Sliding VS Hinged Doors
Sliding VS Hinged Doors
I'm getting ready to order the windows and the cabin door for a boat I'm building out of marine aluminum. The rear deck of the boat is approximately 8' x 9' so there is room for a door to swing out into that area. I was interested in opinions regarding the advantages and disadvantages of sliding vs hinged doors for that application. I understand the big advantage of the sliding door being out of the way but how about dirt getting into the track, water tightness etc.
Bob
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Re: Sliding VS Hinged Doors
I vote SLIDING DOOR.
A hinged door takes up a lot of deck space and can be a pain.
A hinged door takes up a lot of deck space and can be a pain.
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Re: Sliding VS Hinged Doors
Sliding Door!
Re: Sliding VS Hinged Doors
Make your own sliding door! The top and bottom track are cut from 2x2x1/4" box tubing. The rollers are sealed s/s roller bearings (mc master/carr ). The rest of the frame is made from 1/8" bent in a Zee shape. Its alot of work, but "store bought" sliders are expense. I'll walk you through it if you want to built it your delf.
Welderbob
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Re: Sliding VS Hinged Doors
All I can say is- I have a sliding door on my 22 f t Hewescraft and it works great. It was fabricated by the owner that I bought the boat from. I have been on other Hewescraft with the hinged door and I much prefer the slider.
Personally, I see no downside to a slider, only benefits.
Personally, I see no downside to a slider, only benefits.
Re: Sliding VS Hinged Doors
A hinged door won't be so likely to freeze shut when water gets in the sliding channel of a sliding door and freezes it won't open. I looked at your location just sayn.
Mike
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Re: Sliding VS Hinged Doors
Slider works well; takes less room to operate. Droll a few holes in the bottom if you make your own like Welderbob discribes. Water drains out and none left to freeze.
I bought a double slider so the door opening would be centered.
I bought a double slider so the door opening would be centered.
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Re: Sliding VS Hinged Doors
I have used both and like the hinged door if the door goes tight to the wall when open. A slider should have drain holes, but one problem in cold climates is if you get a wet snow and then it freezes at night, your door won't slide. Glen
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Re: Sliding VS Hinged Doors
Yeah, layout on deck can make the decision for you. A swinger wouldn't work on mine with the narrow house, aft helm and solid mount seat (like my walmart bucket?). Door is sliding in poly tracks that are easy to fabricate if freeze-up is a concern but a deckhouse roof extension can help with that problem too.
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Re: Sliding VS Hinged Doors
I like the looks of a swinging door better, especially the all glass styles. The added visibility and light you get with a glass door is amazing except if you are trying to sleep. However if your hatches or fish holds cannot be accessed without closing the door then I would consider a slider. I have one fish box that can't be opened without closing the door, so it never gets opened and I store rarely used items in it. Also don't go cheap with the door stopper if you get a hinged door. I have an amazing magnetic stopper that I paid dearly for that requires a strong tug to disengage, but I have been on boats with manual latches and weak magnets that have been a real pain.
Re: Sliding VS Hinged Doors
I like my hinged door, but I have lots of room for it. It seems like most people like whatever they have if it is designed and installed correctly.
Jim
Re: Sliding VS Hinged Doors
My vote is for a slider. I put a 70 qt. Cooler with a cushion just aft of the bulkhead and it makes a great seat and beverage receptacle. You can never place any items in the path of a swinger. I use my boat year round in all types of weather including temps well below freezing and have yet to have it frozen shut. Just my 2¢.