Garage doors: the intricacies of making your own. How to weld a garage door from a profile pipe with your own hands How to weld a garage door correctly

Most car owners try to build a larger garage so that, in addition to the car, all the tools, spare parts and consumables can be placed there. But at the same time, they don’t think about what size the gate should be and in the end it turns out that the opening is not standard. After this, they begin to look for custom gate manufacturers and realize that their cost significantly exceeds the budget. You have to choose from two options: narrow or widen the garage opening, or spend significant financial resources. There is also a third option - to weld the garage door yourself .

What are the requirements for gates?

The gate must:

• easy to open by the garage owner and have a high degree of burglary protection;
• provide sufficient space for unobstructed vehicle entry;
• be protected from corrosion and other negative environmental influences;
• do not interfere with other persons or objects when opening;
• have a simple but durable design.

Preparatory work

At the initial stage, the amount of required material is calculated, since a correctly drawn up estimate will allow you to avoid unnecessary expenses and shortages of material. First you need to decide on the type of gate among the following:

1. Swing, consisting of two opening sashes, the length of which is half the width of the opening. One of them should have a door to enter the garage. The doors are attached to the sash using hinges. This type of gate is the most common and easiest to manufacture.
2. Lift-and-swivel They are one leaf that opens using a lifting mechanism upwards with or without a latch to the ceiling, but with a safety mechanism against falling. Can be equipped with a door for entry.
3. Roller shutters consist of several sections that fold into the ceiling part automatically or manually. They usually have electronic locks and are opened by radio remote control. For self-assembly, such gates are quite complex, as they will require a lot of time to adjust the roller shutters and adjust the operation of the mechanisms.

Note! For self-production, it is most reasonable to make the first two types of gates. They can only be made by welding metal profiles and steel sheets.

However, first, the appropriate measurements are made: the opening for the gate is measured, after which a drawing is made, according to which an estimate is drawn up. The list of required materials includes:

• rolled metal profiles with a square cross-section for ease of welding, with a wall thickness of 3 mm and dimensions of 30 x 20 or more, depending on the width of the frame, to ensure structural strength;
• sheet metal according to the size of the doors with a thickness of 2 mm to provide anti-vandal protection and additional strength;
• corners for welding the gate frame;
• four hinges for the doors and two for the door;
• lock and bolt.

When making calculations, it should be borne in mind that the main frame should be not only along the perimeter of the sashes, but also along the diagonals. The frame for fastening consists of fastenings to the wall on the inside and outside. On one of the doors, additional reinforcement of the frame is created at the place where the door and locks are attached. When selecting steel, choose low carbon annealed steel, alloyed with nickel or chromium, or galvanized sheets. If you buy an ordinary steel sheet, you will need a primer, paint and solvent.

Before welding the garage door, you need to make a frame. For this:

1. Profile angles are cut to size with high precision so that there are no distortions during welding. Moreover, it is better to cut at an angle of 45 0 to ensure maximum strength and length of the seam, although it can also be done end-to-end. Just in case, leave an overlap of about 200 mm. As a tool, you need to use a grinder (angle grinder) to get a smooth surface and carry out the work with minimal time.
2. After this, the parts of the frame are laid on a flat surface and welded using the electric arc method, since the frame structure requires high welding of the metal. The correctness of the even, flat surface is checked using a level. Any deviation must be corrected at the initial stage, since these errors cannot be corrected later.
3. In order to secure the frame tightly in the garage opening, it is necessary to weld several pieces of reinforcement (at least 2-3) with a diameter of more than 10 mm and a length of about 15–20 cm on each side.
4. Drill holes in the walls, insert a frame, and then carry out concreting.
5. If the design of the garage does not allow making such recesses, then a second frame is welded, which is installed on the inside of the garage, and these two parts are welded using fittings directly at the installation site.
6. One of the frames should be concreted, and the other should be left for attaching the sashes. The frame can also be secured using anchors. Another mounting option would be to form a groove in the wall and mount a frame there. All options have sufficient strength and can be used depending on the base material of the walls.

Gate leaves

The manufacture of sashes must be no less precise than the manufacture of the frame. First, a frame is made for the sashes at the height of the frame and half the width of the opening. Profile pipes with the required dimensions are taken, laid on a flat surface and secured by electric welding. After this, their correct size is checked on site, and then full welding is done, or additional sizing is made. If you plan to install a door, then an additional post is welded onto one gate leaf, to which the hinges will then be welded.

The next step will be welding the hinges to the frame. It is more convenient to use spot welding so as not to overmelt the metal, although you can use electric arc welding, but you will have to weld it very carefully. Then the position of the hinges on the sashes is measured, and the hinges are also welded in place.

After the gate frame is ready, it is necessary to cut the sheet metal, taking into account the fact that one leaf should cover the other with an overlap of about 10 cm, as well as the calculation of the door, if its installation is included in the design. The edges of the sheet are cleaned of burrs using a grinder, after which they are welded to the body of the valves with a continuous seam. When metal leaks form, the outer surface is polished.

We install locks and additional deadbolts

Locks must be installed on doors and sashes. To do this, a special flange for the lock is welded onto them, and holders for the bolts on the gate from the inside. But before welding, the lock is attached to it so that the fasteners are not accessible from the outside of the garage. Next, a hole is made in the frame for the lock.

Note! The bolts can be made in the form of L-shaped bolts, secured with special hinges on one of the leaves to provide additional fastening to the frame, or in the form of a bolt at the level of the middle of the gate.

