Most garage doors, whether in metal buildings or ones created from any other material, are traditionally placed at the front. Aside from convenience, there are several reasons why this is so.
In certain cases, it may be necessary to place a door at the side of prefabricated steel buildings. However, this presents challenges that need to be overcome and these have cost implications when obtaining your new garage.
It is vital, therefore, that you seek professional help and always use an accredited steel structure company such as Atlantic Steel Structures to ensure the job is provided properly and cost-effectively.
The Engineering Challenges Posed by a Side-mounted Garage Door
The main engineering challenges when mounting a door in the side of a metal garage result from the need to retain the structural integrity of the building. The end walls of a garage, where the door is normally placed, do not usually have to support much weight. The side walls, however, are much longer and are the main load-bearing walls. They have to support the weight of the trusses for the roof system so cutting holes in the side of the garage to fit a door can therefore seriously reduce the ability of the wall to support the weight.
The metal frame of the building has support columns that hold up the roof. Installing a side-mounted door may require the removal of one or more support columns and this will seriously degrade the building’s stability. The solution is to fit a header — a beam above the door opening that will support the weight of the roof and distribute the load to the surrounding structure.
When installing a side-mounted door, several factors need to be considered:
- The size of the building and the weight of the roof will determine the required load-bearing capacity of the header.
- The building will have a designed shear strength (its ability to resist horizontal forces, usually from strong winds). Cutting a hole in the side to install a door will reduce this strength and so it is essential that a weak point does not result. Minimum wind load ratings are required by local building codes and are based on local weather conditions. Where severe storms are common, such as in coastal areas, higher wind load ratings will apply.
- The door needs to be installed and aligned properly so that it can be correctly sealed against weather, which may require the fitting of a wood or steel sub-frame. If the frame is not square, the door will not operate correctly.
- If doors are to be side-hinged, the side frame has to be able to support the weight of the door panels and any stress created by the hinges.
- The thickness of the steel for the door affects its strength. Residential doors generally use 24 or 25 gauge steel while 22 gauge is common for commercial doors, the thicker steel resisting damage better.
- Automation of the door opening and closing may be complex due to the need to control the swinging action of the door in high winds. You will need to plan for the installation of electrical service since adding afterwards increases work and cost.
Cost Factors for the Best Side Mounted Garage Doors in Metal Garages
The main effect on cost when installing a side-mounted garage door is the amount of structural modification that is necessary. Reinforcement will be needed in the form of heavy duty headers, extra framing and possibly even the fitting of a timber or metal sub-frame. These all require extra materials and labor, which will add to the cost. The extra cost for the header will depend on its size and the load it is intended to bear.
Other factors will affect the overall cost of the garage:
- The cost of the door itself will depend on the type of door and the material it is made of. A single-skin, side hinged door made from steel will be the most practical, durable and secure as well as being reasonably priced. An insulated, double-skin door will cost more but may be necessary if the building is climate controlled and will save on energy costs as well as regulating the indoor temperature. Consider how the building is used before determining if the door needs to be insulated.
- If the look of the door is important, powder coating and bespoke designs will add to the cost.
- Doors will be available in standard sizes, although non-standard versions can be provided at additional cost. Residential garage doors are available in various standard sizes for single or double garages while commercial sizes are for larger openings. They may be sectional overhead doors, which are widely available but require sufficient track clearance above them, rolling steel doors that require minimal space, sliding doors that are simple and relatively cheap or hydraulic doors for larger openings.
- Automated opening and closing may be needed if the door is used frequently. This will require adding the necessary electrics and control systems that will increase the cost, which can depend on the size and weight of the doors that are to be moved.
- For large and complex jobs, approval and special permits may be needed and labor costs will be higher.
Cost-effectiveness and Dependability from your Side-mounted Garage Door
We all want value for money but, for a side-mounted door in a metal garage, the main consideration is to ensure the structural integrity and functionality of the building. Incorrect material selection and installation will result in a building that may be unstable, not properly sealed against the weather and with a door that does not work as well as it should do. Any savings you might make at the outset will be lost, and more, by trying to put right a bad job.
At Atlantic Steel Structures, we are experienced in creating all sorts of metal structures and know their characteristics. We will ensure your garage is structurally sound, functional and good looking wherever the door is placed, and for a very competitive price. Get in touch and we will provide exactly the garage you need.
