[handycandy]

Hello, I'm not sure if this is the place to ask this question? We are planning on building a deck behind our home. Our home is odd and the garage is in the back side so the deck will be attached to the side of the garage and to the back of our home. But the garage has a window on each side and because the house is higher than the garage when making the deck it will cover the window about 1/3 of the bottom part of the window. Do we need to move the window completely or can we leave it there and wall it in with boards? We got an estimate from 2 contractors and 1 says we need to take out the window and wall it in or move it above making the cost $1000-$1500 more. The other contractor says we can cover it with boards, siding etc. as long as the glass is not exposed and there is no danger in anybody falling through. Is the first contractor trying to get more out of this project or is he correct? Because we already have a window on the other side of the garage we don't really need this window and was all for covering it up. Is there any code that a single car garage needs 2 windows or will covering a window in any way or form violating code and will have to take the window out and wall it in? Thank you!!

 

[Daniel Holzman]

Your local building inspector will know, ask them when you pull the permit for the deck.

 

[Msradell]

I've never seen any code that requires 2 windows in a garage of any type. Also in most places covering the window with siding would be perfectly acceptable. However as Daniel suggested, you are better off checking with your local building inspectors when you apply for the permit.

 

[joecaption]

Picture would be nice for some suggestions so we can see what your seeing.
How high is this deck going to be above grade?
In most cases making that deck free standing so there's 0 chance of siding damage is the way to go.
No way would I just board up over a window!
Should be about a 2 hour job or less to remove, add a stud if needed, cover with sheathing and house wrap, then weave in the new siding

 

[Gary in WA]

Just need safety glazing or a guard over it, per Code; http://www.deckmagazine.com/safety/structure.aspx

Gary
PS.; http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/irc/2009/icod_irc_2009_3_sec008.htm?bu2=undefined

 

[handycandy]

I emailed our local code inspector and waiting for a reply. The deck will be about 4 feet high. May I ask why you wouldn't board up a window? Since it's already waterproofed wouldn't it be better to build a box and put that over the window? I was actually thinking of putting those folding shelves on that board with this http://www.amazon.com/Parker-Foldin...id=1462236184&sr=8-3&keywords=folding+bracket and have the grill next to it so it'll be very convenient! I'm not sure if the glazing will be good for our situation because 1/3 of the window will be below the deck it would look awkward? That is why we thought we'd just cover it up with and put shelves on it. Is that a bad idea?!

 

[joecaption]

Still have no pictures, no location so where stuck guessing what will work.
From what I'm picturing that's going to look like poop inside and out.
Why would you not want the outside to look like there was never a window there?

 

[handycandy]

Sorry don't have pic at the moment. We are in Maine. Well it would be better to have it walled in but just thinking saving $1500 wouldn't be bad either! Hehe :biggrin2:

 

[joecaption]

What type siding do you have?
Just trying to figure out how they came up with it costing that much.
It's a really simple job.
Labor should be cheap in your area.

 

[handycandy]

It's a regular vinyl siding. The inside of the garage is not finished so I will be moving the outlet above and will be very easy to get to. So there is no drywall to fix. I will get another estimate from a third person after I hear from our code inspector. I called them today but didn't hear back :/

 

[ront02769]

Have never seen a requirement for a window in a garage. If you WANT shelving there, then it won't be too hard to make it look good. But if you DONT want it, then I would pull the window, frame in And then weave in new vinyl as suggested prior. For me, leaving it there partially covered WOULD look like poo. Ron

 

[handycandy]

Thank you all for your replies!! The inspector said it's fine if it is covered so we decided to cover it with sheet wood for now and take it out when the kids get older and maybe cover just the bottom part. We don't need 2 windows in the garage but it IS practical if we do during the summer it does keep the temperature down if we have 2 windows open and the breeze can go through. We can always cover again if we decide to sell the house to keep it to code.