Well      06/26/2020

Do-it-yourself lifting gates: features of installation of swing and sectional gates. How to make your own up and over gates? DIY folding sectional garage doors

We mount up and over gates for the garage with your own hands

Up-and-over gates are the most convenient, reliable, practical, but quite expensive type of enclosing structure for a garage. In the open position, they take a horizontal position and move forward slightly, forming a small canopy over the entrance.

Their pros and cons, as well as self-installation, will be discussed in this article.

Advantages and disadvantages of this type of gate

The up-and-over design has several clear advantages over other types of garage doors:

  • durable solid fabric provides reliable protection from unauthorized entry and burglary;
  • characterized by high resistance to corrosion and other negative effects of the external environment (subject to compliance with manufacturing technology and recommendations for the selection of materials);
  • does not require space to open;
  • when open, does not take up useful space;
  • involves finishing with different facing materials, allows decoration with any inserts and panels;
  • can be insulated with special polystyrene foam panels;
  • can be opened manually or equipped with automatic system opening;
  • Suitable for installation in single and double garages.


The disadvantages of up-and-over gates are mainly associated with some limitations and features of the design itself, which are expressed in the following:

  • it can only be installed in rectangular openings;
  • when open, reduces the height of the opening (approximately 20 cm).
  • the one-piece door leaf makes it impossible to repair individual sections - in case of damage, a complete replacement of the entire element is required;
  • the gates are equipped with a spring mechanism, which is designed for a certain mass of the structure, therefore, when performing thermal insulation, the weight of the insulation should be taken into account: if the mass of the insulated gate increases significantly, it is necessary to install counterweights;
  • There may be gaps between the leaf and the frame, which can be eliminated using a rubber seal, but it is recommended to install such gates only in unheated garages.

Gate operating principle

The design of up-and-over (panel) gates is quite different simple device. It consists of frames, canvas and guides along which it rotates around its axis, moving from vertical to horizontal position and back.

The basis is a steel frame, which is fixed in the garage opening or behind it and is the leading part when the gate moves. For its manufacture, rectangular pipes are usually used.

When the gate is opened, a roller mechanism and lifting arms are activated, with the help of which the gate leaf moves along the guides and is then fixed under the garage ceiling. The lower part of the canvas rises up and forms a canopy over the garage opening. The compensation springs are stretched in the closed position of the gate, and when open gate remain free.

Gate in open position

The opening mechanism for this type of gate is of two types:

  1. Articulated lever- a simple, reliable and most popular mechanism that ensures simple movement of the shield and prevents it from blocking. Mandatory requirements: careful adjustment of spring tension and high precision installation of guides.
  2. On counterweights– this mechanism consists of a cable attached to the lower corners of the frame and passing through the block, as well as a counterweight mounted on the opposite edge of the winch. This mechanism is recommended for use for massive gates with a lot of weight.

Control of panel garage doors can be manual or using an electric drive (usually with a remote control).

Selection of materials

Materials for up-and-over garage doors should be selected depending on the mechanism and leaf used. For the most simple gate, which you can make with your own hands, you will need (all measurements are given in centimeters):

  • wooden blocks: for a box with a section of 12x8, for a ceiling - 10x10;
  • metal pins;
  • corner: for frame - 3.5x3.5x0.4, for rails - 4x4x0.4 cm;
  • channel bracket 8x4.3x0.5;
  • spring with an internal diameter of 3 cm;
  • metal rod with a cross-section of 0.8 (for the tension regulator);
  • electric drive (if gate automation is provided);
  • canvas.

As a canvas, you can use a board made of boards covered with metal, a solid canvas or a sandwich panel.

For self-made gates the best option is a board panel covered with galvanized iron and coated with a protective compound. For thermal insulation, you can use polystyrene foam, polystyrene foam or insulation in mats, and to improve the appearance, you can line the finished gate with wooden panels or plastic.

Self-assembled gates

Necessary tools for work

For self-installation up-and-over garage doors will require a traditional set of tools:

  • level;
  • hammer;
  • pencil;
  • drill;
  • spanners;
  • screwdrivers;
  • drill;
  • Bulgarian;
  • welding machine.

The first step in installing a gate is designing it. For this it is necessary measure the opening and draw up a sketch yourself or select a ready-made drawing.

