What are your shed door options?

Large shed door options

Choosing the right shed door can be daunting, especially when you consider functionality, frequency of use, durability, and security.

If you’re wondering which door is right for your shed, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we explore the pros and cons of each type of door, which applications they suit, and the basic costs so you can make an informed decision for your new shed.

Roller doors

A roller door has a profile pressed in a continuous sheet that rolls up above the door opening, requiring no horizontal clearance. This way, you can have a number of your bays with roller doors and they can all be open at once. Roller doors offer several advantages, including:

Higher security
Weatherproof
Ability to open with a remote

The cons of roller doors include being more expensive and higher maintenance costs.

Roller doors are most common in industrial or commercial sheds, especially when total security is required. Having remote control access is also convenient for warehouses and factories where every square metre matters.

The cost of a basic roller door starts at around $3,000 for a shed. The wider the door span, the higher the cost because it requires more engineering. The widest available roller door could cost as much as $50,000. The door clearance will also increase the overall shed price because increased engineering is needed to accommodate the door being open.

Tilt doors

A tilt door is mounted on a spring-balance hinge system that opens out and up. These may include hydraulics for easier use, particularly those that are frequently opened and closed. Advantages of tilt doors include:

They span large distances
Provides a clear opening on the gable

The main con of a tilt door is the high cost. Once you factor in engineering and materials, the total cost varies a lot depending on size and is likely to be anything between $10,000 and $100,000.

Tilt doors are most commonly used in aircraft hangars where there is a need for a clear wide span. However, the team at ABC Sheds don’t use or recommend tilt doors, because as we span large distances, the cost of the tilt panel door is exorbitant.

Slider doors

A sliding door opens horizontally along the wall of the shed, usually on a rail or a track that keeps it in line. Sliding doors offer several benefits, including:

Low maintenance
Easy to repair (if damaged by something hitting the doors)
Easy to install after the shed is built
Large opening span
Can open as wide as the shed using outriggers.

Cons of sliding doors include that they don’t seal as well as roller doors and they are not easy to motorise. They also need enough room to slide which may impact the space around the shed or adjoining bays.

While sliding doors are suitable for most sheds, they are most commonly used in farm machinery sheds and aircraft hangers. Sliding doors offer a wider span, making it easier to manoeuvre frequently used vehicles. Furthermore, farm sheds typically require less security than commercial or industrial sheds.

A basic sliding door could start at $3,000 and end up being as much as $20,000, depending on whether you choose a double or triple track. Another factor in price is the span and number of bays you want to open at once. For an accurate quote, speak to the ABC Sheds team.

Barn Doors

Commonly used in equestrian buildings, barn doors are hung on two rollers on a track above the door. Unlike hinged doors, these slide flat along the wall and do not require clearance. Advantages of shed barn doors include:

Aesthetically appealing
Ideal for horses

Cons of barn doors include that they are highly specialised so you will need to find the right supplier. They are also not suitable for farm machinery sheds or commercial buildings where security is a priority. While ABC Sheds does not use barn doors, you could try Fairdinkum Sheds, Ranbuild, or Widespan Sheds.

Personal Access doors (PA)

While large doors help access vehicles and large equipment, you need a faster and more efficient access point for people. A Personal Access (PA) door, or personnel door, is mounted on a simple door hinge, making it easy to enter or exit the shed. Advantages of PA doors include:

Secure
Cost-effective
Easy access for workers
Double-skinned for extra protection

The only con of a PA door is that it can’t fit machinery or large items. PA doors are practical, efficient, and economical especially when you pair them with a roller or slide door as it enables you to lock the roller and/or slide door from the inside and exit the shed from the PA Door

How to choose the right shed door

Now that you know the options, take some time to consider your needs. Ask yourself the following questions to determine which type of door is right for your shed:

How big is the largest vehicle/piece of equipment you will store in the shed?
How often will the door be used?
Are there any shed ventilation and weatherproofing requirements in your area?
How much security do you require?
Can the door be easily installed and repaired?

Structural steel sheds Australia

It’s time to start your new shed build and the ABC Sheds team is here to help. Contact us to discuss your options or explore our full range of shed designs in our catalogue. Inside, you’ll find all the information you need about the following: