Finally Putting in Dutch Doors -- Advice?

[King_s_Ransom]

My little barn does not have exterior access to the stalls, something I have been wanting to change since I moved in. Due to changes in our little herd, I am now down to two active stalls at home (considering leaving the pony boarded full-time). I have the perfect situation now to add those exterior stall doors that will open right into a large overhang, the paddock and any of three pastures.

I’d like dutch doors that can full open and be latched up against the side of the barn and completely out of the way, completely closed, or closed with the top half open.

I’ll need a contractor to cut the openings and install the doors. I could have the same person make the doors, but experience with this person tells me I might be happier buying a pre-fabricated door.

Here are a couple of online providers I’ve looked at. Wondering if anyone has advice / suggestions / experience to share with me on this project? I’m not in a big hurry, but would like to have it done this summer.

Ramm Fencing: http://www.rammfence.com/barn/dutch-and-bale-doors/single-dutch-doors

Country Manufacturing: http://www.countrymfg.com/dutch_doors.htm

Wood Star Products: http://www.woodstarproducts.com/Doors/Dutch_Doors

Budget is, of course, a concern – but so is ongoing maintenance. Horses are mostly out and rarely stalled. The main reason(s) I want the Dutch Doors are:

[LIST=1]

Exterior Access to stalls whenever horses ARE in

Add much-needed sunlight and fresh air to the barn

Make it very easy for others to feed / check on horses when we're gone (without having to lead them in and out of the barn) [/LIST]

Advice, insight, experience much welcomed. Thank you!

[airhorse]

Our last Woodstar dutch doors rotted to disintegration in just over a year.

We have some of their older product that is going strong after 15 years, but the new stuff has not held up for us.

They would not stand behind their product either.

[Bluey]

One more to consider, that many here use and have stood up well over the years:

http://mdbarnmaster.com

[King_s_Ransom]

Oh man, thank you airhorse! Will definitely cross them off my list!

[Dance_To_Oblivion]

Classic Equine also makes a pre fabricated metal dutch door. Having had wooden dutch doors before I don’t recommend them because as the weather changes they shrink and swell and opening and closing can be obnoxious. So totally recommend the metal pre done doors and totally recommend Classic Equine.

[Huntin_Pony]

I have used Country Manufacturing for a number of things - manure spreader, two-wheel dump trailer, top doors for stalls. They are spectacularly good to work with and they know their stuff. Prices are reasonable including for replacement parts. They will talk you through any questions you have and the answers have always been spot-on in my experience.

[King_s_Ransom]

Anyone have experience with the Ramm Fence dutch doors? I am going to give them a call this week to find out more.

[TrailRides4Fun]

Going off topic a bit here, but,…,
I will need to replace my wooden dutch doors at some point and just thought
I would call in a local builder or pole builder.
I never realized this companies ^^ mentioned did replacement doors?
Do the above companies travel nationwide?
Do they have representatives that actually travel to someone’s farm
to take measurements, orders, etc?
Or, do you measure and then hire locally to cut them down to an exact fit?

Hummm, interesting thread OP, thanks! :yes:

[Bluey]

[QUOTE=King’s Ransom;8624833]
Anyone have experience with the Ramm Fence dutch doors? I am going to give them a call this week to find out more.[/QUOTE]

The reviews sound very good, worth finding out more, especially if they are close to you, so there won’t be much freight involved.

[airhorse]

@TrailRides4Fun;8625023

Or, do you measure and then hire locally to cut them down to an exact fit?

Hopefully, they will make the door to fit your opening.

[LittleLegsBigStride]

I would honestly either build your own (if you are handy) or have them built locally. Will be significantly cheaper.

And one thing I am a nazi about… stain or paint EVERYTHING!
I currently board and shadow under the manager of the nicest barn I have ever boarded or shown at. Every large wooden object (stalls, doors, walls, indoor arena fence/walls) gets at least three layers of stain painted on, and power washed every year/every other year and gets another layer put on. The stalls are old and look NICE. They’ve lasted forever because they’re protected. I cringe every time someone shows me their newest editions that they’re so proud of-because they’re just bare!

Sorry, rant of the day.

[mountainhorse]

Littlelegs-Would you share photos?

[mountainhorse]

We had RAMM dutch doors in a barn I managed a while back. They were very, very, nice. They are metal lined front and back, so durability is a big deal. They were built to last.
However, I have worked with County Mfg. a lot with my newest personal barn, and I really like their products, customer service, etc. I believe they are quite a bit less than RAMM, however, their doors are not powder-coated metal lined,…the wood is visible.
Depending on budget, I would go with either of these options.

[King_s_Ransom]

I totally disagree about having the doors made locally. This applies ONLY if you find a qualified, proven craftsman who can build things very well and stick with the job until everything fits and works right.

The simplest job, left to an inexperienced or unskilled worker becomes a disaster. And if there is a qualified, experienced craftsman in your area – try hiring him to do TWO doors. And if you are able to get him to agree, be ready to WAIT a year and then pay through the nose.

In most rural situations, you will be better off to find a well-recommended company that does this sort of work day in and day out.

[King_s_Ransom]

I totally disagree about having the doors made locally. This applies ONLY if you find a qualified, proven craftsman who can build things very well and stick with the job until everything fits and works right.

The simplest job, left to an inexperienced or unskilled worker becomes a disaster. And if there is a qualified, experienced craftsman in your area – try hiring him to do TWO doors. And if you are able to get him to agree, be ready to WAIT a year and then pay through the nose.

In most rural situations, you will be better off to find a well-recommended company that does this sort of work day in and day out.

[mountainhorse]

Haha, I have to agree. I moved from a very horsey, craftsman area to the middle of ‘no.where’, and the local ‘craftsman’ is a joke, in most cases. Actually, there is one. And he knows it-re: $$.

If my budget would allow, I would suggest RAMM. We didn’t have any issues with them in the previous barn, and the metal lining (any color you decide) was very sharp looking and long lasting.

[vxf111]

Pioneer, who built my pole barn, provided Dutch doors. I am very happy with them and they were not expensive. Just another option to think about.

[Simkie]

We did this same thing and used Plyco doors. No complains at all.

[Libby2563]

Check out Sunset Valley Metalcraft: http://www.pacustomhorsestalls.com/

I replaced wooden Dutch doors with their aluminum ones. They are extremely well made and sturdy, and they cost significantly less than Ramm or several other places I got prices from. They can also be fully customized to fit your door openings and have many options for windows in the doors, grates, colors, etc.

You can see pictures of my doors on this thread here: http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?476397-Anyone-familiar-with-Sunset-Valley-Metal-Craft-(PA)-horse-stalls

[fordtraktor]

I guess I am lucky, my local former Mennonite horse barn builder guy does a terrific job on my horse projects!!! Local can be awesome! I don’t know that I would call him a “craftsman” per se in that I don’t think I’d hire him to build me designer furniture or anything, but he does lovely work. he calls himself a builder.