Drawing of up and over gates

After this, materials and tools are purchased and the actual work of making the gate begins:

  1. A box is assembled from bars, which are fastened together with squares or metal plates.
  2. The box is fixed in the opening and secured with pins, the bottom is buried approximately 2 cm into the floor screed.
  3. The gate leaf is assembled: the frame is sheathed with a shield and covered with sheet metal.
  4. A mechanism support is made from a corner, two holes with a diameter of 1 cm are drilled in one shelf for fixing to the longitudinal posts, and three more are drilled in the other for fastening the spring bracket. To attach the channel bracket, used as a support for the spring, 3 holes are drilled in one of the shelves.
  5. The bracket and the spring are connected using an adjustment plate made from a strip of iron. The outer coils of the spring are used as hooks, and a tension regulator made of a rod is attached to the bottom. On one side a ring is formed, on the other a thread is cut.
  6. The hinge unit at the bottom is made from a corner with a hole (0.85 cm) and welded to the frame between the lower rib and the middle of the hole for the lifting mechanism lever at a distance of 12 cm.
  7. A plate with a hole for the tension regulator is welded to the end of the lever.
  8. Rails are made for the movement of the shield: 2 corners are made, and the edges of their shelves are welded so that the internal space between their tops is 5 cm.
  9. One end of such a rail is welded to a plate with holes. There should be a gap of 8 cm between the center line of the guide and the lower edge of the crossbar. The channel pieces are welded to the other edges of the rails at a distance of 14-15 cm. The channel is attached to the ceiling beam with a bolt.

After assembly is completed, the structure is painted to give it an aesthetic appearance, hard to reach places It is recommended to paint before assembly.

  • It is recommended to use welding to assemble parts, which will reduce the need for fastening and drilling holes;
  • the height of the gate opening should not be less than 2.2 meters, and the distance from the top of the opening to the ceiling should be 0.35-0.5 meters;
  • if the rise is low, the drum should be located at the rear;
  • there should be a groove in the lower profile of the canvas into which the seal is installed;
  • the weight of the canvas is a very important parameter, it optimal value is 100 kg;
  • as a drive you can install a reversible self-locking winch (220 V, 350 W, traction force - 125 kg);
  • To install automation, you can use a car alarm.

For ease of use, the canvas can be made with inserts made of translucent materials, which will increase the amount of light, and also be equipped with locking devices and security systems that protect against pinching or prevent break-ins.

Homemade up-and-over gates are the most economical opportunity to close a garage opening without limiting the functionality, ease of use and originality of their design.

The video shows a detailed story about self-production up-and-over garage doors:

Up and over gates have become especially popular today. All more people they choose them. They will reliably protect the room from burglary and will not take up much space.

Design Features

Previously, all gates were the same, with large, heavy metal leaves painted in unpleasant colors. Today they have changed dramatically in terms of design, materials and appearance. To keep your car safe and protected, choose a garage with reliable swing-up overhead doors. A distinctive feature from other models is their unusual design. These gates are the most convenient and reliable type of garage structure, which is quite expensive.

When installing gates of this type, several conditions must be met for further high-quality operation. First of all, this is the size of the opening. The width should be no more than 5 meters, and the height should be no less than 2.85 m. The distance from the wall to the edge of the opening for installing guides should be at least 120 mm, from the ceiling to the upper edge of the opening 210 mm.

Considering the dimensions vehicle, sizes are adjusted.

The design is quite simple. The gate rotates around its own axis, moving from a vertical to a horizontal position and vice versa. Their constituent element is a frame that is mounted in the opening of the room or behind it and is the most important element for opening the gate. In most cases, it is made from pipes with a rectangular cross-section.

When opened, the roller mechanism and lifting levers are activated, which move the gate leaf along the guides and secure it under the ceiling of the room. The bottom rises up, thus creating a visor. When the gate is closed, the compensation springs immediately stretch, and when they are open, they are in their normal state.

Known what to make automatic designs possible to order. But, despite the difficulties in manufacturing, you can design them yourself.

The complexity of manufacturing depends in most cases on the model you choose, the dimensions and your skills in working with drawings, electrical tools and a welding machine.

When making a drawing of a product, it is necessary to indicate on it the main points:

  • wall size;
  • opening parameters;
  • size of main racks;
  • corner joints;
  • length of guides and tires.

If necessary, you can use ready-made sketches of these models by selecting required drawing. Before starting work, first be sure to familiarize yourself with the basic operating principle, as well as the specific installation of this structure.

Kinds

According to state standards and regulations, this design presented in three types:

  • Lifting sectional design, consisting not of a single piece of fabric, but of several sections that are attached to each other with loops. There are usually three loops - at the edges and in the middle. On the sides of the gate there are guides with recesses into which rollers are installed. When opened, the sections move along the grooves in the guides and rise upward one after another. When such a gate is opened, the top panel moves relative to the previous one, and an arc is formed. Such gates have good thermal insulation, reduce the distance to access the garage, but have a complex, expensive design. Mainly used in industrial areas.

