Looking to update your home with a fresh new look? Installing a sliding closet door can be a frustrating and time intensive endeavor if you don’t know where to begin. This is a fast quick start guide that will help you understand exactly what you need to do in order to install your new sliding barn door kit.
*Feel free to Scroll Down to reach the FAQ Section
Things You’ll Need
[one_third] Pencil [/one_third][one_third] 3/4″ Wrench [/one_third][one_third] 1/8″ Drill bit [/one_third]
[one_third] Philips Screw Driver [/one_third][one_third] Laser or Level [/one_third][one_third] Power Drill[/one_third]
[one_third] Stud Finder [/one_third][one_third] 9/16″ Socket Wrench [/one_third][one_third] 3/8″ Drill Bit [/one_third]
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Models that Aosom Carries
Step 1: Perform a Clearance Check
Before you mount the track, you need to measure to see if there is sufficient clearance for your corresponding hanger. Keep in mind that everyone’s door spacing is different so make sure that you take the time and save yourself a lot of frustration by checking your available clearance first. The following table shows the estimated minimum clearance needed between the top of the door and the ceiling line.
Step 2: Check for Wall Support
Oftentimes your door frame will have an internal horizontal support beam that you will be able to use to mount your sliding barn door. However, you want to be safe and use a stud finder, to check if you have adequate support in order to accommodate for the weight and movement of the door(s). Using a pencil, be sure to mark the center of where you found your wall stud. Be sure to line up the holes on the metal track railing to where you marked on the wall with your pencil. If you find that one hole is not lined up with the anchor, you will need to purchase a wall anchor to safely secure the railing to the wall.
Step 3: Assemble the Door and Mount
With your hole positions marked with a pencil, you are ready to proceed with the next few steps.
- Setup your power drill and attach the correct drill bit.
- From the face to the door, you need to drill a pilot hole through the face of the door.
- Drill a clearance hole.
- Place the hanger over the mounting holes and square it to the door.
- Insert the correct hex bolts, and washers from the back of the door.
- Now that your Hanger is attached to the door, you will need to hang the hanger on the metal rail.
Step 4: Install the Floor Guide
Bottom floor guides are what keep the door from swinging in and out. There are three different types of bottom guides, the T-Guide, C-Guide and the Wall Mounted Stay Roller. Of these three guides, only the T-Guide requires door preparation. *At this moment Aosom ONLY carries sliding barn door kits with T-Guide’s. Each of the doors will come with a single T-Guide floor guide, floor anchors and screws. As a result, your selected door will need to have a T-Guide incension pre-cut in at the bottom. Otherwise, you will need to purchase a router in order to manually cut your own T-Guide guide.
FAQ
[faq]
1. Do the sliding barn door kits come with a door?
A. No. You will need to supply your own door of your choice.
2. Can I use one kit to hang two doors?
A. No. The kits are designed to help you evenly distribute the weight as you open and close your sliding barn door day-after-day. Each kit comes with 2 hangers that are meant to be used on a single door.
3. Do the kits work without taking off existing door molding?
A. Yes. The each sliding barn door kit comes with several Standoff Base pieces that will allow the door to have the proper amount of clearance to slide left and right without rubbing against the wall.
4. Are the rollers metal or plastic?
A. To keep from causing excessive wear and reducing the overall level of noise that is inherent with the friction that comes with metal on metal, we have designed the roller wheels to be durable hard plastic.
5. How much headroom is needed?
A. It will vary. Since each living space is different, you will need to take measurements of your current space and use the Estimated Clearing Chart found above in Step 1.
6. Can I combine kits to make it longer?
A. Absolutely! Keep in mind that each kit fits only one door. So if you are looking to install two or more doors you would need to do the following:
- Determine the center of the doorway and adjust your track railings appropriately.
- Start with mounting a single door first. Then slide it to the left to begin on subsequent doors.
- Once installed your doors should be flush with one another and meet evenly in the center.
7. What is the opening size or door size can be used?
A. It will vary. Depending on the model you’ve purchased, the door size would need to be half of the total length of the rail. For optimal clearance, you need to purchase a sliding barn door kit model that is double in length of the opening that you are working with.
8. Can you lock the door?
A. We have had customers report that they had great success adding a swing lock to their doors to achieve this function in the past.
9. Can the track be cut?
A. We do not recommend cutting the metal tracks as any modifications voids the warranty.
10. Can the floor guide work on tile?
A. The materials that come standard with the sliding barn door kit does not support tile installation. You would need to purchase additional equipment (ie: proper drill bit & floor anchors) to install properly. Please see the Recommended Installation Surface Checklist below:
11. What size door do I need?
A. It will vary. Depending on the model you’ve purchased, the door size will be half of the total length of the rail. The thickness of the door requirements are already in each of the product page listings on Aosom.com
Still having some issues?
For any additional questions please contact us here:
Phone: (503) 746-5886
Email: customerservice@aosom.com