If you live in the Texas Panhandle, you have likely seen a Quonset building. Often situated on ranches and farms, this building design has been around for centuries. If you are looking to update your Quonset building, you are probably in need of a new garage or commercial overhead door. In most cases, this will require a custom garage or overhead door.

What Is A Quonset Building?

Quonset buildings are lightweight, prefabricated structures made of steel. They have a semicircular cross-section, a design that was borrowed from what was known as Nissen huts which the British came up with during first world war. Quonset is a name that was derived from the place where the first structure was put up which was Quonset Point in Rhode Island, USA.

The first Quonset buildings were very simple in design. The sides were made using corrugated steel sheets and the ends were covered with plywood. They had windows and doors, sometimes an insulated interior and a wooden floor. The structures stood on wooden or concrete floors.

Today's Quonset buildings which are alternatively known as arch buildings for their shape have improved greatly. Modern ones are made of steel alloy and they combine the design of centuries ago with modern construction technology. They can stand up to the harshest weather conditions like hurricanes and blizzards and the interiors can be made as comfortable as you like depending on that the structure is to be used for.

What Kind Of Overhead Door Does A Quonset Building Need?

The uses of Quonset buildings have also changed. While they started as military structures, they are now used for extra storage, as living space and as garages among other uses.

If a Quonset building is to be used as a garage, it is important that is has a well-fitted door that opens and closes smoothly and that keeps the car and other items in it secure. The structures can also hold RVs, boats, trailers and other large-sized equipment. They can be custom-made to be large enough for the intended use.

The buildings are best fitted with overhead doors. For the garage door to open and close smoothly, the dimensions of the door have to be just right. For standard size Quonset garages, at least 13 inches of headroom above the door opening is required. It is possible to install a low headroom door if there is a limitation of space but this is not recommended.

The best way to be sure you will have a garage door that will fit and work perfectly is to have it custom made. Once your Quonset building arrives, you should call in garage door experts to take measurements and custom make the door for you.

If you have had your structure for some time, you would do well to have the door checked and changed if necessary. Most of the older types of Quonset buildings came with sliding rather than overhead doors. In most cases, the buildings had no insulation so weather extremes like high temperatures and the freezing lows of winter had an effect on the doors which would eventually not open and close as they should.

Overhead doors remain in place because of the position in which they are installed and the way they are installed with springs. If the building is insulated, they are not affected by weather conditions. The fact that the door is made to measure also ensures that it closes securely and presents no problems with opening and closing.

Who Can Install An Overhead Door For Your Quonset Building?

Amarillo garage door company Willow Creek Overhead Door has custom made and fitted more than 50 overhead commercial doors for Quonset buildings in western Kansas, eastern Colorado and Amarillo, Texas. Call owner Tony Hall today for a free installation estimate. 

Amarillo garage door company Willow Creek Overhead Door has been in business for nearly 15 years. In those 15 years, owner Tony Hall has never come across such as endeavor as he recently did. 

When Tony was asked if he could install an overhead door for Texas Northwestern Railway, a door that would measure 27 feet wide and 20 feet tall, he was hesitant. The door would be for a new building to house the company’s locomotives. After a few moments of thinking, Tony quickly decided to accept the challenge.

Tony was able to complete the job in just a few days. The three-inch insulated, steel commercial door ended up weighing more than 2,000 pounds. It required a dual trolley opener and a heavy-duty, 1 horsepower gear reduced operator to lift the door. It has six torsion springs, 15 hinges for each of the 10 door sections. A standard commercial overhead door has seven sections, with six hinges apiece, and two torsion springs.

What Other Unique Garage And Overhead Door Can Willow Creek Overhead Door Install?

Willow Creek Overhead Door has experience repairing and installing a variety of residential and commercial garage doors. Tony uses top manufactures, Raynor and Midland Garage Doors, for his projects. From rolling, fire and traffic doors for industrial facilities, to classic, French, carriage house and long-panel doors for the home, Tony has the expertise to install the right garage door for your needs and budget. He has installed countless doors for farms and ranches, quonset buildings and commercial buildings as well as doors for older homes and new construction. 


What Style of Doors Does Willow Creek Overhead Door Install?

He sells steel, wood and aluminum garage and overhead doors in a variety of colors and textures. If you do not see the door you are looking for on Willow Creek Overhead Door’s website, inquire with Tony and he will help you find a design, color and style to meet your specific needs.

Contact Amarillo garage door installer Tony Hall today for a free installation estimate for your commercial building or house. 

by Tony Hall - More by Tony Hall

Barns are typically found on farms or ranches where they are used to house horses, livestock and crops. Their doors are therefore very sturdy to be able to secure what is in them. Whether your barn is part of your business or your home, it’s important to have an overhead door that protects your property. Here’s how to decide what kind of barn door is best for you.

Why should I get an overhead door for my barn??

There are many benefits to having an overhead or garage door for your barn. Security, is a major benefit. Maybe you've converted an old barn into a modern home. Or maybe you run a ranch or farm. Whether you use your barn for work reasons, or it's part of your home, you want your things to be safe. A durable, strong barn garage door can do that.

If your house has a traditional design, you can go for the same in a barn overhead door. This would be typically be thick, wooden doors. They can also be made of steel or they can have both where a wooden door has wrought iron trimming or handles.

You can also take a modern approach to your barn door by adding glass. The glass can be frosted or etched for decoration and also for privacy. For a front door, it is best to use reinforced glass for security. Energy saving glass that makes use of green energy is also ideal.

You can have a barn door installed to divide the area. If you want to keep equipment on one side and livestock on the other, this type of door is a good match. The best are those that slide or fold up so that you can easily remove or put up the partition.

Another thing you can do with a barn door is improve the curb appeal of your land. You can choose a barn door with a pop of color such as red or other bright hue. You can also go for classic, natural wood colors whether dark or light.

Where can I find a garage door for my barn?

Barns are a common sight in the Texas Panhandle. With the volatile weather, such as hail and wind, always in sight, you need a barn door that is durable, strong and steady. Amarillo overhead door company Willow Creek Overhead Door can advise you on barn door options for your home or business. Whether you need a new door, or a repair, Willow Creek Overhead Door can help.