  • Lift-and-swivel design is the most optimal and convenient to use, despite its cost. When opened, it lies horizontally and protrudes slightly outward. It is easy to use and install. It's quite difficult to hack.

  • Lift-vertical design Typically used in industrial areas with high ceiling heights.

How to do it yourself?

If you decide to make up-and-over gates yourself, then you need to take measurements and sketch out a drawing, prepare the necessary tools and materials for this, namely:

  • return springs;
  • brackets;
  • counterweights;
  • cable;

  • roulette;
  • level;
  • drill;
  • components for making the sash;
  • welding machine;

  • corner;
  • screwdrivers;
  • profile pipe;
  • channel;
  • guide skids;
  • metal for finishing, etc.

Materials needed to make your own up and over gates:

  • wooden beams with a section of 100x100 and 120x80 mm;
  • 2 springs with an internal diameter of 30 mm;
  • corners 40x40 and 4 mm thick;
  • anchor bolts and screws;
  • steel rod with a diameter of 8 mm.

Before installing the structure, it is necessary to take into account some nuances. Sometimes installation of the product is impossible, since it is attached only to rectangular openings. The height of the opening decreases when the gate is open. If the sash of the structure is sheathed with a solid fabric, it is dismantled, changing the entire casing.

Main components of the design:

  • the frame, which is the main element, on which all other parts are attached;
  • a swing-type sash, which is mounted in a steel frame;
  • spring required to close when manual control;
  • the mechanism that makes the doors work.

Installation

The mechanism that makes the doors work is best made from lightweight materials, which will make the load on the product lower, thereby extending its long-term use. Next, select the mechanism that is used to open the sash. The articulated lever is the most common because of its simplicity as well as reliability. You can also choose a counterweight mechanism. It is used in the construction of large, heavy gates.

The following installation steps include:

  • Assembling a box from three beams fastened together with corners or metal plates. The bars are deepened into the floor by at least 2 cm.
  • Hinges are installed. A top bracket is installed at the top under the roof.
  • The sashes are made by cutting the metal corners to the required length. Using a welding machine, they are used to make a frame into which the sash elements are mounted and everything is secured with screws.

  • Installation of rails is the part of the product into which articulated rollers are inserted. They should move easily and normally.
  • To secure the lifting mechanism, the sashes are pre-installed.
  • Attaching the hinge mechanism to the sash. For this purpose, hinges are attached. The levers must move freely and be parallel to each other.
  • Connection of counterweights and springs mounted on the guide bracket. The springs must be attached to the left and right of the sash in parallel.
  • Overlays are installed at the ends of the product.
  • Plaster the joints.
  • They install the lock. You can also control the gate opening process using the remote control.

As finishing coating surfaces can be used plastic or metal sheets.

When installing the product you must:

  • measure and make the frame;
  • measure the diagonal of the entire opening;
  • the elements of the canvas frame must be grabbed using a welding machine so that the sash passes easily and the gaps are minimal;
  • weld the lintels and all frames using the machine;
  • install jumpers;

Garage is a building that is given Special attention, especially in terms of burglary resistance. And an element such as a gate should have double strength and reliability, and of course, attractive appearance. Traditionally Garage Doors- This swing design of two doors, hung on a frame. Making them yourself is not a problem if you have the skills to work with simple plumbing tools and a welding machine. This will be discussed in the article: about options swing gates, about manufacturing technology and the nuances of the installation process.

Types of garage doors

In addition to the fact that swing garage doors are traditional and very reliable, they have other advantages.

  1. The cost of construction is cheaper than all other models.
  2. The swing modification can be insulated using various thermal insulation materials.
  3. Can be installed in limited space.
  4. They can open outside or inside the garage, depending on the owner’s requirements.
  5. Possibility of installing an electric motor for automatic opening.

The only big drawback is that free space is required to open the doors of the structure. This is sometimes problematic in winter, when snow piles up in drifts in front of the garage. Therefore, you have to swing a shovel.

The disadvantage of swing gates is that you have to clear the area of ​​snow from the area in front of them

In addition to swing gates, other types are installed in garages.

Folding

This is a sectional type of gate, the elements of which are installed vertically and connected to each other using a hinge method. The outer sections are attached, like the swing sections, to the frame with hinges. Additional fastening - along the upper or lower guide. Sections are made from different materials, more often from aluminum alloys or wood.

Design advantages:

  • unusual appearance,
  • ease of opening and closing,
  • do not take up much space when open,
  • sections can be individually changed, repaired,
  • low price.

