New workshop/garage building, thinking of making my own windows and doors

[LeeW]

I'm thinking of building a new workshop/garage building to a size of around 13x50 feet and I am considering making my own windows and doors. Has anyone tried making windows and doors before? I was thinking of maybe using stainless so they would never rust and give a building a modern contemporary look. Alternitivly I could use mild steel and then get them galvanised and the powerder coated which should stop them from going rusty for some time unlike those crittall windows of years gone by.
I would like to make a main garage door which would be about 10 foot wide, enough to get a car in and still be able to get bikes etc in and out without taking the car out. I'm not yet decided on an up+over door or side hinged, if I for for an up and over I'd like to have a pedestrian door integrated into it. Most garage doors I have seen in the shops seem fairly weedy, I'd like something more heavy duty, a bit like a Silvelox door which are mega expensive.
Down the side i'd like 4 windows and a maybe a side door. I was thinking of going for an art-deco design for the windows and keeping the size of the glass panes fairly small to deter burglars. I was thinking of a sunray design with the glazing bars fanning out or alternatively a zig-zag design or just a simple grid like in old mills etc. I was thinking of using T section glazing bars and then using angle for the beading to hold the panes in.
Not sure about the side door, it would be useful at times but would be a security issue as it's less visible than the main door (main door faces the street).

 

[wyn]

Small panes of glass would be good as the frame would then stop people getting in. An up and over door could be tricky to build the opening mechanism and difficult to secure. Maybe side mounted doors ....you could go with one 7' and a smaller 3' one for access.

If you are using a side door maybe use that for the main way in an out. It would be easier to secure and the main doors could then be secured from the inside with nothing visible out side.

What materials were you thinking of using for the door?

 

[DaveCool]

Realistically, you should probably be looking at wooden windows and doors

 

[LeeW]

Hmmm.
I'm not really a joiner.
I believe steel windows are more secure than either wood or PVC.
I like the look of steel windows in art deco buildings.
Steel windows can have small panes and still let in alot of light as the glazing bars can be thin.
If made from stainless steel would they require any maintence?

 

[TheJoker]

If you do go with metal windows, bear in mind that they conduct heat like nobodys business. We have a alu windows in our house and we have issues with humidity and mould as the heat and humidity inside condensates on the cold window frames.
In a garage you'd probably have lower temperature and humidity, but either way, expect some sort of condensation, unless you insulate the outside from the inside.
I'd also love to build my own garage... it would be big, light (probably a lot of glass bricks), easy access... but above all; fully insulated with underfloor heating.

 

[English Steve]

As Wyn said, side hinged barn-type doors are easier to fabricate and fit. I made a pair for my garage to replace the worn-out up and over type. They have the disadvantage of taking up more space when open, but the advantages of only needing to open one for pedestrian access (less possibility of prying eyes seeing what's inside) and are easier to make secure from the outside. Also, if you need a bit of extra covered workspace, you can open the doors and hang a tarp between them.
I bought a 4.1/2" Clarke bandsaw and all of the steel, fittings and fastenings for less than the cost of a new 7' high up and over door. Took one day to make and hang.
I painted the frame but left the panels galvanised. Since fitting them, both of my neighbours garages have been burgled (up and over doors), but they never even tried to get into mine, presumably because the doors look substantial and were secured with a disk lock.