2 in 1 questions

[Carl91]

Just looking for advice. What timber should I use to rebuild and external door frame. To clarify, it's currently a 2170 door height and all I believe I have to do is lower the header, though I'm not sure if this treated pine 2×4 would be sufficient?

Second question; the kitchen is tiny, I drew up plans for a larger kitchen by means of bricking up part of a large window (which only looks out onto someones (messy) house) which is pretty useless, especially as a western facing window. 🤒
My question is, would it be more logical to brick up first, purchase new window to suit then fix up inside, or I could go ahead and do the inside, build the kitchen and then brick up the outside?

[rwbuild]

A couple of photos please and a sketch plan before and after

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

Just looking for advice. What timber should I use to rebuild and external door frame. To clarify, it's currently a 2170 door height and all I believe I have to do is lower the header, though I'm not sure if this treated pine 2×4 would be sufficient?

You're sure it's a header and not a lintel? I ask 'cos you mention bricks in the 2nd question.


My question is, would it be more logical to brick up first, purchase new window to suit then fix up inside, or I could go ahead and do the inside, build the kitchen and then brick up the outside?

I'd do the external work first. It'd be a shame to refit your kitchen then discover something needs to be removed for access to the frame or whatever.

[Carl91]

https://s11.postimg.org/fp4hdyflv/20161205_160054.jpg

https://s16.postimg.org/i2czroy3p/20161205_160125.jpg

Thanks guys for the reply.
I haven't done a sketch for the brickwork, only for the kitchen layout, handed it direct to a kitchen mob who done a much better drawing on the pc.

My limited experience tells me it's a header. 🤐
I don't know if it's a good idea or not, but to bring the door frame down to standard height after pulling off the old door jambs, I'd thought about mortising between the existing vertical studs, adding my horizontal header piece making nice and level and some cripple studs between. Even though the gap may be only 100 mm or so. 😅

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

I don't know if it's a good idea or not, but to bring the door frame down to standard height after pulling off the old door jambs, I'd thought about mortising between the existing vertical studs, adding my horizontal header piece making nice and level and some cripple studs between. Even though the gap may be only 100 mm or so. 😅

That should work just fine.

You don't need to mortise in deeply, just enough to position the header; many modern builders wouldn't bother and would just sister in a short length at the top of each stud instead. (Personally, I'm not a fan of that idea but I over-engineer 'most everything. :shrug:)

[Carl91]

Thankyou! I may be just a mechanic but sometimes correct. My mortice plan would directly relate to the vertical stud thickness, i.e probably 1/4 of the thickness. I pulled back the architrave to have a look this morning, looks like the jamb is just nailed on with no packing timber. Hmmm.
It's a damn shame rough opening in 1600, with that figure and the jamb thickness I need to cut my (free) beautiful doors back a bit.
Anythings better than what's there but. 😄
Thanks again for the help and advice. I reckon my questions are covered and I hope to post some decents results.