Cons: rapid wear and low protective functions.

Folding gates

Lift-and-swivel

Purely structurally, it is a solid shield that covers the entire entrance opening. To open, the gate is raised and rotated 90° so that it is at the top in the horizontal plane. For this, a system of levers, a gearbox and an electric motor are used.

Pros of the model:

  • high reliability,
  • V open form the gates do not take up any space,
  • amenable to insulation,
  • amenable to automation.
  • high installation accuracy is required,
  • the gate remains in the opening, reducing its height by 20-30 cm,
  • It is not recommended to use them intensively.

Up and over gates

Lifting sectional

This is a structure of several sections located horizontally and interconnected special loops. Using a lifting mechanism located on the ceiling, the gate is lifted along guide profiles and positioned horizontally along the ceiling. Sections are mainly made of sandwich panels.

Pros of the model:

  • versatility in terms of opening sizes,
  • saving space when opening,
  • good resistance to deformation and mechanical loads,
  • full automation,
  • presentable appearance,
  • high heat and sound insulation qualities,
  • long-term operation.
  • high price,
  • constant maintenance is required: lubrication of hinges and guides, checking electrical and automation systems,
  • low burglary resistance.

Up-and-over sectional doors

Rolled

These garage doors got their name from the way they open. Purely structurally, these are several strips (lamellas) assembled into one sheet, which is rolled into a roll. Therefore, in addition to the door leaf, the gate includes two guides that hold the structure in the opening, a shaft on which the slats are wound, and an electric drive.

Advantages:

  • compactness,
  • acceptable price,
  • ease of installation,
  • long term service,
  • presentable appearance,
  • possibility of automation.
  • almost zero burglary resistance,
  • it is not possible to carry out insulation, because there are always gaps between the lamellas,
  • do not work well at low temperatures.

Rolling gates

Recoil

In this design, there is one leaf, which is supported on a guide profile located on top and rests against the rail from below. The device is opened by rolling it to the side along the wall.

The advantages include:

  • functionality does not depend on snowdrifts,
  • does not take up space when opened,
  • high burglary resistance,
  • possibility of automation.
  • rapid wear of the rollers,
  • The width of the wall along which the gate is moved must be greater than the width of the leaf.

Sliding gates

Do-it-yourself swing garage door manufacturing technology

So, swing gates for a garage are two doors (usually equal in width), which are hung on a U-shaped frame using hinges. Therefore, when the task is set to produce gates of this type, several issues are resolved:

  • manufacturing of sashes,
  • making a box (frame),
  • installation of the latter,
  • installation of sashes on the frame.

Before you start making swing gates, you need to decide on their dimensions.

Sizes of garage swing doors

There are no strict size requirements. The main thing is that the car can freely enter the garage without hitting the gate. And this allows you to make any opening, the width and height of which is 30 cm larger than the dimensions of the car on each side. But this is inconvenient, especially for novice drivers.

  • height for passenger cars– 2.0-2.2 m, for minibuses – 2.5 m;
  • optimal width is 2.5-3 m, maximum – 5 m.

Standard sizes of swing gates

Preparing to make gates

Required tools:

  • welding machine and electrodes;
  • grinder with cutting and grinding disc;
  • tape measure, ruler and marker (chalk);
  • level and corner.

Required materials. The outer side of the gate is a sheet steel sheet with a thickness of 3-4 mm or corrugated sheeting with a thickness of at least 1.2 mm. If the first material is used in the design, then the entire connection process is carried out by electric welding. If the latter, then the corrugated sheeting can be fastened to the frame using metal screws.

As a material for assembling the frame, you can use either a 63x63 mm corner or a 40x40 mm profiled pipe with a thickness of 2-3 mm. The second option is cheaper and easier to use.

Drawing of swing gates for a garage made from a profile pipe

And the last element is the hinges, which are made from a steel bar with a minimum diameter of 25 mm. There must be at least four hinges, two for each sash.

Now, as for the U-shaped box. It consists of two racks and a crossbar (crossbar). The first ones can be made from a 63x63 corner or a round pipe with a diameter of 80-100 mm, or a profiled pipe with a cross-section of at least 80x60 mm. The crossbar is made of the same materials. If construction is planned two-story garage, then it is better to use channel No. 12 as a crossbar.

Gate assembly drawing

Manufacturing of frames for sashes

The first stage is cutting eight pieces of material prepared for assembling the frames. Four of them should be equal to the height of the gate minus 1-2 cm, four to the width of the leaves, that is, half the width of the gate structure minus 2-3 cm. For example, if the total width of the gate is 3 m, then it is necessary to cut four elements 1 at a time. 48 m.

