Saturday, November 23, 2013

Installation Tips For A Basic Pocket Door Set For Basement Finishing Projects

By Angela Briggs


One thing that older homes often have that sets them apart from the average home is a pocket door set. What makes them so interesting is they slide into what appears to be the wall and are concealed by the wall. This is unlike regular doors that swing out one way or another in plain sight. This works great for basement finishing projects to help give the appearance of more room.

Typically there are two general types of sliding doors that can come in several different forms. This just sounds kinda confusing. The first kind is called the single type. This one uses a single door which slides either right or left in the wall when it is opened up. The second type is called the double. This kind has two sliding doors, with one moving to the right side and one moving to the left side when opened.

A typical installation is often a simple matter even for the normal house owner. The general tools they need are a saw for cutting drywall. A screwdriver set for attaching the hardware like handles and tracks. A good skill saw and tape measure for cutting and measuring. A graphite pencil to mark any measurements down and a good hammer to take out any nails and debris.

It is best to begin by completely taking out the old door and its frame and cutting the drywall on whichever side of your wall it will be sliding inside. Remove any studs which could be in the way before installing the upper header for the rails to attach to. Ensure that all studs that get removed are not structural ones and that the plumbing and electrical is moved.

The doors basically slide through 2-4 split studs. These studs act like regular ones but are hollowed out and composed from a wood-metal composite. They should be hung from a header and nailed to the floor. Also it is vital that any split studs remain plumb and straight to prevent possible binding.

Attach the hanging brackets to the header. Making sure the bracket is tight, slide the track wheels into it. Attach the door to the wheels while ensuring the bracket pins are slid into place securely. Install the bottom guide after checking that it operates without binding inside the frame.

Install any pulls which are left in the kit with any locks or handles. Use drywall to mend any holes the you made. Sand it before primer and painting the it to look like the surrounding wall. Install the left trim pieces using finish nails. Finish with clean up so the area is completely free of all left over scrap or debris.

Remember this is only a brief overview for how to install a pocket door set for a basement finishing project. It is best to read through any assembly instructions and follow them carefully and completely. It is also a good idea to have some friends and family over to assist on this project. Installed correctly it is sure to delight family and friends for years to come.




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