barn doors, roll up or sliding?

[TimberMan]

I am working out some of the details on my small barn design (16' x 24' or 18' x 24') and need to settle on a door type.

The door is currently slated to be 9' wide x 8' high and I prefer the look of a split sliding barn door setup but I'm not sure how watertight or secure that would be. It is also difficult to find legit barn door hardware online since every search I can done returns the interior barn doors that are in style now for folks who are doing that look in their house.

There will be no electricity in this barn and no man door so whatever large door I go with is the only one.

Where can I find sliding barn door hardware? Where can I find manual roll-up doors that I can lock and operate from the outside?

Pros and Cons of these two door are also welcomed!

Thanks.

 

[Mike65]

Google search for barn door hardware will net you some places to get it at.

VEVOR Sliding Barn Door Hardware Kit, 10FT Barn Door Kit, 330LBS Load-Bearing Double Barn Door Hardware Kit, Carbon Steel Barn Door Track, Darn Door for 1.37-1.77\" Thickness & 5FT Wide Door Panel | VEVOR US

VEVOR Barn Door Hardware Kit offers a 10FT track, supports up to 330lbs, and features durable carbon steel construction, ensuring smooth, quiet, and secure sliding.

www.vevor.com

https://www.lowes.com/pd/ReliaBilt-Reliabilit-78-in-Barn-Door-Hardware-Kit-Matte-Black/1002841320?store=707&cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-hdw-_-ggl-_-CRP_SHP_LIA_HDW_Online_C-D-_-1002841320-_-local-_-0-_-0&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwvpy5BhDTARIsAHSilykPi8C9QekAvk7dCpfJQXbzASAmMNkV1h23AkTZygWd6nLAX5EUSkIaAo5AEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.amazon.com/SMARTSTANDARD-6-6ft-Sturdy-Sliding-Hardware/dp/B01JWHSHBK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Youngandfree]

Google search for barn door hardware will net you some places to get it at.

VEVOR Sliding Barn Door Hardware Kit, 10FT Barn Door Kit, 330LBS Load-Bearing Double Barn Door Hardware Kit, Carbon Steel Barn Door Track, Darn Door for 1.37-1.77\" Thickness & 5FT Wide Door Panel | VEVOR US

VEVOR Barn Door Hardware Kit offers a 10FT track, supports up to 330lbs, and features durable carbon steel construction, ensuring smooth, quiet, and secure sliding.

www.vevor.com

https://www.lowes.com/pd/ReliaBilt-Reliabilit-78-in-Barn-Door-Hardware-Kit-Matte-Black/1002841320?store=707&cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-hdw-_-ggl-_-CRP_SHP_LIA_HDW_Online_C-D-_-1002841320-_-local-_-0-_-0&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwvpy5BhDTARIsAHSilykPi8C9QekAvk7dCpfJQXbzASAmMNkV1h23AkTZygWd6nLAX5EUSkIaAo5AEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.amazon.com/SMARTSTANDARD-6-6ft-Sturdy-Sliding-Hardware/dp/B01JWHSHBK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Those don't look like they are intended for long term outdoor use.

 

[Youngandfree]

RW Hardware

Hold Strong

rwhardware.com

 

[larry4406]

I went with a sectional garage door on my barn; same type used on homes. Seals well and easily lifts by hand.

I was originally wanting a true carriage door, but the sealing, out-swing crash with snow, etc, convinced me to go sectional.

You can get faux brackets to make it look like a carriage door. Example found on the net.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Big box stores should have barn door hardware, search their websites for exterior barn door or exterior sliding door. If you have a Fleet Farm or Tractor Supply in your area they may have it too. A sliding barn door will be harder to seal up against weather and little critters.

When you say roll up door, I assume you really mean a sectional door like shown in post #5 - they're available literally everywhere, big box stores or any community of any size will have one or more garage door supply house. For just one example, search for the Overhead Door Company website, and click on the red Find Distributor button in the upper right corner.

 

[jack stand]

Many roll formers ("barn metal")
will have accessories such as the rolling door hardware.
Tractor supply around here only has enough in store inventory to tease you. You'll want to have knowledge of all the various accessories - track, rollers, door guides, latches and even aluminum extruded frames for fast and stable door framing if you choose.

This is just one page of dozens of rolling door options, round and square track from abmartin.net.
They have a comprehensive catalog that you can bring yourself up to speed with anything imaginable to do with ag buildings.
They are in PA and much of their stuff is pick up or locally delivered just like any "lumber yard".
If you know what you need (by researching ab martins online catalog) ordering locally will help immensely with the counter guy at the local place that doesn't know anything about these products.

