Whiteboard for Garage Door?

[Larey]

I have done the search and have found a few hits on the possibility of placing whiteboard on the inside of my garage doors. As the cheap sheets have some downfalls it looks like a very viable option for me. I have measure my door and from half way to the end of one panel is 21x55. Since the sheets are about 13 bucks for 48x84 I could buy one sheet and cover both sides at the same height or possibly stack two different panels on the dominant side of the garage(other words where I normally open the door). This would allow me to separate the long term projects from the short term ones, vehicle routine maintenance schedule also, and the common household maintenance.

For those out there that install doors, how much will the doors be affected by this. I have a power opener but do not use it, and only open the door when I need to move stuff in or out, or to allow ventilation. Looking at the specs for the board it weighs overall 24 lbs. So I guess I will be adding about 18-20 lbs to the overall door or would it make a large difference if I added it all to one side? For mounting I would just use existing holes already made in the door panel itself.

Thanks for the input in advance.

Larey

 

[gol4]

I am not an installer but the springs are what assists with opening the door by acting as a counter balance. If you have torsion springs you may have to adjust them for the added weight. If you have extension springs they may need to be replaced.

 

[mikeyr]

I would use white board PAINT, its not cheap but it would work better than screwing white boards to the door and worrying if the springs are good enough.

 

[RivennHewn]

http://www.ideapaint.com/?gclid=CNeuzK_yvrUCFY97QgodSXcAOA

 

[upndown]

Alot depends on the age of the springs, or if they were even the correct springs to begin with. quick test is to hang something that weighs 20-24 lbs off the bottom of your door, a couple paint cans etc. and see what happens.

 

[G_P]

Look for some vinyl sheets. Like what would be used to line the walls of a room where water would be sprayed. The stuff would be thin and much lighter than normal whiteboard.

Thats assuming a dry erase marker will work on it and not react with the plastic causing it to become permanent.

 

[Alexbn921]

The door would work with out re-balancing the springs, but it will put a lot of stress on the motor. I would recommend having a garage door installer check/balance the door with the added weight. The springs have a crazy amount of energy and are dangerous.

 

[AvgPaul]

You can also add grout to any paint (search the recipe) and just use it as a chalkboard.

 

[koditten]

Kids with a pail full of dry erase markers would love you.

 

[kbs2244]

It dodn't sound like it would weigh much more than a coat of paint.
But do you need to cover the whole door?
One or two panels should be enough the write down your reminders.

 

[Mattlt]

Not that it's any cheaper, but plexiglass works pretty well as a whiteboard. Just paint the back side of it white.

 

[Architorture]

Using the whiteboard paint is a good option, although be warned that it is no where as rugged as an actual whiteboard. In a garage setting I could imagine exhaust and other airborne contaminants could shorten its life or discolor it.

I used the idea paint on a chemistry lab project and where it was used in proximity to fume hoods or chemical storage cabinets it didn't hold up very well...that of course is a very aggressive environment, but some garages have plenty of nasty things in the air as well

 

[matty d]

Whiteyboard.com has products that come in sheets (2x3 sheet is $30 an so on...) as well as dry erase paint. Interesting, because it's one of those venture companies backed by Mark Cuban.

Check it out....I am thinking about this as an option too...

Www.whiteyboard.com