jarhead said:
I had recently started another thread about a 4 1/2 foot sectional garage door. Somone had mentioned a double man door and provided a link. The cost for a double door was $450.00.
Has anyone built their own and if so would you have any advice?
Thanks, Joe
Boy Joe, that site must have been advertising GOLD plated doors!!
I think I was one of those who got in on the discussion.
A double man door can be "home made" VERY easy.
Standard width doors range form 32" to 36".
If you use a pair of 32" standard doors side by side; you can create a 64" opening.
They would be hinged on either side of the door opening with one having "slide bolts" (one up, one down) to hold that door closed until you need the extra opening.
The latch and lock would be set in the inside edge of the first door.
Now, for the opening. If you ALREADY have a mandoor; the side jambs can be reused. The tricky part will be the HEADER over the TWO doors.
Depending on where the door is located, you may need doubled 2" x 8" or even 2" x 10" pieces that will span across the door opening. (these would take the place of the header that's already there)
Of course you will have to make the opening wider, (cutting siding and/or drywall) then with a new (longer) piece of door jamb, (a new jamb side piece would "fill the bill") for above the doors, you should have what you need.
Some notes: If your existing mandoor is still good, it could be re-used. (even the latch and lock)
The new door can be trimmed in the event you have an odd size existing door.