Choosing a hangar door for new construction

[txflyer]

There are only three or four choices in the world I can find.

Rolling
Bi-fold
Hydraulic
Horton Stacker


To my surprise, the first door company I talked to said the rolling doors can be the most expensive of all. I had mistakenly just assumed the hydraulics were, but that is not always true. With a hydraulic door quoted about $3K more for our project than a bi-fold, I'm weighing the pro's and con's of hydraulic over bi-fold.

May I get your impressions?

 

[wabower]

Are you close to Breckenridge?

There are only three or four choices in the world I can find.

Rolling
Bi-fold
Hydraulic
Horton Stacker


To my surprise, the first door company I talked to said the rolling doors can be the most expensive of all. I had mistakenly just assumed the hydraulics were, but that is not always true. With a hydraulic door quoted about $3K more for our project than a bi-fold, I'm weighing the pro's and con's of hydraulic over bi-fold.

May I get your impressions?

 

[txflyer]

Are you close to Breckenridge?

About 200 nautical. Here in Texas.

 

[wabower]

A friend recently installed a big hydraulic that you might want to check out if you haven't seen them. His brother about 100' away did a bi-fold.

About 200 nautical.

 

[txflyer]

A friend recently installed a big hydraulic that you might want to check out if you haven't seen them. His brother about 100' away did a bi-fold.

There is a big hydraulic going in a new hangar on our field too that I can look at and watch operate. It's huge. The only caveat I've thought of so far against hydraulic is parking in front. I can see where having to check out front every time before raising the door, ain't so cool ... that's the only negative I can come up with at present. The load on the building is about the same for both types for all intents and purposes.

 

[docmirror]

I'm studying this as well, but from a little different perspective. I've got a decent welder and a big shop floor to work on and I'm leaning to bifold. 10 feet per fold with two sets gives a 40' wide opening. Things I'm concerned about most is opening in wind, or having it open in wind. This leads me to roller on tracks. Roller on tracks seems so simple and I have the side overhand to do two 20' rollers. I can't see where it can cost more than anything else as the mechanisms are ultra simple and the materials are box Aluminum, rollers, and some V channel for the track.

 

[txflyer]

I'm studying this as well, but from a little different perspective. I've got a decent welder and a big shop floor to work on and I'm leaning to bifold. 10 feet per fold with two sets gives a 40' wide opening. Things I'm concerned about most is opening in wind, or having it open in wind. This leads me to roller on tracks. Roller on tracks seems so simple and I have the side overhand to do two 20' rollers. I can't see where it can cost more than anything else as the mechanisms are ultra simple and the materials are box Aluminum, rollers, and some V channel for the track.

You're forgetting the concrete work. That's what I was forgetting.

 

[wabower]

Friend in TN did 40' bi-fold and loves it. The strap systems seem to have replaced the cables and apparently double as lift devices when needed.

PS: I rented a bifold hangar in Kansas for 20+ years in a complex of ~50 units. No wind-related failures that I know about, only some cable snaps but no planes damaged and only a few aluminum siding pieces bent. Not saying I would necessarily have been told about problems, but nobody ever mentioned it.

There is a big hydraulic going in a new hangar on our field too that I can look at and watch operate. It's huge. The only caveat I've thought of so far against hydraulic is parking in front. I can see where having to check out front every time before raising the door, ain't so cool ... that's the only negative I can come up with at present. The load on the building is about the same for both types for all intents and purposes.

 

[AggieMike88]

If it were new construction, I'd lean toward the Bi-fold. When raised, you now have some built in awning and shade.

The club I'm with now has a T-hanger with sliding doors, facing east. It's a nice set up in the late afternoon's, but if you're there in the morning working on something, it gets plenty warm plenty quick in there.

 

[txflyer]

Friend in TN did 40' bi-fold and loves it. The strap systems seem to have replaced the cables and apparently double as lift devices when needed.

That's probably what we'll go with.

