Replacing A Swing Door With A Sliding Door

Putting the door in the wall frees up the usual swing path area of the standard door and allows the wall usually hidden by a swing door to be used as a part of the rest of the room.

Replacing a swing door with a sliding door.

We get so many questions asking us how to replace an existing door with a sliding door so we are covering just that. Remove molding from around existing pocket door. You ll need a set of sliding door hardware as well as a door that s large enough to cover your opening. With the hinges attached to the door hold the door into place against the jamb with the hinges in place in the space you chiseled out.

Once the railing is up and the door is cut to form if need be the next step is to screw in the door rollers and brackets to the upper end of the door according to the hardware kit sspecific install instructions. Replacing a regular swing door with a sliding or pocket door is an efficient way to take full advantage of more room area. If you are not too keen on replacing your sliding glass doors with double french doors you have the option of choosing patio doors. Make sure the opening is plumb and level.

Center swing patio doors. Cut away any old caulk between the door frame and the wall. Start by removing the old slider. Save the trim to be used elsewhere.

Next install the hardware. Hold a hinge flat against the door jamb surface and trace around it with a pencil. Remove strike side jamb cut out steel track above. To hang a pocket door you need a rough opening that is twice as wide as the door itself.

You can easily increase your home s energy efficiency by replacing an old glass slider with new insulated hinged doors. To check for plumb run a beam from a laser level. Chisel out a space in the door jamb for each door hinge. In any case for homes with a theme where it makes sense french doors can be a great alternative to a standard sliding door.

Use a template to mark the holes for your door hardware then drill the holes making sure to hold the drill perpendicular to the floor. Cut the existing door out of frame. We wanted to give her a sliding barn door for the pantry doors because they are visible from so many rooms in the house and giving this space a custom look would not only serve a function it would look beautiful on the wall. Then attach the bottom door guides track so that the door doesn t wildly sway to and fro when being slid open and closed.

While this transformation is not an easy or quick job it can be accomplished with sufficient carpentry skills and experience. Then attach the hinges with screws. If necessary cut through stubborn nails with a reciprocating saw. This means taking down the old swinging door removing the jamb and disassembling the wall framing.

Carefully cut drywall and pocket door frame to allow a 2x4 stiffener on hinge side of the new door.