
Should I install a pocket door or an open pocket door?
If you do not want to go to the trouble of reframing a wall, consider installing an open pocket door. This door functions similarly to a pocket door, but is attached to the outside of an interior wall instead of sliding into the wall. Steps to install a pocket door during new construction are slightly different, but should be easier.
Can you insert a door or window in a load-bearing wall?
Inserting a door or window in a load-bearing wall can be a tricky situation, but not an impossible one. The reason why this project is so difficult is due to the potential danger — a load-bearing wall supports the structure, so its absence through accidental destruction could lead to the room or entire house collapsing.
Where can I buy a pocket door kit?
Purchase a pocket door kit at a hardware store. This kit should contain the door, split studs that allow the door to retract into the wall, a track on which the door runs into the wall, and door hardware. Most are under $100. You may be able to find pocket doors at lumberyards, too.
How much space do you need for a pocket door?
A pocket door requires a “sleeve” inside the wall to retract into. For a traditional 32-inch-wide interior door, you’ll need at least 66 inches of linear wall space: 32 inches for the door and the rest for the housing.

Can you put a door in a load-bearing wall?
1:127:12How to Cut a Pass-Through in a Load Bearing Wall | Ask This Old HouseYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCalled jack studs the same style framing is used for door openings windows or even a simple pass-MoreCalled jack studs the same style framing is used for door openings windows or even a simple pass-through like this now the next thing i look for is any duct work water lines or electrical in the wall.
Can a pocket door go in any wall?
Check That You Have Enough Space A pocket door requires a “sleeve” inside the wall to retract into. For a traditional 32-inch-wide interior door, you'll need at least 66 inches of linear wall space: 32 inches for the door and the rest for the housing.
How thick does a wall have to be to install a pocket door?
In terms of wall thickness, a pocket door system can usually be installed on a plastered wall with: a thickness of 107 / 125 mm for hinged doors (e.g. Absolute Swing model); a thickness of 90 / 107 / 125 /145 mm for sliding doors (Evolution model); a thickness of 170 mm for overlapping sliding doors (Staffetta model).
What is the disadvantage of a pocket door?
Pocket doors do have some drawbacks. For example, while they can save space in a small bathroom, because of the way they sit on tracks within the wall, it means that they don't always seal as tightly as traditional doors and this can be an issue for some homeowners.
Can a pocket door be put anywhere?
You can really have a pocket door installed anywhere you like but normally, such doors are placed in areas where they will be of benefit. If the space provided for a door swing is not optimal, a pocket door will free up space in the home.
How hard is it to add a pocket door in an existing wall?
4:159:05How To Install A Pocket Door In An Existing Wall - Cavity SliderYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe're just putting some glue on the back of these rail. So when it goes up to the existing sheet itsMoreWe're just putting some glue on the back of these rail. So when it goes up to the existing sheet its going to hold it in position.
Can a pocket door go in a 2x4 wall?
1:094:12Pocket Door Installation in 2x4 Wall - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHere i'm not crazy about this design because these are just like one by fours. It's not a strongMoreHere i'm not crazy about this design because these are just like one by fours. It's not a strong wall of course after all the drywall gets mounted. It it does make it a bit stronger.
How much does it cost to install a pocket door?
It costs an average of $1,000 to install a pocket door, but prices typically range from $500 to $3,500. Learn how much pocket door installation costs based on factors like whether you're installing the door during a remodeling project or a new home build.
How do you install a pocket door without removing drywall?
5:1311:50Installing a Pocket Door Remodel Guide: without Removing the ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe use the Johnson Hardware this is a 1500 series pocket door we use the ball bearing hangers. TheyMoreWe use the Johnson Hardware this is a 1500 series pocket door we use the ball bearing hangers. They have two different hangers. And we also ordered the jamb kit from them here is the jamb kit.
What is the difference between sliding door and pocket door?
While a pocket door slides into a hidden compartment or recess within the adjacent wall, a sliding door, although similar in its mechanism, doesn't. A sliding door glides parallel to the interior wall.
Do pocket doors break easily?
While they are heavier and harder on the hardware, they are much more durable. Hollow core doors breakdown more quickly. If you install pocket doors be especially careful when hanging art or using wall fasteners.
Can you replace a regular door with a pocket door?
To hang a pocket door, you need a rough opening that is twice as wide as the door itself. This means taking down the old swinging door, removing the jamb and disassembling the wall framing. You'll also need to remove drywall and relocate any electrical wires that are in the way.
Can you put a pocket door in a 2x4 wall?
2:084:12Pocket Door Installation in 2x4 Wall - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd it's in pretty easy. As long as you did your homework. And made sure that the kit was level thenMoreAnd it's in pretty easy. As long as you did your homework. And made sure that the kit was level then the door. Will open and close just fine.
Can you put a pocket door in a bathroom?
Pocket doors are a great solution for smaller spaces that lack the wall space for a full swing door. This makes them perfect for small bathrooms, closets and connecting those two areas, for example between a master bath and the walk-in closet.
How much does it cost to install a pocket door?
