Creating a New Side Entrance Door in Richmond Hill

A Structural Garage Modification That Combined Functionality, Design, and Precision

New 30" white steel door installed on the side of a brick garage in Richmond Hill.

This project in Richmond Hill, Ontario, was part of a larger remodeling we’re completing for the homeowner — but it stood out as one of the most technically rewarding parts of the job. The client wanted to open a separate side entrance door to their home, located on the side of their garage. The goal was to add easy access without losing valuable garage space for parking.

Because all four garage walls are exterior and load-bearing, this wasn’t a simple cut-and-install. It required careful structural planning, engineering, and city approval before we could begin. Our company engineer designed the modification and we obtained the proper building permits from the City of Richmond Hill. Once everything was approved, we got to work.

Structurally Modifying a Load-Bearing Wall

We began the work from inside the garage. The area where the new door would be installed had a stud running directly through the center of the intended opening. Since it was a load-bearing wall, the first priority was structural safety.

We braced the ceiling joists to support the roof load before any cuts were made. After cutting the screws that held the exterior sheathing to the studs, we removed and relocated the framing members to create the rough opening. Jack and king studs were added to reinforce the new frame.

Once the opening was framed, we cut through the sheathing from the inside, exposing the brick exterior precisely where the door would sit. This method saved time and ensured perfect alignment with minimal guesswork.

Installing the Lintel and Cutting the Brick

Because the wall was load-bearing, our engineer required a steel lintel above the new opening to support the brick load above. We carefully removed one course of brick above the marked opening, installed the lintel, and re-laid the original bricks to restore a seamless look.

With that done, we drilled four small corner holes from inside to the exterior, connecting them with a chalk line to mark the cut. Using a masonry saw, we cut through the brick and removed the section cleanly. The new opening was now ready for framing and finishing.

Before photo showing the brick garage wall where the new side entrance was added.

New exterior door installed

Framing and Installing the Door

Inside, we installed an LVL beam above the door to carry the load, along with cripples tied into the top plate. Once the structural reinforcement was complete, we proceeded to install the door — a 30-inch steel pre-hung exterior door, chosen to minimize intrusion into the garage space while maintaining functionality.

We placed the door, shimmed it for plumb and level, and fastened it securely. A neat trick we use for a cleaner finish is to screw through the hinge side and behind the weather seal — eliminating visible screw holes and simplifying the painting stage later on.

The gaps were filled with low-expansion insulating foam to prevent drafts and maintain alignment. Once cured, we trimmed the excess and prepared for the exterior finishing.

At the client’s request, the door was prepped for a keyless entry handle and separate deadbolt system for added convenience and security. Since this is part of a larger ongoing remodeling, a generic handle is temporarily installed, but the opening for the deadbolt has already been cut out for a seamless upgrade later on.

Interior view of the newly framed and insulated side door during installation.

Interior view showing the new side door framed, insulated, and leveled before finishing.

Custom Trim, Paint, and Weatherproofing

For the trim, we custom-cut wood pieces to fit the opening, then patched, primed, and painted everything using Behr’s Pure White exterior semi-gloss finish — exactly as the client requested. The door and trim were sealed with a high-quality silicone caulk along the brick edges to provide a watertight barrier and clean aesthetic.

New 30" white steel door installed on the side of a brick garage in Richmond Hill.

Exterior view of the new side door after trim installation and painting.

Adding Lighting and a Modern Walkway

To complete the exterior, the client wanted a light fixture next to the new door. We installed an electrical box recessed within the brick for a clean, integrated look.

They also envisioned a small walkway connecting the driveway to the new entrance. The client opted for 1-inch white quartz stone pavers, covering roughly 70 square feet. Instead of the traditional gravel base, they chose to set the pavers directly on compacted soil and fill the joints with more soil — creating a soft, modern aesthetic that will blend beautifully once the grass fills in next season.

A minor challenge arose with the existing concrete splash block from the gutter — it sat slightly higher than the new pavers, posing a trip hazard. We resolved this by digging and adjusting the soil level to make it perfectly flush while maintaining proper slope for water drainage.

Ground leveled beside the new door to prepare for quartz stone walkway installation.

Side view of leveled ground prepared for the new quartz stone walkway installation.

Finishing Touch: The Wooden Step

The last step was—literally—the step. The homeowner chose an open wood design to complement the exterior. We precisely measured, plumbed, and bolted the riser hardware into the concrete base, then secured the wooden step with lag bolts for durability and stability.

Quartz stone pavers installed in front of the new side entrance, ready for the wooden step.

A Smooth Inspection and Happy Client

The City of Richmond Hill performed the final inspection and officially signed off on the project. The homeowners were thrilled with how everything turned out — especially seeing their idea come to life exactly as they imagined.

At Pam Arc’s inc., we take pride in projects like this that combine technical craftsmanship with clean, functional design. Every cut, beam, and finish was executed with precision to ensure safety, durability, and visual appeal.

Thinking About Adding a Side Entrance or Remodeling Your Home?

If you’re planning a similar home remodeling in the Greater Toronto Area, whether it’s creating a new side entrance, finishing a basement, or remodeling your entire home — our team can help you design and build it right from the start.

Contact Pam Arc inc to schedule a consultation or explore more of our remodeling stories on our Home Renovation Blog.