Schweiss has a strap lift bi-fold that the straps have like a 20K load limit, whereas cable is about 7K according to their website.

 

[docmirror]

You're forgetting the concrete work. That's what I was forgetting.

60' long, 1' wide, 6" deep sounds like 1.2 yards plus rebar. I'm kind of a DIY guy, but even if I farm that out it's only gonna be $1500 or so. I can have 5 sack delivered for about $280/yard on a short load. I just can't see where that would be a deal compared to some of the prices of hyd systems.

 

[txflyer]

If it were new construction, I'd lean toward the Bi-fold. When raised, you now have some built in awning and shade.

The club I'm with now has a T-hanger with sliding doors, facing east. It's a nice set up in the late afternoon's, but if you're there in the morning working on something, it gets plenty warm plenty quick in there.

Ours will have North exposure with another row of hangars that face it across from it that will block some of that wind ... I hope. I like the Horton stackers for all the light=heat they let in, but yikes the $$$$ they want for a manual door.

For South Central Texas, having a North exposure is not all bad unless it's blowing a blue norther. That's only maybe two or three days out of the year for here.

 

[NineThreeKilo]

There are only three or four choices in the world I can find.

Rolling
Bi-fold
Hydraulic
Horton Stacker


To my surprise, the first door company I talked to said the rolling doors can be the most expensive of all. I had mistakenly just assumed the hydraulics were, but that is not always true. With a hydraulic door quoted about $3K more for our project than a bi-fold, I'm weighing the pro's and con's of hydraulic over bi-fold.

May I get your impressions?

Rolling is the only option IMO

You get maximum height, no cables, pumps, motors etc, just be sure you get some good wheels/tracks/bearings.

Our company was going to buy another hangar but decided not to due to the bifold door, if it had a rolling door we would have bought it, but with the bifold our tail wouldn't clear.

 

[Non Compos Mentis]

I've had different types of hangar doors.

Current hangar has a 40' Schweiss bi-fold. Couldn't be happier. Highly recommended.

 

[txflyer]

60' long, 1' wide, 6" deep sounds like 1.2 yards plus rebar. I'm kind of a DIY guy, but even if I farm that out it's only gonna be $1500 or so. I can have 5 sack delivered for about $280/yard on a short load. I just can't see where that would be a deal compared to some of the prices of hyd systems.

I'm no construction guy for sure. I was stating what the rep told me on the phone. He said the rolling doors can be the most expensive with the tracks and concreted work, and for the additional nachelle(s) on the side(s) of the building to hold the doors.

....curious

 

[flyingron]

My neighbor who put in a large horizontally folding bifold (i.e one where the hinges are vertical) is regretting it.

I have no regrets with my Schweis Horizontal bifold.

 

[wabower]

The BKD hangar was jacked up 4' using two fork-lifts. Then the new bi-fold door was hung with more than adequate clearance for King Airs.

Rolling is the only option IMO

You get maximum height, no cables, pumps, motors etc, just be sure you get some good wheels/tracks/bearings.

Our company was going to buy another hangar but decided not to due to the bifold door, if it had a rolling door we would have bought it, but with the bifold our tail wouldn't clear.

 

[docmirror]

I've had different types of hangar doors.

Current hangar has a 40' Schweiss bi-fold. Couldn't be happier. Highly recommended.

What did it run, was it installed, or just delivered?

 

[txflyer]

Rolling is the only option IMO

You get maximum height, no cables, pumps, motors etc, just be sure you get some good wheels/tracks/bearings.

Our company was going to buy another hangar but decided not to due to the bifold door, if it had a rolling door we would have bought it, but with the bifold our tail wouldn't clear.

That's the thing. I want to build it tall and wide enough so that if I want to, I can rent it or sell it to anybody. Be it King Air, or Hawker. Or just two or three guys with Cessna's.

18' tall opening seem's a good target to shoot for. Most King's T-tails are around 15 feet .... I think.

