Sliding barn doors hang from a track outside the room, covering the opening with gaps on either side. They require six to eight inches of header space to operate correctly, and the track is installed just outside the opening. You can install a wide door, however, by fitting a connector to the hardware manufacturer's track. The track needs to be at least six to eight inches higher than the floor to allow the door to open and close smoothly.
You'll also need a bottom track if you're installing sliding barn doors. You need to know how big your door is to determine the size of the track you'll need. If the door is too large or too small, it can get stuck or scratch the floor. To keep it in good working order, you should measure the opening and the height of the bottom track. You can then install the bottom guide.
Once you've decided on the right sliding barn door style, you'll need to install guides. These pieces of hardware attach to the wall or flooring and act as grooves for the doors to slide on. Each guide has a high lip and roller for ease of sliding. Barn door guides can be purchased online from Amazon. If you have trouble determining your door size, check with a local door supplier for installation instructions.
When installing sliding barn doors, attach the rollers before hanging them. They help the door slide smoothly and won't wobble. To do this, you can purchase bumper-like guides. Make sure to install them properly, as well as anti-jump discs and stoppers. If you are unsure whether your door requires a bottom track, you can always purchase the hardware separately from the store.
Then, mount the rollers on the door. The installation process may differ depending on the type of roller hardware you purchase. Some rollers, known as face mounts, attach to the front of the door, and these are mounted by a strap that extends down. White shanty doors have two rollers on each door, and two lag bolts secure the rollers to the door. You'll need to drill holes in the wall for the lag bolts for both styles.
You must ensure the header supports the door's weight when installing sliding barn doors. You also need to ensure enough space between the top of the opening and the ceiling for the track. For this, clearance of six inches is ideal, but some hardware can work with less space. Once you've done that, you can install the track and door brackets. Once the track is securely in place, the door can slide in.
Sliding barn doors are relatively easy to install but require some consideration and safety measures. Make sure the space is large enough for the door to slide smoothly. Avoid blocking the track with light switches, electrical outlets, or cooling registers. You should also ensure the doors are wide enough to be fully open. Do not install them where you can't access them without removing them.
Once you have completed the bottom track installation, you need to install the upper track. You can screw it into the door jamb by using the screws provided. Make sure that the bottom track is flush with the upper track. Once the track is in place, you must lift the sliding door and slide the wheels into the upper track. Remember to move the wheels back and forth while installing the track. After installation, the doors must be level and square with the track after installing the doors.
To install the barn door, measure the width of the wall's opening and height. If you need to install a barn door in the middle of the wall, mark the center. If the door is too thin, you need to leave a space of one inch between the wall and the door. Otherwise, the doors may not be able to slide properly. If this is the case, you can purchase a track joiner to install the tracks. This will allow the wheels to glide smoothly over the rails.
When choosing your hardware, you can select a wide range of track options for your barn door. You can find flat track systems with capacities of 250 to 800 lbs. However, they may not be available in higher capacities. The track hardware may be concealed and protected from the elements with a canopy. Track hardware can be bought in different lengths; standard lengths are six, eight, and ten feet. Joint brackets can also connect the track to form a single unit.