Wall insulation and finishing

A warm garage can be easily created by insulating the gates through which the bulk of the heat escapes. Therefore, insulation is laid on the inner surface and then sheathed with internal finishing material. For this, it is better to choose polystyrene, as it is easy to install and easy to process. It can be placed on an adhesive base, and the gaps can be minimized and sealed with sealant to reduce heat loss. Cover the inside with facing boards or plastic. After completing all the work, it is necessary to paint the metal parts of the gate in a suitable color.

Conclusion

Welding garage doors is quite a labor-intensive activity, but quite feasible, since it does not require special skills, but only patience and attentiveness. If you don’t have a welding machine, you can hire an experienced welder to do the work, or rent a tool. The savings are significant.

Video

For every owner of a summer house or country cottage, sooner or later the question will arise about buying a gate or making one yourself. Since the purchase is not the cheapest, a person who has some experience in welding work will be able to do without wasting money, since welding the gate reliably on his own will not be a big problem for him.

The same goes for garage doors. Every motorist always cares about protecting his car, so if the gate is made by himself, the owner will be confident in the reliability of the work performed, and will also be able, if he has certain skills, to increase the level of security using some techniques to strengthen the structure.

Before you start drawing up a project and purchasing materials, you need to decide on the type of gate that is most suitable for your home. There are several selection criteria that are worth paying attention to:

1. Exterior view of the fence;
2. Whether or not there is a car and a garage for it;
3. Your preference;
4. The purpose of the territory that is fenced.

For example, installing forged gates would be appropriate if there are massive brick pillars (but it should be borne in mind that forging is not a cheap pleasure). Although for such a case swing or sliding ones are suitable with the same success. Once the choice has been made, it’s time to learn how to properly weld a garage or house door.

What materials are needed?

First, you need to understand that you won’t be able to weld a gate without having any experience at all. You will need the ability to use a welding machine and apply high-quality seams to pipe joints. If this is not a problem, then you can proceed to selecting the structural components from the profile. To acquire gates and wickets you will need the following materials:

1. Profile pipes. They will be needed to build pillars. Typically the size is 60x60 millimeters.
2. For wicket frames and gate leaves, 40x20 mm pipes are needed;
3. 2 mm thick steel to cover the ends;
4. Pipes and fittings are used for clamps;
5. Hinges (ball), cross-section 20 mm;
6. To attach the sheathing to the frame, you will need rivets or screws;
7. For the jumper you need a corner 40x40 mm;
8. And the corrugated sheet itself.

How to choose corrugated sheeting for gates?

To weld gates from corrugated pipes correctly, you need to take a responsible approach to each structural element, one of them is corrugated sheeting. It is worth ordering a profiled sheet of such length that it is equal to the height of the doors and the future gate. Usually this does not affect the amount of money spent, and you do not have to cut out the blanks yourself, which can damage the anti-corrosion coating of the material. Experienced experts advise using metal grades such as S-20 or NS-21.

If you want to improve the quality of the gate, you can purchase a painted sheet; it will be more expensive, but its level of protection against corrosion will be higher. Since the full and usable width of the sheets will differ, when calculating their number, take into account the fact that they will overlap. Usually 1 part of the panel is spent on the gate. And in order not to violate the protection of the edges, the entrance (more precisely, its width) must be equal to the width of the sheet. If this is the NS-20 brand it will be equal to 1051 mm, and if it is S-20, then 1150 mm.

Selection of electrodes and tubes

To assemble a gate from a professional pipe with your own hands, you need to understand what to look for when choosing; most likely, it can be selected in the same place. The pipe must be at least 2 mm thick, it can be thicker, they will provide even greater stability and reliability, but you need to take into account that the thicker the pipe, the harder it is to burn through it during welding.

Recommended pipe length is 10 meters 60x60. With a gate height of 1.7-2 meters, they will become a support for the doors. And the length of the pipe is 40x20, directly depends on the width and height of the gate. For a gate with a standard opening of 3 meters, you will need 17 m of profile and for a gate with a width of 1 meter - 7 meters.

Electrodes are selected based on the thickness of the profile. ANO-21 electrodes perform well. If they have been sitting for a long time, they need to be kept in the oven for 1 hour at 350 degrees. If you have special experience, it is quite acceptable to use electrodes with a thickness of up to 3 mm.

In addition, enhanced melting of the profile edges is formed due to the gaps that are located at the junction between the edges of adjacent workpieces. In order for the pipes to be connected to fit tightly one to the other, you need to carefully approach the accuracy of the markings during the design process. When the location for future pipe cuts is marked, lines are drawn on all edges so that when working with a grinding machine, the disc should be guided strictly along them. The thinner the wheel, the more accurate the cutting will be.

Connection of sash frames

To weld the frames of the valves more efficiently, it is better to do this using a horizontal and flat surface. If you have a special welding table, it is better to use it. The ends of the pipes are cut off from the outer contour of the frame at an angle of 45 degrees. Before welding the frame, you need to fold the pipes into a rectangle on a table or flat surface, measure the correct angles and check the evenness of the diagonals. First you need to make tacks, and then take measurements again. If irregularities are noticed, they are corrected by lightly tapping with a hammer, and then a complete connection occurs.

If the electrodes are 2 mm, work is carried out at 50-60 amperes. The electrode is led in its direction, deviating from the vertical position by 10-15 degrees. The rod must be kept at a distance of several millimeters from the metal, depending on the required depth of the seam. After completing the work, you need to remove scale and work the areas with a grinding machine.

To make the structure more reliable, you need several crossbars in the center of the frame. Their length should be 40 mm less than the width of the gate. If the frame is designed with diagonal joints, the pipes must be cut at right angles. The posts must be the same height as the gate. The top and bottom of the profile, its ends, are removed by connecting metal ends. Now you can begin installing canopies, poles and other installation stages.