 

[Henning]

There are only three or four choices in the world I can find.

Rolling
Bi-fold
Hydraulic
Horton Stacker


To my surprise, the first door company I talked to said the rolling doors can be the most expensive of all. I had mistakenly just assumed the hydraulics were, but that is not always true. With a hydraulic door quoted about $3K more for our project than a bi-fold, I'm weighing the pro's and con's of hydraulic over bi-fold.

May I get your impressions?

By Hydraulic are you referring to a solid single panel door that hinges at the top? That is my preference as it makes the biggest sun/weather shade when open.

 

[JoseCuervo]

Interesting topic. Anybody have prices/estimates on the various options.

I was thinking a 40' with a bi-fold. But, I just talked to one airport that I was thinking about and they require a minimum 50' building (didn't specify door width, I assume 40'.)

Rethink the building design, perhaps, if I have to go bigger, might cause different choice on the door.


(good news is there is a $1000 Development fee, and then $0.05/per foot lease per year).

 

[txflyer]

Interesting topic. Anybody have prices/estimates on the various options.

I was thinking a 40' with a bi-fold. But, I just talked to one airport that I was thinking about and they require a minimum 50' building (didn't specify door width, I assume 40'.)

Rethink the building design, perhaps, if I have to go bigger, might cause different choice on the door.


(good news is there is a $1000 Development fee, and then $0.05/per foot lease per year).

Schweiss gave me a ball park figure of $17K for a 65W X 18T strap bi-fold.

FYI: That is the frame, motor, and components only. You must supply the metal/labor to side the exterior door frame. Then insulation if you want it....

 

[docmirror]

I'm no construction guy for sure. I was stating what the rep told me on the phone. He said the rolling doors can be the most expensive with the tracks and concreted work, and for the additional nachelle(s) on the side(s) of the building to hold the doors.

....curious

Yeah, I'm not putting any nacelles out on the outrigger. just a post or two with a header and the track. I'm sure it could be made expensive if one wanted to go that way, but when I did the numbers it looked like I could do an Al framed door with R panel front for about $3000 if I do much of the welding.

6063 3"x2"x20' are $121 each, I think I need about 10 for the framing and the stiffeners = $1210. R panel is $3,50 lin ft and I need 400 sq ft, or 22 panels @ 10' each for about $800. Add in some rod, rollers, tracks and such it starts to get up there near $3k for the doors, add $1500 for concrete and track and frame and I'm up for around $4500. Of course, that doesn't include much labor.

 

[txflyer]

Yeah, I'm not putting any nacelles out on the outrigger. just a post or two with a header and the track. I'm sure it could be made expensive if one wanted to go that way, but when I did the numbers it looked like I could do an Al framed door with R panel front for about $3000 if I do much of the welding.

6063 3"x2"x20' are $121 each, I think I need about 10 for the framing and the stiffeners = $1210. R panel is $3,50 lin ft and I need 400 sq ft, or 22 panels @ 10' each for about $800. Add in some rod, rollers, tracks and such it starts to get up there near $3k for the doors, add $1500 for concrete and track and frame and I'm up for around $4500. Of course, that doesn't include much labor.

Come build and install my door, and you will probably make enough $ to pay for yours....

 

[docmirror]

Come build and install my door, and you will probably make enough $ to pay for yours....

You haven't heard my labor rates yet. I could retire after doing your door.

 

[txflyer]

You haven't heard my labor rates yet. I could retire after doing your door.

You sound like all these contractor's around here when they do not want to do a job.

They quote the person such a ridiculous price so as to make them run away, but if they don't, it's slaughter-time for the contractor.

 

[docmirror]

You sound like all these contractor's around here when they do not want to do a job.

They quote the person such a ridiculous price so as to make them run away, but if they don't, it's slaughter-time for the contractor.

