I am about to replace an old garage door in our basement/terrace level with an exterior door and a window. (see attached sketch)
The existing foundation wall is made of hollow concrete blocks.
At the moment, I don't know the exact dimensions of the door and window since I plan to try to source second-hand/misordered windows and doors and adapt accordingly when I do the work.
I plan to do it this way; under the window, I intend to build up with Leca/lightweight concrete blocks.
On each side of the door and window, I intend to have 45*120 studs to achieve better stability and make it easier to install the door/window.
Is this a good solution, or are there better ways? How would you have done it?
What I'm not quite sure about is what to do with the space between the door and the window.
Isn't it a bit too narrow to be stable if you use masonry?
Would it be better if I have the window and door right next to each other and then build up to the left of the window instead?
After this, we will insulate with foam and then apply plaster, is there anything to consider then?
Edit: obviously, there is also an existing wall to the left of the window.
The existing foundation wall is made of hollow concrete blocks.
At the moment, I don't know the exact dimensions of the door and window since I plan to try to source second-hand/misordered windows and doors and adapt accordingly when I do the work.
I plan to do it this way; under the window, I intend to build up with Leca/lightweight concrete blocks.
On each side of the door and window, I intend to have 45*120 studs to achieve better stability and make it easier to install the door/window.
Is this a good solution, or are there better ways? How would you have done it?
What I'm not quite sure about is what to do with the space between the door and the window.
Isn't it a bit too narrow to be stable if you use masonry?
Would it be better if I have the window and door right next to each other and then build up to the left of the window instead?
After this, we will insulate with foam and then apply plaster, is there anything to consider then?
Edit: obviously, there is also an existing wall to the left of the window.
The image is very small so you can't see any details.
In general, I don't like masonry work, it's heavy, mixing mortar is tedious, and it takes time. It's much faster to frame up.
However, it might be smart to build up a bit with masonry if you have moisture problems.
In general, I don't like masonry work, it's heavy, mixing mortar is tedious, and it takes time. It's much faster to frame up.
However, it might be smart to build up a bit with masonry if you have moisture problems.
When I sealed up the garage door, I placed the window on one side and the door on the other side, with the reasoning that it would be harder to break the window and reach the door lock (a key is required even from the inside). I built it with wood. Simpler that way. It is a fixed window, non-opening.
Dr Fozz: Strange that the picture is small... for me it isn't. Are you looking at the app or via the web?
I would have rather built with studs instead of masonry, but as you pointed out, there is quite a risk of moisture problems if I build with wood.
Ingemar_o: Thanks for the tip, I didn't think about the risk of burglary. Ifs, you could have a left-hinged door to solve that problem.
I would have rather built with studs instead of masonry, but as you pointed out, there is quite a risk of moisture problems if I build with wood.
Ingemar_o: Thanks for the tip, I didn't think about the risk of burglary. Ifs, you could have a left-hinged door to solve that problem.
How did you do it? I'm thinking of doing the same myself and I'm wondering, like you, if it will be too weak to build such a narrow wall between the door and window and if it will hold.