You can install a shed garage door on your storage shed even if your large shed plans do not show it on the drawings. Even if you have an existing large shed you can modify the shed wall to install the new door. Larger sheds usually hold larger equipment; this is probably why you want to add a shed garage door. Being able to move bigger things in and out of the shed like motorcycles or lawn mowers is one of the great reasons to have a larger door on your shed. If you have a small shed with long walls and want to have better access you may be able to install bigger doors and make it easier to get in and out of the shed. The space requirements for an overhead panel door are about a foot on each side of the door and a foot above the door as well as space for the door to sit when it is in the open position. The following is a brief primer of shed garage door options, what is involved when sizing and installing the header beam and how to install the door.
Shed Door Options
The most common door being used as a shed garage door is the overhead panel door. It is made up of 4 rigid panels that are connected to each other by long hinges. The door rolls on tracks up out of the way. It is stored in the open position laying horizontal just under the shed ceiling. Panel doors can be bought as a insulated or non insulated. The second option is a roll up door that rolls up into a coil. It is much more flexible. They are made out of plastic or metal. They also roll up on tracks on either side of the door but the coil is stored directly above the door which allows easier hanging storage in the shed.
Installing the Header Beam
When an opening is created in a shed wall there needs to be a beam installed to hold the roof up over the opening. The bigger the opening the bigger the beam needs to be. Since most shed garage doors are six feet or wider the beams tend to be big enough to warrant using a beam sizing chart or calling the engineer who knows about beams to verify that it will hold the roof structure. The manufactures of beams have a special engineering department that provides free beam sizing information to customers. Contact them directly or through your local lumber salesman. You may need to send them a PDF of your large shed plans. To make sure they understand the exact application you will be using the beam for. Once you get the proper size of beam you can then purchase the beam.
How to Install the Door
This is really some tips on installing the door. You will most likely have the company you purchase the door from install it. The framed opening for roll up panel type doors is typically exactly the same size as the door. The rails on either side of the door attach to the boards holding up the beam. Because the opening is the same size as the door there is going to be a gap around the door. This gap is covered by trimming the door opening using 2x6 boards as a trim piece. This makes the opening 1 ½" smaller in the vertical direction and 3 inches smaller horizontally. It will give the door a nice finished look.
Using these tips you will be well on your way to update your large shed plans to accommodate the shed garage door. If you have designs for a 12x16 shed plan or similar large shed you can use these tips to add the ultimate in large shed accessories, the shed garage door.
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