How to make a garage door?

Before welding garage doors, you need to decide on their type. The most commonly used are swing gates. They are most often made with their own hands. Another type of gate, sliding, is less common. They will require additional space for the moving sash.

At first glance, a garage door seems simple, but not everyone can cope with such a design, especially since it requires the installation of elements that ensure the gate moves.

To make garage doors with your own hands, experts will advise making them swinging. In this case, welding the garage door yourself will not be too difficult for the motorist. It will be possible to design the entire process from A to Z, and also keep financial costs under control.

Design

The very first stage of welding garage sliding doors will be drawing up a detailed drawing and taking measurements of the opening. All necessary tools are also prepared, and the necessary materials and their quantities are selected. In order for the gate welding to be successful, it is important to take a responsible approach to the process from the first calculations of the height of the gates and their height.

Important! The permissible minimum distance on both sides from the car to the frame must be at least 30 cm. And the standard size of the sashes must be 5 meters.

It is also worth considering that the distance from the frame frame to the perpendicular to the wall should be 80 centimeters or more. It is recommended to make the frame, as the main element of the gate, from steel materials. As for the hinges, it is better to choose ones with reinforcement and external opening. When the project is ready, all the materials have been purchased and the tools have been collected, it’s time to think about welding.

Frame assembly

When welding gates, use a metal corner. To secure the frame in the opening, you need reinforcement. Usually it has an outer and an inner part. First of all, you need to take a grinder and cut the corner into the required parts. As a result, there should be 4 equal segments with the width of the opening and the remaining 4 equal in height. Then they need to be laid out in a position ready for connection on a flat surface.

Doors

Now you can begin assembling the frame for the sashes. It is designed in such a way that it is slightly smaller than the leading frame and fits freely into the opening. Afterwards, the finished structure is sheathed with sheet metal. The sash material should be slightly visible at the top and bottom of the main frame. Now you can start welding the hinges, after which you can install the gate itself.

Gate installation should be carried out with maximum precision, taking into account all the rules. They are attached to the wall using reinforcement. It is driven into their surface in advance. If the door is securely installed and tested to perform its functions, it is time to begin installing locks and latches, once all of these steps are completed, the welding of the garage door is completed. They often make it possible to close one of the doors from the inside. This will undoubtedly come in handy in the future.

Conclusion

Before you make a garage door with your own hands, you need to understand that you cannot do without welding, so you will need to have certain experience and skills. And if there are no skills, it is better to invite experienced welders who have extensive experience in this matter. But if the owner is familiar with welding and has dealt with similar structures before, he can handle it on his own. At the same time, get a good experience and save money.

Garage doors are an expensive design, which is why many car owners strive to make and install the doors on their own. The technology for assembling a garage door on your own is not as complicated as it seems, and if you strictly follow the instructions, the “house” for your car will gain reliable protection.

Manufacturing Features

The process of constructing a garage door design begins with the design and preparation of detailed diagrams and drawings. This does not require special skills. Take paper, ruler, pencil, measure all dimensions. First determine the width. It should be equal to the width of the car body, but have an additional tolerance on both sides of at least 30 cm. To make the measurement more accurate, it is better to take it at several points, and then stop at the arithmetic average value. Then measure the height. This is easier, since a garage, as a rule, is built for a specific car, so the necessary parameter is already available.

Now you can create a drawing while simultaneously thinking through all the design elements.

The swing gate scheme is the simplest:

• draw two rectangles and indicate their dimensions;
• If you want to have different sized sashes, indicate this in the drawing.

Drawings are made similarly for other types of gates, but it must be remembered that lifting and sliding types have only one section. Here you need to be careful when determining the stiffeners. When drawing sectional doors, the number of sections is taken into account.

Types of structures

There are several types of garage doors.

Recoil

Their main element is a sash that moves parallel to the garage wall.

Among the main advantages of these gates are:

• trouble-free operation;
• service life;
• strength;
• saving space;
• relatively low price.

The main disadvantage is that such sliding gates can only be installed on garages with a wide facade. Its width should be at least such that the sliding sash can fit entirely on it. You can make and install such gates yourself. The leaves are made in almost the same way as the leaves of ordinary swing gates. The difference lies in the installation: instead of hinges, guides and rollers are used.

Lifting sectional

The leaf of these gates consists of separate segments, which, when lifted, are refracted and go under the ceiling covering. They are based on a lever-spring device and guides with a chain drive. Making sectional doors at home is almost impossible.

Their advantages include:

• multifunctionality. There are gates for low and high openings of various widths;
• high heat and noise insulation characteristics;
• ease of use;
• saving space in front of the garage.

Disadvantages: relatively low burglary resistance and high cost.

Lift-and-swivel

This is a design in which the sash, when opened, rises under the ceiling covering. Lifting is carried out using a hinged lever mechanism. The design of overhead gates is quite complex. To make them yourself, you need to have good engineering experience and special knowledge. A novice craftsman can try to mount ready-made factory-assembled gates himself.

The main advantages are increased burglary resistance and space saving. The disadvantage is the increased requirements for space under the ceiling.

If there is not enough space there, then you will not be able to use the folding gates.

Automatic roller shutters (roller or roller shutters)

This design is rare. It has not been widely used due to its unreliability. These gates consist of aluminum strips that slide into a box under the ceiling. Roller shutters can be installed in protected areas and heated garages.

Folding (folding)

This design includes several separate canvases interconnected by dense flexible material (rubber, synthetic fabric). They fold when opened. When closing, the canvas stretches, completely covering the opening.

Swing type

The most unpretentious system that does not require the use of expensive materials and serious time investment during installation. The box for it is made of a metal corner, the doors are made of iron sheets. Operation of the gate is simple, but the reliability indicator is extremely high.

