25 x 25 garage / 2-post lift & garage door placement?

[brg2290]

I am building a garage with about a 25' x 25' pad. The way it is currently configured, the garage door will be on one of the gabled ends. One of the items on my wish list is a lift, probably a 2-post symetrical, and the current ceiling height is drawn at 12', with the possible addition of scissor trusses to allow a bit more overhead clearance.

Question: For those of you who have built garages on the smaller side, how did you configure your garage door and lift placement to resolve the issue of avoiding interference between your garage door and a vehicle raised on the lift? Specifics on garage door manufacturer, type and placement of opener and track configuration are of particular interest.

Thanks, Gary S.

[stomachmonkey]

You need a door that rolls up into a tube. Similar to a security "gate" on a commercial store front.

[Dottore]

Get a garage door that has the lifting mechanism at the side of the door instead of on the ceiling. There are various brands available.

[brg2290]

Originally posted by stomachmonkey
You need a door that rolls up into a tube. Similar to a security "gate" on a commercial store front.

Roll up would be ideal, but I don't know if they're available with any meaningful insulation, which is desirable for my application. Guess I should google "insulated roll up door".

Originally posted by Dottore
Get a garage door that has the lifting mechanism at the side of the door instead of on the ceiling. There are various brands available.

Yes, I looked at one of these yesterday (Lift-Master, I believe) and it seems like a great way to go - if a bit spendy @ $425.

Gary S.

[stomachmonkey]

Then how about really saving cash and doing a swing out door? Split down the middle. Your contracter can probably build it along with the rest of the structure.

[widebody911]

My shop is 25x25, 10' walls. I went with a conventional panel door and a scissor lift. In hindsight, I wish I'd gone with the roll-up, but the contractor talked me out of it saying it would be way more expensive. It turned out that the custom door I ended up with wasn't that much cheaper than the equivalent roll-up. Live and learn.

[The Gaijin]

Wide Man - very nice.

[brg2290]

Originally posted by widebody911
My shop is 25x25, 10' walls. I went with a conventional panel door and a scissor lift. In hindsight, I wish I'd gone with the roll-up, but the contractor talked me out of it saying it would be way more expensive. It turned out that the custom door I ended up with wasn't that much cheaper than the equivalent roll-up. Live and learn.

I like the scissor lift option, it just doesn't fulfill one of my criteria (allowing for the possibility of over / under storage) and may not be so great for access to my two cars with front engine / rear drive. Perhaps I could deal with the space issue by sneaking a car on casters into a corner instead of storing it on a lift. How does the scissor lift work for you as far as access to the center section of the car, say, in the area of the ground strap? I like your shop (it looks well lit)...and your milk case / creeper stool - very innovative!

Originally posted by stomachmonkey
Then how about really saving cash and doing a swing out door? Split down the middle. Your contracter can probably build it along with the rest of the structure.

I actually could see this working, but one of my desires is to have a door opener. I've seen swing out opener mechanisms for gates, but I'm not sure this would translate well to large access door.

Gary S.

[911boost]

Have chosen the lift yet? I am currently in the early stages of getting a lift for the car storage that you mentioned.

[tobster1911]

Originally posted by stomachmonkey
Then how about really saving cash and doing a swing out door? Split down the middle. Your contracter can probably build it along with the rest of the structure.

Better yet, slide sideways on a track. Could motorize this very easily.

[brg2290]

Originally posted by BSiple
Have chosen the lift yet? I am currently in the early stages of getting a lift for the car storage that you mentioned.

I have not chosen a lift yet. I have inquired about the Direct Lift product that is advertised in the back of Hemmings Sports and Exotics magazine and elsewhere. Direct Lift examples - Click here. I have a friend who has a Challenger, a bit more expensive but a highly regarded manufacturer and a member of the ALI (American Lift Institute) And I remember reading here on Pelican that Pelican sales can get discounted prices on BendPak, another ALI member. I haven't followed up on this though.

Gary S.

[legion]

Here are some lifts that I have looked at:

http://www.backyardbuddy.com/

http://www.americasprideonline.com/scratch-n-dent-inventory.shtml#autolifts

http://www.kwiklift.com/index.htm

http://eagleequip.com/page/EE/CTGY/LI?WT.srch=1

[URY914]

The door you want is called a "coiling door" or 'Rolling door".
Motorized or manual.

http://www.overheaddoor.com/

[JeremyD]

I have a 22 x 26 big two car that I am planning on putting a four post in. Here's the side lift doors - my doors are 9 x 9

[JeremyD]

Lifts -
http://www.pacetools.com/Products/VSS-7000

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Direct-Lift-Pro-Park-8-p/tppro-park8.htm

Northern has free shipping on their bendpack -
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200329457_200329457

and my favorite so far (the panther "high rise")

http://www.pantherlifts.com/shopping/index.php?action=item&id=8&prevaction=category&previd=2&prevstart=0

[JeremyD]

The roll doors look like a$$ ok if you are in a commercial establishment - not OK for a neighborhood (or if you have a significant other)

[MikeSid]

Originally posted by JeremyD
The roll doors look like a$$ ok if you are in a commercial establishment - not OK for a neighborhood (or if you have a significant other)

I used a commercial roll up door from US Door. It is insulated and has a motorized operator with remote. It has all the convenience, quiet, insulation, and speed of a standard residential door and it comes powdercoated in virtually any color you want. BUT..... it does look like a commercial door.

Fortunately my garage is on an alley so it doesn't matter to me in the slightest. But if this were the front of my house or at the end of a driveway, a roll up would be out of the question.

As for the wrap around slider doors... I considered it, but the amount of wall space for tables/shelving that you would lose was a deal killer.

[brg2290]

Originally posted by URY914
The door you want is called a "coiling door" or 'Rolling door".
Motorized or manual.

http://www.overheaddoor.com/

Thanks Paul. I spoke with an Overhead salesman today and thier doors definitely seem suitable to my application.

Originally posted by JeremyD I have a 22 x 26 big two car that I am planning on putting a four post in. Here's the side lift doors - my doors are 9 x 9

JeremyD, who is the manufacturer of the doors and openers in your picture? Also, why is Panther your current favorite for lift options?

And MikeSid, thanks for the US Door referral. I will check them out, as my door will also be on an alley, but aesthetics (and the wife's opinion) will play a part in the selection.

To all who've posted, I appreciate the input. I posted basically the same question on a couple of other boards I participate in, and the Pelican responses have been impressive in number and usefulness.
Thanks, Gary S.

[911boost]

I think the thing that you need to watch on the lifts is the distance between the stop points. Meaning, if it is 4 inches between each saftey stop, you don't have the flexibility of say a lift with 2 inches, etc.

Bill

[Tim Hancock]

FWIW, I have a BendPak scissors lift and I love it (I had to have occasional mobility, so 2 post while nice, was out of the question).

I service all the cars in my sig plus a 4 x4 Toyota and have NEVER had an issue with access to any portion of any of the cars. I have changed complete exhaust systems and have put a clutch in a 944 turbo which requires exhaust removal & transmission removal.

All that said, you may want to look at bi-fold doors. I have a 40' wide x 14' tall one on one end of my airplane hangar and it is well insulated.