Install a Pocket Door Frame
Generally, a pocket door is a door slab stored in a slot which is built into the wall or pocket. It used to be that pocket doors were invented at a time when in homes, there were no additional place to put in a hinged door. But now, it\’s a fashion to have pocket doors in the homes of people. It is also a fashion as people have realized that having pocket doors save space in the house thus leaving room for the space to be used for something else. Pocket doors are like a sliding door in a different way. Most of the time, pocket doors can be found on rollers or on tracks. Pocket doors are available in single and double door versions.
You can purchase many different sizes of pocket doors according to your preferences. It is important however, to buy a door slab size that the frame is built to accommodate. It comes with the special hardware that will need to be installed by you. Although most of the pocket door kits come with the hardware that you will need, you may have to pick up a set of handles so choose the most suitable handle to suit your door. Pocket doors are not easy to install, but if you know what you are doing then everything will be fine. Here are the steps and tools that you will need to install a pocket door.
You will need:
- Pocket door frame
- Pocket door handle
- Hammer
- Drywall
- Wood shims
- Door slab
- Nails
- Level & drywall screws
Steps:
- First, nail a header into the box frame and square it with the door jamb.
- Then, locate the pocket door frame into the rough opening. Add the shims until the jambs are all well vertical and the track is leveled. The door will not stay in the correct position if the track is not leveled. Nail the frame into the opening.
- Install the drywall over the pocket door frame. Then, you can remove the spacer brackets from the pocket door frame. Work the door on all four edges and both faces to prevent door warpage.
- The door bumper should be installed about 40 inches from the bottom of the door. Let the hanger plates in the center on the top of the door about 2 inches from the edges of the door.
- Insert the hanger pin into the door plates. Secure all of it into position with the provided clip.
- Finally, use flathead screws to fasten the split header and the door guides to the bottom of the door with the provided screws, and proceed to adjust as needed.
A pocket door works well when it comes to saving space. Pocket doors are easy to be purchased and they are not that expensive as well. It\’s not easy to install a pocket door as it can be very messy if the installation process is not handled very well. But, the outcome will be as beautiful and perfect as you imagined it to be.
Additional Reading:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4841655_install-pocket-door-frame.html
Image Credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tornatore/4503659141/
