On Oct 22, 12:30 am, wrote:
On Sun, 21 Oct 2007 20:45:03 -0700, wrote:
Hi there,

Long story short, I live in a condo building on the first floor. The
backyard in this condo building is deeded to me but I currently do not
have direct access from my unit to the yard - I have to walk through a
common basement to get to it. I am in the process of getting building
permits to turn one my large bedroom windows into a door and build a
small deck and stairs so I can walk straight out of my bedroom to the
yard.

I have friends who have offered to build the deck part of it (they
have done this sort of thing before) but have no experience taking out
windows and putting in doors. The window is just large enough that it
doesn't need to be expanded to accomodate a door, but I will need a
professional to do it. The door will open to the outside, toward the
future deck.

What I am wondering is, will it make any difference which part gets
built first? Should I have the window turned into a door first before
attempting to build the deck part?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Cut the door and finish it first. If you really think you will forget
and fall in the hole, put in a temporary set of steps.

- It is easier to make the deck match the door (right heaigt) than to
make the door match the deck.

If you can't determine the correct height of the deck before you
install the door, you shouldn't be attempting this project.

- It is also easier to get the door cut and threshold set without the
deck there

Why would it be easier to be restricted to working on one side of the
opening than to be able to work from both sides?
In addition, since the deck should be lower than the threshold to
account for rain, snow, leaves, etc. why would the deck make it harder
to cut the door and set the threshold?