adding a garage door on side of attic

[fastfalcon94]

Has anyone done this? I'm building a 40x64 garage out back right now. It will have a 64x18x8 storage area up top. I'll have stair access from the inside but I'm thinking that if I want to get larger items up there (ie a canoe) it would be nice to have a side entrance from the outside. I could back my truck up, hoist it up.

I know people have added large square doors that swing open. But what about a small garage door? like a 4x7. I'm not sure how the bottom would seal. Has anyone done this?

Some pics of the garage. Trusses are being put on as we speak.

 

[7th Kahuna]

My grandfather had a door for storing materials but it was a swing door. I've never seen it open, but his building days were really before my time. I don't know why you couldn't use a small garage door. The bottom could seal against a traditional sill, probably of oak or aluminum, depending upon your building style.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

The bottom of the door would seal against the subfloor of the attic... Probably would need to make a sill for out something weather-resistant.

 

[gdocktor3]

A garage door installed correctly would seal better than a swinging door. As long as you frame it correctly you will have no problem. If it's not too late you can run the main roof beam out a few feet over the garage door so you can use a chain hoist to lift stuff.

By the way, I'm really jealous...

 

[jakemac]

Slope the floor of the door frame slightly to move water out and leave a drip edge that hangs away from the wall to keep moisture from getting into the wall. Seal all seams with flexible caulking. Finally, sheath the sill with copper or aluminum to seal the sill. It will keep the sill from getting gouged and letting the water in.

 

[-Brent-]

I've seen this done in a commercial setting, too. A long threshold was used and that kept water/debris from entering.

 

[cdseven95]

I've always wondered if those were up to code in residential homes.

I have a neighbor with two large sliding glass doors in the room above his garage on opposite walls. He can open them up and have nice air flow going. But someone could also drop 12 feet

 

[fatfillup]

I've always wondered if those were up to code in residential homes.

I have a neighbor with two large sliding glass doors in the room above his garage on opposite walls. He can open them up and have nice air flow going. But someone could also drop 12 feet

In new houses here, if there is a slider but no deck outside, they have to put up a railing with spindles to keep people from falling out.

OP, congrats on the building, you will enjoy it.

 

[bb_max]

On my dad's shop, there is a hole and rail for a sliding door into the attic, like you would see on a machine shed, so that's another option.

Note, it has never had a door on it yet, and has been covered with plywood for ~20 yrs now.

 

[rsanter]

That's axtually a really good idea.

To seal the bottom you use the stock cheapie rubber seals but I would go a step further.
I would have a piece of aluminum made up in a Z shape that you attach to the bottom of the garage door and then put the rubber seal under that. The aluminum piece would step down over the edge so that there is no way driving rain could ever get in or even sit on the edge. Look at it like a shield of sorts

Bob

 

[LB-1911]

It will have a 64x18x8 storage area up top. I'll have stair access from the inside but I'm thinking that if I want to get larger items up there (ie a canoe) it would be nice to have a side entrance from the outside. I could back my truck up, hoist it up.

I know people have added large square doors that swing open. But what about a small garage door? like a 4x7. I'm not sure how the bottom would seal.

Have you considered a barrel / roll up door?

Two sources that offer a 4 x 7 door.

https://www.steeldoordepot.com/garage-door/Roll-up
Janus 650

http://www.tracrite.com/order-door/?model=944
Model 944

Item #: Threshold
http://www.tracrite.com/parts/threshold/

 

[Itinker]

Great Idea.

I would also suggest putting a 3-4' arm over the top to attach a winch or some other lifting device.

This is visually common in older European apartments and old canal side warehouses in Amsterdam. I know in Switzerland, when moving from an older 5-story apartment, they have special lifts to move your belonging out the front window rather than up and down the narrow winding staircases. In the peak of the roof, you can see an arm sticking out. Some swing or have a trolley type device on a I-beam like arm, allowing several feet of travel. (Sorry for my lack of correct technical terms, but I think you get the picture)

 

[dadsEH]

Sort of like a hay loft door in a barn with boom and chain hoist
..... been around for a hundred years.