Bespoke garage door system
The existing garage was a cold bridge. Machinery inside, condensation, impossible to heat. An outward-opening system in Douglas with PIR insulation and HR++ glazing solves that. Glass panels for more daylight, outward-opening wings for more usable space.
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A system, not a standard door
This project is a study in integrated design: an outward-opening pair of garage doors that performs thermally, is repairable, and remains achievable, by a joiner or in the studio workshop. The strength is in the systematic approach: all components are designed to stock dimensions, so each part can eventually be replaced individually without a bespoke order.
The leaves are a layer build-up: Douglas featheredge cladding on the outside, PIR insulation, birch plywood inner skin. The frame is Douglas throughout, in rift-sawn stock profiles from Houthandel Bunnik. Glass, rebates and hardware will be confirmed via a trial detail.
Material: Douglas fir
Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii, FSC/PEFC): stable in exterior use, available in heavy stock sections, suited to air-dried supply. Douglas weathers to an even silver-grey if left untreated, provided detailing is correct: sufficient overhang, drainage and ventilation around the frame. Leaving it untreated is a deliberate choice, not a default.
Technical specifications
- External dimensions: 2390 × 2135 mm
- Frame: Douglas 75 × 150 mm rift/quarter-sawn AD
- Leaf stiles and light rails: Douglas 100 × 100 mm 4-sided AD
- Heavy bottom rail: Douglas 120 × 120 mm 4-sided AD
- Cladding: Douglas featheredge 18 × 135 mm working width, KD
- Leaf build-up: approx. 80 mm total depth
- Insulation: approx. 50–53 mm PIR rigid, confirmed via trial detail
- Inner skin: 9 mm birch plywood
- Glazing: HR++ approx. 24 mm (4/16Ar/4), Ug ≈ 1.1 W/m²K
- Hinges: 4 per leaf, stainless steel brushed
- Centre cover strip (makelaar): Douglas 40 × 18 mm, seals gap between leaves
Interactive 3D model
The design is fully parametric: a single script generates seven production drawings, a bill of materials, and a 3D model. The interactive model below shows both leaves, the glazing layout, the centre cover strip and the stainless hardware. Rotate to view the construction from all sides.
Current status
Design complete to assembly level: drawings, bill of materials and 3D model finished. Timber delivered, first components being cut and planed. Glass, rebates and hardware confirmed via trial detail.
Read more about the material choices and digital design process in the journal.
Rotate and zoom with mouse or finger — the object is fully interactive.
