Whether sitting in a field of tall grasses or providing a bold statement for your guest house, there is nothing quite so American an icon as the barn. Purities of form and function, barns are often constructed from simple materials, giving them a character unlike any other structural style. In this article, we will take a look at the barn door, how it relates to your project, and how these sliding and swinging doors can enhance your barn’s visual appeal.
What’s in a barn?
Barns are often constructed with heavy timbers or trusses, making for open floor plans and large rooms. Exposed beams and rusticated surfaces can add to the warmth and inviting nature of the spaces within. Outside, barns may be capped with a gambrel or shed roof and can be sided with a variety of materials including traditional clapboards, cedar shingles, and vertical board and batten siding. Older structures may still have a hayloft or cantilevered crane. Another feature common to the barn style is a cupola. Originally placed atop a roof to allow for ventilation, cupolas now function as architectural elements, adding visual interest to rooflines.
Door selection is important
Like other building types, a barn devotes a sizeable percentage of its façade to its doors. Doors add architectural interest and scale to a building, and provide a dynamic way for the building to engage its site and viewers. When choosing a door to speak for your barn, there are several things to consider:
- Structure. Traditional barns are constructed of heavy timbers. Select a door that speaks the same language. Diagonal bracing creates a visual sense of strength and support, while tongue-and-groove paneling echoes the simplicity of early American building.
- Hardware. Evoke the crafts of the past by sticking to hardware that looks hand-forged. Heavy duty hinges and handles will add a period look to your building. It is best to treat a barn like a barn, not like a posh apartment in the city.
- Materials. In terms of materiality, barns don’t hide anything, they are honest. Door material choice should be just as genuine. Sticking to solid wood construction will add integrity to your barn.
- Operation. Barn typologies call for a traditional function. Seek doors that swing out instead of simply appearing to swing out. Another method that fits tradition is the sliding door. Doors can be set up to slide to one side or part in the middle (bi-parting). For a finishing touch of modern convenience, have your doors automated.
In a Nutshell
By putting a little thought into the details of your project, the whole building will benefit. Authentic swinging or sliding doors with tongue-and-groove paneling and exposed hardware will capture the essence of those who crafted the barns of the past. Your structure will proudly stand with those that came before it, giving you years to enjoy the quality of Real Building.
About the Author
Jeremy Broderick, resident architect at Real Carriage Door Company, balances his time between door drafting, woodworking projects, and life at home with his wife Mardie.