The advantages of the system are:

• maximum simplicity of design;
• operate without electricity;
• universal;
• low price;
• reliability.

The main disadvantage is the need for free space in front of the garage to open the doors. This causes some discomfort in winter: in order to open the gate, you must first clear the snow from the space in front of it.

Since swing gates are quite simple to manufacture, it is better for novice craftsmen to opt for them.

As mentioned above, the manufacture of swing gates is simpler and less expensive than the manufacture of other types of structures, so the technology for their creation is worth considering. Self-manufacturing of swing gates does not require hard-to-find and expensive equipment. Materials can also be purchased at any construction shopping center.

Before starting work you need to stock up on:

• metal corners for making a supporting frame;
• steel profiles;
• profile pipe;
• covering material at your discretion:
  • forging;
  • wood paneling;
  • metal sheet or corrugated sheeting.

• steel strip or reinforcing rod;
• screeds;
• seals;
• canopy;
• clamps.

Dimensions

First of all, it is necessary to understand the height and width of the future entrance structure. The smallest width should be such that the distance on both sides from the car to the gate frame is 30 cm or greater. The minimum width is 5 m, but the generally accepted width of the gate ranges from 2.5-3 m. This size guarantees comfortable access to the garage. When determining the width of the gate, you should take into account the distance between the frame and the perpendicular wall. It must be at least 80 cm.

The height of the structure is calculated according to the size of the car. An opening of 2.5 m is required for a minibus. For a regular car, 2-2.2 m is enough.

To avoid inconsistencies with the garage plan, experienced specialists recommend creating sketches of the gate during the design of the room.

Tools and accessories

Along with materials, you need to make sure that you have components and tools on hand, such as:

• angle grinder (grinder) with a set of grinding and cutting discs;
• welding unit;
• bench square, tape measure;
• construction level, hydraulic level;
• accessories;
• fasteners.

How to make and install correctly?

Assemble the box (frame) with your own hands. It consists of two rectangular-shaped structures, which will later be connected to each other. Hinges for installing the doors are welded on the outside of the frame; the inside holds the gate in the opening. They are made from 65-gauge corner.

Cut 8 corner pieces corresponding in size to the height and width of the gate (4 pieces of each size). Lay out the corners on a flat surface and assemble the frames. By measuring corners and diagonals, achieve perfect proportionality of the elements to the garage wall opening. Weld parts of the structures.

Insert the finished rectangular elements into the opening and adjust them to the installation location. Weld the inner and outer elements together using crossbars made of reinforcement or a metal strip, dividing the height and width of the gate into equal sections.

When using reinforcement, you can make holes in the wall, and then drive pieces of reinforcing rod of the required size into them, fixing them by welding to the frame. Typically, connecting fragments are welded over the boundaries of the opening.

Assembly and installation of sashes

Guided by the drawings, measure and cut elements from an equal-angle angle measuring 40x40 mm, place them on a flat plane. Assemble the base of future doors and doors (gates). Align, measuring the diagonals and corners of all rectangular frames, and weld. Cut two pieces from the sheet. They should be 40 mm longer than the length of the garage opening, but cut different widths. One should be 20 mm less than the width of the frame, the second should be 20 mm more.

Weld the canvases to the frame, making sure that the canvases protrude 2 cm beyond the boundaries of the frame around the perimeter. A similar projection should be on the gate. This is done in order to close the gaps between the box and the frame. This design will prevent excess moisture and drafts from penetrating through the gaps. When welding sheets, do not make a continuous seam. It is better to weld with a dotted line using the 1x5 principle.

The final stage is welding the hinges. The lower segment of the hinge with the pin is fixed by welding to the frame, and the upper segment to the gate leaf. For reliability, you can strengthen the fixation of the hinges using metal pads. In the place where the hinge is fixed to the box, you can install an iron rod to increase the welded area. Place the gate leaf in the location indicated in the drawing. Make sure that this position allows you to open the gate without difficulty. Mark the location of the second segment of the bottom loop. Weld it according to the markings, aligning it exactly vertically.

Without loading the bottom hinge, hang the sash. Mark the location of the top hinge on the door and frame, and remove the sash. Weld the hinge segments according to the markings, hang the gate leaf, and test its movement. If it opens freely and remains in the position given to it, then you can start mounting the second part. This process is similar to the one already given.

After mounting, install the gate in one of the leaves, following the same sequence as for the gate itself. Install handles, hooks, locks, and latches after complete installation of the sashes.

In a heated garage, it is advisable to sheathe the gate, insulate it and seal it. Also don't forget to lubricate the hinges.

Installation of other gate models

Roller shutter and folding models require the use of ready-made devices for opening and closing, so they are mainly purchased in a ready-to-install form, and are also made to order, having created a diagram in advance. In such situations, you can only assemble and install the gate frame with your own hands, then hang the canvas, guided by the attached description.

A box is not required to install sliding gates. Creating such gates yourself comes down to assembling one large panel. To do this, you can use a procedure similar to that used when assembling the canvas with a gate. To install such structures, guides are placed at the top and bottom of the opening; the canvas will move along them in the future. All equipment is purchased ready-made.

Installation is limited only to the installation of parts according to the instructions.

The “sore spot” of such gates is the hinges. High load provokes rod breakage, hinge displacement, longitudinal deformation and other malfunctions. Systematic lubrication of the hinges will help delay the occurrence of such breakdowns. The second problem is sagging. It may appear due to the lack of cross members and deformation of the structure frame. In this situation, aligning the sashes or replacing them, as well as installing spacers, will help.

