DIY Carriage Doors: Bringing Rustic Charm to Your Garage

You might be familiar with carriage doors for their distinctive old-world charm. These two-part doors swing open just like barn doors, offering a functional and aesthetic edge to your home. Here’s how you can build your own carriage doors following simple steps.

Materials Needed

• Plywood Sheets
• Trim Boards
• Heavy Duty Hinges
• Carriage Door Handles
• Galvanized Screws
• Weather Stripping
• Primer and Paint.

Step One: Measure Twice, Cut Once

First thing is to determine your measurements. This relates to the size of your existing garage door or the door opening. Following the accurate width and height measurements, subtract about half an inch from each for leeway. The next step involves cutting your plywood sheets using these measurements, adhering to the principle of ‘measure twice, cut once’ for precision.

Step Two: Designing the Trim

Aesthetic relevance comes from the trim design. You can develop a simple design using trim boards. A typical carriage door design features a large rectangular outline around the door and a squared or diagonal cross design in the middle. The trim boards should then be precisely cut according to your chosen design.

Step Three: Assembling the Door

To fix the trim to the plywood, use galvanized screws. For an extra level of security, apply a layer of wood glue before affixing the trim. Make sure to line them up accurately, ensuring that they are flushed with the edges of the plywood sheet.

Step Four: Painting

After assembling, the next step involves applying a primer. Once the primer is dry, apply the desired colour of paint, preferably one resistant to weather elements. Remember to let each coat dry before adding another for a smooth finish. The handles can also be spray-painted to complement the door’s color.

Step Five: Installation

You will need heavy-duty hinges to install your DIY carriage doors. The hinges should be attached towards the top and bottom of the doors. These doors can be pretty hefty, hence the need for robust hinges. Then, with assistance, hang the doors in the door opening. It’s wise to ensure that they are levelled before tightening the hinges fully.

Step Six: Weather Stripping

Applying weather stripping to the bottom of the doors is essential for preventing drafts or water entry into the garage, thus providing insulation. This step will complete your installation process.

Maintenance

As with any door, regular maintenance is needed to keep your carriage doors crack and peeling free. As part of your upkeep, repainting every few years and regularly checking the hinges ensures your doors stay in top shape for a long time.

You’ve just learned how simple creating DIY carriage doors can be, despite appearing complex at first glance. Not only will these doors enhance the curb appeal of your home, but they also offer the satisfaction of a successful DIY project.