who here installs automatic doors?

Seems like I remember someone on here installs automatic doors for supermarkets/etc?

Dat be Toyman.

Well, When he pokes his head in here....Has one ever been installed in a house to replace a patio door?

I'm tired of yelling at kids to shut the dang door. lol.

Half joking about this...

Spring hinges?

Door closer?

Valium? (for you, not the kids)

Tie the kids to the door frame with a bungee cord net?

These are pretty easy and can be picked up from Lowes or HD:

Stopped my kids from slamming the door.

Big sliding door going out the back deck and pool. aka non-hinged.

Valium = Beer :D

I've seen a set up for sliding doors in a warehouse with a pulley and counterweight. The pulley is mounted above the top corner of the frame. Open the door and a cable lifts the weight... Let go of the door and the weight pulls it closed.

... and ya wouldn't have to get up to let the dog out.. or back in

I recall him talking about installing one for some rich guy who didn't want to be bothered opening/closing the door when he was out grilling on his patio... so yes it has been done... but based on the prices he was talking I don't think most GRMers would be up for it (could almost buy a new sub compact for what it cost as I recall)

Maybe you could make a grassroots automatic door with sensors and starter motors or something.

I like those electric bi-fold doors that CVS seems to use.

A counter-weight pulley system sounds plausible, but those are usually used for automatic fire doors in old industrial facilities. The door is held open by a fusible link that melts in the event of a fire. The door then rolls down an angled track to seal the opening. Metal roll-up doors are usually used now since they don't eat up as much wall space (working around an existing sliding fire door is a PITA). I've rarely seen a sliding door that rolled easily enough that a large counter-weight would be needed... which would make opening the door a bit tough.

If you really want one of these, maybe look at commercial stores getting remodeled. If they are replacing the door, you might be able to get it... of course, if they are replacing the door, it's probably for a reason and you won't want it. Be warned, few of the ones I ever dealt with during my supermarket days sealed very well. Between the fact the entryway is usually under positive air pressure vs. the store and the outside and the fact the door is opening 100x an hour on average, air tightness isn't a critical design feature like it would be in a residential house.

Now... if you really wanted to go grass-roots... and you have a decent air compressor in the house... you could probably rig up an air-assisted system... or maybe a hatch lifts could be made to work...

I think we are going at this the wrong way....

The obvious answer is an automated child smacker.

Let's see... a flyswatter mounted over the outside of the door rigged to an electric eye should suffice. If the beam is not broken by the door closing, the child gets swatted as soon as they get outside! For added parental input, a TV remote control can be added to the controls so the child can be swatted randomly, just so they remember you are watching!

Shouldn't take very long!

The kids will have their friends over thinking the automatic door is a new toy, they will try to crush their old toys (or pets) in it, the actuator will be smokin' toast in a few hours. You will rue the day.