Barn doors are the most frequently used part of a barn structure and as such they are more susceptible to wear and tear. The frequent opening and closing puts additional weight on hinges. Weathering can also rust them easily creating a loose grip. It’s a lot easier to install sliding doors on the barn front.
Some sliding doors can be expensive. You can cut cost by doing it yourself using something as simple as skateboard wheels. The wheels are thicker and hold up better to rust and they are perfectly built for continual back and forth use. They can be purchased separately and are built to hold up to damage so they’re ideal for frequent use.
You will need a shop drill since you’ll be drilling through metal and some minor hardware such as bolts. The wheels are the most creative idea of the project and the rest is fairly simple.
These doors hang from the top and will roll on a rail. The wheels are attached to individual curved supports which hold the door. The struts to hold the setup are simple metal rails drilled into place. At the base of your doorway, it’s ideal to install a guide rail to prevent the lower door edge from swinging due to drafts or friction.
This simple DIY solution to barn doors is significantly cheaper than the sliding sets you might find pre-fabricated. They are more attractive than simple hinge doors and will hold up longer too. Read on to see step by step instructions for making your own.
Click here to read about how to build a sliding barn doors using skateboard wheels project: