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Small Cabin Forum / Cabin Construction / Frost Heaves making it tough to open doors
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Upstater
# Posted: 25 May 2011 03:40pm
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I have a shed on a concrete platform, but the doors swing out (beyond the platform) and in the winter the ground heaves up and makes it almost impossible to open. Any ideas on what I can do to the ground in front of the doors to make it easier to open? Do I dig down (how far) and put in gravel? There is grass around the shed with bluestone pads right near the entrance in front of the door.

PlicketyCat
Member
# Posted: 28 May 2011 11:31pm
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You could dig down below the frost line and fill with gravel or other clean fill recommended for your area. Or, if your shed is wide enough, you could replace your swinging door with a barn-style sliding door. Or replace the swing door with a roll/lift up garage-style door. Sometimes it's easier to replace the door than fix the grading & foundation.

Upstater
# Posted: 9 Jun 2011 10:24am
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Thank you! I don't want to change the doors as the barn is old, and I'd like to keep it original. I'll talk with the local building supply store and obtain the proper fill.

smitty
Member
# Posted: 9 Jun 2011 03:28pm
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Is it a wood door?

Upstater
# Posted: 11 Jun 2011 07:18am
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yes

smitty
Member
# Posted: 11 Jun 2011 07:01pm
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Silly I know.. But could be the door swelling making it hard to open? Maybe try to plane the door down a little.. Add some weather stripping for when it shrinks.. Easier than digging and pouring gravel under the concrete..

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