Pole barn doors

[TNhobbyfarmer]

I am in the process of building a 24 X 27 pole barn type storage building. One gable end will be the main entrance. I am trying to decide what type doors to use. The entrance needs to be large enough to pull a tractor through. The building is on a farm on which I do not live so security is an issue. I want something that I can lock and feel somewhat secure about. A few of the local good old boys are not above "borrowing" when nobody is around to keep an eye on things. Sliding doors? Swinging doors? Any suggestions?

 

[EddieWalker]

By far, the best door I've come across is a roll up one. They will cost more then a slider or a swing type door, but I've never heard of anybody with a roll up who wasn't happy with it.

 

[CharlieTn]

If you have not purchased the pole barn yet you may want to consider a steel building. I am in a very similar situation and
security is my only issue. I priced out the materials for a pole barn and found a steel building 24X32 9 ft high sides (12 feet under peak) full 8 X 10 roll up door 48" entrance door in my choice of color for $3400 incl tax and delivery to East Tennesee. The pole barn material was going to cost me $3600 with "B" grade panels. A kit from 84 lumber was $7200.00!!! I am putting mine up this weekend so I can't speak to the quality yet.

Charlie

 

[jmc]

I put a pair of swing out doors on a barn and wouldn't advise it. Two doors to deal with instead of one and they have to be secured open because of wind. Also, maybe not in Tenn, but you have to shovel snow before opening them.

Around here, when someone wants in your barn, they back into the door with their vehicle. The Morton salesman said they also have been know to remove a piece of siding. Your best bet may be a motion activated security camera hidden inside.

John

 

[Jagmandave]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Your best bet may be a motion activated security camera hidden inside. )</font>

That, and some lights maybe?

 

[tnmx]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
Around here, when someone wants in your barn, they back into the door with their vehicle. The Morton salesman said they also have been know to remove a piece of siding. Your best bet may be a motion activated security camera hidden inside.
)</font>

why risk damaging your vehicle - just bring a battery powered circular saw or even a chain saw for that matter. most neighbors will think nothing of hearing some equipment running... if they want it, they can get it - best you can do is throw enough stuff in their way that they are concerned over the time spent to steal it... that is why most of my toys are chained down even when they are locked indoors.

 

[EddieWalker]

Those battery powered tools have really made breaking in easier, but most of your theft is from drug addicts looking for something they can steal quickly and sell even faster.

The compact cutting torch is the best tool for breaking in. You can cut off just about any lock or chain in a few seconds, it's quite and easy to haul around.

If they want it, they can get it.

In the State Department, all locks are rated at how long it takes an expert to get through them. When I got out in 1988, there wasn't a lock around that was rated for more then a minute.

Locks are just delaying tactics to slow down a determined attack. More locks add more time so your other security methods can be employed.

 

[Nasty135]

Security, Hmmm try THIS as long as they don't steal it from YOU /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Sorry I couldn't help it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Unclebuck257]

I've got a 30X50 pole barn, with a concrete floor I put in it, after it was up. Do yourself a favor and forget the sliding doors, since they can be a real pain in the patoot!!

Don't know about the double doors, but I do know that when I replace the sliding doors (one at each end of the barn), I'm replacing them with the rollup type.

As far as security goes, you can forget it!! I say that only because you said you're NOT living on the property. The thieves will cut through the sides, the doors, the locks, or wherever they want to because with you not there, they have all the time they want. If they want what's inside bad enough, or think they do, they'll get into it because you're not there. Unless you have TRUSTED neighbors close enough to hear and react, an alarm won't do much good either.

A group of 16 and 17 yr olds were running a theft ring around here a few months ago. They hit a number of people at 2-3Am in the morning. These were places where people actually lived on the property too. They'd grab things like portable welders, generators, and tools. Things they could carry rather easily. Best thing for you to do is keep equip like that at home and bring with you to the place for working when you need it.

Unfortunately that's the way it is in the world today.

 

[Moon]

I have sliding doors on mine. I'd prefer the roll up, but couldn't afford it. My door opening is 10' x 10'. I use two 10' x 5' sliders. They work pretty good. They are adjustable from the top and just have guides at the corners of the bottom edge.