I live in a ranch style house that has a room above the garage.  I'd
like to install a closet so that I can "officially" count this room as
a bedroom (there is also a window in the room).  All of the websites
that I've visited seem to recommend framing a closet in the existing
room, but I'm wondering if it would be possible to cut into the wall
to frame a doorway then build the closet on the other side of the
wall?  The room is narrow and the ceiling is pitched, so framing a
closet in the room would look really awkward.  Do anyone know where I
could find step-by-step plans for a project like this?  The other side
of the wall runs into the attic, so I should have plenty of room.  I
would just need to install a sub-floor.

Thanks in advance,

Nail-in-Thumb

On 6/9/2009 11:50 AM Nail-In-Thumb spake thus:

> I live in a ranch style house that has a room above the garage.  I'd
> like to install a closet so that I can "officially" count this room as
> a bedroom (there is also a window in the room).  All of the websites
> that I've visited seem to recommend framing a closet in the existing
> room, but I'm wondering if it would be possible to cut into the wall
> to frame a doorway then build the closet on the other side of the
> wall?

Of course. Often done this way; the closet is actually in the room on 
the other side of the wall, but opens into the room w/the sloped 
ceiling. Nothing special about it: just frame it in the other room, then 
wall it in on both sides and finish the walls. (You'll want to design it 
so it doesn't look funny in the other room.)


-- 
Found--the gene that causes belief in genetic determinism

"David Nebenzahl" <n...@but.us.chickens> wrote in message 
news:4a2eaf88$0$2704$8...@news.adtechcomputers.com...
> On 6/9/2009 11:50 AM Nail-In-Thumb spake thus:
>
>> I live in a ranch style house that has a room above the garage.  I'd
>> like to install a closet so that I can "officially" count this room as
>> a bedroom (there is also a window in the room).  All of the websites
>> that I've visited seem to recommend framing a closet in the existing
>> room, but I'm wondering if it would be possible to cut into the wall
>> to frame a doorway then build the closet on the other side of the
>> wall?
>
> Of course. Often done this way; the closet is actually in the room on the 
> other side of the wall, but opens into the room w/the sloped ceiling. 
> Nothing special about it: just frame it in the other room, then wall it in 
> on both sides and finish the walls. (You'll want to design it so it 
> doesn't look funny in the other room.)

the other room is the (unfinished?) attic.

that's what a walk-in closet looks like, from the outside. don't forget to 
insulate the closet walls. 

On Jun 9, 2:55=A0pm, David Nebenzahl  wrote:
> On 6/9/2009 11:50 AM Nail-In-Thumb spake thus:
>
> > I live in a ranch style house that has a room above the garage. =A0I'd
> > like to install a closet so that I can "officially" count this room as
> > a bedroom (there is also a window in the room). =A0All of the websites
> > that I've visited seem to recommend framing a closet in the existing
> > room, but I'm wondering if it would be possible to cut into the wall
> > to frame a doorway then build the closet on the other side of the
> > wall?
>
> Of course. Often done this way; the closet is actually in the room on
> the other side of the wall, but opens into the room w/the sloped
> ceiling. Nothing special about it: just frame it in the other room, then
> wall it in on both sides and finish the walls. (You'll want to design it
> so it doesn't look funny in the other room.)
>
> --
> Found--the gene that causes belief in genetic determinism

re "Do anyone know where I could find step-by-step plans for a project
like this?"

If you were going to frame the closet inside the room, would you still
have asked for plans?

If not, then you shouldn't need step-by-step plans to build the closet
in the attic space.

The only thing I see that might change is that you are going to have
to remove a stud or 2 from the existing wall. As long as it is not a
load bearing wall, just frame out that area for the door, just like
you would have framed it if the door was "in the room" instead of "in
the wall".

If it is a loadbearing wall, then you'll need to add a header. DAGS
"installing a header" and you'll get lots of hits.

Just don't cut into any of the rafters unless you plan as some major
structural work.

Nail-In-Thumb wrote:
> I live in a ranch style house that has a room above the garage.  I'd
> like to install a closet so that I can "officially" count this room as
> a bedroom (there is also a window in the room).  All of the websites
> that I've visited seem to recommend framing a closet in the existing
> room, but I'm wondering if it would be possible to cut into the wall
> to frame a doorway then build the closet on the other side of the
> wall?  The room is narrow and the ceiling is pitched, so framing a
> closet in the room would look really awkward.  Do anyone know where I
> could find step-by-step plans for a project like this?  The other side
> of the wall runs into the attic, so I should have plenty of room.  I
> would just need to install a sub-floor.
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> 
> Nail-in-Thumb
Clarify, please. You want to convert a 'bonus room' (aka garage attic) 
into a bedroom by adding a closet. Got that. What is on the other side 
of the wall you plan to cut through? Another finished room? Attic space 
behind a knee wall? And how is it a ranch if it has two stories and a 
12-12 roof? Or is this a one-story with a garage below? Having trouble 
drawing  a mental picture here. If it is a knee wall you propose putting 
the closet in, probably not a problem unless the knee wall is part of 
the load structure for the roof, in which case you will need a header, 
which will make for a mighty short closet unless the room is really narrow.

Can you post exterior and interior pictures somewhere, and put a link 
back here? A picture is worth several thousand words in cases like this.

--
aem sends...