Aligning the frame on blocks in a horizontal plane

An important point is that the frames must be assembled on a horizontal plane. It is not necessary that it be a flat area; any type of stand will do, the upper ends of which are aligned in the same horizontal plane. You can use bricks or blocks for this. They are installed in the corners of a rectangle, the length of which is equal to the height of the leaf, the width is equal to the width of the gate section. Appropriately cut sections are laid on them, and then a level is checked to see if they lie horizontally. Deviations are leveled out by placing blocks of thin planks, stones or sheet metal under them.

The laid sections are fixed to each other spot welding with precise alignment of adjacent elements at 90° to each other. A construction corner is used for this. This important point, defining exact dimensions future gate structure that will fit exactly into the frame without distortions or large gaps.

Scheme of stiffeners

Two frames have been formed, now it is necessary to increase the rigidity of the structure by installing additional elements: horizontal or vertical. If the gate is large, then both are used. Sometimes they are supplemented with oblique elements. The material used is a corner or a smaller profile pipe. For example, if the frames were assembled from a 40x40 mm pipe, then 40x20 mm can be used for reinforcement. Additional elements are evenly distributed relative to each other.

After assembling the frames, it is necessary to weld the joints on both sides and sand them to remove scale and metal stains.

The rigidity of the frame structure is determined additional elements, installed vertically and horizontally

Connection of frame and steel sheet

A rectangular section must be cut from a sheet of iron for each sash. There are certain requirements for their sizes:

  • the length of the segments should be 3-4 cm greater than the height of the gate opening;
  • One of the rectangles should be 2 cm smaller in width than the width of the frame, and the second one should be larger by the same size.

For example, if the width of the doors is 1.5 m, the height is 2.5 m, then one sheet will be 1.52x2.54 mm in size, the other 1.48x2.54 mm.

Now, in height, two sheets are placed on the frames so that their edges protrude beyond frame structure 2 cm on each side. The protrusions of the sheets will close the gap between the sashes and the frame. As for the width, on the hinge side the sheets are laid flush with profile pipe. In one sash, the sheet will protrude from the opposite side by 2 cm, in the other, on the contrary, its edge will not reach the edge of the frame. This is done so that when the gate is closed, the protruding sheet closes the gap between the leaves.

Attention! The sheets are welded to the frame pointwise from the edge to the center. After that, welding is carried out in small sections within 3-4 cm in increments of 10-15 cm.

The sheet is fastened to the frame using short seams

Assembling the swing gate frame

The dimensions of the box are determined by the dimensions of the opening. In this case, half a meter is added to the length of the support posts, with which the structure will be recessed into the prepared pits, followed by concreting.

The box is assembled using the same technology as the sash frames, with installation on bricks or blocks. The dimensions of the box along the internal contour are slightly larger in width than the total width of the sashes. The difference is 2-3 cm. In height, the difference can be significant - up to 5-6 cm. Although optimal is 3-4 cm.

Box for swing gates

Installation of hinges

To do this, the sashes are laid on a U-shaped frame with an exact location in the plane, forming gaps between all elements. The assembled hinges are placed at their required location and welded: their lower parts to the frame posts, their upper parts to the frame of the sashes.

To strengthen the fasteners, you can additionally weld metal strips or reinforcement to the hinges.

Correct and high-quality loop welding

Installation of swing gates

Ideally, the gate frame should be installed during the construction of the garage, when half of the walls are already raised from bricks or blocks. But regardless of this, installation is carried out using the same technology.

  1. Holes are dug for the racks with a depth of 0.5 m.
  2. One or two crossbars made of reinforcement or a corner 10-20 cm long are welded to the lower edges of the racks, the purpose of which is to serve as holding elements in the concrete.

Preparing the stand before concreting the pit

  1. At the bottom of the supports, metal plates are welded in the form of a nickel to rest on the ground.
  2. The half-meter ends of the racks are treated with a waterproofing compound, for example, hot bitumen or covered with roofing felt.
  3. The box is installed in the pits with precise alignment in the opening, for which a building level is used.
  4. The racks are welded to the embedded parts, which are installed during the wall laying process. Reinforcement with a diameter of 12-16 mm and a length of 50 cm is often used as mortgages. The laying step is every 6-8 rows.
  5. Concrete is mixed at the rate of cement-sand-crushed stone in the ratio 1:2:2, if the cement grade is M400.
  6. Pouring concrete into pits with a tamper. This is done not only to compact concrete mortar, but also in order to squeeze out the air that got there during the kneading process. Air pores reduce the strength of concrete.
  7. You can hang the sashes on the frame after the concrete has set and dried.

