Dutch door too heavy?

Question

I'm building a barn and I wan to make dutch doors with cross bucks. Every plan I've seen and doors I've seen for sale call for 3/4" plywood with 2x6" crossbucks. My dad and I put one bottom half together and it weighs a TON! We said, "stop...let's think about this!".

I need to know what your dutch door is made from. I would appreciate some help!

Answer 1

The door will be on sliders, so it'll be easier to open. If you think it's going to be a pain, use a lighter wood.

Answer 2

Horses kick through thin doors...just be sure your hinges are up to the job and stay with the 3/4" plywood.  If you've never dealt with a horse who put his hoof through a door, you don't want to start now.

Answer 3

dutch doors were meant to be heavy to keep horses from kicking through them but you can make lighter ones by substituting the 3/4 plywood for 1/2 plywood and instead of 2x6 use 1x6 boards. make sure you seal the doors while you are building them to keep rot out and use strap hinges so you dont have any sag problems.some horses like to lean on the bottom door so having a good tight fit will sometimes make the door swell shut during wet weather so keep the jams coated with beeswax so it wont stick shut.