A pocket door is a type of door that slides into a cavity inside the wall so that the pocket door dissapears when the pocket door is open. In order to install a pocket door into a cavity in a wall, you must understand the dimensions of that pocket door. The dimension of a pocket door will tell you how much space you need inside the wall for that pocket door.
A pocket door will require a rough opening that is more larger than the pocket door because the door has to slide into the wall to become out of the way. Pocket doors is available in four different widths. All pocket doors come in a standard height of 80 inch.
How to Measure and Install a Pocket Door
Narrow pocket doors are typically used in closets or powder rooms in a house. Wider pocket doors are used in bedrooms or home offices. In large living spaces, the widest pocket door options are appropriate as the wide pocket doors can meet the accessibility need of many individuals.
When calculating the size of the rough opening for a pocket door, the width of the pocket door has to be double because the pocket door will be sliding into the wall. In order to install a pocket door into a wall, you have to frame the wall to the proper dimensions. For both height and width, there must be a certain amount of clearance provided.
For the width, there has to be space for the steel pocket frame and the split studs for the pocket door. For the height, there has to be enough clearance for the pocket door to clear the track and the floor in which it is installed. If the height of the opening isnt correct, the pocket door will drag on the floor.
If the width is not correct, the door will bind against the walls frame. The weight of the pocket door will determine the type of hardware that is used for the door. Hollow core pocket doors are relatively lightweight so they use standard rollers.
If the pocket door is solid wood or solid-core doors, then they will be heavy so they will require heavy duty door hangers. If the pocket door contains glass panels, it will be heavy so it will require tempered glass as well as dampeners that will allow the door to softly close so that it does not slam against the end of the pocket door. A pocket door can either be a single pocket door or it can be a double pocket door.
A single pocket door will have one cavity in the wall. These types of pocket doors are easier to frame and install. A double pocket door will have two doors that will slide toward each other so that they create an opening that is wider than either of the two doors.
A double pocket door will require two separate pockets in the wall. The wall will have to be thicker because it will have to contain space for two tracks and two pockets for the doors. In planning a pocket door for a wall, one cannot easily move the utilities in that wall once its finished.
The plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems will have to be rerouted ahead of installing the split studs for the pocket door. Additionally, a strong header will be required for the wall. The header will have to support the weight of the wall above the pocket door opening.
If the header is not strong enough, the pocket door will not function correctly. The hardware for a pocket door is important. It is the only part of the pocket door that will be visible when the pocket door is open.
Therefore, an flush door pull should be used for a pocket door. A flush door pull will be level with the pocket door. If it is not flush, the pocket door will catch on the door frame.
Pocket doors are different than barn doors. Barn doors will stay on the wall. Pocket doors go into the wall.
Therefore, pocket doors are more efficient in utilizing space in a small room in the house.
