Part of converting our spare shed to a chicken coop included installing a small door for the chickens to enter and exit through. Using a small door reduces the possibility of predators entering, and in winter helps to keep heat in. I wanted to have the option for using an automatic door that opens at sunrise and sunset, so I first researched options, as that would help determine the size of the rough opening. We purchased a roller style door made by Innoland. I also decided to make a standard hinged door, in case the automatic door did not work or broke in the future.
With the door purchased, I used the template that came with the instructions to make a modified template that took the rough framing into account. I traced the template onto the interior wood sheathing and cut the wood away with an oscillating tool. The shed exterior is clad in corrugated steel, so that was cut using a grinder. We now had a hole in the side of our shed, which is usually something to avoid.
I spent the afternoon framing the door. It was a beautiful fall day, so I dragged my tools outside to enjoy the sunshine and to reduce the amount of sawdust in the basement. I needed the framing to overlap the sheathing so the trim could be attached in line with the steel siding. I used a rabbitting bit on the router table, as my Rigid table saw does not have a throat that accepts dado blades. The automatic door required an opening that was t-shaped rather than a rectangle, which I was able to produce using a band saw. I tacked in trim, test fit the automatic door, and the opening was ready for paint. I used a scrap piece of plywood and a spare knob to make a manual door.
I installed and tested the automatic door, and it seemed to work. The unit is solar-powered, which will hopefully hold up to our winters. Since we do not have chickens yet, I removed the automatic door and installed the manual door to keep the more expensive door out of the elements until needed. The door looks a little crooked, but it is level; the shed itself is crooked. I just need to make a ramp, and the shed will start to look like a coop.
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