Removing Window and Replace with French Doors

[XBon]

Ok we have a window that is 6ft wide and 3ft drop

Thinking about removing the window and replacing with French Doors (Pvc Style), So this will involve cutting through the bricks to bring the drop to the correct size etc.

Then installing the doors...

Right Questions...

How difficult will this be?

What do you stick in the cavity between the two layers of brick?

Will the lintel for the window should be ok for the doors?


Thanks

 

[TexMex]

First the boring bit. You need to notify your local building control office before you start this job.

How difficult will this be?

Not very. Can be time consuming getting the existing window and masonary out. New patio doors can be heavy to manipulate into position. (Make sure you put the frame the right way round. You don't want burglars simply lifting the doors out from outside).

What do you stick in the cavity between the two layers of brick?

Masonary and DPC. If you remove the bricks under the window carefully, these can be reused, for this purpose.

Will the lintel for the window should be ok for the doors?

Almost definately.

Instead of cutting the bricks, I prefer to take out completely, all those that would be cut down the middle. (ie every other course). This leaves a toothed opening to make good. The gaps in these teeth are later filled with headers. (bricks running from the outside skin to the inner skin).


You will note that between the bricks (of the reveal) and the face of the inner skin, there is a DPC. (a strip of plastic, or tar material). You will need to extend this right down to the bottom of your new opening.

You should also include a couple of wall ties on each side of the opening, to bond the reveal to the inner skin. These may be a bit tricky to fix, owing to the existing brickwork being in the way. It may be worth removing any bricks that get in the way of this opperation and replacing them after the wall tie has been secured.

The following diagram may help.

 

[XBon]

Thanks that is great


thankyou

 

[TexMex]

I forgot to mention, the bricks you use to make good the reveal will still need cutting. Usually done individually with a club hammer and bolster. If you can't get the knack, an angle grinder will do (watch it, them things are dangerous). You'll probably have to make the headers about 140mm, (Put cut edges inwards) The tiny bits on the alternate courses will probably be about 30mm.

It's a fiddly little job, but if you do it right, it will look like it was built in from day 1.

 

[XBon]

Thanks...once again..

 

[MoJo jojo]

Texmex could you tell me why you would rather render the bricks and replace some instead ov just cutting through them?