The chunky, rustic look of a sliding barn door is a popular trend in many modern homes. You can install a barn door anywhere you need to put in a space-saving but effective doorway, and the hardware comes in all shapes and sizes to fit your home’s style. The process of installing any sliding hardware must be done carefully and in the right order, as it depends on strong support from studs within the walls (while also being mounted to them). If you want to install this type of hardware yourself, here are some things you need to know first:
You can install barn doors anywhere you need a space-saving door. To do this, however, you must frame in the wall and install hardware.
You can install barn doors anywhere you need a space-saving door. To do this, however, you must frame in the wall and install hardware.
Barn doors can be mounted on walls, doors or windows. You can also install them on the inside or outside of your home—even on the ceiling or floor! The only limitation is that if there are no studs within 2 inches of where you want to mount your door (or if there is a beam between studs), then you need to use an alternate mounting method such as pocket screws into lauan plywood/OSB sheathing boards for interior installations or heavy gauge steel angle iron for exterior applications.
To get started with framing out your barn door installation location:
Some of the hardware will rest on the floor to provide support. The floor should be flat and level.
The floor should be flat and level. The floor should be strong enough to support the weight of your door, including all hardware. If you don’t have a flat surface on which to build your barn door frame, you can use an old wooden pallet or two pieces of plywood stacked together (with some additional support) as a base for your workstation.
You may need additional help if this is your first time installing a barn door system in your home—you’ll want someone who has experience working with tools so they can assist with measuring and marking where to drill holes for attaching hardware onto studs that will hold up against years of use (or more).
Your home should have drywall walls; if not, please consult an expert before attempting this project! Typically, there are two studs spaced evenly apart on either side of where you plan to put up your new wall so there isn’t any sag/droop when holding something heavy like a door or mirror above it.”
A typical wall requires two studs spaced evenly to create a gap large enough for the door.
- The distance between the studs depends on the width of the door.
- The studs should be spaced equal distances apart and level with each other.
- The studs should be parallel to each other, which means they’re on the same plane as the wall they will support (and not angled at all).
- The holes in the studs must align with those in your wall (again, if you’re putting two together), so make sure that you’ve measured correctly before drilling any holes into walls or floors.
Measure the door opening and determine where you want to place the track for your barn door.
Before you start, make sure you have all of the tools, materials and equipment required for the job. If you’re not sure about your ability to do this project on your own, find someone who can help.
You should also remember that a barn door system is a heavy load and must be installed in accordance with building codes.
Always keep safety in mind when working with heavy loads like this.
Use a level to draw lines marking where you will place two 2×4 studs side by side in the wall. This is where you’ll drill holes for your new studs.
When you’re ready, use a level to draw lines marking where you will place two 2×4 studs side by side in the wall. This is where you’ll drill holes for your new studs. These two holes should be about 2 inches deep into the studs, and there should be about 4 inches between them. Once those are marked out (and if you’ve used a pencil, make sure to erase it), use a drill bit that is slightly larger than the screws you will use for this project (1/2-inch works well). Drill holes through both plates of drywall using your brad point bit and hammer drill until they meet each other on the other side of the wall.
Use a drill bit slightly larger than the screws that will attach the studs to drill holes through the drywall into your existing studs.
- Use a drill bit slightly larger than the screws that will attach the studs to drill holes through the drywall into your existing studs.
- Drill holes in each of the four corners of your wall, with three or four inches between them. The size of these holes will depend on the size of your barn door hardware and hanger bolts, which are discussed below. Make sure you have enough clearance for whatever hinges or hardware you’re using. If in doubt, err on the side of caution: if it gets too tight, there’s no harm done by drilling an extra hole or two; however, if it doesn’t fit at all and you only have one hole drilled (or none), then there’s nothing else you can do but rip out some drywall and start over again.
Drill holes through the plates on either side of the doorway at an angle, so that each hole intersects one of your hanger bolts about 2 inches deep into your existing studs.
Drill holes through the plates on either side of the doorway at an angle, so that each hole intersects one of your hanger bolts about 2 inches deep into your existing studs.
Screw them in from the opposite side using an open-ended wrench placed over the head of each hanger bolt.
Attach your track to the wall by screwing it into the hanger bolts you installed into your new studs.
Screw in your hanger bolts using a wrench or socket wrench on one side of each hole. Then screw them in from the opposite side using an open-ended wrench placed over the head of each hanger bolt.
- Screw in your hanger bolts using a wrench or socket wrench on one side of each hole. Then screw them in from the opposite side using an open-ended wrench placed over the head of each hanger bolt. This will keep them from spinning when you put pressure on them and tighten down the barn door track later on.
- Tighten all four or six bolts until they are snug (not overly tight). You’ll want someone to help hold the track in place while you screw it into place so that it’s level with your flooring, not hanging at an angle like mine was at first! My helper held it while I screwed it into place, but you can use clamps if needed to hold things steady before drilling into your walls.
- If possible, have someone help lift and guide the top edge of your track into place so that both sides line up evenly over their corresponding holes (the distance between these holes should be equal). Once everything is lined up properly, use lag bolts or wood screws to secure both ends of your new wall decor by driving them through pre-drilled holes spaced roughly every 12 inches apart along its length; securing these two ends will create two brackets that support a weight load such as this door frame itself once mounted onto its hinges later on.”
Conclusion
You can now screw your barn door track and fasteners into the hanger bolts you installed. Make sure to use lock washers on the threaded end of each bolt, as well as a nut that can’t be removed with a wrench. You’ll have to use pliers instead, which means you won’t need a key for your barn door.
