Question:
I am in the design phase of an addition to our 100 year old house and we
want to have our garage doors look like the swing out doors of carriage
houses but keep the ease of use of the roll up doors.
Anyone ever attempted or built their own garage doors? If so any tips or
pointers on design and materials to use?
Answer:
-I've sure thought about it, and would like to do the same thing you're
thinking of. I haven't put pen to paper, but my thinking was leaning towards
a set of panels made of an inner and outer skin of 3/8" plywood separated by
a framework of 1 1/4" clear dimensional lumber. The resulting void would be
best filled by an expanding polyurethane foam type insulation, but in lieu
of this, a decent rigid insulation would suffice. The skins would need to be
glued to the frame with a glue that will not creep, and the insulation (if
rigid instead of "poured") will need to be glued (full surface) to the
panels as well.
With this design, a basic torsion box would be created. 1/4" ply would give
enough strength to the panel, but I'd be concerned about it's puncture
resistance (thus the 3/8" recommendation above). Several of these panels
would be made up, with the actual quantity kept to a bare minimum (per door,
four would suffice). This design would probably allow for windows to be
placed (glued with minimal structure added) in the top panel as well.
Ornamental trim could then be fastened to the exterior of the door, placed
so that it resided inside the door frame dimensions, such that although it
gave the appearance of altering the final dimensions, it really doesn't
affect the door's sealing surfaces. It would be this trim that gave the
elusion that the doors swing, and would include fake strap hinges etc.)
These panels would be heavier than a conventional paneled garage door, but
not by much. Regardless, I'd look to a commercial track system and a larger
(3/4hp) garage door opener.
I see no reason why this wouldn't work and you could certainly have fun with
the design. Let me know if you decide to pursue this, I'd love to know how
it turns out.
-A house i worked on had swing out carriage house doors. The doors were
attached to a standard garage door opener by arms that pushed the doors open
and pulled them closed. I didn't do the actual installation as that isn't my
line but watched the process. Seemed to be a lot of time spent in adapting
the closing system to the non-standard use. However I know the doors have
been working fine for years as I just cycled them a week or so ago.
If you want roll up doors i recommend that you buy the standard garage door
blanks and apply your finish then have a professional install it. You can
seriously injure yourself with out the proper knowledge and tools. Besides,
you'll have to call him/her out to fix your screw ups anyway.