It costs an average of $1,000 to install a pocket door, but prices typically range from $500 to $3,500. Learn how much pocket door installation costs based on factors like whether you're installing the door during a remodeling project or a new home build.
How do you install a pocket door without removing drywall?
5:1311:50Installing a Pocket Door Remodel Guide: without Removing the ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe use the Johnson Hardware this is a 1500 series pocket door we use the ball bearing hangers. TheyMoreWe use the Johnson Hardware this is a 1500 series pocket door we use the ball bearing hangers. They have two different hangers. And we also ordered the jamb kit from them here is the jamb kit.
What is pocket door framed opening?
A pocket door framed opening overall is about double the width of the door itself, and the header must be sized and support accordingly. Johnson makes excellent pocket door kits and they have good instructions and videos on their website. http://www.johnsonhardware.com/pdindex.htm
Is the center wall of a home the main load bearing wall?
I'm not sure I can understand the description, however, the general rule is (majority of times) that the a center wall of a home is the main load bearing wall.In order to make adjustments to create wider openings, the ceilings on both sides of that wall, should be braced/shored, in order to support the two ceilings, which are generally supported, by that center wall.
Can a pocket door be installed at the same time as a header?
The contractor would install the pocket door frame, at the same time the wall is framed in with the new header.
Why is it so hard to install a door in a load bearing wall?
The reason why this project is so difficult is due to the potential danger — a load-bearing wall supports the structure, so its absence through accidental destruction could lead to the room or entire house collapsing.
What does it mean to create an opening in a load bearing wall?
Creating an opening in a load-bearing wall means that the transmitted load down to the floor must be shifted to the sides of the wall. The only way of knowing how much pressure can be allowed is to get an expert to help. The type of lumber used on the load-bearing wall is an important consideration as well, so check the blueprints, ...
What to do if wire gets in way of wall?
If wiring gets in the way, you will need to clamp some wires to reroute them away from the work site.
How much extra space do you need to cut a door?
It is imperative to know inside and out exactly where you will be cutting, so you must know the approximate size of the door or window itself as well (note that “approximate” implies between two to three inches extra all around the desired area). Mark your area, and place sheeting over it.
Can you misread lumber?
Again, misreading the lumber type can, but not necessarily will, lead to problems, and problems are something to avoid when working with a structure-supporting wall.
What is pocket door?
A pocket door is the perfect solution for closing off an open section of your home or office or adding a quick way to move from room to room where a wall currently exists. These doors disappear into the wall when opened, rather than taking up space in one room or the other. With the right tools and know-how, you can install pocket doors yourself, ...
How thick should a pocket door be?
Regardless of where you go, you should easily find kits for doors that are 1 1/8 inches to 1 3/4 inches thick by 6 feet (1.8 m) 8 inches high. If your door is not a standard size, talk to a professional about getting the job done.
How much room do you need for a door?
Check if there's enough room in the wall. You need just over twice the width of the door (so it can hide).
Where do you place door guides on a door?
When the door is open, place door guides at the bottom of the frame. Pull the door out a little bit so you don't position guides too close to the door, leaving an eighth inch gap on both sides of the door to prevent rubbing or scarring of the finish.
Can you cut studs for pocket doors?
The primary difference is that you can plan ahead, so you should not need to cut away any studs.
When you are finished, do you sand the drywall?
When you are finished, sand the drywall to make it finished and smooth.
Can you replace drywall you removed at the beginning of the project?
Replace the drywall you removed at the beginning of the project with new drywall. For this part, you'll need panel adhesive and screws . However, don't move onto taping and mudding just yet – there's still a bit more work to be done.
How do pocket doors work?
Most pocket doors hang from recessed tracks, with the top of the door attached to a trolley system and glides that keep the door centered as it moves. But some are mounted from the ground—or the ground and ceiling—if the door is broader than usual. A ground-mounted system can present a tripping hazard and limit accessibility, but you can find recessed tracks that eliminate this problem. Expect to spend more on this setup.
What is pocket door?
A pocket door is a sliding door that neatly tucks into a wall or divider. It glides on a track, so you can close off a room for more privacy or open it up to connect spaces. A pocket door is ideal for small rooms or areas where a standard swinging door would not operate correctly or would take up too much space.
What to expect when installing sliding pocket doors?
Here are a few things that you should expect to encounter as you install your sliding pocket doors: Assuming you’re not fortunate enough to be installing a pocket door in a home that’s under construction, expect to remove the drywall on both sides of the wall where the pocket door will go.
How much space does a pocket door take up?
Replacing a swinging door with a pocket door recovers at least 10 square feet of floor space around the door and frees up real estate on the walls for fixtures or artwork that would otherwise be hidden behind a traditional door when opened. Moreover, as a pocket door withdraws into the wall, it’s more inconspicuous than its trendy cousin, the sliding barn door.
How tall is a Dutch pocket door?
A Dutch pocket door, for example, extends only half the height of a standard 80-inch-tall door and pulls out from one side or both, making it a great alternative to those unsightly or rickety safety gates that protect pets or children.
How much space does a door need to jut out?
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.
When is it time to install pocket doors?
Once you have measured and checked for dangers behind your walls, it’s time to install your pocket door system!