A garage is a mandatory building for a car owner. Those who live outside the city in private houses build garages next to the house or even add one to the house. And those who live within the boundaries of a big city have to store their car in a garage cooperative far from home. But no matter where the garage is located, the safety of the car in it is ensured by gates, the design of which may differ depending on the preferences of the owner and the capabilities of the room, space and expediency.

The simplest solution would be to buy ready-made gates and install them in place, but you can make garage doors yourself, be sure to take into account all the design features and customize them, as they say, “to suit you.” In this case, you will be absolutely sure of their quality and reliability.

At the moment, there are several types of garage doors. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. To install some types of structures, a lot of free space is required inside or in front of the garage.

Lift-and-swivel design

Most types of garage doors have appeared relatively recently. For example, a structure that rises when opened and then goes under the ceiling. In this case, just press a certain button on the control panel. This design is based on a hinged lever mechanism, as well as guides. The main advantage of such gates is that they do not take up free space in front or inside the garage. However, such a design should only be considered if the building is heated.

Swing gates

The most reliable and ancient option is swing garage doors. Similar designs are used everywhere. Often they are equipped not only with garages. After all, such gates work flawlessly even in more severe conditions. A similar structure consists of several doors equipped with hinges, as well as a frame that is installed in the doorway. Such gates close quite tightly. There is no gap left between the sashes. You can make such a design yourself. After all, the mechanism is quite reliable and simple.

Sliding structures

In the first half of the 20th century, sliding gates appeared. The design consists of one leaf, which moves parallel to the front wall to the side. In fact, there may be several such doors. This design has a drawback. Its installation requires a lot of free space in the front wall of the building. That is why sliding structures are installed mainly in industrial or hangar premises.

Up-and-over sectional doors

This species appeared not so long ago. The design is a canvas that consists of sections. When opened, such gates gradually move under the ceiling, refracting as they do so. These gates are based on guides with a chain drive and a spring mechanism. The main advantage of the lifting-sectional design is space saving.

Rolling gates

Roller shutter structures are quite rarely used as garage doors, as they do not provide adequate reliability. Such gates are made of aluminum plates, which, when opened, fold into a box placed under the ceiling. It is worth installing such structures only if the garage is located in a protected area and is heated.

Lifting gates are divided into two types:

• Lifting sectional. The door leaf consists of several parts that are connected to each other by a rigid structure. As they rise, they bend and gather. When lowered, the assembled sections are straightened and leveled to their original (flat) position.

• Rotary. Unlike the previous type, in this case the main door leaf is not subject to deformation. The principle of their operation is that the sash rises along a curved path. In this case, the upper part goes slightly deeper inward. The remaining part of the sash rises from the outside.

Installation of garage doors with a lifting mechanism in two cases is almost the same. And you can do it yourself.

Advantages of overhead gates and their disadvantages

Homemade overhead garage doors have a number of undeniable advantages that set them apart from other types of devices. The main advantages are:

• Space saving. To raise the sash, a space under the ceiling is used, which, as a rule, is never used. Due to this, there is no need to waste useful meters on the ground next to the garage.
• The doors are a single piece. And this is reliable protection against the penetration of strangers.
• It is possible to insulate the doors. Most often, polystyrene foam is used for this.
• It is possible to install a mechanism for automatic lifting.
• Suitable for installing not only single, but also double garages.
• The external finish can be any, due to which the gate will harmoniously fit into the decoration of the garage and the design of the entire site.

The disadvantages of overhead gates arise from their design.

There are not many of them, but there is no need to write them off. The disadvantages include:

• The solid leaf of the sash is not subject to partial repair. If damaged, it must be completely replaced.
• Gate installation is only possible in rectangular openings.
• Installation requires certain knowledge.
• The gate rises upward, thereby reducing the height of the opening.
• Insulation must be taken into account in advance. The fact is that the lifting gate mechanism is designed for a load of a certain magnitude. An additional layer of insulation will entail an increase in the load on the mechanism.

The design of the gate and the principle of its operation

The main structural elements that bear the load are the frame, guides and a mechanism for moving the blade. The gate opens automatically (using remote control) or manually.

Levers are attached to the bottom of the sash. At the upper ends there are two more guides along which the rollers move. With the help of these elements, the sash is lifted. To do this, you just need to pull the handle, which is located at the bottom of the canvas. There are no difficulties with this, since springs in an extended state come to the rescue. The sash lifting diagram can be seen in the picture above.

Lifting mechanisms

The lifting mechanism can be of two types:

• Lever-spring. This is the most popular mechanism among garage owners. It is distinguished by its simplicity of design and reliability. The manufacture of metal gates with a similar mechanism requires precise adjustment of the springs and precise installation of the guides (along which the rollers will later move).
• If the sash is heavy, preference is given to a mechanism with a counterweight. In this case, a winch is used. A counterweight is attached to one side, which is connected to the other edge of the sash using a cable.

The choice of a suitable mechanism is made taking into account the specific situation.

Preparatory work

Before making and installing overhead garage doors with your own hands, you need to carry out preparatory work.

The surface of the walls and ceiling must be flat so that the guides can be installed without tilting. Any dust that gets on the rollers or guides can disrupt the operation of the entire mechanism. Therefore, all construction and finishing work inside the garage must be completed. This doesn't apply to gender. This is due to the fact that the frame extends inside by at least 2 centimeters. Therefore, it will be necessary to complete the construction of the floor after the installation of the garage door has been completed.

The opening must be ready for installation of the gate frame. Basic calculations are made using it. Therefore, you need to know its dimensions. The dimensions required for the construction of the gate are described in the drawing of a lifting garage door in the picture below.

