Installing pocket doors

Caroline
by Caroline
I just bought a 1978 house and am originally from England so trying to learn about how houses here are built... we have double doors leading to a sun room and I wondered how easy it would be to replace them with pocket doors? Can I even buy them here?
  9 answers
  • Johnchip Johnchip on Nov 10, 2016
    Pocket doors are great. I have had and had to fix a few sets. The finish work/ instalation can be challenging , but concept is simple. I would advise after checking William's sites above, you contact some contractors and have one or more out to give estimates and see how each would do it, there are many aproaches. I bet you find a good price and get the job done right, or you can then with their free walk thru's and ideas tackle it yourself.
  • William William on Nov 10, 2016
    Home Depot, Lowes, Menards sell pocket door frames and hardware. You can use your existing doors or purchase slab doors same place you purchase the frame. They can also assist you with information on installation.
  • Jean Proctor Jean Proctor on Nov 11, 2016
    Look for installation help/visual instructions and examples by watching U tubes, there is one out there either made by one of the big box home improvement centers or by a individual.
  • Sherri Sherri on Nov 16, 2016
    We have installed 3 pocket doors this year in a house that we are about to move into. Videos helped, and after the first the other two were easier. We purchased ours at Menard's. In our case, it required us to remove part of the wall for installation, then reinstall the drywall and paint.
  • Mickey Mickey on Nov 20, 2016
    Have you seen the barn door style that you can retrofit to an existing opening? They sell them are Lowe's, or you could get more ideas after looking at them. It is a real chore to install the other type and they frequently have tract problems. If you could find the hardware you may be able to reuse your old doors. I also have found nice doors at Habitat for Humanity stores. Good luck whatever you decide.
  • Pocket doors are not difficult and really save space. I found, however, in my latest remodel that installing a "barn" door was actually cheaper and that trend is extremely popular right now. To see what I did, visit my blog The Bachelorette Pad Flip. https://bachelorettepadflip.com/2016/08/22/the-new-old-door/

  • Linda Linda on Dec 20, 2016

    If there are electric outlets in that wall, it would be to expensive to relocate them. I'm with the barn door idea but why change at all. Paint them a fabulous color that coincides with both room colors. Save the money for other projects.

  • Judi Judi on Dec 23, 2016

    Go to homeguides.sfgate.com/how to install a pocket door in existing home.