Nail-In-Thumb wrote:
 > On Jun 9, 7:50 pm, aemeijers  wrote:
 >> Nail-In-Thumb wrote:
 >>> I live in a ranch style house that has a room above the garage.  I'd
 >>> like to install a closet so that I can "officially" count this room as
 >>> a bedroom (there is also a window in the room).  All of the websites
 >>> that I've visited seem to recommend framing a closet in the existing
 >>> room, but I'm wondering if it would be possible to cut into the wall
 >>> to frame a doorway then build the closet on the other side of the
 >>> wall?  The room is narrow and the ceiling is pitched, so framing a
 >>> closet in the room would look really awkward.  Do anyone know where I
 >>> could find step-by-step plans for a project like this?  The other side
 >>> of the wall runs into the attic, so I should have plenty of room.  I
 >>> would just need to install a sub-floor.
 >>> Thanks in advance,
 >>> Nail-in-Thumb
 >> Clarify, please. You want to convert a 'bonus room' (aka garage attic)
 >> into a bedroom by adding a closet. Got that. What is on the other side
 >> of the wall you plan to cut through? Another finished room? Attic space
 >> behind a knee wall? And how is it a ranch if it has two stories and a
 >> 12-12 roof? Or is this a one-story with a garage below? Having trouble
 >> drawing  a mental picture here. If it is a knee wall you propose putting
 >> the closet in, probably not a problem unless the knee wall is part of
 >> the load structure for the roof, in which case you will need a header,
 >> which will make for a mighty short closet unless the room is really 
narrow.
 >>
 >> Can you post exterior and interior pictures somewhere, and put a link
 >> back here? A picture is worth several thousand words in cases like this.
 >>
 >> --
 >> aem sends...- Hide quoted text -
 >>
 >> - Show quoted text -
 >
 > Thanks for your reply...Sorry for taking so long.  I had to find a
 > better camera.  Yes, the ranch is one story, but the room is directly
 > above the garage.  Directly behind the wall in this particular room is
 > attic space.  It seem that I have one support beam behind the wall,
 > which might be a problem.  I know it's possible to construct a closet
 > because a house down the street (same floor plan) was bought,
 > remodeled, and then immediately sold.  Since my wife is a real estate
 > agent, I was able to see the house and noticed the addition of the
 > closet.  Unfortunately, I didn't get into the attic to see how it was
 > done.  Would it be possible to somehow maintain support to that beam
 > and cut out a portion of the plywood so that their will be enough
 > place to add the closet?  Since I only need around 30 inches or so, I
 > don't think it will be a major problem.  I was thinking that I could
 > somehow brace the beam to the floor instead of the base of the wall.
 > Hopefully, the pictures will help.
 >
 > Thanks again in advance ,
 >
 > 3...@N05/3626202348/" target=_blank rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/3...@N05/3626202348/>
 >
 > 3...@N05/3626204794/" target=_blank rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/3...@N05/3626204794/>
 >
 > 3...@N05/3625432719/" target=_blank rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/3...@N05/3625432719/>
 >
 > 3...@N05/3626247170/" target=_blank rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/3...@N05/3626247170/>
 >
 >

Okay, that helps. Took a little staring at the pictures, but I think I 
understand now- the 'bonus room' is sort of in a dormer above the 
garage, with a stairwell leading up to it, right off the garage door to 
the kitchen? Those ducts in the pictures run parallel to the stairwell 
wall? Is the wall you highlighted the only wall where a closet would work?

The wall at right angles to stairwell does not appear to be a load 
bearing wall. However, the horizontal 2x4 looks like a collar tie. You 
do not want to remove or cut that without adding something else to do 
what it does, first. Another tie higher up, plus a plywood gusset on the 
truss up high, would probably work. You also do not want to cut the 
truss visible in the foreground of the picture. Rather than a normal 
closet, I would go for a old-style built-in cabinet there. Starting 
maybe a foot above floor level, make an opening in the wall cutting 
through the second stud over from the corner, and frame it in like a 
window rough opening. Invent something to take the sideways load of the 
collar tie before you cut it out. Build a plywood box to go in the 
opening. To get it to go as deep as possible, you will have to slope the 
back bottom edge of the box. If you have ever seen a china cabinet 
tucked into the dead space above a basement stairwell, that is basically 
what I am talking about. Don't forget to insulate the outside of the 
box, or it will be an oven in there in summer, and a freezer in winter. 
A surface-mounted cabinet style door or double door over the front will 
give more space than a typical closet door. Cabinets like this were 
quite common in cape cods and finished attics from the 1800s through the 
1960s. Most were not high enough to put a hanging rod in them, but it 
looks like you have barely enough height for that. For more storage, you 
could do narrow plywood boxes as cubbies in the stairwell wall, above 
the level of the attic floor.

Standard disclaimer- I am not an engineer, and I have not done a site 
survey of your house. Consider this advice worth what you paid for it. 
If you are nervous about cutting away portions of your roof structure, 
consult a local remodeler. Or go knock on the door of the 'twin' house 
you mentioned, and ask if you can take photos and measurements in their 
attic. (I'm serious- most homeowners, once they understand the situation 
and are convinced you are not a wacko, don't mind sharing.)

--
aem sends...

> > 3...@N05/3626247170/" target=_blank rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/3...@N05/3626247170/>

While looking at your pics. I see a portion of the ceiling (floor of the 
attic) trusses peeking up thru the insulation. Hopefully its just pushed 
aside by "traffic" and is actually/properly at least 10" thick.  Also, I see 
some exterior wall sheathing plywood where the insulation has been pulled 
aside. You should consider fixing that while yer "in there".

I can't say much for the A/C "flexduct" guys installation ...Duck taped to 
the studs etc..  What crap !