Pocket doors

Rosa_Damascena

I shall be having some work done on my home this year, and am planning for an extension in future years and am considering sliding pocket rather than doors as a space saving mechanism, eg for a new en-suite bathroom. Are they as hard-wearing as conventional doors? What do I need to kn ow that might not appear obvious to the lay person?

Views / experiences?

theonlywayisup

We have them in one of our holiday cottages. Ours are aluminium/steel frame which was plasterboarded over to form the stud wall and the doors are standard doors.  They are very easy to fit - been in about 3 years so can't say much about longevity other than they slide really well and don't appear to be giving any issues. 

tacpot12

If you buy a good quality mechanism, they last a long time, but they do need more maintenance (greasing) than ordinary door,ps, so make sure you can get at the sliding mechanism easily, e.g. have a cover that can be screwed. 

troffasky

Rosa_Damascena said:

What do I need to kn ow that might not appear obvious to the lay person?

If it's going to be boarded over then it absolutely needs to be done right first time. Research the products thoroughly and have a go at reading the technical documentation. If you don't think what the installer is doing tallies with the documentation, challenge them on it. Easier said than done, of course!

Follow the maintenance schedule, eg lubricating moving parts.

Rosa_Damascena

troffasky said:

Rosa_Damascena said:

What do I need to kn ow that might not appear obvious to the lay person?

If it's going to be boarded over then it absolutely needs to be done right first time. Research the products thoroughly and have a go at reading the technical documentation. If you don't think what the installer is doing tallies with the documentation, challenge them on it. Easier said than done, of course!

Follow the maintenance schedule, eg lubricating moving parts.

Thanks for all your replies.

I was just going to leave installation to my builder - I trust him and can't sing his praises high enough. Having said that I didn't realise maintenance would be required, but it doesn't sound onerous as long as consideration is given to how it's fitted in advance. I can't be calling someone out every time it needs a quick fix. 

By lubrication, are we talking WD40 territory or something more specialist?

Swasterix

Installed some double pocket doors last year. The ones I bought were made by a company called Eclisse. You get an aluminium frame which carries the sliding mechanism and is fixed into a stud wall. Obviously need to buy the doors separately.

 Really easy to put together, although can’t speak to the longevity. They are relatively expensive but from my research are really well reviewed. The sliding gear is very smooth and seems robust. I’m really happy with them. 

If you decide to go down that route and have any questions feel free to give me a shout. There are a few potential pitfalls to be avoided!

-taff

what pitfalls are to be avoided?

{planning on having a couple..].

Swasterix

-taff said:

what pitfalls are to be avoided?

{planning on having a couple..].

Off the top of my head;

If the doors need treating/painting, do it before fitting, likewise with door jambs etc. 

The particular kit I bought needs to be fitted at FINISHED floor level. So if you’re adding carpet/hard flooring after fitting, the bottom of the frame needs to be packed out to accommodate (otherwise the doors will catch/won’t open close!)

You’re unlikely to be able to site electrics, etc. in the wall we’re the pocket is. 

Would recommend using acoustic plasterboard to finish. 

If I think of anything else, I’ll add it! 

theonlywayisup

To add to the comments already given, we didn't use acoustic plasterboard but managed to insulate the outer part of the frame gap (the bit that isn't the stored door) with Rockwool and have no reverberating sound issues (I thought we might).  We placed electrics in the wall the other side of the doors and we certainly haven't done any maintenance.  I will dig out the make - this is in a holiday cottage which doesn't get the same care a normal house would (by the occupier)!