Rotting Barn Type Door Question!!!

[Greatwhitewing]

My garage has (4) 64" W x 84"H barn type sliding doors about 5 years old and rotting badly at the bottom. I need to rebuild them. They are NOT in contact with ground/dirt but are close above it. 2 of the doors, on one end, are over concrete and show more rot than the 2 doors, at the other end, over dirt. They are 2" x 8" framing grade pine boards framed out with a plywood center panel ala cabinet doors. They are hung from a very nice track system. They were painted with good outdoor paint over a good quality primer.

What material can I use that will last longer, a LOT longer? Pressure treated is one option but will be very heavy, maybe too heavy for the track system, maybe not???

Is there a plastic lumber available that can be worked similar to wood? My half hour internet search provided no help.

Maybe a better coating?

 

[JimVonBaden]

This would do the trick I would think: http://www.epsplasticlumber.com/

Jim

 

[Greatwhitewing]

That does look like promising material but ahhhh a wee bit of sticker shock...

 

[JimVonBaden]

That does look like promising material but ahhhh a wee bit of sticker shock...

True, but at least you wont have to do it over and over. Also, it is cheaper if you shop around. Look at decking materials.

Jim

 

[Greatwhitewing]

Understood, that why I said shock, it'll wear off...lol

Am looking around now pricing is hard to find listed. Filled out a few quote requests but not holding my breath for replies!!!

Also realized I have to have 8" wide (7.5") or a standard sheet of plywood won't be wide enough.

 

[cowboy73]

The barn door track should be able to handle the weight of treated lumber. If you build the doors and let the wood dry some, it shouldn't really weigh any more than regular untreated lumber.

 

[rquackenbush]

The barn door track should be able to handle the weight of treated lumber. If you build the doors and let the wood dry some, it shouldn't really weigh any more than regular untreated lumber.

Agreed - this is a great way to go. Just make sure that you take steps to ensure that the doors don't warp as they dry (leave some weight over them while drying on a flat surface, etc).

 

[Greatwhitewing]

Thanks for the 411 on pressure treated. I have a nice flat place to dry the boards. Lot cheaper than the plastic.

 

[egads74]

Certainteed...

 

[Dan_inthewind]

The plastic wood is expensive but nice. Also no reason you cannot use the plastic together with treated wood. Use 5QTR rather than 2X6 and build with plastic up a foot or two then change over to wood. Good luck!

 

[BigMike782]

See if you can find "kiln dried after treatment" treated or use western red cedar.Regardless of what you do once its done see if you can add something to the lower face to shed the water away from the door......water runs down the face hits the diversion and drips/splashes away from the door keeping the bottom dry.