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Reducing Door Size – Framing Question

JaWin | Posted in General Discussion on May 2, 2019 09:57am

I’m in the process of converting an old laundry closet into a bathroom.  As part of that project, I’m eliminating the 72″ opening for the bifold doors and framing in a new 24″ door.  My plan was to leave the existing header, put in new bottom plate in the old opening, and put in vertical studs to frame the new door size.  That seems easier than removing the existing header and fully reframing the wall with an appropriate header for the new door opening.  I’m a bit worried that I don’t know what I don’t know – that there might be a good reason NOT to do it this way.  Does anyone have any thoughts on strength or code concerns that would make this a bad plan?

Thanks,
Jason

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  1. User avater
    Mike_Mahan | May 02, 2019 10:14am | #1

    This is a perfectly acceptable solution. I've done it many times.

    1. User avater
      JaWin | May 03, 2019 06:10pm | #2

      Thanks, Mike!

  2. User avater
    tfarwell | May 04, 2019 10:10pm | #3

    Yes - you can leave the larger header in there - no issue. Quite a while ago I asked this question to the city building inspector / engineer, and he said it was fine. I've also done it many times since.

    1. User avater
      JaWin | May 06, 2019 04:27pm | #4

      Thanks, it's nice to know that an inspector gave it their approval! Always a good sign...

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