Replies

1. 
   xMikeSmith | Jul 09, 2002 11:33pm | #1

   1: get permit

   2: open wall, install new header

   3: install, flash & case exterior of door

   4: use a "zipper to remove as much vinyl as needed... prime casing, install j-mold, reinstall vinyl

   5: case interior & patch sheetrock

   but, hey, whadda i no ?

   Mike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

2. 
   jet | Jul 10, 2002 02:11am | #2

   Be careful, I once walked into a potential desaster. My brother was trying to enlarge a door in a converted summer home now a year round residence. He found out the hard way that the 3/4" frame was all that was holding up the floor joist above. I walked into his house to find him holding a 2x4 that was slipping on the lenolium floor and trying to figure out if he could run,cut and return before the toilet above came down into the kitchen.

   So I agree

   #1 GET A PERMIT.

   also proceed with caution follow the directions above in the last reply and keep an eye for the OHCRAP syndrome. Thats when all hell breaks loose and we yell OH CRAP!!!

   If at first you do succeed....try to hide your emotions.

1. 
   Piffin | Jul 10, 2002 03:32am | #3

   Remember Murphy's Law! Mr Murphy will show up about the time that you start openning up the openning with your sawzall to point out that the light switches are connected to wires running right througfh the area you want to run your saw blade through. You tell Mr Murphy to go home 'cause you've got it all figured out in your best Tim Taylor stance. But he only gets as far as the corner and turns to watch with a smile on his face...Those wires don't have enough slack to move the bax over where you had planned to go with it.

   Then you get so flustered with all these things like falling headers and short (careful Ron) wires, that you forget to frame it two and a half inches over 36" and the jamb won't fit in...

   and you forget to caulk the thres to the base and the next week, your wife is wondering why the carpet is all wet near the door....

   Excellence is its own reward!

2. 
   Rein_ | Aug 06, 2002 03:00am | #7

   did he say " Hey dude, watch this"?

1. 
   jet | Aug 06, 2002 03:44am | #8

   Nope!  Just a left handed older brother who won't listen to his little brother.

3. 
   bikerXski | Jul 10, 2002 10:49pm | #4

   As fundamental as your questions are you may want to get help. A local small builder would probably take a look for a few bucks and a twelve pac, give you pointers.  If you are on a load bearing wall you will need to shore the ceiling before installing the new header. If non load bearing, gable end of a truss house for example, no shoring needed. You probably are not qualified to make the call. Also, as others have said, many nasties lurk in wall cavities. Builders know what to look for and where. Go slow! Removing and reinstalling the vinyl siding is the least of the job. Couple of pointers. Best done when hot, better in direct sunlight. Don't try at less than 50 degrees or so. Get the little zip tool, screw drivers and other substitutes don't work. If the house is older be prepared to fix damaged areas, probably beneath treshold.

1. 
   Edgar76b | Jul 11, 2002 06:06am | #5

   should you decide to except this mission, Along with everything else you might want to number the siding as your taking it off. this message will self destruct...

4. 
   Edgar76b | Aug 06, 2002 01:40am | #6

   If you want to dress the opening up a little there is a product you could use to Surround the door. Fypon. Basically it is Foam based architectural mouldings. If you put it on backer boards it works well.

   You can build a channel, the entire backer and channel can be flashed and Capped with aluminum. The Fypon. The siding rides behind the Backer. the water sheds through the channel. Everything is water tight.

   They have fluted pilasters and federal style capitols etc.  

   http://www.Fypon.com 

   "I was born in the country, razed in the city, I'm a natural born shaker from my hips to the ground" 

1. 
   jet | Aug 06, 2002 05:45am | #9

   I notice that price is not discussed in the fypon web page, does this mean "if you have to ask you can't afford it " cuz .... The wife likes it and thinks it would look great around the parents front door.

   If at first you don't succeed...... do it your wife's way

   Edited 8/5/2002 10:54:42 PM ET by weekendwarrior

1. 
   jet | Aug 06, 2002 07:02am | #10

   Careful how you answer the last post under my name. DW was the one to post that and I know it will cost me a bundle, both in cash and time.