Online Product Catalog - AB Martin

35,000 products in stock for when you need it... yesterday! View and Download the A.B. Martin Roofing Supply Product Catalog.

abmartin.net

 

[MushCreek]

I have a 12 x 12 opening for my barn doors. I got the hardware at Tractor Supply. I cast a slot in the concrete to retain the bottom of the doors. That also keeps rain water out of the bottom. I use De-Sta-Co toggle clamps to pull the doors tight to the frame when I close it up. It's tight enough that mice don't get in. I made my doors out of 3/4" plywood covered with 1x6 tongue and groove planking, and 5/4" trim boards (actually pressure treated deck boards. They've stayed flat over the years. Yes, they are very heavy! I had to make a small 'roof' out of flashing over the track to keep rain water from pouring down the inside of the door. They sell a brush material that could be added for better sealing on the sides and the top, but I haven't bothered yet.

 

[Natty Bumppo]

I went with sliding barn style doors on my new build 5 years ago. But my barn is insulated and heated and I was just not happy with my attempts to seal those doors adequately. Lasted one year....and then I removed them and replaced it with a solid wall.

It's your barn, but I would recommend you rethink your plan to NOT include a man door.

 

[karoc]

You can also Google sliding garage door hardware.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Sliding doors are just an invitation for a vermin invasion. Swinging doors take up too much room either way. I finally went with roll ups that look like carriage house doors. They are the Coachman Series by Clopay.

 

[TimberMan]

I went with sliding barn style doors on my new build 5 years ago. But my barn is insulated and heated and I was just not happy with my attempts to seal those doors adequately. Lasted one year....and then I removed them and replaced it with a solid wall.

It's your barn, but I would recommend you rethink your plan to NOT include a man door.

I am leaning that way…seems like I could make my life way easier with a man door. I could easily abandon the sliding door and just site fabricate carriage doors that are operated and secured from the inside.

 

[930dreamer]

My shop has two 16'x16' steel sliding doors. They're nightmarish to open/close, huge gaps all around and old.

 

[WisJim]

I had sliding doors with exterior tracks on a pole shed, and without going to the extent that @MushCreek did, I was lucky to keep a cat from sneaking past the door, let alone a mouse. Much easier to use a regular overhead garage door.

 

[CraigStu]

The problem I see w/ sliding doors is sealing and security. Generally they are a pretty sloppy fit although you could certainly improve that. It also seems to me that in many cases the latches etc are on the outside which makes them pretty easy to attack w/ a crowbar. If you add a man door, you could put latches and things like cane bolts on the inside so easily make the door more secure.

 

[bluedog225]

National hardware sells the traditional stuff you are looking for. It is hard to find on the internet. But it’s all there. You will find places that carry it like country hardware stores.

I’ve purchased a bit.

The barn doors don’t seal. I put a regular garage door behind for air seal. The barn door is for security and fire protection.

Though there is an “extremely active” fire about a mile from the place and I’ve not finished putting up the barn door shutters. Dang it.

x.com

x.com

 

[imagineer]

I just finished building a replacement sliding door for the 8'x8' opening in my pole barn. The original door (+/-40 years old) was rotting away and was badly warped, but it didn't let rain in. Both the original door and the replacement are 101" wide and overlap the 8' opening at the edges. The original door was 106" tall and the bottom sat in water during rain. The new door is only 103" tall to hopefully keep the bottom out of water.

The original barn floor edge at the door was badly done sloped concrete. I cut this sloped section away, and welded up a new curb using stainless angle, then backfilled behind it with new concrete. This new curb, albeit no longer a ramp, allows the bottom of the door to overlap by a few inches and sit flush, further reducing any gaps.

The original hardware is similar to what's shown on the bench in Bluedog's 1st picture, and despite being over 30 years old, was still in great shape. I made sure to grease the wheels and track before installing the new door.

I built the door frame using dimensional treated lumber, and paid a premium to get straight material. The joinery is mortice and tenon and I used Gorilla glue. The siding is 5/8" T1-11 plywood. To make sure the door was made straight and flat, I set up a pair of aluminum beams on blocks as an assembly station, and ensured they were level. When done with trim boards on the exterior, the door weighed about 300lbs.

To keep the door closed and "locked", I used toggle clamps and welded a hook to the ends. I also made receivers and morticed them into the outer stiles. This not only "locks" the door but pulls it tight to the barn siding, reducing air leaks.

I can take and post pictures of the finished project if you need.

 

[bluedog225]

A chain on the inside hooked to the wall prevents opening. Pretty simple. I like sliding the big door. But it is heavy.

