I had this idea to build a 16′ x 7′ overhead garage door, but I’m not sure what type of wood to use. I’m a theatre technician. So, my idea was to build each segment similiar to a broadway flat. The way I build a broadway flat is by using 1″ x 4″ pine as a flat frame with the 4″ part connecting to the luan panel. I don’t think that either of those materials would be suitable for outdoor use, but I would like to use materials with similiar properties. I will be using standard garage door hardware on it, but the flats are just the basic concept.
engineered wood flooring
Comments
You will run into problems trying to do an overhead door with that small of pieces of wood. It will flex way to much and it will bind up on you.
Keep it so there are only 4 to 6 panels. You also will need a good Strong track to support the weight of the solid wood door. 16ft long panels will have a lot of weight to them.
Good luck to you.
Buy a door. You will spend as much on the lumber and hard ware to almost match the price. The lumber species should be Douglas fir. It’s the densest of the soft woods. Now you will also need some heavy steel stiffeners for the panels to support the weight of the panels when they are in the overhead position. Keep the “Broadway Flats” in the theater. Your construction experience has no comparison to the outside world (it don’t rain and the wind don’t blow inside a theater).
Oak, Mahogany.
check these out for more ideas.
also goto some local retaillers and check out the construction of there doors. take your tape measure and get some demensions
frome them then modify the stype (not the structure) to fit your needs. The main thing is you have fun because your not gonna save any money. But you will acheive the confidence and well being of acheiving something. And you can always tell people “Yeah I built that door myself”
I would just buy a door. Wood is bad news outside for a couple of reasons: 1. It warps 2. It rots unless you use treated wood 3. You must maintain it
You can get some great looking steel doors that are insulated and you will never have to do anything to maintain them.
USE CEDAR WOOD IT WILL LAST LONGER EXPOSED TO THE OUTSIDE ELEMENTS. U CAN PAINT OR STAIN.
OH BY THE WAY U CAN PUT THE CEDAR SIDING ON DIAGONAL FOR A BETTER APPEARANCE
Teak wood is the best wood I can suggest. It last long