Required materials and tools

Depending on the size and chosen gate design, the amount of materials required may vary. But with the simplest solution for the production of metal gates you will need:

• Wooden blocks 120x80 mm for the box;
• Wooden bars 100x100 mm for the ceiling;
• Metal pins to secure the structure;
• Metal corners 35x35x4 mm for making a frame;
• Metal corners 40x40x4 mm for rails;
• Channel 80x45 mm;
• Spring with an internal diameter of 30 mm;
• Metal rod with a diameter of 8 mm;
• Cloth for the sash.

This is a set of necessary materials for the manufacture of gates with manual lifting mode. If desired, you can purchase a drive to automate this process. The list of required materials may be changed or supplemented. It is difficult to describe everything in detail, down to the screw or screw. After all, every even minor change in the design of the gate will entail a change in this list.

In order to assemble and install overhead garage doors with your own hands, you will need an angle grinder, a drill with drills for metal and wood, and a welding machine. You will also need other tools that every owner has: a hammer, a tape measure, a screwdriver, wrenches, a level, a pencil.

Construction stages

Gates from corrugated pipe are manufactured in accordance with the following steps:

• Preparation and assembly of the frame;
• Installation of rollers;
• Making the sash;
• Fastening additional elements.

These steps explain how to make your own overhead gate. Next, we will consider each stage in detail.

Frame making

The basis on which the gate will be attached is the frame. It is on it that most of the load of the entire structure will lie. The work begins with its manufacture.

The list of required materials includes wooden blocks. This is the simplest and most economical option. They can be replaced with a metal structure, which will be a more reliable option. But everyone makes their own choice. This has virtually no effect on the installation process.

A box is assembled from the bars. To connect them, metal corners or plates are used. The bottom bar must be recessed into the floor by at least 2 cm. This must be taken into account during the assembly process. When the box is twisted (in the case of metal, welded), it is checked. It is placed in the opening and the position is checked vertically and horizontally. If the frame is positioned correctly, it is secured with anchors (metal pins) with a length of 30 cm. They are taken at the rate of 1 pin per 1 linear meter.

After this, horizontal guides are installed, which are located under the ceiling.

Installation of rollers

Once the frame is installed, you can begin attaching the caster brackets. To prevent the gate from clinging, the upper brackets are attached a little deeper than the lower ones. This can be clearly seen in the picture below. Bolts are used to secure the rails. At this stage it is very important to accurately measure the level.

Clamps are installed at the edges of the rails. They will hold the rollers, thereby keeping the blade in the open (closed) position.

Preparing the sashes

The shield itself, which will serve as a gate leaf, can be made of various materials. But, since it will provide reliable protection for the garage and will be exposed to external climatic influences, it is better to choose more resistant materials. These may be the following options:

• Frame made of wooden blocks, upholstered on the outside with metal sheets;
• Use a solid metal sheet;
• The frame is made of metal profiles and sheathed with metal.

The finishing (outer) layer can be anything, even plastic. To protect against frost, the shield can be covered with a layer of insulation.

To prevent the gate from the corrugated pipe from opening completely each time, you can make a gate in the shield. It will be possible to enter (exit) through it without using the entire structure. Some garage owners also include a window in the sash. If necessary, it is easy to install.

When the shield is ready, it is installed on the guides and the functionality of the mechanism is checked.

Additional items

Gate installation is completed with the installation of additional elements. These include handles, locks, and latches for securing the gate.

Handles are necessary to make opening (closing) the gate more convenient. If they are present, there is no need to cling to the edge of the sash. It is more convenient if the handles are located at the bottom of the shield. And both outside and inside.

If the gate is equipped with a wicket, then you can make a latch inside. This will allow you to protect your property. This technique will allow you to open the door only from the inside. The same solution can be used if the garage is attached to the house and a door connects them.

If the garage is separate and there is no gate, it is necessary to provide locks. If it is not possible to buy special ones, then you can hang regular ones. This is done using arms that are attached to the canvas and the outside of the vertical frame.

The production of metal gates with a lifting mechanism is completed by the external finishing of the structure. They are treated with protective agents, painted, and finishing materials are attached.

Automation system

An automatic drive can be installed on overhead garage doors. This will increase prices for the entire structure. But the level of comfort will also increase significantly. There will be no need to open (close) the gate manually. Everything can be done using remote control. At the same time, it is important to choose the type of drive that suits your overhead garage door. Their prices are in the range of 300-800 euros.

Installing the drive won't be much of a problem. The instructions indicate the cutting of the contacts, which will need to be followed. It is difficult to give an example, since each manufacturer has its own connection standards.

By connecting the automatic opening system, lifting gates manufactured and installed on your own will not differ from the factory ones. This will make it possible to control it remotely using a remote control.

So, by following a few simple steps, you can get overhead garage doors. In addition to significant savings in money, this will also entail a lot of other benefits. This design saves space. The gate does not require free space in front of the garage as is the case with the swing version. They take up space under the ceiling that is not used in other situations. Independent selection of materials for the manufacture of the structure will allow you to do everything in accordance with your views and requirements. Supplementing the device with an automatic drive will increase the level of convenience when using the gate.

Some secrets to protecting garage doors from burglary

Even installing a good lock may not protect your car from robbery. After all, you can always cut off the hinges with a grinder and simply remove the doors. This is exactly what they did in the turbulent nineties. What to do?

1. From the inside of the frame of the doors, in the area of ​​the same hinges, we weld a piece of corner to the frame. It should turn out like this: when closing the sash, the corner will fit 1 - 2 cm into the wall (to do this you need to gouge out the brick a little) and cling to the garage frame. Even after cutting off the hinges, attackers will not be able to remove the doors, since they will be firmly attached to the garage frame.
2. Install a spider lock, the pins of which will fit into the walls, floor and ceiling of the garage. It is desirable that, in addition to the “spider” itself, a locking mechanism is installed that locks the “spider” in the closed state until this mechanism is opened using a unique key.

