Shop door options

[jd730]

 I am getting a metal building given to me for the cost of removal.  It is from a natural gas compressor station that is being dismantled.  The building is 33' x 80' with 15' sidewall.  It is narrower than I would pick if building from scratch but will probably add a lean to on one side.  What are the best options for the main door?  Need at least a 20' wide opening.  Overhead, sliding, folding?

Thanks,

John

[James22]

Folding is great if willing to spend the necessary money.  Years ago I purchased two rollups with the new buildings, had one installed and didn't  like it.  Hoisted the second rollup in the second bldg on the side wall for storage and went with traditional sliding doors.  After reworking the center ground post, primarily getting it below the frost line, it works satisfactory.   Third bldg is designed for sliders but proved to be just fine with the east side remaining open which makes it real easy to provide cover for loaded wagons/trucks.  Few bird problems.  Just finished the fourth and it has a 32 ft sliding door that is somewhat protected from the wind.  It would be tough to use a big door completely in the open.  That last door was approx $9000, so doors aren't cheap.  Thought about a second door for drive thru potential, but decided cost/benefit wasn't  there.   Consequently isn't too difficult to understand my unwillingness to foot the bill for a high dollar folding door. 

[Jim Meade / Iowa City]

What is your use?  Storage, shop, grain?

Desired height of the opening may dictate some door types.  There are folding (Hy-Fold) that fasten to the outside and don't take any headroom.  Will you have power to the building?  If not, a slider, I'd say.  If power, then many options.

If you'll be opening it a lot, an overhead is nice.  Have to consider snow and rain and wind, too, and how they'll affect the door (can be tough to put a big slider on the west side if it's windy).

I have a folding door that seals nice but is slow and would let in a lot of cold in the winter.