Garage doors, having a go myself!

[johnsbegood]

Hi guys and girls.

I'm thinking of making some garage doors out of wood. I've been on google looking for inspiration and styles. i think i've whittled it down to a simple wood chassis and then face it up with some simple tongue and groove. there will be a center support along with one at the top and bottom so there's something strong to screw the gate hinges into!
i thought id ask for some of your advice and ideas. The door doesn't have to be amazingly secure like 10" thick etc but a simple 4" would do.
is there any online plans i could follow?
i've some simple wood working tools like compound double mitre saw and a palm router, plus the usual saws, drills, set squares etc.
i could buy some doors but the ones i can find are a lot of money and id quite like to have a go myself. in total there would be 2 barn type doors that would fill a double garage aperture.

Thanks

Paul

 

[blackrodd]

Hello and welcome, I just Googled you're request and came up with some free plans , Link below.
You can cost the doors out on softwood or oak, or most other hardwoods.
We do like pics here and a good old Work in Progress is always welcome.
HTH Regards Rodders

PS, Sorry! Don't know where that went.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=free+ ... FAodjooLQA

 

[Steve Maskery]

Garage doors are not intrinsically difficult, but they are large and if you really do want them 4" thick they are going to be heavy. Heavy means a lot of strain on the joints, especially on the hinge edge.
If you want quick and dirty, have a look at the posts following here:
post935794.html#p935794
They are dominoed, but you could use more trad M&T joints. But note that even these, with sheet OSB screwed and glued over the skeleton, have dropped a bit. The forces on such a door are huge, which is why you see so many old droopy garage doors.

 

[johnsbegood]

Thanks guys! i said 4" without really thinking. opps. but something like these:
ebay item number: 191204521580
not sure if i'll get told off for posting that link so apologies in advance.
i couldnt find that link blackrodd?
The support i'm thinking of doing is a big timber either side screwed into solid brick then use 3 gate hinges about 18-24" screwed into that timber and then onto the door itself.
should i do a certain joint in the corners of the timber or just screw some long screw into it?

 

[blackrodd]

Sorry about the free plans link, now back on the first reply.
Found you're prefered doors, from the dreaded fleabay, link below.
I would suggest you find out what the door makers suggested, or recommended hinge type and arrangement is.
I didn't see the makers frame made or recommended for this set of doors, you ought to check that out too!
That's a cheap old price, at £245. I would have liked to see a bit thicker t&g than 14mm finish, but one thing to remember is that bigger and chunky is more weight and can be a little self defeating, more weight, and more weight, etc
The materials and sizes are down the page on you're fleabay door page so you can make up a cutting list For you to price up materials, etc. if you are keen to make this yourself.
Regards Rodders

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191204521580? ... 26_rdc%3D1

 

[siggy_7]

This is my first attempt at a set of doors, I chose a mortice and tenon construction with glazing to add some light: https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/double-workshop-doors-t88458.html. I never got around to adding the rest of the photos to that post, I'll try and get around to that this week. I would personally question the need to go to 4" thick rails and stiles, mine are about 44mm and even front doors designed for security with a double glazing unit in are only around 60mm thick. 2.5" would be a sensible upper limit in my view.

I would suggest a wood like Western Red Cedar which is both resistant to rot and nice and light; as others have pointed out the self-weight of a large garage door places a lot of stress on the joints so anything you can do to make it lighter (and more manageable to build and install!) is a good decision.