When protecting your garage from burglary, the main thing is not to overdo it, so that if you lose your keys, there is at least some chance of getting into the garage without resorting to removing the walls.

Making a garage door with your own hands takes approximately 1 – 2 days of work. At the same time, your product will have unique sizes and designs if you want something special.

To date, many garage door designs have been developed and put into practice. In terms of ease of use, hinged ones are in many ways inferior to sliding ones, but still remain the most reliable. There is simply nothing to break in them. The design is simple, so any car owner can make a swing gate for a garage with his own hands.

Swing gates can be either double or single leaf

Before you begin to implement your idea, you need to clearly understand what swing gates are, what elements they consist of and how they work. There are two types of this design:

• with one leaf;
• with two.

The first option is not suitable for a garage, since the dimensions of one door will be too large and it will be inconvenient to open it.

Double doors consist of several elements:

• frame made of metal corner, round or profiled pipe;
• valves;
• gates in one of the doors, if provided for by the project;
• loops;
• jib/beam/lintel;
• bolt and/or lock.

Assembly and installation of swing gates is simple. But those who do not have experience in manufacturing and installing such structures will need detailed instructions that take into account all the nuances of each stage of work.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantage of swing gates is reliability. But this is far from their only advantage. The simplicity of the design provides other advantages:

• there is no need to configure and maintain the automation;
• among the budget alternative options for sectional, overhead and sliding gates, there are no comparable in cost to swing gates - the latter are always more affordable;
• you can install automation: drives that open and close the doors;
• there is no need to strengthen the opening and the top floor, which is often required when installing sectional or overhead doors;
• the possibility of insulating the doors and frame;
• many door design options.

The main disadvantage is the need to get out of the car and close/open the gate under any, even the most unfavorable weather conditions. In addition, in winter it is necessary to clear the space in front of them from snow.

What materials can it be made from?

If properly manufactured and used, swing gates made from profile pipes are guaranteed to have a long life.

Despite the wide selection of building materials, reliable swing gates can be made in several ways.

Option #1:

1. Metal corner 50x5033 mm - for making the frame of the doors and the jibs or crossbars reinforcing it.
2. Sheets of cold-rolled metal 2.5-3 mm thick. They are attached to the frame with a 3 cm outlet. Welding is used.
3. 4 loops with a cross section of 25 mm, dimensions 30x160 mm. Welded onto metal sheets through additional metal plates.

Option #2:

1. Rectangular pipe 40x40x2.5 mm or 50-50-2.5 mm for the frame of the sashes and reinforcing elements.
2. Sheets of metal 1.5-2 mm thick are fixed to the frame with rivets.
3. 4-6 loops.
4. 4 metal plates for hinges.

For the installation of gate posts, pipes of 80x80x3 mm are used. The upper beam, which reinforces the opening, is made of channel No. 16 (shelf height 160 mm) or No. 18, depending on the width of the gate. The threshold can be made from the same materials: a profile pipe or a metal corner.

The most reliable way to install swing gates in a garage is to mount a frame from channel No. 24 under them and install it during the construction of walls and ceilings. If this is not possible, elements reinforcing the opening are installed: an upper beam, a threshold and racks for the sashes.

Reference! The proposed material options for installing swing gates in the garage are universal and suitable for any buildings: brick, concrete, wood, foam and gas blocks. The only exception is a garage made of metal profiles. Such buildings require lightweight structures.

For garages, “flexible” gates are made from metal profiles, so that each leaf can be pressed against the opening with minimal effort. The frame of such structures consists of a bent profile with an open section (l- or u-shaped). The sashes are installed on 4-6 hinges.

Gates with a rigid frame are designed and manufactured in such a way that the leaves fit the opening with a minimum gap and immediately close with the provided locks, without applying additional effort. Accurate data on the required materials in a particular case can be obtained through calculations.

Calculation

You can make the calculation manually, using formulas, or using a special calculator

Professional calculation of the strength characteristics and geometric parameters of materials for the manufacture of garage doors is carried out using a set of complex mathematical formulas. The following factors are taken into account:

• opening rigidity;
• deplaning deformations for given dimensions of the valves and the use of a certain material;
• bending strength;
• twisting forces (from wind pressure, weight load, mechanical influences).

Specialized calculators have been developed to perform accurate calculations. If necessary, you can use them.

Required materials and tools

To manufacture swing gates (with a wicket) with dimensions of 2200x3000 mm, you will need not only materials and tools. Adaptations will also be needed, since swing garage doors are manufactured/welded only in a horizontal position.

Materials

The profile pipe is ready for use

1. Metal corner 50x50x2 mm, length 2.2 m - 2 pieces (a total of 4.4 m of corner will be required).
2. Profile pipe 50x25x2 mm, length 3 m – 2 pcs.
3. Sheets of cold-rolled metal (can be replaced with hot-rolled) 1250x2500 mm, 2 or 3 mm thick - 3 pcs.
4. Profile pipe 40x25 mm (or 40x20 mm) 2.2 m long - 9 pcs (necessary for the manufacture of horizontal strips of sashes and gates).
5. Profile pipe 40x20 mm, 3 m long – 3 pcs (for the manufacture of vertical slats for the frame of the sashes).
6. Profile pipe 40x40 mm, 3 m long – 1 piece (for mounting a vertical strip at the junction of the working doors, holes for the lock and bolts are also formed in it)
7. Additional elements: steel plates for hinges and to strengthen the joints of the frame, steel rods.
8. Level lock.
9. Garage bolts: vertical and horizontal.
10. Primer for metal.
11. Solvent No. 646.
12. Dye.
13. Insulating tape.
14. Coarse to medium grit sandpaper.

