Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 1/19/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hey Bruce,
I purchase a home where the previous owner closed in an old porch.  The outside wall is only about 6.5ft tall.  It appears that the top plates are at least 6 inches.  I leveled the floor, which previous sloped, so now the floor will be higher than the existing door.  The door has a 1x4 framing the door, what should I do to fix?  Can I simply cut 1.5in from the bottom of the door?
Also, can a move the windows all the way to the sill plate or is there a minimum header requirement? I don't see the benefit if I simply add a 2x4 as the header.  Thanks in advance.

ANSWER: Hi Parker, If your door is solid wood you can probably cut an inch and a half off the bottom.  If it is hollow core (a wood frame with veneer skin and hollow on the inside)then you can cut the bottom off but then you will have to strip the veneer off the bottom piece of frame and slide it up inside and reattach it with nails and glue.  I don't understand your window question.  If the window goes all the way down to the sill it should be tempered glass.  You can look at the glass and see if it is has the tempered marking etched in one corner of it.  As far as the "header" goes a double two by four will span up to four feet for a window header.  As far as the 1x4 door trim? It sounds like you already have leveled the floor so I'm not sure where the problem with the trim lies.  If you need to extend the floor into the doorway opening you can build around the trim or cut the trim up and build your floor underneath it.  I hope this information helps feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks  again Bruce.  Glad to hear I could trim the door.  I realized I wasn't clear in my question regarding the window.  I want to move the window up to the top plate, not sill plate,  would this be a problem?  It is an exterior wall.  The reason I would like to do this is because the outside wall is only 6.5ft tall, so the window currently is very low, approx. 12-18 inches off the floor.

Answer
hi again Parker, it all depends on how much of the roof and ceiling structure sits in top of the header.  If there isn't any major load bearing in the area or if the load is close to the outside edge of the window you should be okay..Please feel free to write again as needed..sincerely bruce e johnson