Do all pocket doors suck?

[plowhog]

I'm putting a small office and bathroom in my new garage. Probably should have made it larger but too late for that.

It's designed for a regular door to the small office, and a second regular door from the office to a bathroom. Due to tight space, I think I've already decided to redesign it so you don't have to go through the small office to get to the bathroom. This would result in two entry doors-- one to the small office and one to the bathroom. They could either swing in or out.

Someone just recommended pocket doors since they don't take up space. But every pocket door I have ever had has been problematic-- whether coming off the tracks or whatever. Have pocket doors improved any in recent years?

 

[crazyal]

I've never had a problem with the two in my house coming off the track. The thin studs always seam to be kind of weak so I've screwed some steel angle iron to help keep them straight so they don't rub on the door.

 

[RNeumann]

In general yes! They do make a track and roller system that has two tracks and 4 wheels per “trolly”- 8 total wheels per door. This seems to help too. As stated above adding a little angle iron to the 1x4s can help- especially in the 3-6’ height range. I also like to use solid core doors for pocket doors and I add the little clear bumpers to the end of the door on the latch side.

 

[Redlands Okie]

2 x 4 Wall Pocket Door Frames | Johnsonhardware.com | Sliding | Folding | Pocket Door Hardware

Is a decent brand. Gluing the sheetrock to the frame studs helps stiffen things up. Whatever brand you get keep in mind to use SHORT screws like one inch to fasten 1/2 inch sheetrock. Just a tiny bit to deep and the screw tips will scratch the door.
A option for you might be barn door hanging type. Door style of your choice.

barn door for home - Google Search

 

[quicksandfarmer]

I've installed a couple of the Johnson brand and never had a problem.

 

[prichard]

Do you have a lot of people in and out of your garage and office? Why not just a door on the office?

 

[KennyG]

I've got two pocket doors that are original (40 years old). One works fine and the other doesn't work at all. I've got a couple that I installed with quality Johnson hardware. They are almost 10 years old and work perfectly.

 

[goeduck]

I have two, House is 30 years old. Both work fine but the also don’t get used much due to location. One has been bumped off the rail a few times but I am able to snap it back on.

 

[spitter]

I ve installed hundreds of pocket doors never had a 1 problem . Lots of over sized commercial 3 ' 0" 9' 0" solid core custom installs . Use only Johnson hd track . Follow instructions and you'll b alright.:drink:

 

[thepumpguysc]

According to all the home improvement "EXPERTS" on the DIY CHANNEL they're GREAT.. Lol
I guess it all depends on the material your using.

 

[Cord]

Yea, pretty much all pocket doors suck. They're hard to install, cheaply made and are hard to operate. Have you considered using a sliding door instead? They're popular enough that there are now some cheaper options out there.

 

[CincyFlyer]

I've not had them fall off of the tracks, but I've had the door come off of the trolley because the retainer wasn't properly latched. Had to pull off trim to get to it, put a dab of silicone sealer to hold it in place. I also removed one pocket door as I wanted to insulate the wall (abutted the garage).

 

[yanmars]

My pocket doors are 121 years old, same as the house, very heavy oak, and work great.

 

[handtools]

Another vote for the Johnson brand, I installed 3 in my last house 20 some years ago and they work perfectly today(nephew bought it), new house has 3 Johnson brand pocket doors and they also have worked perfectly for 2.5 years.

 

[Fossil Farm]

We converted a heavy French door into a pocket door. Works great. I think the weight helps keep it on track since it has some beef to it.
We took our time to get the track perfectly level and straight. If the track is not installed properly, it can lead to problems. Good luck.

 

[plowhog]

Have you considered using a sliding door instead?

Is that the sliding barn style door, or something else? I looked at the Johnson and wasn't sure if they include a door or you supply that extra. I will have 2x6 walls but I see they support that dimension.

 

[rd_macgregor]

We have three. One is a hollow-core bathroom door and the other two are multi-pane glass pocket doors. I love having them and wish I had more. Having said that, the bathroom one is a bit stiff and feels tract-house cheap. One of the glass doors runs smoothly, except for a bump in the middle of its run (I have no idea what that is)...the other is smooth as silk, a real joy to use! Sorry, I don't know the brand/supplier; it feels like three different mechanisms, but I suppose it could just be variations in installation(?).
Do these doors need periodic lubrication? If so, how is that done?

 

[Cord]

Is that the sliding barn style door, or something else? I looked at the Johnson and wasn't sure if they include a door or you supply that extra. I will have 2x6 walls but I see they support that dimension.

Yes, this door is in my living room and it used a cheap farm store grade track. The hangers are handrail brackets flipped upside down. There are lots of kits available to do this.

 

[Peter 315]

Johnson 1500HD pocket door frame, Is what the lumber yard I worked at sold the most of.

 

[goeduck]

Yes, this door is in my living room and it used a cheap farm store grade track. The hangers are handrail brackets flipped upside down. There are lots of kits available to do this.

That is nice looking. Good job!