Replies

1. 
   Jeff_Clarke_ | Dec 23, 2000 03:42am | #1

   *
   Two good rules-of-thumb on pocket doors are:

   (1) Don't use them for doors that you are going to close frequently (like bathroom doors) unless necessary. Examples: to close off a family room when kids have friends over and one from a recent project - a walk-in hall closet with shelving for kids backpacks, boots, etc. - you might want to leave it open most of the time but close it when people are over ...

   and

   (2) Buy good hardware

   They also tend to get banged up from the stops so anything you can do to provide good alignment will help.

1. 
   Jim_Malone | Dec 23, 2000 04:55am | #2

   *Johnnie, Good quality pocket doors should not detract from your homes value any more than generic hinged hollow cores. They really will afford much more usable space. Like Jeff said, it would be good to forgo them in areas with high use and large humidity differentials. There are many manufacturers and just as many standards of quality. Much of the framework is made of necessarily thin wood. A quick look at the quality of this (won't show) wood can give you a clue to the overall product before you buy. And of course it's possible to buy a door slab, some hardware, and some selected 1x wood and build your own, a cost effective alternative if you have perhaps 4 or more to do.Drawbacks to pocket doors are primarily the inability to use areas of wall that we often take for granted.Even one wrong nail on a piece of baseboard can wreck your whole day. Cupboards, towel bars, shelf brackets, even just a switch or outlet box installation can be a no no. Also care must be taken before installation to assure that the hardware is of good quality, and is attatched well. It goes without saying that plumb, square and level are very important in this setting.If optimal use of space was a consideration, I'd certainly go the pocket door route.Good Building,Jim Malone

1. 
   Chisel_Head | Dec 26, 2000 04:49pm | #3

   *Take a look at each opening not the entire project. Some hinged doors open to a DEAD area anyhow... thus there is no advantage to using a pocket door. The only time I use a pocket frame is when it is really nessary. Quality hardware is a MUST!

1. 
   Scott_Chadbourne | Dec 27, 2000 01:25am | #4

   *I use pocket doors quite a bit. I use 3/4 OSB filler between the horizontal 1x3 girts and leave plenty of notes for the drywallers to use 1" screws so that the tips don't gouge the door slab when the door is open. If you use full mortise locks be sure to take your time cutting those hollow core slabs. Make sure the slabs have decent lock blocks in them, too. Scott

1. 
   bill_burns | Dec 28, 2000 04:05am | #5

   *i have done some pocket door repairs on older (1930's and older) homes and one thing i have noticed is that all of the walls containing pocket doors were thicker than the rest of the walls! i put a pocket door in a friends house to seperate an in-law apartment, and based on my observations of the old homes, i built the wall out of 2x6's. this allowed lots of room around johnson door kit and i did not worry about fasteners protruding too far. the pocket area is also stiffer. lost a little space, but he is happy with results.

2. 
   Brad_Raymer | Dec 28, 2000 03:07pm | #6

   *Scott, How do you say "use one inch screws" in Spanish? One reason the drywall is so bad in my area is you can no longer communicate with the drywall guys. I can work with anyone but do I really have to learn another language-I never even caught on to French that well in high school.

3. 
   Brad_Raymer | Dec 28, 2000 03:09pm | #7

   *P.S Sorry to detour from the thread here-I get on my soapbox WAY to often.

4. 
   Pablo_Cruise | Dec 29, 2000 07:05am | #8

   *No problemo,Amigo.

2. 
   Johnnie_Browne | Dec 29, 2000 07:05am | #9

   *
   What about using pocket doors for interior doors. i was thinking that in a small house it would save space. But what about resell value of the house at a later date. I mainly thinking about the handicapped angle.