Garage conversion - replacing the door as a first step?

Petriix

Personally I think you're over complicating things. Much like a conservatory, a garage doesn't need to conform to the building regs applicable to a dwelling. It's nobody's concern if you happen to insulate, decorate and sleep in your garage. As the structure already exists you're unlikely to build anything dangerous which could collapse.

So, as long as you maintain an external door to the rest of the house and don't extend your main heating system into it, I'd say just go ahead. Assuming that it still looks like a garage from outside with the new door.

Section62

Petriix said:

Personally I think you're over complicating things. Much like a conservatory, a garage doesn't need to conform to the building regs applicable to a dwelling. It's nobody's concern if you happen to insulate, decorate and sleep in your garage. As the structure already exists you're unlikely to build anything dangerous which could collapse.

So, as long as you maintain an external door to the rest of the house and don't extend your main heating system into it, I'd say just go ahead. Assuming that it still looks like a garage from outside with the new door.

That is appallingly bad advice.

There are different building regs requirements for a garage precisely because it isn't intended for people to live and sleep in.  If you want to convert a garage into a space which is used for a different purpose then it is a legal requirement that work is carried out in compliance with the building regs.  You are incorrect in claiming it is "nobody's concern".

The building regs are about far more than whether the structure is dangerous and "could collapse", and it would be exceptionally easy for the OP to make changes while converting their garage which would be dangerous - risk to life in buildings is not limited to them falling down on top of you.

And for building regs purposes it is entirely irrelevant whether "it still looks like a garage from outside" - which it clearly won't do if the garage door is replaced with a standard front door.

stuart45

I think Sam was considering going down the no regs route, if he had to rip up the floor. There ways of doing the floors, like VIP's, or insulated screeds if necessary. Building Control know it's not practical to have to rip out a concrete floor in a garage.
If the job is done properly, it will meet the regs and be signed off, and can be heated from the main system, which is more efficient.

_Sam_

stuart45 said:

I think Sam was considering going down the no regs route, if he had to rip up the floor. There ways of doing the floors, like VIP's, or insulated screeds if necessary. Building Control know it's not practical to have to rip out a concrete floor in a garage.
If the job is done properly, it will meet the regs and be signed off, and can be heated from the main system, which is more efficient.

That is my hope, will rase this question with the BC at the outset!

_Sam_

Section62 said:

I mean this in the nicest possible way _Sam_ but you have a massive learning curve to climb if you want to manage this project yourself with very little prior experience. 

No worries at all, really appreciate all the advice and have learned lots from the discussion so far! Didn't know about the foundations for the door (thought they were only needed for the window/wall) so now know better, and the regs about the floor insulation. 

_Sam_

Section62 said:

_Sam_ said:

When we invite the BCO to see the foundation under the door I'll ask them about the acceptable height of insulation and whether "not technically or functionally feasible" exception could apply.

Which aspect of the foundation were you expecting the BCO to come and look at?

The existing foundation (or lack of) under the garage's up and over door opening. Will dig on the outside of the door to see what is there, then BC will be able to check and advise if new foundation needs to be built given the intended replacement of the garage door with the front door. I also understood they should be able to advise on what type foundation would work better given the ground conditions, or perhaps a concrete lintol instead. 

Then once I know what's needed I'll get in touch with a builder. 

_Sam_

Section62 said:

At the moment you are allowing the door replacement to lead the project... this is a back to front approach and I'd urge you to take a step back and give the whole project a lot more thought before committing anything to it.

Not yet allowing it! Hence my question in this thread, would there be any objections to removing the garage door and replacing it with the front door as a first step in the project.

So far I've understood there will be a risk of damage once the door is there and materials need to be carried through it to continue the conversion. I can deal with this, there is another entrance that can be used (the current main entrance), and should the new door be needed I'll try to make sure we are extra careful. 

Second was the point of the current flat roof that is above the door. I've read about the porches, and they are like conservatories. For as long as the roof is structurally sound as it currently is above the garage door, it should remain so once the current door is replaced with the new front door? I will then be able to take my time and research the best way to insulate that roof.

These are the two objections have been raised so far it seems. The BCO would make a visit early on when assessing foundations, at that time the existing garage door will still be in place and I will also ask them about the floor insulation. Unless there is anything else that needs to be done first, it looks I should then be able to proceed and replace the door?

_Sam_

Thought I'll post an example of the door I'm thinking about. The top panel only if it is needed given the size of the current opening. 

Once the driveway is done, if I can do the door too at the same time, it would look tidy and "finished" on the outside and I can then take my time doing the inside jobs bit by bit. That's the idea of starting with the door! 

stuart45

_Sam_ said:

 or perhaps a concrete lintol instead. 

Lintels across is one method often used for a garage conversion.

housebuyer143

_Sam_ said:

Thought I'll post an example of the door I'm thinking about. The top panel only if it is needed given the size of the current opening. 

Once the driveway is done, if I can do the door too at the same time, it would look tidy and "finished" on the outside and I can then take my time doing the inside jobs bit by bit. That's the idea of starting with the door! 

Stop worrying about how it looks from the outside and do it in the right order.