Several types of DIY garage doors exist, and some of these doors even come in kits that are fairly easy to assemble. The first step is, therefore, choosing between prefabricated garage door kits, or custom-made DIY garage doors. The latter will be more difficult to built, but custom doors will allow the builder to create the door he or she envisions without having to conform to a kit or modify existing components. Once plans have been developed or purchased, it is very important to assemble all the necessary tools; kits will come with instructions that outline what tools will be necessary.
When considering DIY garage doors, it is important to think about how the garage is likely to be used as well as what type of aesthetic will be most appropriate. The width of the door opening will be a key measurement, as will the overhead height. If the doors will feature hinges that will cause those doors to swing outward, it is important to consider the amount of space the doors will take up when fully opened; the hinges will essentially cut down on the amount of available space in the opening, which means the amount of available space through which vehicles can be driven will be reduced.
The same can be said about the height of the DIY garage doors. Sliding garage doors that stow on rails mounted to the ceiling will cut down on the available space for a vehicle vertically. It will be important to consider how low the rails will hang in order to accommodate certain vehicles. Be sure to measure the interior height of the garage itself to figure out what types of rails can be used to accommodate the door.
If the DIY garage doors are being installed in exceptionally hot or cold climates, it may be a good idea to consider various insulation options. Rubber runners can be installed at the base of the doors to help reduce the amount of airflow underneath the doors when they are closed, and aluminum insulation sheeting can be installed fairly easily onto the inside of most types of doors. If the garage space will be used as a workspace or living space, insulation will almost certainly be necessary, so it is a good idea to research various options. Soundproofing options are also available if the garage will be used for a shop space or living space in which noise is likely to be produced regularly.
