Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 5/28/2011

Question
QUESTION: I would like to make my garage window into an entrance door.The wall is made of cement blocks.Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Rich

ANSWER: Hi Rich, it's not a difficult project as long as the window is either wider than the door you want to install or at least as wide.  The reason being is the header above the window.  The support over the window holds up everything above it.  The masonry below the window sill can be cut out with relative ease and with no repercussions under normal circumstances. Let me know how wide your window is and how wide of a door you want to install and I will right back with detailed instructions if you so desire..sincerely Bruce

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QUESTION: The window is 37" wide and I want to make the door 33" wide.
Thank you.
Rich

Answer
That should work fine.  Make sure there is no electrical box or plumbing in that area and you can remove the masonry under the window without impunity.  For the least amount of stress to the wall try to cut as much of the block with a saw as possible, inside and out.  Just beating the masonry out can cause stress cracks in the surrounding masonry..sincerely Bruce Johnson