Introduction: Installing a Roll Up "Can" Type Door

About: Technical Editor for two magazines. Software tester for the computer controlled electronic brakes of Locomotives.

I needed a door to access the back concrete pad. A conventional swing out door could not be opened in the Winter due to snow. An in-swing could be opened but would take up precious room inside. An overhead door would interfere with things stored hanging from the ceiling. A slide door doesn't seal very well, especially facing the western (weather) side. So, a "Can" or "Roll Up" door was selected. Here is how to install one.

Step 1: This Is the Wall Where I Need an Exit Door, 'cause I Am Tired of Walking Around the Back Side of the House!

This is the wall that needs an exit door. Note I said an Exit Door, NOT an Entrance door. More on this later.

Step 2: The Door Arrives!

I contacted Roll Up Doors Direct here. I custom ordered their model 650 "Mini Storage Door", custom size, no outside latch or lock, with interior floor locks. This way there is no chance of unwanted entry. This makes the door Exit Only!

As you can see the door assembly comes in a large box by freight truck. Inside the box is two door rails and the door can pre-assembled.

Step 3: Got the Hole Cut

I cut the opening and framed it with 2x4's. Basic carpentry skills and tools here.

Step 4: Door Installed, 1, 2, 3

  1. The side rails are laid on the floor, butted against the door frame, one on each side.
  2. The door can, containing the rolled up door, is bolted to each side rail
  3. Then the door assembly is lifted and pivoted up against the door frame (2 people are needed because the can is heavy!). The side rails are attached to the door frame with lag screws

Door installation is done! Just fine tuning is left.

Step 5: Unroll the Door!

Remove the plastic wrap from the can and pull the door down. You can now adjust the door tension if necessary, check the bottom door locks for operation (they are kicked outward with your foot on each side, entering a slot cut into the side rails) and see how the bottom rubber seal meets the floor.

Step 6: Weather Stripping the Door, Inside

Roll up Doors Direct can provide a foam stick on edge seal (the black strip) and a gray outer strip that seals the edges of the door. They claim it doesn't work very well. Well it does if you attach the foam with black silicone seal because their double stick tape doesn't stay stuck! Silver foil aluminum tape was used to cover any holes in the door's side rails.

The foam provides a smooth surface for the gray strip to ride against, doing a fair job of sealing.

Step 7: Weather Stripping the Door, Outside

If you zoom in, you can see standard garage overhead door sealing strips, on the sides and top. The combination of the inner and outer seals has done a very good job of keeping out snow and rain, on the western (weather) side of the shed for years now.

I have opened the door in the winter time to be greeted by a 3 ft drift, with practically none inside.

I didn't bother with their foil stick on insulation because the shed is not heated, just cold storage.

Would I order another unit? Absolutely! Easy setup, easy open and close, takes up very little internal room, and has held up very well for 5 yrs now.

Just be aware that a $400 roll up door can have a $400 freight shipping charge! You pay for the convenience of a very easy installation with a very large, heavy shipping box.