Exactly. That's one of the main reasons I've decided to do most of it myself. I'm hiring out for a welder, and I've got a kid that can help me with forms and rebar but I'm gonna do most of it myself. Waiting now for it to cool down some. At my age I can't get out in 90f weather and do much for hours on end like I used to.

 

[Non Compos Mentis]

What did it run, was it installed, or just delivered?

It was included in the hangar purchase. I added a rear garage door and extra lights & plugs, but the basic hangar came with the Schweiss door.

The developers of our hangars bought a couple dozen Schweiss doors, so I'm sure they negotiated a fair amout off full retail.

 

[Alexb2000]

For those thinking about building a bi-fold: Look at the locking mechanism (you need locks by the way), that is the challenging part. You are also missing a ton of components that are required for the door to operate in that list. The building will need to be reinforced on the header and door frame verticals. Usually the header is triangulated back to the main frame also. Consider the loads with the bi-fold open and a good wind.

You can buy a 40X16 bi-fold electric with operator for about $12K from Hi-Fold or Schweiss.

If you want to save some money and you have a forklift with the reach, install it yourself.

 

[txflyer]

I think Schweiss makes an aluminum frame bi-fold with automatic locking mechanisms for more $$$$. How much, I don't know.

You can get 'em with remote control, windows, laser stop and all kinds of cool **** nowadays.

I'll bet they have an app for that ...

 

[txflyer]

It was included in the hangar purchase. I added a rear garage door and extra lights & plugs, but the basic hangar came with the Schweiss door.

The developers of our hangars bought a couple dozen Schweiss doors, so I'm sure they negotiated a fair amout off full retail.

We definitely want to build a small ATV door in the back opposite wall from the main door. A buddies hangar is like that for his golf cart. It's great because it acts like a breeze way and let's all the heat out of the hangar quickly in the summer. And you can go in and out with the cart without having to raise the main door if you want.

It's a good option/addition.

 

[Non Compos Mentis]

We definitely want to build a small ATV door in the back opposite wall from the main door. A buddies hangar is like that for his golf cart. It's great because it acts like a breeze way and let's all the heat out of the hangar quickly in the summer. And you can go in and out with the cart without having to raise the main door if you want.

It's a good option/addition.

I'm pretty spoiled- I drive up to the back side of the hangar, push the remote, and the garage door opens, letting me park right inside the hangar behind the airplane. Along with the bi-fold door for the airplane, I can't imagine a better setup than what I've got.

 

[Clip4]

I'd go with a mote and draw bridge.

 

[txflyer]

I'm pretty spoiled- I drive up to the back side of the hangar, push the remote, and the garage door opens, letting me park right inside the hangar behind the airplane. Along with the bi-fold door for the airplane, I can't imagine a better setup than what I've got.

Life is good when you have your own box hangar, a couple of flying death machines, an ATV, some good flying friends, and a cool place with a head nearby....

Having a bathroom, your own bathroom, is worth it's weight in gold imo. No more walking or cart ride to find an outhouse. Flygirl does not like our public unisex T-hangar toilet too much .... can't say that I blame her. It ain't your mama's bathroom.

So yeah, I'm spoiled. Sue me.

 

[docmirror]

Life is good when you have your own box hangar, a couple of flying death machines, an ATV, some good flying friends, and a cool place with a head nearby....

I've got a large funnel in the corner with a piece of vinyl hose that runs outside. Viola, bathroom.

 

[flyingron]

I bought a Schweiss. The local garage door guy read all the documentation and decided he wanted to give the installation a try. We were already working with him to make the garage doors and hangar door match. Installation wasn't that involved. We had a lot of people that day: Several guys from the builder, the garage door company, and the guy doing the soffit installation brought his boom lift. Hanging it took the better part of the morning.

Amusingly the control electronics on the Schweiss seem to be pretty darn identical to that on my lift master jack screw garage doors (commercial). Anyway, about a couple of months after my installation, I found a stack of business cards from the garage door guy at the FBO of the nearby residential/public airport. I guess having done my door, he's now an expert!