How to make a gate with a wicket?

The process of assembling swing gates with a door is exactly the same. Simply, four elements are inserted into one of the leaves to form an opening for the door. Vertical ones are installed at full height, horizontal ones between them in the form of crossbars. The doorway structure is assembled at the stage of manufacturing the frame for the sash.

Door location in gates with standard dimensions

The door itself is manufactured in exactly the same way as the gate sections, with the assembly of the frame and installation of the metal sheet. The complexity of the manufacturing process of the leaf itself, in which the door is installed, lies in the fact that the doorway remains uncovered by a sheet of metal, and the remaining planes must be closed with it. All of them will not be equal to each other, so each section must be accurately measured, transferred the dimensions to the sheet and cut them out. After which, each cut piece is transferred to the frame with spot welding around the perimeter. In this case, the laid sections of sheets must be joined on additional profiles that create rigidity of the frame structure.

Drawing of a swing garage door with a wicket

The size of the gate is selected taking into account the convenient passage through it, as well as the dimensions of the gate leaf. For example, if the leaf width is 1.5 m, then the width of the gate should not exceed 1 m. As for the height, the height of the gate and the location of the door itself relative to the lower elements of the gate frame are also taken into account. At the same time, the maximum height of the location is 40 cm. The height of the door itself is within 1.8-2.1 m.

Welded wicket for garage doors

Options for ready-made swing gates













Video - how to make a garage door with your own hands

Conclusion

Despite the apparent simplicity of the assembly process, it should be noted that the manufacture of swing garage doors requires attention from the manufacturer and the ability to accurately carry out all measurements and calculations. In this case, you should not let go of the measuring instruments. A slight deviation in shape or size may result in the doors simply not fitting into the frame. You will have to make adjustments in place, which will affect the evenness of the elements.

If there is not enough space in front of the garage, then overhead garage doors will come to the rescue. The design allows the doors to be lifted to the ceiling. Products from manufacturers are provided in a wide range, but, as a rule, they are very expensive. But if you have a little experience working with a welding machine and power tools, then you can do overhead gates with your own hands.

Main types

Before you begin installation, you need to understand what is the difference between lifting structures and other types, what advantages or disadvantages they have. All this will help you choose the most suitable option. At the very beginning, you need to decide on the device.

Create an overhead gate for your garage

Gates can be divided into several types:

  1. Lifting sectional - this option is presented in the form of a canvas divided into several parts, which are interconnected by a rigid structure. As they rise, they begin to bend and gather, and when lowered, on the contrary, they straighten and align.
  2. Rotary - this design, unlike the previous type, is not capable of deformation. The gate is opened by lifting the gate along a curved path, with the upper part of the gate going slightly deeper into the garage, and the rest of the gate rising up, but from the street side.

Both types are installed almost identically. Having drawings of lifting gates, necessary tools and materials, you can make the design yourself.

In this video we will look at overhead garage doors:

Advantages and disadvantages

Such homemade gates have their advantages and disadvantages. The advantages include:

  1. They don't take up much space. The sash rises up to the ceiling itself, and usually this space is empty, which allows you to save the area near the garage and use it for other purposes.
  2. Reliability. Since the structure is made of solid fabric, it is almost impossible to break open the garage doors.
  3. If desired, you can insulate the doors; polystyrene foam is mainly used for this.
  4. You can equip the gate with an automatic lift, which means you can open and close the garage without having to get out of the car.
  5. Allows installation on garage openings of any size.

The external finishing of such gates can be done in any way you like. Therefore, they will look beautiful and harmonious with residential building, and with the site as a whole. But this design also has a number of disadvantages, namely:

  1. If one of the parts breaks, the canvas will have to be replaced completely; partial repairs are not provided.
  2. Gates are installed exclusively in rectangular openings.
  3. It is quite difficult to assemble a garage door with your own hands; installation requires certain knowledge and skills.
  4. If you plan to insulate the sashes, then you need to take care of this in advance, since an extra layer can increase the load on the mechanism, which will lead to frequent failures and breakdowns.

It should also be noted that such structures are very heavy, so the frame must be very strong and durable. Owners of tall cars or minibuses should take into account that raised doors make the ceiling 20-30 cm lower.

Preparatory work

Before you begin installation, you need to prepare by leveling the walls and ceilings of the garage so that the guides are level, without any slope. All construction and finishing work must be carried out before assembling the structure. The fact is that dust getting on the rollers disrupts the operation of the entire mechanism.

