Making a section of a wall removeable?

[bigndn]

Any ideas?

Here's the scene. I have a loft, which is over a large room and a bathroom, in my shop. I am going to build a wall from the loft floor to the rafters, but I want to be able to remove a section of it so I can lift heavier things up with the tractor. This wall will sit on the loft floor and be nailed to a rafter. The main bay area has standard rafters, while the loft has scissor trusses for additional volume.

I'm thinking of just leaving out a 6' section of studs as this wall will be non loadbearing. In that section, I'm thinking of having basically a removeable "window" that I can tip back into the loft and slide to the side to allow access. I don't want it on hinges because the swing radius would cut out a lot of useable space.

What say the builders?

 

[bigndn]

Had another thought. Why not barn doors on hinges that open outward (towards the main bay)? No loss of useable space, easy to construct, no risk of smashing toes or spraining a back. Better idea?

 

[D'Animal]

Pocket Door

 

[-Spike-]

Had another thought. Why not barn doors on hinges that open outward (towards the main bay)? No loss of useable space, easy to construct, no risk of smashing toes or spraining a back. Better idea?

That was my original thought, but wasn't sure if you had discounted it due to the scissor trusses or cosmetic reasons.

 

[Weedhopper]

I was thinking pocket door when I was reading the first paragraph. Maybe an over sized one ?

 

[bigndn]

Pocket Door

That would actually be perfect. I'll check to see if I can find a kit locally. The total height is only 67" from the loft floor to that rafter, so I'd have to DIY. The stairs come up parallel to the first scissor truss. Great idea, thanks Dan!

That was my original thought, but wasn't sure if you had discounted it due to the scissor trusses or cosmetic reasons.

This little wall would be from a std rafter to the loft floor, which would be in front of the scissor trusses. Cosmetic reasons.......not so much. I'm looking for function.


I'd like to be able to display some of my mounts on the main bay side of this wall and not lose any storage space in the loft, so a pocket door would be ideal.

 

[Weedhopper]

Dan is the man !

 

[bigndn]

After lots of research last night, I'm thinking a track system would be easiest and least costly. Since the opening is going to be 6' wide, I'll need a 12' track. The door may be in 2 pieces, each piece would slide outward from the center of the opening. The wall will be OSB on the main bay side, so I could make OSB doors with a nifty bracing on the outside and latches on the loft side.

What do you think? Something like this system.....

 

[jjbodean1970]

After lots of research last night, I'm thinking a track system would be easiest and least costly. Since the opening is going to be 6' wide, I'll need a 12' track. The door may be in 2 pieces, each piece would slide outward from the center of the opening. The wall will be OSB on the main bay side, so I could make OSB doors with a nifty bracing on the outside and latches on the loft side.

What do you think? Something like this system.....

i've always thought those were cool

 

[bigndn]

I was wrong. This idea would be easiest and least costly.

Cost = big hinges (4), OSB (1 sheet), 1X4X6' (2) for bracing, and a latch of some sort. 2 doors, slightly larger than opening with bracing that fits inside the opening. This is gonna be easier than I thought. Thanks for your help guys.

 

[D'Animal]

What is the span between the rafters? Will you be able to swing it all the way open and out of your way when you need to?

 

[bigndn]

What is the span between the rafters? Will you be able to swing it all the way open and out of your way when you need to?

It's 29' wide. The doors would be offset slightly from centered due to the stairs. Twin doors 3.5' should do nicely. Yup, I'll have plenty of room to swing them open out into the main bay. I see what you're saying.

 

[bigndn]

Here's what I ended up with. I'll shoot some pics with the doors open next chance I get. They're secured from the inside with simple 1/4 turn latches. They clear the shop lights by about 1", so it works out perfectly. I think I spent about $30 on hardware and used scrap OSB.

 

[Rambrush]

Looks like that worked out ok, started wondering if you were going to have to have fire rated protection.

 

[bigndn]

Looks like that worked out ok, started wondering if you were going to have to have fire rated protection.

Just on the main bay walls.

 

[splitshot]

Bathroom aside... With proper insulation and a unit to keep it cool, that would be the makings of an excellent walk-in. Just another idea.

 

[bigndn]

Here's the latches on the inside. I need to put up a 1X4 on the top of the door to move the latch inboard a bit on the 2X4.

 

[D'Animal]

Do you plan on installing a Pilgrim Bar?

I would not want to see one of the kids fall through the doors because they were horsing around and the latch broke.

 

[bigndn]

Do you plan on installing a Pilgrim Bar?

I would not want to see one of the kids fall through the doors because they were horsing around and the latch broke.

What a pilgrim bar? If it will make the situation safer, I will.

 

[D'Animal]

A "Pilgrim Bar" is a simple device that bar goes across both doors and is held in place with brackets. A simple 2x4 spanning the opening between both doors and sitting in bracket on each end is considered a Pilgram Bar.

The early settlers used them before door locks were invented.