Pocket Door Installation

Ideally, pocket doors work best in non-load-bearing interior walls with enough room to handle the door’s mechanism without major renovations. To install pocket doors, you need a special cavity in the wall for the door to slide into. That means the wall must be wide enough to accommodate the cavity to hold the door, framing, and mechanism. Before you consider modifying your wall, check if the wall is load-bearing. Altering a load-bearing wall can require additional structural support and may not always be feasible. You’ll also need to be mindful of any plumbing, electrical wiring, or ductwork inside the wall that likely requires rerouting.

Yes, especially compared with traditional hinged doors. The installation process often requires more time, effort, and precision since you must create a wall cavity for the door to slide into. This usually means removing drywall, modifying or reinforcing the wall structure, and ensuring no plumbing or wiring is in the way.

If the wall is load-bearing, the installation becomes even more complicated, as it may need additional support to maintain the home's structural integrity. While a seasoned DIYer might be able to handle the job, most people find it easier to hire a professional to ensure the door operates smoothly and the installation is done right.

Can any door be used as a pocket door? Technically, yes. As long as the door you have on hand is compatible with the dimensions of your pocket door setup, you can use it as your door. However, it’s important to note that hollow doors are preferable due to their lighter weight. Some pocket door track hardware may not be built to support the weight of a solid core door.

While pocket doors are a great solution, they aren’t a great fit for every wall.

• Pocket doors cannot be installed in load-bearing walls. Altering the structural integrity of a load-bearing wall requires engineering and modifications, which are best handled by a licensed and experienced framing professional.
• You should also avoid putting pocket doors in walls that house plumbing, electrical wiring, or ductwork since moving these systems can be costly and difficult.
• A pocket door will not work if the wall is too narrow or doesn’t have enough space for the door to slide into.
• Pocket doors are also not the best for exterior walls because of insulation and weather-proofing concerns.
• To accommodate a pocket door, remember to relocate built-in shelving, towel racks, light switches, and outlets.

Typically, some drywall removal will be necessary to install a pocket door. After all, you need to create a cavity within the wall for the door to slide into. You'll have to open the wall to install the pocket door frame and track system. The process usually involves removing a section of drywall, making any necessary modifications to the wall’s structure, and then repairing the drywall afterward. If you're looking for a solution that doesn't involve removing drywall, a surface-mounted sliding door, like a barn door, might be a better option.