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Pocket Door Install

Cristy Gies

Cristy Gies

Designer and Founder - DIYGirlfriend

Pocket doors are a great solution for smaller homes, where you can’t afford to lose space with a traditional door. Pocket doors are most used for small bathrooms or closets.

The sink placement in a bathroom can limit the amount of space you have for a hinged door. Often there isn’t enough room to open and enter the room. This is where the pocket door can save the day.

Closets can also present the same problem or can just add more space to the closet area and allow you to have complete visibility. A traditional door can limit the room you have to install closet organization systems.

Pocket doors are simple! The slide on a track that is hidden in the wall allowing the door to fit in a built-in pocket in the wall. These doors are easy to slide open and shut with a latch and can be lockable as well.

In this DIYG tutorial will show you how to install your own pocket door. We are building our pocket door so that we can eliminate an entry door and a closet door from swinging into each other. This will reduce damage to the doors and allow for easy entry into the room.

Let’s get started.

Here is What you will need:

Materials:

  • Pocket door frame kit

Measure your door opening and current door to determine what size pocket door kit you will need.  You’ll need twice the width of the door opening for the pocket door and frame.

  • Pocket door (if you are not using an existing door)
  • Pocket door pull (and lock if you need a lock)
  • Finish Nails – (Small box: 4d x 1-1/4”)
  • 2x4’s for the new door frame at the height you need for your specific pocket door
  • 2x8’s or 2x10’s to build new longer header above entire pocket door frame
  • Sheetrock – (2ea 4’ x 8’ x ½”)
  • Paper Drywall joint tape (1 roll)
  • Drywall mud – (3.5qt or 12lb size bucket)
  • Drywall screws – (small box: #6 x 1-1/4”)
  • Texture wall spray (if needed) to match texture on your walls
  • Sanding blocks (100 grit and 220 grit)
  • Paint to match your existing walls
  • Paint brush/roller
  • Drop cloth

Tools:

  • Miter Saw
  • Reciprocating saw
  • Small sledge hammer or mini circular saw
  • Drill and drill bit kit w/#2 Phillips screwdriver bit tips
  • Level (at least 2 foot in length)
  • Tape measure
  • Utility knife with new blade
  • Large claw hammer
  • Pry bars (1 small & 1 large)
  • Brad nail gun (can use finish nails and hammer instead)
  • Pliers
  • Pencil for marking
  • Stud Finder
  • 8” Joint/Taping knife
  • Safety glasses
  • Sturdy step ladder

You can find these items in any local home improvement store. At the bottom of this article we have provided some links to make locating these items easier.

Watch the video for a step-by-step tutorial.

Or, you can follow the step-by-step instructions below.

Step 1: Remove existing door and trim

  • Remove current door and hinge hardware by unscrewing it from the door frame. Set door aside because you will use it later when installing the pocket door.
  • Remove door trim and baseboard by gently inserting a small pry bar between trim and sheetrock. Gently pry the trim away from the sheetrock.

DIYG Tip:

Prior to doing any demo or work on the wall, examine the wall to determine if you need to hire a professional to compensate for any of the following:        

  • Load bearing wall
  • Electrical outlets
  • Electrical light switches
  • Plumbing

Step 2: Remove existing drywall

  • Using a drywall circular saw OR prybar and hammer, remove the existing drywall where the pocket door will go. You only need to remove enough drywall equal to the width of the pocket door + one stud beyond (since the new drywall will attach to the stud).
  • Cut through the drywall and pull from wall. You may have to use the large prybar to pry it away from the studs.
  • Pull out any remaining nails

Step 3: Cut away existing studs

  • Using reciprocating saw, cut away 2x4 studs where the new pocket door will be to make room for the pocket door and new header.
  • Remove existing door header above the door.
  • Remove or trim any nails and remove the studs with either a hammer and/or large pry bar.

Step 4: Install new header for the pocket door

  • Build the new, longer door header to run the entire length of the pocket door frame.
  • Match the lumber and material to the same sized lumber and thickness as the one removed to make the new header.
  • Most doors are 80 inches tall, so your new 2 x 4 stud should be cut and placed at 84 1/2 inches.
  • Most door jambs are 4 1/2 inches wide.
  • Install the new header on top of the door frame and secure in place with either 16d framing nails or #8 x 3” Construction Screws
  • Use a level to ensure the header is level

DIYG Tip: The new header will be longer than the old one because the header for a pocket door needs to run the full length of the pocket door frame.

Step 5: install pocket door frame according to manufacturer directions

  • Every door kit can be a bit different. Ensure you read and follow the instructions carefully.
  • Secure pocket door frame to the 2”x4” studs with long wood screws at top and on sides
  • Slide the pocket door wheeled carriages into the track.

Step 6: Hang pocket door inside frame

  • Mount the hangers on top of the door
  • Hook the hangers onto the carriages and make sure the door hangs plumb. (Level) Minor adjustments may be needed using Allen Wrench provided.
  • Open and close to ensure the door slides smoothly on the track. Adjustments may be needed.

DIYG Tip: Make sure and use a level to ensure the slider is level so the pocket door will slide evenly and easily.  This is one of the most common mistakes when installing a pocket door and can cause the door to rub against the door frame.

Step 7: Install pocket door hardware and re-attach the door frame molding

  • Mount the hangers on top of the door
  • Hook the hangers onto the carriages and make sure the door hangs plumb. (Level) Minor adjustments may be needed using Allen Wrench provided.
  • Open and close to ensure the door slides smoothly on the track. Adjustments may be needed.

DIYG Tip: Make sure and use a level to ensure the slider is level so the pocket door will slide evenly and easily.  This is one of the most common mistakes when installing a pocket door and can cause the door to rub against the door frame.

Step 8: Repair the wall

  • Cut the 4 x8 sheet(s) of drywall to fit the specific areas needed.

DIYG Tip: Try to use as large of pieces as you are comfortable to carry, hold and screw up. This will lessen the amount of drywall joints you will need to tape, mud and sand.

  • Secure drywall to the studs using the 1-1/4” drywall screws

DIYG Tip:

  • use a drywall screw every 18 inches as a best practice and make sure each screw goes into a wood 2 x 4 stud!
  • screw the drywall screws just past the surface of the drywall. Later you will spread drywall mud over the screw for a smooth finish.
  • Tape the drywall using sheet rock joint tape where the sheet rock pieces meet. To do this: first spread a thin layer of drywall mud over the open joint. Once the mud is there, cut and press a long piece of tape over the mudded joint. (The mud will hold the tape in place).
  • Spread a thin layer of drywall mud with mud trowel evenly over the joint tape and screws. Allow the mud to dry following instructions on the drywall bucket. Once mud is dry, sand for a smooth finish. This step might need to be repeated two or three times to ensure a smooth finish so the joint tape and screws are no longer visible.
  • If your walls are textured, spray texture on the drywall to match the other walls. Allow to dry according to directions on can.

DIYG Tip: Make sure you have a drop cloth on the floor to protect the floor from any spillage

  • If needed, gently sand wall to knock down any rough texture.
  • Paint the wall to match the other walls.
  • Reinstall the door trim using finish nails and hammer or finish nail gun.
  • Reinstall the baseboard using finish nails and hammer or finish nail gun.
  • Touch up paint on door trim and/or baseboard if needed.

Step 9: admire your new Pocket door.

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