Hello to everyone. I am getting underway with a two car garage to en suite bedroom project here at the house, and I am pretty confident in my abilities to understand 95% of the scope involved. One area of question, however, is this: In adding a bathroom, I wish to position it in a corner of the space, utilizing part of an exterior wall. In the new space, we would like a window, perhaps some glass block or other obscure glass to allow light in. We plan to take advantage of the exterior wall being on the south side of the building. The exterior is brick veneer – typical southern brick ranch – over conventional framing with tounge and groove – sheathing?, siding, I am not certain of the correct term here – anyhow, it is wood. Finally, the question. Is putting in a window/glass block ensemble a difficult task with the brick involved? Obviously I can cut a rough opening, through the brick and all, reframe as if it were a window going into regular wood siding and install a window in a fairly easy manner, but how much will it weaken the structure just by removing enough brick for a window? a normal sizes window, nothing crazy.Do I need some sort of steel beam/header at the top of the window to hold up the brick? Any thoughts that would help me convince my wife that this will not cause the entire house to fall down will help. Also, since I have your attention, I am framing a new floor on top of the concrete slab. 2×12 joists with 3/4 plywood and then floorcovering. some of the space under the floor will be used to route plumbing, etc. Is there a recommondation for an insulation/moisture barrier to go between the slab and the framing. Is treated lumber a bad idea, good idea? A waste of money? I have never seen evidence of any flooding in the five years we have lived here, but I may try to put an emergency drain down there also, just to be safe and waste a day or so. Sorry to be so long winded. I am sure some of you have great suggestions and references. Thanks so much.
Dave
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No-one' s replied, eh? post it on Breaktime and keep it simple.
cheers
***I'm a contractor - but I'm trying to go straight!***
Yep, tried reading your post again...there's too much to consider. If you need to know that much, you better bring in a pro.
cheers
***I'm a contractor - but I'm trying to go straight!***
With a ranch you won't be leaving much if any brick above that window. If leaving brick, a steel angle 3x3 0r 4x4 will be plenty to hold up a couple course of brick. You can either saw out a straight line or remove in a tooth pattern the brick and then reinstall cut brick to finish the edge, relay the top over the window on the steel lintil. You'll need a sill on top of the lower portion of brick below the window. Either a brick sill tipped to allow water to flow off or perhaps a sandstone/limestone sill with the same tip. Glass block are nice. If you want a real operating or even fixed glass, check out a fibreglas or vinyl replacement window. There's no parts to soak up and rot.
Detail the water path from both the interior if in a tub/shower or the exterior for trouble free install.
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