Since the frame goes 2-5 cm inside the garage, then flooring It is more advisable to lay it after the gate is completely installed. The doorway is prepared in advance, calculations are made, a drawing and work plan are drawn up.

The amount of materials depends on the chosen design: whether there will be a lifting gate with a door, how many leaves the structure will have, and also what size the garage opening is.

But for a simple standard option you will need:

  • wooden beams per box (120×80 mm);
  • metal pins;
  • steel corners for the frame (35×35×4 mm);
  • corners for rails (40×40×4);
  • spring (30 mm in diameter);
  • channel (80×45);
  • metal rods with a diameter of 8 mm;
  • canvas for sashes.

This list may change and be supplemented, since any change in the scheme, even minimal, will require additional details. In addition to the basic material, you will also need tools. Therefore, you must first prepare grinder, electric drill, metal and wood drills, welding machine and level.

Construction stages

Manufacturing folding gates takes place in several stages. First, the frame is assembled, the rollers are installed, then they begin to create the sashes and attach additional elements. And on final stage assemble the structure into a whole, and, if desired, install an automatic lifting mechanism.

Frame assembly

The structure on which the overhead gates will be attached is the frame. The entire main load falls on her, so This is the part that is initially assembled. To make it you will need wooden beams, although for greater reliability you can use metal profiles, it all depends on financial capabilities. The described option is simpler and more economical.

A box is assembled from wooden blocks; to connect the elements, you will need steel corners or special plates. When installing the frame, it is necessary to take into account that its lower part must be recessed into the ground by about 2-5 cm. After the box is prepared, it must be checked; for this, the structure is installed in the opening and the vertical and horizontal position is checked using a level. If everything is satisfactory, then the frame is secured with metal pins (anchors), and for each linear meter 1 pin required. Having completed the assembly, proceed to installing horizontal guides on the ceiling.


Keep up with the times with automatic gates in your garage

Now you need to secure the brackets for the rollers. In order for the sashes to roll freely and not cling, you need to place them a little deeper than the lower ones. Be sure to measure the position with a level; incorrect installation will not allow the gate to rise. After this, the structure is secured with bolts, and clamps are installed at the edges of the rails that will block the movement of the rollers.

Preparing the sashes

The canvas that will act as the doors can be made from almost any material. But when choosing, it is worth considering that the initial function of the gate is still protection, so it is worth purchasing material that is resistant to climatic influences. Most often for such structures they use metal sheets on wooden frame, which are fixed with inside, then there is a layer of insulation, and on the street side the gate is covered with plastic.

Many owners of such garages make a gate for convenience; in this case, the gate does not need to be constantly opened, which means it will last longer. And some even have a window; installing these additional elements is easy. When the frame is completely assembled, it must be installed on the guides and the mechanism must be checked for functionality.

Additional items

Installation work completed by installing construction fittings: inserting a lock or latch, attaching handles or other auxiliary elements. If you do not plan to install an automatic lift, then handles are extremely necessary, since clinging to dirty edges is not very convenient. It is best to place them at the bottom of the shield.

If there is a built-in gate, then it is best to secure the garage with an internal latch. You can make such locks yourself, just attach special arms to the canvas and frame. After the structure is completely assembled, proceed to finishing works. The gates are treated with protective compounds, painted and the finishing material is fixed.

Automation system

You can install an automatic lift yourself; naturally, the price of a homemade gate will become more expensive, but the level of comfort will increase significantly. You don't have to open and close your garage door manually every time. But to install such a device, you need to choose the right drive so that it matches the garage lifting mechanism.

The installation of each device is individual, but all step by step actions are described in the instructions, so there should not be any particular difficulties during operation. Performance will also not differ from factory designs. All actions are performed from a special remote control, which significantly saves time.

A well-equipped garage is the key to long-term car storage. However, not all car enthusiasts know that a decisive role in this is played by garage doors, which should be not only convenient, but also practical.

From this point of view, overhead garage doors stand out among all types of structures.

This product is a one-piece gate leaf, which opens thanks to a lifting mechanism, sliding under the ceiling. Its main advantage is space saving and ease of use. Lift gates are really convenient.

Now you can forget about the long and laborious opening of locks and swing gates. Thanks to the lifting light mechanism With just one hand, you can open your garage door in seconds.

Another important advantage of this product is its reliability. Unlike sectional structures, a solid door leaf has greater tightness and thermal insulation, and if the garage is equipped with good seals along the contour of the opening, such gates will become simply irreplaceable.

In addition to all these advantages, the design of the gate is so simple that it can be installed in a garage by a person who does not have deep knowledge of the construction business.

