Using Timber On A Garage Door
Using
timber for a garage door can add a beautiful aesthetic feature to your
property, blending in with the rest of your home’s façade. However, there are several factors and
considerations to keep in mind before installing a timber garage door.
Timber
garage doors are often deceptively heavy so it is important to consider this in
the planning phase as the weight can affect the overall cost from a standard to
a heavy duty custom mechanism.
Durability of the timber to perform in the environment under harsh
conditions is an important consideration.
Steps and considerations before installation:
Frame – Customised design of the frame
can be done to suit different cladding and weight options so check with your
supplier about this. In most cases
structural grade aluminum extrusions are used in door framing and sealing
providing strength and durability.
Weight – The wood will impact the weight
of the door and the mechanisms that are required to counteract an increased
weight on the frame. The weight of 19mm
Radial shiplap cladding in Silvertop Ash is around 16 kg/m2 compared to our
13mm Lining boards which weigh around 11 kg/m2.
Lining boards v’s Shiplap
Lining – Lining boards are generally used where weight of the timber is critical such as limited applications like protected garage doors. We do not recommend lining boards be used in fully exposed areas. They should only face a direction that is undercover or receives less weather exposure . Where there are fully exposed areas, a 19mm thick Shiplap should be used. As lining is a mixed specie, some variation in colour and feature should be expected.
Shiplap – Due to the weight of the 19mm thick shiplap boards, careful consideration needs to be given to the mechanism used. If your garage door is subject to potential weather exposure, opting for 19mm thick shiplap boards will help in the long term durability and performance. The increased thickness provides more stability and durability to withstand the elements when exposed to the harsh Australian climate.
Orientation – It is preferable that the Shiplap or Lining be installed vertically due to the profile shape and the nature of the square step down between the boards. The direction of the prevailing weather should determine the direction of your cladding. Grooves should be directed away from the weather to minimize water entry.
Water runoff- For seamless garage doors careful consideration should be given to how water and rain will run down the wall. Seamless garage doors tend to allow water to run directly into the end grains which are very delicate areas and can cause excessive movement. Seamless garage doors should have some protection from water runoff such as an eave.
Metal frame work – Be careful when working with metal around timber as any cutting, grinding or metal filings can cause iron contamination on the timber. This will show up as dark black/blue spots after the timber gets wet for the first time. If contamination does occur see our cleaning metal staining blog for more information and further steps to rectify.
Coating – Pre-oiling timber prior to installation on all four sides is recommended as it helps to create a protective barrier to protect the timber from moisture and prolong its durability. Additionally, all end cuts should be sealed.
By considering these factors and implementing best practices for design and durability, you can protect your home and ensure the longevity of your timber garage door, even in the harsh Australian climate and weather conditions.
All information is for guidance only and it is the responsibility of the installer to assure compliance in accordance to the Australian Standards and current National Construction Code. Refer to Installation guides of selected products for more information.