 

[Fav Onefour]

We have both options on farm buildings. Slider setups work but they are more challenging to seal and use frequently. They are cheaper since we build them ourselves.
If you don't do a man door, I wouldn't go with sliders. You'll end of leaving the door partially open because it's too much hassle. In fact, I don't know how I'd do sliders without a man door. Most of our sliders have internal hook/latch systems to hold them tight. Sliders still rattle in high wind with bottom rails. They will rattle themselves open and wear out the hardware faster without hook/latches.

I'm not against sliders. Cost is a big factor. If you go that route, I have some advice. Absolutely include a man door. You can even install the thing in one of your sliders if you're opposed to framing in a wall. Make slider doors with framing that will stay true and not flex or sag. Use good hardware (Rollers, trolleys, and rails) for the sliders and include a bottom guide system that won't ****** up with debris.

@TimberMan , I don't know what type of barn door hardware you are finding? These guys have already linked some good hardware. Around here, the real stuff is on hand in farm stores and local lumberyards. I see stuff in big box retailers that tends to be lightweight and gimmicky looking. We use heavy galvanized hardware with sealed bearing rollers. We also do covered tracks for winter weather and component longevity.
I've pushed and pulled sliders since I was a little kid. I dealt with big doors done right and smaller doors done wrong. Crappy doors and hardware stink no matter the size.

 

[MushCreek]

Here's the clamping set-up. The De-Sta-Co clamp on top grabs a small U-bolt to draw the door in tight, and the barrel bolt is added security. The second pic is the bottom channel. The concrete guy made it way too wide, so I added pressure treated fillers to close the gap. The bottom of the slot is sloped to carry rainwater away to the sides. I made a piece to fill the gap when rolling equipment with small casters in and out.

 

[dcg9381]

I am working out some of the details on my small barn design (16' x 24' or 18' x 24') and need to settle on a door type.

The door is currently slated to be 9' wide x 8' high and I prefer the look of a split sliding barn door setup but I'm not sure how watertight or secure that would be.

Go look at some pole barns. I believe the basic hardware and rails you can source at Tractor Supply.

In my experience, sliding barn doors are fine for water (drop or slope your concrete is the big thing), but they are a pain in the *** to seal against rodents.

I HATE roll up doors. They rattle in the wind, they seal (air) for ****, you can't insulate them. Better for rodents though.

Where can I find manual roll-up doors that I can lock and operate from the outside?

Mueller Steel around here (steel building supplier)

Pros and Cons of these two door are also welcomed!

See above.

 

[bluedog225]

It’s telling how much the interwebs have gone down the toilet when a man can’t find good barn door hardware. Back in the day, I could watch a video on how to cook meth in the microwave.

 

[dcg9381]

It’s telling how much the interwebs have gone down the toilet when a man can’t find good barn door hardware.

I blame Chip and Joanna. Then again, the interior of my home has 4 barn doors.

 

[MushCreek]

I have a rolling door on our powder room, but I used antique hardware, and an antique door. No shiplap, though.

 

[ericm]

I am working out some of the details on my small barn design (16' x 24' or 18' x 24') and need to settle on a door type.

The door is currently slated to be 9' wide x 8' high and I prefer the look of a split sliding barn door setup but I'm not sure how watertight or secure that would be. It is also difficult to find legit barn door hardware online since every search I can done returns the interior barn doors that are in style now for folks who are doing that look in their house.

There will be no electricity in this barn and no man door so whatever large door I go with is the only one.

Where can I find sliding barn door hardware? Where can I find manual roll-up doors that I can lock and operate from the outside?

Pros and Cons of these two door are also welcomed!

Thanks.

I got real sliding barn door hardware from Tractor Supply. Sliding doors do not seal all that well. It doesn't matter for the barn I put them on as it's not sealed, but for a building you want to have water or air or rodent tight its not the answer. If the eaves are close to the top of the door it might work better to keep water out than mine does. If the wind blows the wrong way when its raining there's a puddle inside the door. It's pretty easy to open/close. The door I put up is the main person (and UTV) door to the barn.

 

[nadogail]

Barn Doors are often found on Hangers. If someone is dismantling a Hanger you might be able to get the materials you need for offering to help with the work and hauling the stuff away.

 

[Firebrick43]

Sliding doors are just an invitation for a vermin invasion. Swinging doors take up too much room either way. I finally went with roll ups that look like carriage house doors. They are the Coachman Series by Clopay.

I cant tell if the shadows are playing tricks on me or not. Do you have any detail pics of the gambrel roof facia trim that looks like diamonds?

 

[kaymccampbell]

I cant tell if the shadows are playing tricks on me or not. Do you have any detail pics of the gambrel roof facia trim that looks like diamonds?

Nope. But, I can tell you about them. They are just rhombuses cut from 3/4" PVC wood. They have a half inch bevel around the perimeter. IIRC they're about 9-ish x 5-ish.