Installing a larger patio door

edc2be · 07-27-2012, 09:49 AM

While re-siding my house, I realized I need to replace my patio door. Currently, I have a custom 5.5 foot standard door with side glass panes and want to change to a 6 foot sliding door. The 2nd floor joists are perpendicular to the wall so I believe it is load bearing.

I realize I need to replace the header but curious what is the proper way to support the second floor while I change the header. Someone has suggested placing jack posts in the exterior wall just outside the new opening size to support the wall as opposed to supporting the 2nd floor from inside the house within 2 feet of the existing wall.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

**oh'mike** · 07-27-2012, 09:58 AM

Use a temporary wall inside the house---safest and simple---Just my opinion---

Daniel Holzman · 07-27-2012, 10:04 AM

Temporary support is obviously critical to the success of the project. I have seen the support done both externally and internally. Usually temporary support is not designed by an engineer or architect, rather the contractor uses methods they have learned from other contractors, possibly adapted to their own preferences. My recommendation is to find someone who has SUCCESSFULLY done temporary support similar to what you are doing, that is assuming you want to do the job yourself. Supporting six feet is not normally very difficult, can often be done using a pair of 2x10's offset from the opening, supported on wooden posts. The key is to make sure the posts are adequately supported on the floor or externally, it is a bad day when the posts give way while you are underneath the opening.

mae-ling · 07-27-2012, 10:54 AM

This is very dangerous and if you are not an advanced diy person I would suggest you not try it yourself.

Here is how I Install a header when putting it into an existing wall.
1.Remove drywall in area window/door is to go, perhaps even from wall to wall if it is not too much wider as this gives a better ability to make it look right.
2. Put in King studs (full length)and trimmer studs (the ones to go under the edges of the header.)
3. Make up the header. Usually double 2x10 but does depend on your load.
4. Cut the nails top and bottom and pehaps the nails that hold on the sheeting on the studs that are where the header will go and turn them sideways, so they are flat against the outside sheeting. DO NOT REMOVE THEM!!!!!

If your ceiling is higher then the top of the header cut the studs off at the top height of the header one at a time and turn them sideways and shim them tight at the bottom plate.

5. Slip the header up into place and slide it in the amount it will go 2" on 2x4 studs 4" on 2x6 studs
6. Now remove the studs you turned sideways. You may need to cut them to get them out but usually they will come.
7. Push your beam all the way in and secure with nails or screws.
8. If it is a window build the bottom of your opening.
9. cut out opening and do whatever you need to do with whatever siding you have.
10. Re-drywall or patch.

Easier to do then explain

CopperClad · 07-27-2012, 11:04 AM

Hi edc2be. From what I gather you have a 5'6'' door, and then you state you have glass panes on the side? So are the glass panes included in the 5'6'' measurement or is the door 5'6'' and then the panes on both sides are 12'' each? Also, when you say you are residing, does this mean you are removing the old siding? What is the old siding and what are you putting up for replacement? Also, when was the home built?

edc2be · 07-27-2012, 01:03 PM

The current patio door plus side windows measures 5'6" wide and 82.5" tall.

I've completely removed the siding down to the sheeting. The old siding was masonite (fiber) that the nails were pulling through. I'm replacing with hardie plank siding.

The house was built in 1999.

CopperClad · 07-27-2012, 02:00 PM

Well sir/ma'am, I see what you are trying to do. With the style of your home and the hardie plank siding, if you were my potential customer I would highly recommend placing a 5' french door leading onto your well crafted stylish deck. As far as cost wise, a 5' french door will not be that much more then a 6' sliding door, and factoring in the new header, sheetrock, trim, shoring, and the many other factors involved in making a header 6'' larger, it would only make sense from a labor and cost factor to go ahead with a 5' slider/french door vs a 6' one. However, if your heart is set on a 6' slider it can most definitely can be achieved.