Convert 2 bays to single bay?

3 years ago

I tried searching for a similar topic but couldn’t find any so forgive me if another thread exists on the forum. We have two TINY garage doors that annoy me to no end. I don’t have exact measurements but they’re barely wide enough to get a sedan in/out with less than a couple of inches on either side, with side mirrors folded. Our house is spacious but we have a small garage without enough space for a freezer, a hundred strollers, bikes or our tools etc so we only park 1 car inside. I’d love to be able to convert these two doors into a large single door so I could park easily in the middle of the garage and get my kids in/out indoors. We have plans to build a garage with apt in the future (many homes in our neighborhood have 3 car garages) and I wondered if we could take that opportunity to also convert the existing garage doors into a single door. I’m asking this group if such a thing can be done reasonably or would it be cost prohibitive? I am willing to pay for this expense since we would benefit from it literally every time we leave the house but to a reasonable extent. Thanks very much.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

vicki denson
3 years ago
Get an estimate. The beam to span that entire space maybe too high. You might also consider building in on either size an have a larger garage door, but small than that entire space, or having a door into the garage and a larger garage door.
0
houssaon
3 years ago
You will, more than likely need a support beam. But it will be much more usable.
0
Related Discussions
Advice - dividing Magnolia virginiana (Sweet bay magnolia)
Q
Comments (11)
Unless they have put more than one seedling in a pot, which isn't likely, you are dealing with one tree that has been cut back to create multiple trunks, as Alabamatreehugger has said. Even if there were 5-7 trees together, by this time, the roots would be well intertwined, and would NOT be happy to be disentangled from each other. Dividing can work for perennials, or if you had planted a bunch of tree seeds in a pot and then dealt with the babies at a few inches tall, but most semi-mature trees won't do it. Suckering shrubs maybe, but that's not what you are dealing with here. I can appreciate your wanting the shape that you want and the number of trees that you want, but I don't think this is how you will get it. Keep looking..... HOWEVER if they aren't too much money, so you wouldn't mind too much if it/they died, it MIGHT be worth buying one and trying. I think I would wait until fall or early winter to "operate", when the tree won't be actively growing and will be as dormant as they get, so you may need to pot this one on to a larger pot over the summer. Carefully removing the soil from the root ball (try using a water spray), at least at the top, would let you see what the trunk/root system really looked like, and then you could make up your mind if this is at all feasible. Since you do have experience dividing plants, I think it would be up to you to decide. They MIGHT all die, and they MIGHT live, I wouldn't want to say for sure. If it were me, and I really wanted this, and couldn't find what I did want, AND it weren't too much money, I think I would have a go - experimentation is how you learn more after all.
...See More
Free shipping on eBay til 6/28
Q
Comments (5)
Hello, Thank you for posting this but unfortunately it wont work unless the code was sent specifically to you. The reason I know this is because I tried it and it wont work. It tells me that it is linked to another paypal account therefore it can not be used on this one :( Meesh
...See More
Permanent Close Construction Loans in SF Bay area?
Q
Comments (62)
Laura, So sorry you are having a tough time finding a CP loan. I do understand what you are going thru since we went thru very similarly hard time finding our CP loan. Next best advice is to lock into an ARM with the lowest possible fees and that will cost you the least in interest during construction, no matter what the final rate is. Then, figure out who you will be using to refi to a Fixed and have them help you keep a VERY close eye on the rate market. If they start to rapidly deteriorate, you can lock into a long lock period for a Fixed rate refinance ... you will go ahead and be underwritten and will close on the refi into a Fixed as soon as your construction is finished. This lender or broker needs to be someone who has access to Mortgage Baked Securities market that they can monitor the movement for you. Rate lock periods can generally be for up to 60 days. Some lenders will allow 90 day locks. Other lenders will allow even longer lock periods with an upfront fee. Keep in mind .. As a general rule, the longer your lock period, the worse the rate at the same origination cost. I.e. If you are paying 1% origination
...See More
Heating Options for Bay Area, CA
Q
Comments (4)
If your floor joists are 2' on center, I'd be wary of installing ceramic tile over them without adding some structure. If the floor moves too much, the tile will crack. But that's a conversation for you and your contractor. Your contractor is correct that there was a lot of experimentation then. You may find asbestos in the flooring materials. It's best to let sleeping dogs lie... as they say. Properly zoned radiant heat is by far the most comfortable and efficient form of heat. It's also by far the most expensive to install. Either you'll be installing electric "mats" under your new flooring (which are expensive to run, especially in CA), or you'll be installing a hot water boiler and radiant pipes in the floor (which are expensive to install). You will also have to move out of your house while it is being installed. I don't see any real reason to install radiant in your bathrooms and hallways, but it will be more comfortable if you do. I would start by replacing your fireplace and wood stove with wood pellet stoves. They are relatively cheap, they are dirt cheap to run, they run on a renewable resource, and they are as easy to start as flipping a switch. Some models can also be controlled by thermostats. Then, I would install ceiling fans. Again, a cheap solution. If you're still unhappy with your climate control after a year, you can discuss adding radiant, but keep your wood stoves and ceiling fans.
...See More
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
WOW I don’t think you will be able to get one door for that spanI do not find the doors all that small but is there just too much stuff in the way once you are inside that makes it hard to get in? IMO one stroller is all you need and the bikes can be wall hung or maybe a shed for the bikes thats what we have. Waht are the measurements of the doors maybe share that so we have some idea of the actual span.
0
Lyndee Lee
3 years ago
This is actually a common request as a single door is easier to use. My precious home had garage doors which were 90 inches wide and that was a challenge! There are companies in my metro area who specialize in converting garages with single doors to double door garages. If you look for a specialized firm, they will have the staff or consultants to do the engineering work necessary to size the needed beam.
0
Mrs. S
3 years ago
I'd want that converted myself. I've always wondered why anyone wanted those small openings. If you have kids you probably don't drive a small sedan anyway.If I lived where it snowed and cars need to be garaged, I'd wish for one large garage door too. Please update and let us know how your bids look.
0
Sammy
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
WOW I don’t think you will be able to get one door for that spanI[sic] Waht[sic] are the measurements of the doors maybe share that so we have some idea of the actual span.

Yes, it can be done. And we don’t need to know the current measurements of the doors. When the new single opening is framed, it’ll be done to accept a commercially available double door.

If you go to the trouble and expense of having this done, I strongly advise you to make the opening taller while you’re at if it’s at all feasible to do so. Think: “Can I get a Suburban that’s riding on 22” all-terrain tires in there?”

Convert 2 bays to single bay?

Comments (6)

vicki denson

houssaon

Related Discussions

Patricia Colwell Consulting

Lyndee Lee

Mrs. S

Sammy

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US