Hi,
I haven’t done much home renovation in about 15 years. I’m wanting to close in an 88″ wide opening with a pocket door. I was wondering if anyone had any general advice about hardware kits. I’ve browsed HD and it looks like the steel Rocket Pocket door frame kits have good reviews. The soft close mechanism sounds appealing but those had less good reviews. Much as I like the concept of pocket doors, I have had mixed experience in the past. My mom had one that was difficult to slide open and closed, a problem compounded by the limited purchase you can get with your hands on the recessed hardware. Another issue was that the lock would not engage, probably because the frame had expanded or was not fully square. So I’m hoping for a relatively simple and foolproof installation kit if such exists. I have hung plenty of doors in the past, just never a pocket door.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
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Replies
Look at the Johnson Hardware company. Look at your poundage and choose the rated (or better) application
Don’t buy cheap.
Read the install directions several times and come back and ask the question again.
And don’t be shy, even people that hang these regularly cut corners and/or just screw up and to compound matters, don’t screw the stops that allow you to adjust, screw with, or even get the dog ball out of the opening.
Remember not to screw or nail the door in the pocket as many drywallers and trim guys have in the past.
How secure do you want it? The sliding “barn door” hardware application is much more simple.
I second the Johnson pocket door frames.
A couple of things to remember (based on the mistakes I've seen):
1) Install the bumper and add spacers (if needed) before adding the jambs. Remember, the door when opened needs to be even with the jamb, not the pocket door frame. Once the jambs go in it's next to impossible to mess with the bumper. Nothing worse than having to fish your finger in to grab the hook on the end of the door.
2) Install the 'strike' side jamb first and adjust the door so it hits flat, then install the other jamb pieces. It's not impossible to adjust the door with the head jambs installed but it's a lot easier without them.
3) I always use small trim screws for one side of the head/small side jamb and casing, just in case you ever need to remove the door.
4) I write 'Short Nails' on both sides of the drywall installed over the pocket door frame, so you don't nail into the pocket door cavity (or worse, into the pocket door).
Thanks for the info!
My wife is now suggesting a sliding door where there will be two doors, but only one operates. that seems easier than a pocket door, although I haven't done one of those either...
Get this sort of thing for your lock: https://www.wayfair.com/Deltana--3-in-x-1.25-Pocket-Door-Hardware-PDB42U-L6490-K~DLTA3071.html?refid=GX263470411909-DLTA3071_14747667&device=c&ptid=329359185721&network=g&targetid=pla-329359185721&channel=GooglePLA&ireid=183251752&fdid=1817&PiID%5B%5D=14747667&gclid=Cj0KCQiA1sucBhDgARIsAFoytUsv-e5PtEcMC2kkRRuYqnwG832bysHAZ6pzEFDiS3U0w9nDubsu8uoaAmbfEALw_wcB