adding additional door for cross breeze

[treesner]

Hey guys trying to figure out the updates I want to do to the garage before moving in. It's a 2 car + and it can get pretty warm in the summer I will be insulating and walling it, the carport breezeway is much cooler than the garage I noticed when visiting because the cross breeze. I was thinking it might be worth adding in a single car roll up door or double door to the back side of the garage to get that cross breeze going on.

Do you think this is a good idea? should it be directly inline with the 2 car garage or diagonal? Would it be better to just put a window in to not loose floor space?

red is where I was thinking

ideas

 

[DeformedTree]

The idea is good, implementation could be very hard.  Says you are in CA, so putting the second opening in and keeping lateral stiffness/earthquake soundness could be a real issue and will probably need some engineering consulting.

Being able to drive straight thru is a great option if you can do it.  But if also might make your garage just a driveway with a roof and you find yourself with less storage.  If it will provide vehicle access to more space, it could still be a great option. 

Also be careful, you might find you get too much breeze thru the shop.    A different option might be to build a roof structure out back with a floor and big door into the garage, have a largely outdoor shop that everything is protected by rolling stuff back in is easy.

 

[CarlsonCarpentry]

I think that is a great idea. As a door and window installer I can speak to how much a door can open a crossbreeze. It would keep your shop cool and the double doors look awesome.

My suggestion is inline with garage door. It would add the option of “driving thru” instead of backing out. For your vehicles or for the recreational vehicle.

 

[treesner]

The idea is good, implementation could be very hard.  Says you are in CA, so putting the second opening in and keeping lateral stiffness/earthquake soundness could be a real issue and will probably need some engineering consulting.

Being able to drive straight thru is a great option if you can do it.  But if also might make your garage just a driveway with a roof and you find yourself with less storage.  If it will provide vehicle access to more space, it could still be a great option. 

Also be careful, you might find you get too much breeze thru the shop.    A different option might be to build a roof structure out back with a floor and big door into the garage, have a largely outdoor shop that everything is protected by rolling stuff back in is easy.

the first two photos are my garage, so I can already drive through the breezeway carport thing to the back.
I would see adding more workspace out back with a covering which is kind of why I was thinking a double door or a single garage on the backside

 

[treesner]

I think that is a great idea. As a door and window installer I can speak to how much a door can open a crossbreeze. It would keep your shop cool and the double doors look awesome.

My suggestion is inline with garage door. It would add the option of “driving thru” instead of backing out. For your vehicles or for the recreational vehicle.

thanks
would you still do that even though I have that carport on the side where I can just drive through to the back?

any recommendation on a double door to purchase? theres so many options on lowes..

 

[RustE]

I’d probably just put windows on the back wall of the garage. Horizontal sliders with the security tabs that pop-up (don’t know the proper term for these). Keep some usable floor and/or bench space.

Is the door from the garage to the breezeway a single? Might be worth upgrading to a double to use the breezeway as a covered work area?

 

[Cheese]

How about a couple of opening skylights on the roof. That'll bring in air circulation and extra sunlight. It will also eliminate any additional opportunities for break-in.

 

[Bob D.]

Roof windows (fixed type) are a large source of heat. We have two about 30" x 30"in our living room and they do let in a lot of natural light which is great but also raise the temperature of the room significantly. And when it rains hard the noise drowns out the TV and you can't talk over it. That might not be an issue in a shop or garage space but something to consider if you go that route.

 

[treesner]

found the small window up high style is called 'craftsman door' and Home Depot guy said you can just buy singles and frame it out instead of buying a double set 

cheapest I could find though was $377 each:https://www.homedepot.com/p/JELD-WE...Left-Hand-Inswing-Front-Door-O03489/203282181

and $397https://www.homedepot.com/p/JELD-WE...wing-Front-Door-w-Brickmould-N32877/203193468

 

[Bob D.]

Here's a double door for $498 if you're looking for inexpensive.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/JELD-WE...Stationary-Active-Patio-Door-C98388/202483598

or
https://custom.homedepot.com/custom...k-Bronze/46569-Left-Hand-Inswing/35733-4-9-16

 

[treesner]

Here's a double door for $498 if you're looking for inexpensive.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/JELD-WE...Stationary-Active-Patio-Door-C98388/202483598

or
https://custom.homedepot.com/custom...k-Bronze/46569-Left-Hand-Inswing/35733-4-9-16

thank you, I just worry about the large windows making it really easy to break in? was thinking small upper windows ?

 

[treesner]

I haven’t found to to many options but started to look into shed doors;https://shedsunlimited.net/replacement-storage-shed-doors-in-wood-or-raised-panel
not sure quality or how these are built. the tough-shed ones are metal frame with wood for exterior part

 

[sancho57]

Id just insulate the heck outta the ceiling maybe add a whole house fan.

 

[treesner]

Id just insulate the heck outta the ceiling maybe add a whole house fan.

it's been in the 100's lately so ill probably add a mini split. I still want a door that will open up the back yard of the shop as I do power grinding out there so will be in and out a lot

 

[Peter_C]

Have you figured out the engineering for cutting a second large hole into the back wall? Are you going to put something like a Simpson steel movement frame in place to keep it from collapsing like a house of cards? I agree a large door(s) out the back would be nice, but it needs to be done to your counties building code.

 

[treesner]

Have you figured out the engineering for cutting a second large hole into the back wall? Are you going to put something like a Simpson steel movement frame in place to keep it from collapsing like a house of cards? I agree a large door(s) out the back would be nice, but it needs to be done to your counties building code.

Having my contractor do it while I'm out, think he's putting in a big header beam but will see

 

[Peter_C]

Having my contractor do it while I'm out, think he's putting in a big header beam but will see

When he pulls the permit you will find out if the county allows a header. I wouldn't think so without an engineering sign off. Will the garage require a Standard Plan A retrofit in order to install the door(s)? Did you find out if the garage is actually bolted?

If he is not pulling a permit...oh my, good luck!

 

[treesner]

Think I’m gonna put a double French door in so I have that light in the winter, do you think it would be better to make the doors open out instead of the normal open in? Thinking then it wouldn’t block any work bench corner or bandsaw  (long stuff sticking out the door) that I might have there?

 

[Bob D.]

If you do then use security hinges, they are not difficult to find. Should be in the big box stores and at most hardware stores as well as online.

 

[Marmassli]

A double door could work well, especially if it's in line with the existing garage door, making it easier to drive through. If you're concerned about losing floor space, a solid wood front door might be a good option too. They provide good airflow and add a nice look to the space. Actiually, I found one site with some great solid wood front doors at reasonable prices. I think it could be worth considering.