When you open a sliding barn door, you don't have to worry about striking something or someone in its path. In a howling wind, you won't be tossed across the yard if a gust strikes it. Best of all, sliding doors won't slam shut. There are several variables to consider before building your sliding barn door. Does this Spark an idea?
Size
The size of your sliding barn door will impact not only the cost of materials required but the weight of the door itself. The door's weight will have a direct bearing on the size, type and cost of the required mounting hardware.
If you need to set jamb posts, remember that a sliding door's dimensions are not measured inside the posts, but instead must include enough width to overlap both jamb extensions or it will be impossible to latch it properly. Depending upon the weight of the door, a double or even triple set of header planks may be necessary.
Weight
How the door will be faced will influence its overall weight. If steel panels are to be used, the dealer will be able to provide you with their precise weight. If you are building a board and batten door with rough sawn planking, their green weight will be significantly higher than after the planks have dried thoroughly.
According to the National Manufacturing Company, door panels weighing up to 450 lbs. can use box rail. Doors up to 600 lbs. can use round rail. The overall width of the door will determine not how much rail is required, as well as the number of mounting brackets. Don't forget to include the weight of the door's framing lumber in your calculations.
Additional Considerations
The rail type you select will affect the type of hangers you'll need. You'll also have to decide on inside latches, stay rollers, door grabs, and don't forget the door stops: you'll need 2.
If you live in an area where winter snows are heavy, consider which side of the barn you should locate the door on. If a sudden spring thaw heats up all that accumulated snow on the roof and it slides off, your door may be jammed shut from the weight of the snow pressing against it.
Use a pressure treated plank for the bottom rail. An untreated one will rot faster due to contact with rain, soil and snow. To mitigate this and to prevent the door from binding during spring frost heaves, leave a gap beneath the bottom rail of at least 2 inches.
Be sure to purchase end caps for the rails or you'll have to contend with cavity nesting birds trying to set up housekeeping.
Hands On
Head to a retailer to handle sliding barn door materials in person. Discussing your plans with someone who sells door hardware everyday will help you make better decisions.
Tags: sliding barn, sliding barn door, door will, weight door, your sliding barn
