What is the panel style of the door?

palimpsest We haven't chosen anything yet but I do prefer 6 panel doors.

Will it bother you that when the paneled door is closed in the pocket, the panels will be slightly off center?

Palimpest,

Some manufacturers make doors specific for pockets. I know Trustile does and I remember running across a few others but you must specify them.

Why is that palimpest? Couldn't the pocket doors split in the middle and each half go into its own pocket?

palimpsest No, I wouldn't be bothered by the off center panels.

A bit of the tail end of the door stays in the pocket. So the stile, or the vertical piece on one side of the panels has to be wider on the end of the door that stays in the pocket to look "symmetrical", or have the same size vertical style on both sides of the panels, when the door is closed.

As homepro says, some manufacturers make them specific for pockets that are made this way, but that has to be specified. Trustile makes beautiful doors, but they are sorta pricey.

If that doesn't bother you, you can use off the rack panel doors.

I have used Johnson Hardware for my pocket doors. The hanging and pocket mechanism.

For the flush pulls, the problem I have found is that there is very little between super inexpensive builder type pocket door pulls and locking hardware and very expensive stuff. I used one type of pull in my basement, and spent ten times as much for the pull and lock on the pocket door for a bathroom. Not because I wanted to, but because there is not much in the middle.

palimpsest That is basically the result of my searching, $2,000 barn door with track/pull or off the rack builder grade. It's probably the same with pocket doors.

Found 2, 3, 4 and 5 panel doors that I like although I had 6 panel doors at the top of my list. lol

Katrina,

You are going to make this difficult on yourself:-) All those doors are pretty! I went with the three panel style from Trustile (TS3000). Trustile will also send you a sample of your door with the panel profile you are intending to order if you want to. I also like the two panel door:-)

I used Johnson pocket door hardware to hang the door and stud the wall, and I used Accurate Lock and Hardware mortise privacy set with a split finish, matching the swinging door hardware on the outside and chrome on the inside, for a bathroom.

Do pocket doors doors come pre-drilled for the hardware (locks and pulls) or does that have to be done on site?

For myself I have only done custom doors (My place from 1838) or basic solid core slab (1965) neither of which came prepped. usually doors only come prepped if they are prehung, and custom doors you can chose what you want. I wanted hinge prep only on the swinging doors, no prep on the pocket doors with the custom ones.

homepro01 OMG! I had no idea there were so many options for doors and hardware. A friend who is into design and decor also loves the 2 panel door.

All those doors are lovely but I am in shock over the cost of the hardware!

You want shock? That's when you get my bill for fixing an improperly installed pocket door with cheap hardware. Do not skimp here, please.

I'm not talking about the sliding hardware, JC, I am talking about the pulls and the locking mechanisms ... super expensive!

I'm thinking of a barn / sliding door for my bathroom also. How do you plan to handle the seal or sound issue to provide privacy for the user?

I'm still thinking it through.

beachem The barn door will cover the opening as well as about 1 inch on both sides. We are also adding a locking mechanism. I had not considered a sound issue and don't know enough about barn doors to comment.

If you do a barn door, make it wide enough so that you won't see the bathroom light trickling out the sides while another is still sleeping in the dark bedroom.

At least you're going with a solid door. We didn't quite think it through at our last house: We put in a three panel pocket door with frosted glass for the master bathroom. Talk about giant night light! Duh!

I will say that the Johnson hardware was great.

Good luck on your project.

For those who use the Johnson hardware, did you use the whole kit which includes the split jambs, or just the top rail? When I called the local lumber/supply house to inquire about pocket doors, they insisted that I need to order a pocket frame in addition to the sliding rail. From looking at the installation instructions, it looks like the split jambs create the pocket frame. Or am I missing something?

It's been a few years, but we used a closet door for the pocket door and it was lighter and thinner than a standard door. All we ordered was the hardware, rail and wheels.

I ordered the pocket frame. It is split studs that fit into special brackets that will support the drywall on each side of the door. These split studs are wood covered in metal. I think the metal is for sturdiness as well as to help you prevent from trying to nail into these studs and into the door. Not sure.

Everybody who works on the project has to be aware of the pocket door situation.

I know someone who renovated an apartment and put pocket doors between all the rooms. The finish carpenters came in and put up baseboard and casings, and nailed into every single pocket door in the entire apartment. Some of the doors were completely "nailed" into the open position, some could be pulled out of the wall , just with deep scratches or gouges in them where the nails touched the doors.

I thought this was a one off, until I went to work in an office that had a pocket door that never worked right because someone had driven nails into it at some point and it was never the same after. It has been replaced with a barn door that was also put up badly.

Not trying to discourage you, but a well installed pocket door is an art.

Watching this thread with great interest. And thanks to homepro for great list above. We are getting ready to start a remodel that will involve a laundry alcove that opens to a busy hallway in a vacation rental. There are bifold doors there now that I hate, and they will not give sufficient open access for the stacked W/D set we are planning. We were thinking pocket doors but that would involve tearIng open walls that otherwise wouldn't need to be torn open. I am loving the lateral door option. But we would need double doors and the mechanism is just so expendive - it's close to 2k not counting the doors. Are we crazy for considering that option? Anyone know if there are less expensive options for home use? The SugaStune looks so heavy duty commercial!

Numbers,

My pleasure. I have another option for the lateral door but I know nothing about the quality and if you can do a double door.

Milano Concealed Door

Good luck!

"I went to work in an office that had a pocket door that never worked right because someone had driven nails into it at some point and it was never the same after" (palimpsest)

Yes. This happened to us when DH nailed the baseboard on the wall between the laundry and kitchen. The door came off track. When we renovate I will replace or remove. However, this was builder grade. On our extension I added three pocket doors. The one I had put in for the powder room is a solid core door, not thinner than most doors, as I wanted as much sound-dampening as possible with such a device.

We used Johnson Hardware - not the home depot variety which runs $ 40 or so, but commercial grade. Look at the Johnson site under 1500 Commercial Grade and you will also find non-standard size frames (door max thickness 1 3/4"). Use a good carpenter.

We're going with 2 panel doors by Brosco and can supposedly get them in 1 day. It's a newer door style called Monroe so I'm not 100% sure we will get them so fast. The contractor said order only the doors and he would handle the rest (pocket kits/jambs). I'm telling him today, in person and in writing, to be sure to use Johnson pocket door hardware. They can't close the walls without the pocket doors so they are a rush decision. I am not sure what brand of hardware he was planning to use. For the barn door we are using https://rusticahardware.com

I thought I had 2 - 6 weeks for DOB approval but the 1 day approval put a rush on a lot of things.

We have doors! Only 1 is installed though.

jellytoast I love this locking set!

http://www.betterbuildinghardware.com/products/sliding-door-locks-hb-690

Very nice doors Katrina!

Thanks! homepro01 We went with the 2 panel and now I am noticing them in tv shows and movies. lol

I love that lockset, too, but $598.00?? I am in shock!

jellytoast This is different but pricey! http://www.12thavenueiron.com/collections/tom-kundig-door-hardware-pulls-levers/products/no-peek-sliding-door-pull?variant=4738039937

The doors looks great! I'm planning converging pocket doors for our pantry, and planning on a recessed pull on the outside, like this and an edge pull like this.