Have you ever wished you could open your kitchen to your back porch? Or that your bedroom led to a private patio for morning coffee? If so, you may be wondering “Can I replace a window with a door?”
Here in our Raleigh, NC door showroom, this is a question we are often asked by homeowners. They recognize that replacing a window with a door is an obvious way to increase their indoor/outdoor living space.
Luckily, the answer is nearly always yes.
However, there are some important things to do (and to not do!) to ensure that your project goes as smoothly as possible.
Read on to learn the do’s and don’t s of replacing a window with a door.
Don’t Forget to Secure a Permit
Here in the Cary, NC area, adding an exterior door to a home requires pulling a permit. This step may seem like a hassle.
Keep in mind, though, that having this construction permitted will benefit you in the long run. It will add value to your home and reduce headaches should you decide to sell your home in the future.
More importantly, it will also help to ensure that your new door meets all building codes, and will thus be as safe and energy efficient as possible.
This is especially important if the wall where you plan to replace a window with a door is a load-bearing wall.
Do Ensure you Have Adequate Clearance if you are Replacing a Window with a Hinged Door
Consider which way your new door will swing if it will be a hinged door.
Be certain that there is ample room to allow for the door to swing open without hitting furniture, walls, etc. You should also ensure that there is adequate room for people to walk through and around the door when it is open.
Don’t Forget About Air Registers
You may have an air register directly below your window.
If so, keep in mind that you likely do not want an air register right below a door, as this will encourage people to step on it.
Talk with an HVAC professional about moving the register based on the proposed door placement.
Do Check for Plumbing and Electrical Wiring
Before you replace a window with a door, you need to ensure that there is no plumbing or electrical wiring in the wall underneath the window.
Have a professional check to confirm if they will need to move any plumbing or wiring to complete your project. This might be a plumber and an electrician, or it could be your general contractor.
Summary
By following these easy but important steps, you can see that it really isn’t too difficult to replace a window with a door.
If you are hoping to add doors to your home, or to replace your existing doors, know that we’ve helped thousands of Raleigh area families find the doors they love.
We’d love to help you, too!
Just fill out the form below to tell us about your project today.
