Pocket Doors

The greatest benefit of installing pocket doors and windows in your dwelling is that they require no extra clear floor space for opening. The "pocket" that holds the open door or window is built into the walls of your structure and are pulled back out to close.

Pocket doors were a common design feature in homes in the 19th century but is not used a great deal in modern construction. With the door panels sliding back into a "pocket" in the walls, they are subject to problems of rehanging if they jump the rails they slide on. Sturdier modern pocket door hardware has minimized this problem somewhat and they are being used on request.

To install a pocket door you need access to the framework of the surrounding wall. This makes the pocket door a much harder project in an already constructed dwelling. However, if you do need to install one you must follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. The opening must be of a precise size and care must be taken to have the rails and metal guide strips, called "stiffeners", squared to plum. You must be careful that no protruding nails can scratch the door and the jam is set to center so you do not have an overbalance on one side of this two panel door. Usually the pocket door uses a light hollow core door under seventy five pounds but reinforced hardware is available to hold loads of up to one hundred fifty pounds if a solid door is required for your specific application.

There are pocket door installation kits available with all the hardware you need. Pocket door reproduction hardware is available to give the antique look to your decor. Based on existing historical building doors, they can give an Old World look with the advantage of being hung on the much sturdier modern pocket door hardware.

If you desire a mirrored panel in your closet pocket door, you will have to frame it into the door itself, as no surface additions are possible with the pocket door design. While the pocket door does have its unique problems, it is still a nice option to have when designing a new home or office building. They allow a wide opening to your storage closet or can even be used as the main door to an office where you would need all available floor space for the interior furniture and decor.