How to Replace a Pocket Door
- Removing the Door. As the first step of pocket door replacement, you will need to cut a hole in the wall for access to the rollers and the track system, ...
- Removing the Track. To remove the track system to replace the door’s operational components, you will need to pull the track out by removing all the screws holding it in ...
- Shimming the Track. If you have an older home, you may need to use shims under the track if your house has shifted or settled over time.
- Replace Roller Hardware. This is also a good opportunity to replace the roller hardware that is located at the top of your door.
- Installing the Door and Frame. If your old or new door is quite heavy, you can use a pry bar or shims to lift it into place or hold it ...
How to remove, fix, adjust, and replace a pocket door?
- Remove the Door and Trim. Begin by removing the door from the opening. ...
- Open the Wall. ...
- Remove and Replace the Old Track with the New. ...
- Replace the Hardware on the Door Panel. ...
- Repair the Wall. ...
- Create an opening for the Latch. ...
- Chisel the Mortise for the Faceplate. ...
What are the best ways to remove a pocket door?
- 1.1 Step 1: Remove the pocket door from the track
- 1.2 Step 2: Open up the wall
- 1.3 Step 3: Take out the old track to replace it with the new one
- 1.4 Step 4: Take out the remaining hardware
- 1.5 Step 5: Adjust the Replacement Hardware of the New Door
- 1.6 Step 6: Replace the Trim and Wall
- 1.7 Step 7: Put the New Pocket Door Pull
How to fix a pocket door that fell off track?
The Main Steps
- Lubricate the wheels with the drip oil product to ensure that they can move around easier
- Run your fingers down the track to ensure that it’s smooth with no deformities like a bend or slight dent in the track
- If you do feel deformities, fix with pliers by softly squeezing the track back to normal
How to remove a pocket door?
- First, follow all steps previously outlined to remove the original pocket door.
- Use a stud finder to find the internal track. ...
- Next, using a drywall saw, cut a square opening around where the framework is. ...
- Remove all screws from the track. ...
- Now, with all screws removed, you can easily slide the existing track out of the wall.
How do you remove a pocket door without removing trim?
0:011:10How to Remove a Pocket Door - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOlder style pocket doors ride on a J track to remove the door tilt the bottom out and lift itMoreOlder style pocket doors ride on a J track to remove the door tilt the bottom out and lift it straight up to get the wheels off the track then remove the door.
How much does it cost to replace 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.
Are pocket doors out of style?
Pocket doors are not a common door type found in homes today but have actually been around for centuries. In the past, the door type was actually considered a standard feature in an upscale home but this gradually went out of style. Swinging doors became the new 'It' feature and homes continue to use such doors today.
Can I install a pocket door myself?
Since pocket doors hang on a track and slide into the recess of a wall, the doors themselves are typically thin, lightweight, and don't prevent all sound from traveling between rooms. Though you can hire a handyperson, installing sliding pocket doors is a fairly simple DIY project!
Can you replace a pocket door without removing drywall?
If you simply want to replace a pocket door or remove it in order to repair it, you don't have to tear into the drywall! That's great news. All you have to do is lift the door off the sliding track. In order to do that, you have to remove the trim around the door.
Is a pocket door more expensive than a regular door?
Pocket doors are more expensive to install because they usually require construction to a home's structure. Both doors have a nominal cost of $400 for an average 30-inch solid wood door. However, the installation cost of a new barn door is anywhere from $100 to $300 per existing wall.
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.
Why are pocket doors not more popular?
Pocket doors were popular in the late 1800s, especially in Victorian houses. They had a resurgence of popularity in the 1950s. But because pocket doors from the past ran along raised tracks on the floor, the tracks were a tripping hazard, so builders and homeowners avoided pocket doors when possible.
Are pocket doors a problem?
Pocket doors have a bad habit of developing problems that make them hard to use. They can start to stick, screech or fall off their tracks entirely and become next to impossible to use until repaired. This is even more likely if you have young kids who might be rough on the door.
Is installing a pocket door difficult?
Installing the door into the pocket is also fairly easy to do. As with many home improvement jobs, much of the trick is having the proper attitude, taking the time to do the job right and reading the instructions before you get started.
What kind of door do you use for a pocket door?
As long as the measurement is correct for the pocket opening, the door is the right thickness, and the door hasn't been pre-drilled for a standard door lockset or hinges, you can use any kind of door for a pocket door.
What is the standard size of a pocket door?
A standard sliding pocket door has the same sizes as a corresponding hinged door. It typically measures 30" or 36" in width and 80" in height. It is also possible to build customized solutions having very large or very small passage sizes.
How long does it take to install a pocket door?
Installing a pocket door is a one- or two-day intermediate- to advanced-level project if you're starting with a double-size doorway rough opening. If the door needs to be widened, the project can take several days and may require the assistance of a contractor, especially if the wall is load-bearing.
How difficult is it to install a pocket door?
Installing the door into the pocket is also fairly easy to do. As with many home improvement jobs, much of the trick is having the proper attitude, taking the time to do the job right and reading the instructions before you get started.
How much do sliding glass pocket doors cost?
