These garage doors were made to measure by a joiner several years ago.
There are several issues with the doors because of design and manufacturing mistakes, that have resulted in the joints opening and the panels bowing.
The panels were glued into rebates – mistake no1. They should have been left loose and undersized so that any natural movement could be taken up.
The panels were also too wide without an easing groove machined on the backs – mistake no.2, I was unable to dissemble the doors entirely so I machined grooves into the panels to allow some movement to occur otherwise they will all bow out, two of the panels had already bowed.
The mortice and tenon joints should have had Oak Dowels driven home through both the mortice and tenon -mistake no.3 Doweling mortice and tenon joints ensures that the joints remain closed.
The solution to the above was to reduce the panels closest to the stiles these were the only edges I could get to without smashing the door apart, and to glue the mortice and tenon joints. I could have used Dowels as well but the tenon’s did break and crack as I took them apart, so i decided to introduce dovetail keys, these were let in to a depth of 25mm.
By undertaking the above these doors should now remain stable and give many years of service.
Hampshire Joinery 