Raising a cinder block garage door

[Mattt2778]

While you can't alter the trusses and use them structurally, you should be able to remove them and stick build in rafters to ceiling height(depending on spans and lumber used). I've done this by sistering to the truss with 2x12's and cutting out the the trusses bottom chords and webbing after the stick framing is in braced with collar ties. You'll need to consult an engineer but it can be done.

 

[mikefromnh]

Pics of existing conditions aren't loading for me?

 

[BHD]

If you were willing to build a new building, and you have such a concern in the altering of the current roof structure, and the base building is in good shape, may be on that end, cut off the old roof, raise the walls a few feet to the desired height, and rebuild the roof (either reusing the old materials or going all new),

then you would have a working height that is to your desire and not just workable, one could raise the walls with new block or a stem wall.

 

[BHD]

If you were willing to build a new building, and you have such a concern in the altering of the current roof structure, and the base building is in good shape, may be on that end, cut off the old roof, raise the walls a few feet to the desired height, and rebuild the roof (either reusing the old materials or going all new),

then you would have a working height that is to your desire and not just workable, one could raise the walls with new block or a stem wall.

 

[GPintheMitten]

So you haven't bought this property yet, right. You just want to know that you could make it work before you do, right?

If so, yes, there are things you could do to.make it workable. Some ways cost more in labor and materials than others.

I would favor one of two options.

1. Make a taller opening garage door and continue with the reduced height of lift as you have now. This would be the cheapest, quickest and probably safest way to go but with the least convenient for working on vehicles.

2. Jack the whole trussed roof up, add height to the walls and then resecure the trusses to the walls.

Option 1 above you could probably do yourself. Option 2 probably not, given the type of questions you have raised. But you could hire it out.

So I think some solution can be worked out, so you can factor that into your property purchasing decision making process.

If this becomes really your property we can help you more with options and do's and dont's.

 

[BHD]

if there is room on the lot, build a new bay, with the height you want, and leave the old building alone.

 

[crazyal]

So you haven't bought this property yet, right. You just want to know that you could make it work before you do, right?

If so, yes, there are things you could do to.make it workable. Some ways cost more in labor and materials than others.

I would favor one of two options.

1. Make a taller opening garage door and continue with the reduced height of lift as you have now. This would be the cheapest, quickest and probably safest way to go but with the least convenient for working on vehicles.

2. Jack the whole trussed roof up, add height to the walls and then resecure the trusses to the walls.

Option 1 above you could probably do yourself. Option 2 probably not, given the type of questions you have raised. But you could hire it out.

So I think some solution can be worked out, so you can factor that into your property purchasing decision making process.

If this becomes really your property we can help you more with options and do's and dont's.

I wouldn't raise the roof unless I knew the roofing had lots of life left in it. That's why I suggested getting new gambrel trusses that would allow a higher ceiling height without altering the walls. Snow load could be an issue (not sure where the garage is) so altering the walls or roof would need to take that into account. Again, gambrel trusses handle snow great since a portion of the roof is too steep wo hold snow. The easiest (and cheapest) is, like you said, work with what you got. But if I was going to do something beyond just living with it I would remove the old roof and installing new trusses since it's something 2 or 3 handy people could do probably over a couple of weekends.

 

[GPintheMitten]

I wouldn't raise the roof unless I knew the roofing had lots of life left in it. That's why I suggested getting new gambrel trusses that would allow a higher ceiling height without altering the walls. Snow load could be an issue (not sure where the garage is) so altering the walls or roof would need to take that into account. Again, gambrel trusses handle snow great since a portion of the roof is too steep wo hold snow. The easiest (and cheapest) is, like you said, work with what you got. But if I was going to do something beyond just living with it I would remove the old roof and installing new trusses since it's something 2 or 3 handy people could do probably over a couple of weekends.

Yes. That approach has its advantages.

 

[franklin2]

I finally got a picture of the garage in question. I counted the blocks from the concrete to the lintel and it's 10 and about 1/2 blocks. Yes, we have not bought this property yet, but it's still on the list of possibilities. Just trying to work out my options if I do get it. Thanks for the help so far.

 

[JerryK]

I bet a barley pop that there is some type of I beam or something similar in the first row of blocks just above the door. Blocks don't hold themselves up...