich · 1 Mar 2009

I am going to convert our garage which means I will have to remove the existing door, brick half up and istall a window.

I know what to do with the foundations, I now need to find out how I get the new wall built correctly.I realise there's plenty to think about; air bricks, dpc, wall ties, insulation, etc. Can anyone offer any help?

Maybe there's some diagrams on the net that explain the construction in simple detail (I need an idiots guide) - I've looked but can't find anything.

Many thanks in advance.

karlosmaximos · 1 Mar 2009

Have you ever laid bricks before?

If you are bricking up the opening then the easiest method is to string a line across the brick coarses,easy as that,i'd chop out the halfs(called toothing out) so that in time the new will blend in more

As for air bricks,have you got to venitlate an existing wooden floor somewhere?-if not there is no need

Remember to install a dpc 150mm of the ground,you might be able to follow the existing.

alllow 100mm cavity opeing and install wall ties on every block coarse at the ends and every 2 on the others,space them at 900mm centres.

Hope this helps somewhat

If you are unsure of the brickwork aspect it might be an idea to get someone to do it for you,ive seen brickwork done by diy'ers that my wife could have done better,and she doesnt do diy,or much else come to think of it lol

Carlnorwich · 1 Mar 2009

Thanks for the advice. The new new blockwork will be rendered so any poor workmanship will be hidden.

How do I get insulation in the cavity if there are wall ties in the way?

noseall · 1 Mar 2009

Fibreglass cavity batt type insulation is sized so that it fits between wall ties.

Well at least until you need to double up ties at door and window reveals that is! When this is the case, one would just cut it to fit.

karlosmaximos · 2 Mar 2009

build oute/inner skin first then install cavity battens as you go along,cut them with a utility knife,unless you have an extremely sharp trowel like me lol

bcsurveyor · 3 Mar 2009

Conversion of a garage is something that requires Building Regulations Approval, I'd suggest you get in touch with your local authority Building Control office and run your proposals past them.

noseall · 3 Mar 2009

bcsurveyor said:
Conversion of a garage is something that requires Building Regulations Approval, I'd suggest you get in touch with your local authority Building Control office and run your proposals past them.

Building control are not in the habit of giving bricklaying lessons.

^woody^ · 3 Mar 2009

The OP has not said what he is converting it into.

He might be converting it into a conservatory, or using it to store explosives, in which case he can save the building notice fee

lol

mikric · 3 Mar 2009

Building control are not in the habit of giving bricklaying lessons.

[/quote]

Some do , have been known to pick up a trowel on site visits

Shytalkz · 3 Mar 2009

Yeh, but surely that's just to fend off unhealthy interest from those with the webbed feet and cleft palets?

Shytalkz · 3 Mar 2009

Woops, I've developed a stammer....

bcsurveyor · 4 Mar 2009

to noseall - who said anything about bricklaying lessons??? The initial post was regarding general guidance??? And judging by some of the brick layers I have dealt with recently, some of them could do with further lessons!!!

to ^woody^ - converting a garage into a conservatory would not necessarily make it exempt, certain criteria still have to be met for it to be exempt under schedule 2 of the regulations. As for the explosives store comment - thats one of the daftest things I've heard in my life.

Shytalkz · 4 Mar 2009

BC, you're new round here aren't you...? You might want to get to know the Woodster and Nose, before you pile into them....

Mikric's helped to redress the balance of opinion around here regarding LABCOs, don't go undoing all his fine work now.

bcsurveyor · 4 Mar 2009

shytalkz - im not 'laying into' anybody, just pointing some things out. Plus there comments to me weren't exactly welcoming were they?

Shytalkz · 4 Mar 2009

You're a BCO, what do you expect?

Both Woodster and Nose are oft capable of posting in an impish way and their posts above were just that.

Lighten up.

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Garage Conversion

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