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Using old French doors as wind breakers

18 years ago

Here's what I wish to do:

I am getting new French doors and would like to put the old ones to use on my patio. From time-to-time, I would like to be able to set them up as a wind barrier for the gusts of winds that seem to show up between 6 and 8 pm most spring nights. Still, I don't want them to be permanent fixtures. I am imagining that I can nail each into a frame.

1. But what size frame (1 by 3?)

2. What do I need to make to stabilize them so they won't blow over?

3. And, hardest of all, how can I attach some sort of roller or wheels so that I can easily roll them away when not in use. I know my hubbie won't want to bother, so this task will be left to me, and they need to be as portable as possible dispite their weight.

Anyone out there have any suggestions for me? I'm fairly handy with small power tools, but have no design sense.

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Comments (4)

crableg
18 years ago
Oldalgebra, I been trying to think up the something for the same problem, lol, I don't want to use doors, (heavy) and if it blew over it would brain me!
I used some cardboard last year, wasn't a good idea,..
I was thinking a wood frame and plexsa glass, but the details for fastening and being portable escapes me, I do like the wheels idea!
oldalgebra
Original Author
18 years ago
Crableg,
I've been trying to think of a way to attach the wheels to the doors in much the same way that wheels are attached to a dolly. I was thinking of fixing them so that one could wheel out each door independently, then. using the original hinges, hinge them together by inserting the pins. Perhaps, just sitting them on the patio in a slight v-shape will be enought to keep them upright, but I'd hate to find out the hard way that I should have secured them in some additional manner.
Surely, there is someone out there that has made something similar and can help us out.
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DrynDusty
18 years ago
I haven't tried what you are planning, but I would think about substituting screening for the louvers. That would decrease the weight somewhat. You're going to need to brace them from the top somehow, or else they will blow over. Here in the West gentle breezes of 50 or 60 miles per hour would make your idea impracticle, if not very dangerous. I have used strips of shade cloth on a garden fence for
Good luck, Norm
sharon_sd
18 years ago
The best windbreak has about 70% coverage, allowing 30% wind penetration. More than that and the wind just deflects over and back down the other side. It also puts too much stress on the windbreak.

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