Distinctive features of the design

Lifting garage doors are distinguished by the fact that for their operation, reinforced lifting drives are installed, which can be of several types. Today the following types of mechanisms are distinguished:

  • Articulating lever device.

It is capable of opening a solid sash thanks to built-in rollers, springs and levers. This type of equipment is the most common and the vast majority of car owners equip their garages with gates based on it. The principle of operation is extremely simple.

Along the edges of the opening, corner guides are installed, which are fixed under the ceiling. The door leaf is driven by springs and levers on its lower part on the sides.

When opening such overhead garage doors, the door moves smoothly on rollers that are fixed in its upper corners.

When installing such a system with your own hands, you should pay special attention to the accuracy of the horizontal and vertical adjustment of the guides. Also keep in mind that the space from the opening to the ceiling should be at least 30 cm, and to the walls - about 45 cm.

In this case, the automatic drive is installed on the ceiling and opens the door using a cable, one side of which is attached to the sash, and the other to the drive itself. This cable is located in a metal profile, which is also suspended on brackets to the ceiling.

  • Counterweight system. This type of mechanism is mainly used in industrial purposes, to open the massive gate. Often large garages for buses are equipped with such gates.

The principle of operation is that garage doors are opened with special weight bars, which weigh slightly more than the weight of the door itself.

So, one edge of the winch is attached to the bottom of the door leaf, which is passed through a mechanical block on the ceiling and a counterweight is attached to its second end.

When the gate opens, the counterweight lowers and when closed, it rises. For greater clarity, the principle of operation of the system is shown in the diagram below.

  • Hydraulic drives. Such mechanisms are the most practical and easy to operate, however, they are the most expensive. It will be very difficult to build such a system with your own hands, but drive kits can be purchased in specialized stores.

Everything is simple here: two powerful drives are attached to the two extreme sides of the inner side of the door leaf, and the hydraulic tubes with which they are equipped are mounted in the inner part of the opening. An important factor for this device is proper care. It is necessary to constantly monitor the smooth operation of the drives.

If you find the slightest difficulty, you should lubricate the hydraulic tubes with special oil. Garages with such a mechanism are reliably protected, since the drives use technologies that virtually eliminate the possibility of hacking.

Having decided on the lifting mechanisms that are suitable for you, you should think about what material the garage door can be made from. It is better, of course, to opt for a metal product.

Metal gates will last longer, unlike wood products, which are less protected from environmental factors and are at risk of fungus.

However, in this case it should be understood that the weight metal gates must be commensurate with the power of the lifting system. Ideal option in this regard are garage lifting structures from corrugated sheets.

We make the gate ourselves

When thinking about which gate is best for your garage, you can go one of two ways. You can build overhead gates entirely with your own hands or purchase a ready-made kit and install it in your garage yourself. If you choose the first option, you will need to consider some important points.

First, you will need to carefully take the necessary measurements, decide on the design parameters and draw up a drawing. It is best to make a gate with a hinged lever mechanism, the diagram of which is presented below.

When making a drawing, you can use ready-made drawings; the most understandable and complete is shown below.

Based on this drawing, all you have to do is plug in the numbers of your measurements and get to work. For construction you will need the following materials and tools:

  • building level and tape measure;
  • metal sheets for forming the sash;
  • welding machine;
  • electric hacksaw for metal;
  • dowels and brackets;
  • electric drill;
  • metal profiles and corners.

Having prepared all these elements, begin work by making a frame for the sash. To do this, take profiles required length and place them on flat surface so that you get a square or rectangle corresponding to the size of the opening. Then weld the corners.

Now take the metal sheets and attach them to the finished frame around the entire perimeter, weld all the contact points.

When the sash is ready, you will need to make guides. Take metal profiles of the required size and connect them with a corner, welding the joints. You will end up with two corner guides that need to be secured in the opening using dowels or welding if a metal frame is installed. The upper ends of the guides will need to be connected to each other by welding a horizontal beam.

Now weld the brackets with rollers to the upper corners of the finished sash. Insert the rollers into the guides.

Attach spring-lever mechanisms to both edges of the canvas.

Install the lever bracket in the middle of the top of the sash.

Finally, install the drive and the central profile on the ceiling and pass a cable through it, one end of which is secured to the drive itself, and the other side to the lever bracket.

Now your overhead garage door is completely ready. All that remains is to check the functionality of the entire system.

As you can see, building such a garage door with your own hands is not so difficult. The main thing is to take accurate measurements and be careful when installing the guides. Taking these nuances into account, you will equip your garage with a reliable product that will last a long time.

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