Pocket Door Installation

Randell Tarin

My wife and I are considering a pocket door in a new build we're doing.
I know how the mechanism works and how it's installed, but my question is this:

Do you install the actual door before or after the drywall goes up. I've never installed one of these, so I'll appreciate any help.

Mike Swearingen

You can install a pocket door before or after the drywall goes up, but before the trim, which has to be removed in order to remove the door in the future.
Mike

Randell Tarin

Thanks Mike!

Chris Johnson

Install after drywall, saves it getting beat up. Also consider sealing (prime and paint) the door on all six sides before hanging, especially if it's in a wet area.

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Chris

AtlanticWBConst.

Generally, every pocket door arrangement we have put in, is installed before drywall, since the drywall goes over the door's "in-wall frame". The door panel is then installed and tested on it's tracks for operation, prior to drywall. However, after testing for operation, it is then removed for safe keeping.

After the drywall is up, the door-panel itself is attached to the operating system (track). It is in place, also, when the finish wood-work is installed, in order to align everything.

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Randell Tarin

Thanks guys.

troubleseeker

I always completely install the hardware kit and hang the door to assure proper alignment of everything and smooth operation. You can then unclip the door from the trolleys (I always tape then together with a wrap of electrical tape and leave them in the track), and store it for safe keeping, or prime it and leave it in the pocket. Whether I remove the door or leave it in, I always rip a strip 3 1/2 wide (for a 2 x 4 wall) by about four feet long and screw it across the faces of the studs at the edge of the pocket. This prevents the studs from being easily bent during drywalling, and also keeps the door locked in the pocket where it is much safer than sliding around.

AtlanticWBConst.

Good point. I forgot to mention that detail.....we actually do the same.

In fact, we try and do that with any kind of an opening that could be compromised, prior to finish installation.
Example: With kitchen cabinetry, prior to countertop install, we place blocking across the appliance's empty-openings.

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MWHITLEY

Dont forget to use short drywall screws in the drywall over the pocket door framing or they will secure the door in the pocket nicely

Pawl

You guys will love this. I am new to hanging doors.I used one of those Johnson pocket door kits-Click here: Johnson Hardware® POCKET DOOR HARDWARE. Everything went fine with the pocket door project until I purchased pre hung interior doors (12 ) for my house and I am using a different style than the pocket door.I bought an extra door with this new style so somewhere down the road I think if I just take the trim off,unhook it and change doors I will be fine.
Maybe some of the guys will give me some advice on my dilemna and comment on what they think about Johnson pocket doors for you. I also put an extra guide down low on the center stud which maybe over kill but the door moves along well giving people the impression I have been doing this kind of work all my life and I know what I am doing.Being new at this I got away from the pocket door for a few breathers so I could think if I might encounter some other problems before I did everything real fast without thinking ahead and it actually turned out nice.Good Luck

AtlanticWBConst.

Thanks for letting us know how things went.

Pawl: You realized a secrete to the trade: Anything can be studied and figured out. The benefit, is, is if you have some experince in the field, as to how things work and operate.

Based on what you have written so far, you are doing well, based on your approach to each issue, and install.

Good luck on the rest of the project.

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