I’m starting a long overdue project. Two, 11 foot by 6 foot sliding barn doors. I plan on using 5/4 x8 red cedar for the top bottom and sides and fill the field with 1×6 t&g cedar, and add ( x ) braces across. I would also like to add some small windows across the top. I plan on using half lap joints on the corners. Question: Is this a good idea or would I be better off with a mortise and tendon or some other joinery? I plan on gluing and screwing everything. Good idea or should I only do the half laps and let the t&g ride free. Never built a set before, and would appreciate any comments concerns or suggestions you may have. Thanks for the help.
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Tips for protecting your personal information when using Wi-Fi-connected devices.
Featured Video
Builder’s Advocate: An Interview With ViewrailHighlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
Barn Doors.
A half lap is a nice joint but it won't work very well here. Cut a dado on the length of the rails and stiles for the paneling then cut a tenon on the ends of the rails to fit into that dado. I'm concerned about using a 5/4 frame with 3/4 panels. That's not alot of wood retaing the panels especially on a door of this size that is going to be exposed to the weather. I'd also think about some metal bracing because a panel door of that size is not going to want to stay flat. The t & g should remain free.
I made these doors slightly larger than 4' wide x 8' tall each. The frame joints are butt jointed with dominos (loose mortise and tenon) and SS pocket screens. In my opinion half laps would be a waste of time and effort. The frame here is 5/4"x 8" redwood and the field is 1"x3" clear heart redwood that was dadoed to accept custom splines between each panel piece. The field t&g does not need to "ride free". In fact, if you place your fasteners correctly (center of each panel stick), they become an intergral part of your door structure (essentially a plate diaphragm). These doors are insulated with 1/2" poly iso and filtted with a piece of 3/4" cabinet grade veneer plywood on the inside.
beautiful
Beautiful!!!
Sweet looking doors
Real nice looking doors
What size dominos did you use and how many per joint? Looks like you framed out the edges and added a dado for an interlocking fit, yes? Post more pictures, love to see high quality work.
Thanks again.
Nice!
Awesome looking doors, deadnuts... Are the custom splines made the full length of the 1x3's ? Did you install any handles/knobs after the pics or simply use the frame for operation?