Sliding Barn Door Installation: Tips, Tricks and More
Sliding barn doors have become a timeless trend in period-style homes and modern farmhouse decor. And it's easy to see why. They add a certain rustic charm to a home while offering practical, space-saving qualities. Chances are that you've contemplated adding a pair of classic barn doors to your home, too.
But is it worth the hassle, and how easy are they to install? From mounting the track to installing antique door hardware, Van Dyke’s Restorers offers step-by-step instructions, maintenance tips and more for your sliding barn door installation project.
Shop Our Rolling Barn Door Hardware KitsBarn Door Install Considerations
Before you venture into choosing and installing a sliding barn door, you need to consider some things. While the installation project itself is relatively easy, it pays to be mindful of the following details and take certain safety precautions.
Determine if the space is wide enough.
Make sure the place you’ve chosen for your sliding barn door is wide enough. Spaces can often be deceiving and other architectural features might stand in the way. You want the door to slide open completely, without being obstructed by things like light switches, electrical outlets or even cooling registers. If you find something is blocking them, you might be able to relocate these fixtures to another wall or floor area.
Ideally, the barn door should completely cover the doorway, leaving roughly one inch or so to overhang on the sides and one inch along the top. When hung in place from the railing, there should be a ½-inch space between the flooring and the door.
Have an assistant to help lift heavier components.
While sliding barn doors are easy to install, they can be cumbersome and heavy. To hang the barn doors quickly, seek help from friends or family members to make the job even easier. This way, you can be sure to lift the heavier pieces without injuring yourself or causing damage to surrounding areas. With some assistance, you can prevent the doors from falling into the wall, molding or other nearby features, causing dents, scratches or other issues you will have to mend later.
Preparing for Your Sliding Barn Door Install
Before you even purchase your sliding doors and rolling door hardware, you need to take measurements and make a few style choices. From taking measurements of the opening the barn doors will cover to choosing the hardware size and more, here are some ways to prepare.
Measure for the correct hardware size.
Before considering the size of the barn door and hardware you need, measure the doorway's width and the available horizontal and vertical wall space. To choose your barn door's size of hardware, take your door width and double it. Then, add four inches to allow for overhang (and room for error). It's always better to have spare overhang space than to find out you came up short and can't open the door all the way.
Total Hardware Length Formula
Door Width x 2 + 4 inches = Total Hardware Length
When it comes to door height, all you need to measure is the ceiling height and the header space above the doorway or place you plan to mount the barn door. Ideally, for an effortless and roomy install of the hanger, you should plan for a minimum of six to eight inches of header space.
Choose single vs. double barn doors.
Ask yourself if you want single or double sliding barn doors. The answer might be decided for you, especially if there is only enough space on one side of the doorway opening. However, if you have a blank and unobstructed wall on each side, you can create French-style double barn doors.
Sliding Barn Door Installation Steps
Now that you have all the tools and hardware to get started, it’s time to begin your sliding barn door installation.
Step 1: Install the metal track.
The first step is to install the metal track on the wall. However, keep in mind that the track itself may also need a backer board. Backer boards can create the required one-inch gap between it and the wall. And unless you have concrete walls, we highly recommend a backer board behind your barn door's tracking system.
Prepare the backer board.- Take a one-inch thick piece of pressure-treated lumber and cut it to the length and width of your barn door’s track.
- Next, you’ll want to disguise the backer board by painting it to match the wall or trim color. Before you install it, paint the board on a flat surface, ensuring complete coverage.
Determine the install position. - Using a stud finder, locate the studs behind the wall. You'll want to mark the studs above the doorway. For single barn doors, aim three or four inches above the door opening's hinge side, continuing for the length of the backer board. And for double barn doors, locate studs on each side of the door opening.
- Next, hold the backer board level and mark the stud locations along the board. When positioning the board, remember to take into account the height of the door, but allow extra space for gaps between it and the backer board, as well as gaps between the door and the floor.
- Along the backer board’s marked stud locations, pre-drill holes.
- Also, drill two holes on the studs themselves, using a countersink bit.
- Lastly, clamp the metal track to the backer board and drill starter holes at each hole along the track.
- With assistance, hold the backer board against the wall and screw one end to the stud using a wood screw. Make sure the screw heads are just below the wood’s surface.
- Keeping the board level, complete the above step on the backer board's other side with the remaining wood screws.
- Last, conceal the screw heads with a wood filler, touching it up with paint to match the board.
- Using the holes drilled into the backer board, align and attach the metal track using the hardware provided (commonly lag bolts and washers). Ensure the bolts are tightened securely and adjust with a wrench for a firmer grip if necessary.
