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Q:Can I have an oak timber garage door?
Yes you can have oak but there are a lot of limitations depending on the oak used and the thickness of the timber
Oak as a timber species is naturally very heavy and also quite unstable if not seasoned correctly first. There are of course a lot of different types of oak and not all will be suitable for external use. The real issue with using oak on any garage door mechanism is the weight. You can use oak on a one piece up and over chassis with the correct springing and a maximum width of about 2.5m before you have to look at a far heavier construction of chassis using what is effectively double door mechanism with sturdier side arms and larger springs. This is of course only for one piece up and over doors and if you look at a sectional door then there is a larger size range available in limited designs as the sectional door gear will carry more weight due to its design.
Most clients requiring oak do have a specific reason for the oak which is usually to tie in with doors or windows already on the house. Because of this the oak used is normally required to be the same and it is ideal if a mechanism can be offered to enable the client to 'infill' a door system with the oak required but safe in the knowledge the door mechanism is tried and tested in all ways. Joiners, carpenters, builders and architects regularly approach us for this kind of service wanting to carry out the work and create a unique door.
We can offer this kind of operating system in the Hormann DF98 or the far heavier duty Hormann ET500 system and both will take heavy infill designs but are a fully operating door system already, manual or electrically operated. We can also offer a sectional door where the panels can be either infilled or overlaid with oak. Details available on request.
See our feature on 'building your own timber garage door' for more information on some of these options
Another good option is a round the corner system where weight is not really an issue as the door does not rise up but slides on rails around the garage wall so the sizing is less of an issue here. Beautiful oak designs are available from Rundum Meir, a German manufacturer producing high quality timber doors in sectional and round the corner styles.
You may see many oak side hinged doors on the internet but over the years we have never seen good long tern results from side hinged oak timber doors as the weight issue again causes issues with the door warping and twisting.
An ideal alternative to oak for side hinged doors is Idigbo, it is lighter in weight, has a very similar visual appearance, is very stable and best of all is lower in price than oak!
Take a look at the Woodrite Warwick range of Idigbo timber doors all available as up and over or side hinged mechanisms