Reference! Using a profile pipe to construct a threshold is a reasonable solution. With this design, the gate frames are raised above the level of the parking area by 20-25 mm. In this regard, rainwater will not flow into the room.

Tools

1. Welding machine.
2. Electrodes.
3. Sledgehammer, hammers.
4. Grinder, metal wheels.
5. Drill, drill bits.
6. Hammer.
7. Screwdriver Set.
8. Bolts with nuts, self-tapping screws.
9. Clamps.
10. Level (preferably laser).
11. Tape measure or rangefinder.

Important! Before you start working with the welding machine, you need to make sure that the garage wiring can withstand this load.

When calculating and purchasing materials, take into account the need for framing (a double frame with horizontal crosspieces) of the garage opening. For its manufacture and installation you will need the same materials and tools. You can use a metal corner, channel, profile pipes. The strapping is an optional element of the gate design; it is necessary to strengthen the opening and the structure as a whole.

Adaptations

To perform cutting and assembly work, you will need two tables: the main and auxiliary. The dimensions of the main one should be such that both doors and frames fit on it. The table surface must be level. Otherwise, there is a high risk of distortion. The table must be durable, able to withstand the weight of metal, tools and blows with a sledgehammer.

Preparatory work

Preparing the opening

Preparing the opening involves performing several steps:

1. Make sure that the walls on both sides of the opening do not have cracks or deformations.
2. Dismantle the old structure, if any.
3. Align the opening (if necessary).
4. Clean surfaces from dirt, cement and plaster deposits.

Step-by-step instructions for making metal swing gates

Installation of metal swing gates for a garage can be done in two ways.

Option #1:

The Bulgarian went into action

Step 1. Cutting materials: use a grinder to cut corners and pipes of the required sizes corresponding to the drawing or project.

Step 2. Assembling the double frame.

1. Two vertical strips, the length of which corresponds to the height of the gate, are connected by welding to each other with horizontal jumpers (steel strips).
2. Holes are drilled in the wall of the opening for fasteners, for which pins from reinforcement can be used. The minimum depth of holes is 200 mm.
3. Dust the holes.
4. They are filled with cement-sand mortar.
5. Use a sledgehammer to hammer in the pins.
6. On the protruding part of the pins, measure 50 mm and cut off the excess with a grinder. There is another option for performing this task: cut the pins flush with the frame and scald them after installing it.
7. Install the frame.
8. The protruding parts of the reinforcement are bent with a sledgehammer.

Installation work is performed using a plumb line and level. The second vertical pillar of the frame is installed in the same way.

Step 3. Marking the horizontal line for installing the top beam and threshold. When performing work, use a laser level.

Step 4. According to the instructions given in step No. 2, install the horizontal frame beams.

Step 5. The frame of both doors is assembled on the table. Do not forget about the need for reinforcing crossbars, which can be arranged in an x-shape, t-shape or according to the principle of horizontal jumpers. If a gate is provided, its frame is welded from the appropriate elements.

Step 6. Weld the hinges.

Step 7. Hang the sashes.

Step 8. Weld the metal sheets (sew up the sashes).

1. Sheets for sash cladding must have an outlet at the top and bottom of at least 20 mm.
2. The center should be covered by the overlap of one of the sashes.

Step 9. Clean the metal from the effects of welding.

Step 10. Cover with anti-corrosion primer.

Step 11. Install locks and latches.

Step 12. Paint the gate.

If necessary, insulate the doors and openings.

Option #2:

The second option for manufacturing swing gates is suitable if there are no conditions for construction perfectionism

This method of manufacturing a sash frame is optimal in situations where it is not possible to build a perfectly flat horizontal surface for assembling the frame.

Step 1. Making scarves. 4 identical strips 50 cm long are cut from a metal corner. They are grabbed at several points to the frame of the opening. The scarf is an auxiliary element that will subsequently be cut off with a grinder. Therefore, continuous welding is not required.

Step 2. Cut 4 strips to make the sash frame.

Step 3. The corners prepared at the previous stage are welded to the gussets so that a “frame within a frame” design is obtained. Continuous welding is needed only in the inner corners (for sashes).

Step 4. Installation of stiffeners. If one of the doors has a gate, its frame is welded.

Step 5. Installation of canopies/hinges. Use products with a male-female connection. The “father” is fixed to the frame of the opening, the “mother” is fixed to the gate wings.

Step 6. Using a grinder, cut the frame of the doors in the middle vertically.

Step 7. Cut off the scarves.

Step 8. The doors are sheathed with sheets of metal or other material chosen at the design stage.

Video: DIY swing garage doors

Features of care and operation

Properly manufactured and installed swing gates have a large margin of safety. To ensure that their service life is not exhausted prematurely, it is necessary to follow several simple maintenance rules.

1. Keep metal structures clean.
2. Renew the protective paint coating in a timely manner.
3. Avoid mechanical damage to the skin: dents and paint chips.
4. Do not clean painted structural elements using scrapers, stiff bristle brushes, washes or solvents.
5. Before opening/closing the doors, make sure that there are no obstacles in the way of their movement.
6. Do not allow weight loads on the gate leaves.
7. The hinges are periodically lubricated with Litol or something similar.

The process of making swing gates in a garage is not as complicated as it might seem at first glance. All stages of this task, from design to painting the finished structure, can be done with your own hands. This will significantly reduce the cost of the garage improvement estimate.