Door which slides into wall

Tip the saw down for shallow cuts, and take the drywall out between the studs. Remove the drywall above the header, but stay a few inches below the ceiling to avoid extra finish work later. In our installation, we were able to leave the drywall in place on the inside. Use a reciprocating saw to remove the partition header and cut away the studs to make room for the pocket door's new framing.

Nip the nails between the studs and the soleplate, then determine the height of the new header before cutting the stud tops to length. The header height depends on whether you need a new soleplate. If the floor covering above the subfloor is minimal, you can secure the kit's split-stud brackets directly to the floor. We had a carpet and pad, so we used a 1 x 4 plate to avoid having to cut the door for it to clear the carpet.

Cut the stud tops to the length needed to support the new header at the correct height. Determine the rough-opening width and install a new stud this distance from the existing stud on the opposite side. Nail or screw the new header in place, then cut and fit the soleplate to the floor. The pocket-door track is a metal channel with wooden nailing strips on each side. The channel is marked for various door widths so it's easy to cut it to the right length.

Cut through the nailers with a handsaw and use a hacksaw on the channel. Attach the channel to the studs with end brackets, and check the channel for level. Then, snap the split studs into their floor brackets, tip the studs upright and nail them to the header.

The opening is covered up with the wall finish material e. Pocket doors are notorious for problems with functionality. They often fall off their tracks, move with difficulty, are problematic to lock, and screech when rolled. Sliding pocket doors are hard to manage for anyone with limited use of their hands, such as arthritis sufferers.

More dexterity is needed to slide a pocket door open and shut, using a flush or recessed pull, than to grasp well-designed, user-friendly standard door hardware. What to Expect of Pocket Door Installation If you are considering to add pocket doors as a feature to your home, here's what to expect: Assuming you're remodeling your house, expect to remove the drywall on both sides of the wall where the pocket door system will go. In addition, the w all studs will be removed to make room for a new door header and pocket door frame.

Keep in mind if the house was built before , it's likely that the existing walls were finished with lead-based paints. Be sure to follow protocol to dispose of the materials that are being ripped out.

In advance, buy a pocket door installation kit or prefabricated frame. Trust us, this simplifies the project by orders of magnitude and you'll thank yourself in the future. These kits come with all the pocket door hardware necessary, including the track system from which the door hangs.

Pocket doors are hung from recessed tracks, with the top of the door attached to a trolley system and glides that keep the door centered when it moves. Alternatively, some are mounted from the ground or the ground and ceiling, if the door is heavier and wider than the standard door. This system can be a tripping hazard and limits accessibility. Luckily, this can also be eliminated with the use of other recessed tracks expect to spend more time on this setup.

Once the pocket door's frame has been installed, you'll hang the door and adjust it so it's plumb. The last step is to finish the d oor jamb. Almost all types of doors may be hung as pocket doors, rather than installed as swinging doors. Solid doors are heavier and thus more challenging to the hardware. However, hardware tends to pull out of hollow-cored composite doors over time. Based on these measurements, you will be able to choose the right pocket door kit for your home.

Another measurement to take during the planning phase is that of the doorway itself. Weigh the pros and cons to having it jut out some—remember, a couple of inches your door eats into your walkway may give you wiggle room by requiring less than the standard 66 inches of linear wall space to house it when retracted. The wall is a poor candidate for a pocket door if:. First thing—do yourself a favor and buy a pocket door installation kit or prefabricated frame—it simplifies the project by orders of magnitude.

Kits come with all the hardware, including the track system from which the door hangs; premade units are just what they sound like, with all the parts where they belong. Both include detailed instructions that minimize mistakes. The prefabricated frames fit standard door sizes, but a competent do-it-yourselfer can customize them.

Here are a few things that you should expect to encounter as you install your sliding pocket doors:. With the ability to free up floor space and perform its disappearing act, this home addition is downright magical.

Some common areas where a pocket door works wonderfully are: master suite, laundry room, pantry, home office, between a kitchen and dining room. Whether or not you should install a pocket door system depends on your confidence with DIY projects. Since pocket doors go into existing walls, you need to consider your skills, the expense involved, and consult building codes before beginning demolition. Disclosure: BobVila.

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