8 Easy Steps To Construct A Sliding Garage Doors
Sliding garage doors are a very useful feature, making it very easy to remove as well as place items inside the structure. It is simple to install a set of sliding doors with the help of woodworking tools and creativity. The most important factor is the type of wood to choose from. Softwoods, including the pine and the cedar, are the best choices. However the cedar is ideal due to the fact that it is termite resistant, the easy steps to construct a sliding door are as follows:
- The first step is to cut the groove of two 1-by-10-inch T&G boards with the help of a table saw. These boards will be used as the end boards and do not need the groove. Cut these as well as the remaining vertical boards according to the appropriate length of the size of the sliding door that is needed. Cut out 1-by-10-inch straight-edge boards exactly to the width of the door needed.
- Now it is time to make a temporary L-shaped jig for the door, with the help of scrap lumber, a screw gun, and wood screws. Cut the height as well as the width of the jig to the same height and the width as the door that the user is constructing.
- Place the T&G boards vertically on the jig, the first board is the one without the groove. Use the C-clamps onto the boards to slightly tighten to hold them with the jig. In order to determine the size of the last board, simply measure the total width of the boards that are in the jig and then subtract that amount from the total width of the door that is needed as per space. Cut out the board to the correct width with a table saw. For placing the last board into the jig remove the C-clamp, after that replace the clamp.
- Place the straight-edged boards at the proper level horizontally at the top, bottom, and in the middle of the door. Also, make sure that all the boards are properly flush with the outside edges of the vertical boards. Secure all the horizontal boards with the vertical boards with the help of a screw gun.
- Measure as well as cut the side trim pieces. The side trim must fit all along the vertical edges between the top and the middle boards and also at the bottom and the middle boards. Cut out straight-edge pieces with the help of a table saw as well as fasten with the perimeter of the door with the help of screws and a screw gun.
- Now the user needs to make the cross-bucks for the door, with a miter saw. Cross-bucks are very important to strengthen the door and also keep it from bowing. Start by measuring the diagonal length, inside the side trim, using a measurement tape. The cross-bucks must be of the same width as the side trim. Cut out the straight-edge siding with the proper length and width, also miter-cut the ends to fit it inside of the side trim pieces, as well as attach them to the door with the screws.
- Attach the straight-edge boards right to the top, bottom as well as in the middle of the inside of the door. This is very important to support the door and also prevent it from bending and warping.
- Attach a sliding door track right on the exterior of the garage according to the manufacturer's directions as different manufacturers have different directions. Take a level to make sure of the alignment. Install the track on the garage at the required height and the width of the door, also add the height of the rollers. Secure the rollers on to the inside of the door at the top edge, with the help of lag bolts and a cordless drill. Finally, hang the door simply by sliding the rollers on to the door then onto the track hung.