Sliding Pocket Door Retail Costs Cheap, hollow-core pocket doors start below $150. Quality 3-panel or 6-panel solid wood doors range from around $450 to $800. Glass pocket doors often top $1,000.
Can you use any door for a pocket door?
As long as the measurement is correct for the pocket opening, the door is the right thickness, and the door hasn't been pre-drilled for a standard door lockset or hinges, you can use any kind of door for a pocket door.
What is pocket door core?
Most pocket doors come with a solid core at the bottom . This allows you to make adjustments to the height of the door without worrying about detracting from the appearance of the door or changing its integrity.
How to fix top gaps in door?
Top gaps require a raising of the door. Start by adjusting the hanger on the door that is positioned the farthest away from the door latch. Use a pocket door wrench to turn the hanger a quarter of a turn at a time until the door is parallel with the jamb.
Why does my roller door rub against the floor?
A derailing of the rollers can even occur , or the track may loosen from the support pockets that are part of the roller frame. This will cause the door to rub against the floor when you open and close it. You may even see the door begin to bend or flex in the track as it is moved.
How to lower a door that is rubbing?
If you have a gap at the bottom of the door that is causing rubbing towards the top of your door, you can lower the door by adjusting the hanger that is positioned the furthest away from the door latch.
Why is my pocket door not hanging straight?
You may also notice that one of your doors is not hanging straight, which is also caused by the rollers.
Why are pocket doors obstructed?
Sometimes pocket doors can be obstructed from opening if they are too long for the doorway opening. You may have installed carpet or tile to the flooring surface that has raised the overall floor height. This means you need to trim the length of the door – this can easily be accomplished by using a saw to plane the edge of the door to fit it to the new opening height that you now have.
How to lift a heavy door?
If your old or new door is quite heavy, you can use a pry bar or shims to lift it into place or hold it into position as you place the rollers on the track. This will make it a little easier to work with.
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 to adjust partition header?
To adjust the header, use a reciprocating saw to remove the partition header currently in place. Then, cut away the studs, just like in the above, to make space for the framing.
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.
Steps
1. Remove molding from around existing pocket door. Cut the existing door out of frame. Carefully cut drywall and pocket door frame to allow a 2x4 "stiffener" on hinge side of the new door. Remove strike-side jamb, cut out steel track above.
Installing Pocket Doors
Steve Watson helps install pocket doors in keeping with the style of a Victorian interior.
What do you need to do before installing a pocket door?
Before installing your new pocket door, you will first want to prepare it. That means painting the door and also sealing it ahead of installation.
How to fix a pocket door that slides vertically?
Check out the plastic guide installed near the bottom of the pocket door and see how it’s aligned. If the guide is too loose, it could be allowing the pocket door to slide vertically as well as horizontally. Tighten it up to remedy that issue.
Why Do You Need to Preserve the Trim When Removing a Pocket Door?
The trim or door casing is installed to do two things. First off, the trim conceals any gaps that cannot be filled in easily. Secondly, the trim is an additional element that can elevate your home’s décor.
How to stop a door from slamming down on the ground?
Get your screwdriver now and start unscrewing the jamb stops. You should ask your assistant to hold on the door while you remove the jamb stops. That will prevent the door from slamming down on to the ground after the stops are removed.
How to push out a door that has rollers?
With the rollers no longer in contact with the track, angle the door so you can push it out. Doing this will be easier if you have someone guiding the door so it doesn’t bump into the frame.
Why do you need trim on a door?
The trim or door casing is installed to do two things. First off, the trim conceals any gaps that cannot be filled in easily. Secondly, the trim is an additional element that can elevate your home’s décor. If you like the existing door casing and would like to keep it, doing so is absolutely an option.
Why are pocket doors good?
Pocket doors can be terrific additions to many homes. They help you free up more interior space, minimize obstructions, and promote better design flow. However, pocket doors do present some additional issues too. For instance, they may run into more mechanical troubles because of the added hardware.
How long does it take to install a pocket door?
You can accomplish the actual installation of a pocket door in a single day, but because drywall repair is involved, the entire project, including paint touch-up, may take three or more days.
What is pocket door?
Pocket doors are space-saving solutions for closets, interior passageways and bedroom and bathroom entries -- in short, almost anywhere inside your house. A typical kit consists of the door itself, the framing for the door and all the necessary hardware.
Why cut into an old wall?
Be careful when you cut into an old wall because there may be electrical wires. These will, of course, have to be re-routed, Don't forget that when you remove a section of the wall and the bottom plate, you must make floor repairs as well.
Do bypass doors need to be enlarged?
Bypass doors require twice the width of an ordinary door, so you will need to enlarge the door opening unless you are replacing double doors.
Do pocket doors need to be modified?
Pocket doors also require modification of the wall framing since you need to make a space for the door in the wall and create a slot in the stud framing the door. Advertisement.
Do you have to remove drywall on the other side of the wall?
Remove the screws or nails holding the drywall to the exposed studs on the other side of the wall. You don't need to remove the drywall on the other side of the wall, although it is easier if you do. Advertisement.
