Do you need a header over a pocket door?

Do you need a header over a pocket door?

Pocket doors that are 4 feet wide would require a header that spans the opening of 8 feet, plus another 4 feet on each side where the doors tuck away. It’s 16 feet long, heavy, unwieldy and often constructed of two 2-by-10s or more depending on the load above.

How do I keep my pocket door from swaying?

Some ideas include using a steel angle bracket on each side of the opening to stabilize, then trim jamb and casing over it, or tearing the walls out and reframing with timberstrand on either side and no split studs . . .

Do pocket doors have a bottom track?

Typically, pocket doors have an upper track only, but if you plan ahead you can have a bottom track. This gives the sliding door a robust fixing and makes it less likely to flap about when in the open position. It involves fixing the track into the floor — one way to do this is with a router in a timber floor.

What is the rough opening height for a pocket door?

The open doorframe should be twice the width of the intended door slab, plus 1 inch. So, the rough opening for a 30-inch door slab should be 61 inches. Height should be the vertical length of the door slab, plus the thickness of the door track and desired clearance (about 1 inch, though product dimensions vary).

Do you remove the bottom plate when installing a pocket door?

You’ll have to remove the part of the of the bottom plate that extends across the door opening (normally done with a reciprocating saw). After the door has been installed, you can decide what to do about the floor covering that extends through the door opening.

Why is my pocket door rubbing?

If you see the telltale rub marks, then either the door is warped, or the studs are bowed. Either way, though, one fix is to replace the door. If the door is warped, a new door of the same thickness may fix the problem. If the studs are bowed, you can replace the door with a thinner one (swap a 1-3/4 in.

Are pocket doors out of style?

Pocket doors are not a common door type found in homes today but have actually been around for centuries. In the past, the door type was actually considered a standard feature in an upscale home but this gradually went out of style. Swinging doors became the new ‘It’ feature and homes continue to use such doors today.

Are pocket doors OK for bedrooms?

Pocket doors are a good option for smaller rooms that may not have space for a full-swing door. They’re perfect for closets, connecting two spaces (for example between an en suite and a walk-in closet, and small bedrooms where floor space counts.