*
I am a homeowner, in the process of a major renovation/restoration. One feature that is planned calls for “flipper” or “pocket” doors in front of a serving area that is only to be used occasionally. (The doors will open normally, then slide back into a pocket to be out of sight.) We had originally been contemplating Stor-a-Dor hardware, but the hardware available is not rated to support doors as heavy or as large as those we are planning. So, we are looking at commercial and heavy duty residential hardware but have not come up with anything yet. I’ve been designing various things along with my architect, but I would imagine there are others out there who have gone through a simliar experience. Any ideas or recommendations?
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Listeners write in about haunted pipes and building-science tomes, and they ask questions about roof venting and roof leaks.
Featured Video
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
*
1. Search the archives. Lots of info there on pocket doors.
2. Visit your local lumberyards to see what is available in your area. All the mfg I know have kits for different weight doors.
*Hi Alan - your solution is Hafele Hawa-Turnaway series hardware, pages 4.47 - 4.51 of their catalog (call 800 423-3531 to order). This can handle room size doors up to 88 lbs. You can even get hardware to bi-fold and pocket.Be prepared for sticker shock and a fairly tough alignment / installation job. Don't say I didn't warn you.Jeffb Been there, done that, can't remember
*Yup, that's all there is. I priced them in the fall; about $800 Cdn per side. Like Jeff says, they have a notrious reputation; Hafele can give you the install instructions, but apparently there are mockups out there (full size, I think). I've heard people suggest you don't attempt them without the mockup.
*
I just installed an old pocket door in a rehab. It is 5' x 8' x 2", solid oak and probably at least 150 pounds. I bought special, extra heavy duty, pocket door hardware and it works beautifully. One finger moves the door. If you install the track level it isn't a difficult job to do.
The hardware was expensive ($150) because of the $70 freight bill for an oversize 10' track but it was well worth it.
The company is LE Johnson, 2100 Sterling Ave, Elkhart IN 46516.
219-293-5664.
If you have any questions write me at [email protected].
Mike
*
OK; I should clarify. The Hawa stuff is the only 'flipper' hardware I know of for full size heavy doors. Pocket hardware is another matter.
*Right, his application is not a typical pocket door.
*ok, let's see..."800.00 Canadian"...
*LE Johnson is excellent hardware, have used it for years in pocket doors. Never had any problems with it. The important thing is to be sure that the track is installed level. I might be a little biased toward the Johnson hdwe., they are located about 12 mi. from me.
*Yeah.......how much is that in "real" money.Ed. "USA" Williams
*That would be $540.41 US funny money, or 21.5 cases of Molson Ale.
*Screw the hardware.......let's buy the Molson.Ed.
*I understand the concept of "flipper" doors but have never actually seen them. How does the hardware work?
*Ryan,Think about euro hinges on drawer guides.......kind of like that. You open the door and it slides back into the cabinet.Ed. Williams
*What keeps the top and bottom hinges plumb? All I can picture is some sort of cable and pulley system like one of the older style drafting board.The simpler system works for a cabinet door but a full size door is a different story.
*Very close. The Hafele brand have large cross braces to keep everything in line. Others have bars with cable. Perhaps you can invent a new design. Lord knows I'd buy it. They have rollers to keep things in line.........they all work OK, but........they can be very sensitive.You need to visit the Hafele website. If I could do those blue link things for you I would. They sent me a free catalog (a book really). It shows how those things work. You gotta get to the English page. It's a German company. Accuride has them to. They will send you free information too.Check it out.Ed. Williams
*yeah, ditto to Ed. The toughest part sometimes is the design; on a cabinet you have to build a pocket usually, for the doors to go into. They can get pretty involved, especially on tall cabinets, where you have to use a couple of units per side because of weight restrictions, and if it has to be built it, in gets more involved still. And then the Hawa stuff for full size doors is a bunch of steps past that; sort of a trial by fire the first time apparently.
*Ed - It's not like the Accuride flipper door hardware, there are two x-shaped folding arms, not braces, that fold back into tracks and the hinges are butt hinges, not euro-type. It's the x-shaped support that keeps things aligned.Jeff
*Jeff,Yeah, that's the one. Hafele. With the "X" braces. They work OK, but the instructions come metric style. That's fine for you Canandian guys.........down right difficult for us USA guys. Except for our carpenter Peter Krause. He moved to Texas from Germany to work with us about 4 years ago. He's a metric wiz.Ed. Williams
*
I am a homeowner, in the process of a major renovation/restoration. One feature that is planned calls for "flipper" or "pocket" doors in front of a serving area that is only to be used occasionally. (The doors will open normally, then slide back into a pocket to be out of sight.) We had originally been contemplating Stor-a-Dor hardware, but the hardware available is not rated to support doors as heavy or as large as those we are planning. So, we are looking at commercial and heavy duty residential hardware but have not come up with anything yet. I've been designing various things along with my architect, but I would imagine there are others out there who have gone through a simliar experience. Any ideas or recommendations?