Barn Door Project: Need Ideas

[DAP]

My Barn is divided into 3 sections: an old post & beam english style barn with loft built in 1859, a mansonry addition was added in 1947 and a stick built section build in 1990.

The old post and beam section has a 50's era track and roller wooden garage door on it that I find a sore to the eyes, polution to the ears and all the way outta place. I'd like to replace it with something more appropriate.

So far, if I decided to build my own doors more befitting to this barn, I'd like to hang it using the old style sliders with rollers hung from the top. Unfortuately, I have a grade issue to deal with (see attached drawing) if I want the doors to slide to the left. Sliding to the right would cover a window and a much needed source of light and ventilation.

Folding doors of some sort could work, but again, not sure how to get around the higher grade on the left side.

Also, I've put some (not a lot) of effort into finding the hanging slider hardware, but have come up empty.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Also, generally, assuming that I could find one the correct size (large assumption), would it be cheaper to buy the doors or fabricate them myself (all the wood is heading to Bagdad!)?

Lastly, due to the framing of the barn, the jamb or framing points are all located on the inside of the opening.

Not sure what the best route here is gonna be.

 

[bebster]

Here's a link to barn door hardware supplier. I haven't used them, as I'm still in the planning phase. Planning to build my own door, by the way. As for your grade, I'd cut the high side and fill the low side to at least try to flatten it out in front of the door.
http://www.barndoorhardware.com/barn_door_hardware.htm

 

[JazzDad]

Hey Doug. I'd suggest building your own. I didn't like what was available commercially, so I built a replacement door. It was constructed of pressure treated pine dimensional lumber, pressure treated plywood, construction adhesive and galvanized drywall screws. I thought it'd last a few years, but it's been 20 and the door still looks good!

 

[nobull1]

Doug
How about a window in the slide door that would line up with the window in the barn.If you had the proper window you could open both and have your ventilation and light.

 

[DAP]

Hmmm .. that's an idea. I'm also considernig a door that folds with vertical hings, ya know, a bi-folding door. The problem with that idea is that hinges are usually the first things that fail, especially on drafty barns ...

Anyway, I'm still having a hard time finding any of the channel roller hardware for a slider.

Let's see what else the TBN braintrust drops in with ...

/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[shoppintractors]

Might this be the door hardware your looking for? (Tractor Supply Co.) They sell the channel in the stores.

http://www.mytscstore.com/detail.asp?pcID=2&paID=590

Don

 

[DAP]

Yessir, that's the stuff, however the closest TSC is 3 hours away.

They are building a new one close by but won't be ready till 2005/6 timeframe.

Grrrr. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[OkeeDon]

The designer of the barn I'm going to build has designed bifold doors you can build yourself -- Bi-fold Doors. You can order just the plans for the doors - click on "Prices/Order" on the sidebar and scroll to the bottom of the page -- plans for bifold doors are $25.

If you want any questions answered, Email Dano -- he responds very quickly!

 

[DAP]

Well Don ... those doors are nice and have given me an idea or two.

I think I can modify that design and suit my needs. The modification would have to be confirmed, but the general idea would be one large inward folding door (folding to the right). The folding pair would block egress to the center section of the barn (left side entrance just inside current door.

Thanks for that info. Perhaps I'll drop DANO a line and see what I'm up against.

/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Mark_in_NH]

Try this company
Crown Industrial
Maybe their barn door designs and hardware will give you some ideas. They have a very interesting website, well worth looking at.