HOW MUCH CLEARANCE FOR SMALL YARD BARN DOORS
Going to be building some new doors for a small yard barn (10′ x 10′). The doors are the typical double swing with latch in the middle & hinged on outer edge. They are going to overlap the trimmer studs & header 3/4″. I was thinking of leaving 1/4″ space at that point, between the door / trim & sheathing / casing trim for clearance. Does that sound about right ? Don’t want to leave too much & let in the weather but don’t want it to bind up either.
Some of you might have or seen these types of doors at Home Depot (TUFF SHED) I tried to post some pics. but no luck over 4MB I guess. I’m just copying that design at a size to fit my R. O. & cutting back the sheathing resetting the casing trim 1″ passed the R. O. with the doors hung 3/4 ” passed the R. O. that leaves the 1/4″ clearance stated above. I only have 1/2″ set back now ( R. O. to sheathing/casing ) I don’t think thats enough & that why I’ll be trimming it back to 1″.
R. O. 64 1/8″ x 81″ DOORS 32 3/4″ X 85 1/4″ ( 64 1/8″ + 1 1/2″ – 1/8″ (clearance between doors) = 65 1/2″ / 2 = 32 3/4″ )
Does this sound like the right way to go. Your opinions are welcome & appreciated. Thanks.
Replies
Depends on a couple things.
The type of hinge and how it's used and of course the amount of slop in that hinge causing the doors to sag initially or over time.
I take it you might be having an astrigal on one of those doors for the other to close against.
Simplest method, use the minimum gap you think will work-hang the doors, adjust and cut as needed. Once you cut it off, it's gone.
THANKS FOR REPLY DOOR CLEARANCE
I was going to use a continuous hinge for security but don't like the idea of mounting them to edge grain, so thinking of using barrel hinges, as in the pics. below.
I guess I could start out using less than 1/4" clearance to see how it works out, but that means maybe cutting back sheathing twice.
Astrigal ? haven't heard that before but yes a 2x is mounted on the inside edge of one door with 1" over. (see pics.)
Depends a lot on the materials and construction techniques used for both building and doors (and on the hinges). For your typical shed my gut feel is that 1/4" is OK for hinge side but too tight for top and bottom -- maybe 3/16" would work if you're lucky and nothing racks too badly.