- If you install a metal track directly to a concrete wall without using a backer board, level the track and mark the mounting holes on the wall's surface. For mounting a sliding barn door to concrete, pre-drill the fastener holes with a masonry bit. Each barn door hardware kit contains masonry anchors and lag bolts for convenience.
- Whether using a backer board or on concrete walls, your final step is to install door stoppers on the metal track. Take each stopper and slide it into the track, tightening the pre-set screw.
Step 2: Install the barn door.
The convenience of purchasing a complete barn door kit is that it contains templates to help you locate where the hardware should be. Some barn door kits also have pre-drilled holes, eliminating some of the necessary steps. However, whether you're installing a complete kit or have purchased hardware and doors separately, you need to fasten all the components before hanging the doors securely. Here are the steps to do so:
Attach the rollers.- Give your barn door the smooth glide it needs with rollers. Since every sliding barn door is designed differently, it’s best to reference the manufacturer’s instruction manual. However, as a general rule of thumb, the rollers should attach either by screwing into the door’s top edge or by strap hangers secured by decorative hardware pieces.
- Once you attach the rollers, use a speed square to ensure the straight strap hanger.
- Whatever style of handle your barn door comes with or you choose ––recessed or pulls–– make sure the center is placed 36 inches from the bottom of the door. (This is the standard placement for most doorknobs.)
- Place the outside handle near the door’s outer edge. For the inside handle, however, remember that the door will be wider than the opening. This means you will need to position the handle precisely, giving it enough space to avoid hitting the door jamb whenever it’s closed.
- If you purchased your barn doors without a kit, your next step is to pre-drill the holes. Position the handle and mark the holes for each screw's location, pre-drilling each before installing.
- Attach the door handles with the matching screws provided with the hardware.
Now that you have the metal track in place and have attached all your hardware and door handles, it’s time to hang the door or doors. As mentioned before, this step works best as a buddy system. Ready to complete the installation? Here’s how to hang your barn door:
- With assistance, lift the door, aiming the wheels into position along the metal track. Be careful not to damage walls, molding or other nearby items.
- Once the wheels are in position, give the door one more test. Make sure it slides correctly and smoothly.
- Next, attach the small rubber blocks, also called anti-jump discs. These anti-jump discs are designed to keep the door in place should the roller wheels ever skip the track. Attach each disc by screwing them to the top edge of the door.
- After the anti-jump discs, install the door guides to the floor. These guides will allow the door to open as smoothly and as straight as possible, instead of wobbling or swaying on the rollers. Note: Some sliding doors have a door guide that fits into a milled groove at the bottom of the door or bumper-like guides that keep the door in-check from the sides. Place the guide or guides into position and once you choose their location, screw them into place.
- The last step to hanging your barn doors is to test them once again. Ensure the doors open and close gracefully, keeping an eye on the anti-jump discs and stoppers, ensuring they are good and secure.
Sliding Barn Door Maintenance
Once your sliding barn doors are in place, make sure to maintain them. Maintaining and cleaning your doors can ensure they last for many years within the home. While it's always advised to follow the manufacturer's maintenance instructions, there are some essential cleaning tips to keep in mind.
- Make sure to wipe down hardware regularly. It’s best to use a soft cloth and a mild cleaner to protect the finishes. While many of these areas can be wiped down during routine cleaning of the room, remember to check the track as well for dirt and dust.
- For wood barn doors, use an oil soap specially formulated for wood and wood stains.
- Clean any glass inserts with glass cleaners and avoid harsh multipurpose chemicals that contain bleach, which can damage the hardware and wood.
- Check screws along the track and tighten any that wriggle loose over time.
- Replace any hardware that becomes damaged. Damaged hardware can snowball into more significant issues.
Extra Barn Door Tips
Consider adding privacy.Some sliding barn doors are designed to conceal a television or entertainment center. However, when it comes to replacing a swinging door of a bedroom or bathroom, add some privacy! Contemplate a solid wood door for soundproofing instead of a hollow-core. You can also install door locks, such as a teardrop lock or a latch to allow the family member or guest additional privacy.
Browse Our Interior Door Locks CollectionSeal your wood finishes.
Without the proper finish, wood barn doors are susceptible to damage. Just like wood flooring, they are prone to cupping. And due to their central hangers, barn doors are especially prone to warping. Instead of allowing this to happen, protect your door with a sealer or finish. A bonus is that it enhances and brings out the details in the woodgrain.
Ready to Install Your Sliding Barn Door?
With this step-by-step breakdown, you should be able to install a sliding barn door all on your own! Or, at least, to lift those solid wood doors with the help of a friend. Whether it’s to add a charming flair to your modern farmhouse style kitchen or hide away the entertainment center in a home library or bedroom, a sliding barn door offers many advantages and lends a country vibe to any home.
Add a Sliding Barn Door to Your Home Today!Image Sources
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