Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I'd do the pocket doors and do them right (better hardware, etc)
If you plan to be in this house for YEARS to come...do what you need to do for YOU. As long as you're not destroying the overall market appeal....let resale take care of itself, when the time comes.
I looked into pocket doors when I had a wall knocked out....
You'll need to either build a double wall in front of the current walls to slide the doors into, (and even deeper space if you want the door to be able to slide past and outlets you still want on that wall)....OR if you have walls thick enough already....make sure there's no wiring or plumbing in the current wall. (and you'll need the right header over the door, since you'll be taking out studs.
Accufitgolf & Fallingwater: Which of your rooms have pocket doors?
Master bedroom to master bath has a pocket door. Master bath to walkin closet has a pocket door. Single width and installed when house was built, two years ago. Love them. Very space saving.
Accufitgolf & Fallingwater: Do those walls have any electrical or plumbing in them? Is so how was that accommodated?
My house (with two pocket doors) was a new build.
Having seen the frames when installed, I assume an existing wall would have to opened up, studs removed, be header braced, then the pocket door frame installed, trim installed (door side where it slides out from), then the wall refinished (sheet rock, paint, etc.). It might also require a new door frame.
I know the framer did stud the walls where the pocket doors were going and the door installer had to modify the two walls. I did not catch it but I showed up one day when a guy was cutting studs down. I asked what he was doing. He said he was installing the pocket door frames.
I would also say the wall where it is to be installed would have to be utility free (electric, water, etc) or the utilities moved from the width of the door back from the door frame edge the side the door will operate from. Moving electric will be simple enough. Moving water more difficult.
Adding new pocket doors to existing construction will require quite a bit of rework.
Go to a big box and look at a pocket door. It will give you a good idea what will have to be done to install it. I suppose there are pics and instruction online.
It is not as simple as removing a door frame and sliding the pocket door in..........LOL
Go to a big box and look at a pocket door. It will give you a good idea what will have to be done to install it. I suppose there are pics and instruction online.
Don't forget about your local lumber yard or building supplier. You may not be able to get your frozen pizzas or your laundry detergent there, but you can very likely get some good answers and advice there. Remember that most of them have been around supporting your community much longer than the big box place, but they can't continue if you just go in to by a 2x4 because you were one short when you got the rest of the project at the BB place and you don't want to drive back.
Accufitgolf & Fallingwater: Which of your rooms have pocket doors?
A half bath, our master bath and my office. The house was built in the 90's and the pocket doors must have been an option with the builder because a neighbor has the same house design and he immediately commented on how awesome our pocket door was on our half bath (he doesnt have one). The front door and half bath are close so if the half bath had a regular door and it was left open, it would be in the way of the front door (hope that makes sense). Anyway, that works out nice.
Our master bath has a pocket door and again, its a space saver. I wish the owners would have done a pocket door on our master bedroom closet too because the way the door swings open, it kind of gets in the way sometimes. The hardware must be quality because the doors open and close with ease. The only issue I had was when I changed out all the door knobs in the house from brass to ORB, the pocket door hardware was a bit tricky to change out. I bought a new pull and it was slightly thicker than the old brass one. I didnt notice the very slight variation, So after I swapped them out and pushed the door closed it banged and didn't fit back into the pocket as well as the old pull. After we worked it out I found one by Stanley at Lowe's that was the exact same thickness as old brass pulls. So far that has only been my issue. Oh or when people come to visit and say, "oh my god there is no door on this bathroom?" I have to show them its a pocket door. lol
They suck if you can look past how convenient they are until they crap out on you.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
So far that has only been my issue. Oh or when people come to visit and say, "oh my god there is no door on this bathroom?" I have to show them its a pocket door. lol
