If you’re not normally a do it yourself type of individual or you have limited construction experience then one of the hardest parts of setting up the shed can be handling the door. There are several different types of shed doors to choose from, and the style that works best might depend on the plans. Are you looking to build a shed double door, with one side of the door opening to each side or are you looking for a smaller shed with a more traditional door set up? The design you choose can radically change the best way to set up the door.
Types of shed doors
If you haven’t gone through this process before, then you need to know that there are actually several different types of doors you can use and that you will need slightly different materials and techniques. Then there is the issue of creating hinges or double hinges, which can be a little complicated for people who have never had to work on these doors before. There are even different styles such as ledged doors, ledged and braced doors, or framed and ledged doors. These are some of the most common designs for single shed doors and describe the construction that goes behind them.
Ledged doors
Ledged doors are the simplest type of braced doors you can make. This is where you make a door from several vertical boards and brace them using either three or four smaller boards. This results in a stable door as the vertical boards placed near the top of the door, the middle of the door, and the bottom of the door help to make sure the door is more solid. Hinges with long metal supports are attached to the top and bottom vertical support boards.
Ledged and braced doors
This is the most common shed door by far. If you are planning on building a shed door and you want something strong, solid, and inexpensive then the ledged and braced doors are the way to go. You many have noticed that this sounds very similar to the first type, and that’s because they are very close. Literally this design is a simple ledged door, but two additional boards are added to further brace them. These boards are set diagonally between the vertical braces to create two backwards Z shapes, one on top of the other.
Framed and ledged doors
These are stronger and more rigid doors, and are sometimes referred to as “framed doors” since there is an outside frame which encompasses the ledged door design. This frame, which still includes the middle support beam, results in a very strong door that can be hinged on in a variety of ways and should last the full test of time – while the other designs of doors are more likely to crack or wear down at some point.
Double doors
Some people like to go with a double door design when they are building their shed doors. This requires being able to set up hinge boards on both sides to have the ability to swing both doors open and then back to place. These are most common for large outdoor sheds that have enough storage room for riding lawnmowers, four wheelers, and other large vehicles or equipment. The double door option is more difficult to build and install from scratch, especially since these doors have to be set perfectly on hinges to make sure they close perfectly to seal the shed when shut but also swing open as necessary when opened.
In conclusion
As you can see, there are many different styles to choose from when it comes to building a shed door. While each one presents its own set of challenges, these are the most common styles of doors to choose from. Any one of them can work as an excellent way to create an entrance way for your new shed.
