Barn Door - What Type?

[HerHusband]

I would like to build a small barn type of building in the near future for storing a utility trailer, lawnmowers, etc. I have the building plan figured out, but I can't decide on the type of door I want to use.

I DO NOT want to use the traditional overhead "garage" type of door that rolls upwards on a track. It would look out of place, the track would take up overhead space, and it would just plain cost too much.

I would prefer to construct a site built door, to give it more of a "barn" appearance.

The obvious option would be a sliding type barn door. The door will be on one side of the building, so I have the room to slide the door to the side. But, I'm curious how weathertight and how secure (i.e. theft) these types of doors are? Would mounting this type of door on the inside or the outside be preferred?

The next best option would be a single large hinged door. But, that would work out to about 8 feet wide and 7 feet high. That's a big door to be swinging open. No worse than some large gates, I suppose, but it seems like it would be a lot of weight on the hinges. Still, this seems like a secure and fairly weathertight option.

Another possibility is to break up the opening with two 4 foot wide doors. A lot less weight, and it would be more convenient for just getting in to get the mower out. But, it would be a bit more hassle to have to open two doors to get the trailer out. I would also need some way to secure the two doors in the middle to provide security and just keep them from warping out of shape.

Opinions?

Anthony

[Joe Bobst]

You need to get out of the city for a while and look at what more practical folks, like farmers, do for their shed doors. You will find that the most used door arrangement is a sliding type. Don't obsess over security too much, because if some theif wants your stuff he'll cut open the back wall and make off with it if the door is reasonably secure with hasp and padlock.. Reason being, it's much faster tahn hacking off hardware. Small security lghts front and back will help, or an aggressive guard dog. Visit the display/offices of any prefab building outfit to see how they do it. No need to reinvent the wheel. HTH

Joe

[barry martin]

Anthony:

H > I would like to build a small barn type of building in the near future for H > storing a utility trailer, lawnmowers, etc. I have the building plan H > figured out, but I can't decide on the type of door I want to use.

H > The next best option would be a single large hinged door. But, that would H > work out to about 8 feet wide and 7 feet high. That's a big door to be H > swinging open. No worse than some large gates, I suppose, but it seems like H > it would be a lot of weight on the hinges. Still, this seems like a secure H > and fairly weathertight option. H > H > Another possibility is to break up the opening with two 4 foot wide doors. H > A lot less weight, and it would be more convenient for just getting in to H > get the mower out. But, it would be a bit more hassle to have to open two H > doors to get the trailer out. I would also need some way to secure the two H > doors in the middle to provide security and just keep them from warping out H > of shape.

I would suggest the two doors with four, possibly five, hinges. Our old shed (with not nearly as large a door as you are proposing) suffered from 'door sag' after a few years. This was a kit from either Payless Cashways or Menards so would half-figure they would design it right. Wrong! Had either two or three hinges -- don't recall.

New shed (custom-built when we had the addition done a couple years ago) is a little larger and taller -- we also used to hit our heads on the door frame. Double doors with four hinges and sturdier. No signs of sagging like the original shed definately exhibited in that time.

- ¯ barry.martinþATþthesafebbs.zeppole.com ®

• Dyspepsia - someone who hates Pepsi.

[Terry]

Not traditional but what about an 'overhead' door that swings or in sections rolls 'up and over'. You probably need an eight foot ceiling or so. And depending on the shape of your 'barn' you can get a storage area by building or having a floor or shelf above where the doors when it is 'up'.

[wayne]

Garage type door was my thought too best art is it requires zero space inside and out!

the other would be a sliding door!

Wayne