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What is the biggest problem with Sliding Pocket Doors?

You can watch the video of this blog here

Pocket sliding doors very often get a bad rap which we think is unfair. 

Prepare and treat them right, and they go in like a dream, and are an excellent tool to have in your kit when designing a space.These videos and articles are aimed at being of use to you, regardless of the system you are using. 

Would we like you to use the Enigma pocket sliding door system? 

Yes, of course.  However, if we can make your life easier (irrespective of whether you use Enigma or not), we have achieved our mission of making your life simpler.

You are very welcome. 🙂 

The BIGGEST stumbling block we have found in our 13+ years of selling sliding pocket doors is not actually the system itself, but is the quality of the structural opening that is built.

Almost all sliding pocket door systems come with instructions (if it doesn’t, send it back and buy a different system!). They will, or should, provide a calculator of some kind to calculate the opening size and provide guidance.  However, there are four KEY items you must tick off to get the smoothest install possible:

1. Width and height
An accurate calculation of the width and height is imperative. This is calculated from the door leaf size or clear opening size you require and is done one of 3 ways (in our experience):

  • You calculate the W&H using a formula provided by the supplier
  • You calculate the W&H using a calculator
  • The supplier provides you the W&H on their door schedule. 

SELO ACADEMY TOP TIP:
When calculating the height of the structural opening make sure you add the finished floor build up.  For example, if your structural opening height is 2100mm and your finished floor build up is 25mm, the structural opening height you need to build to is 2125mm.  This allows the correct gap underneath the door once installed.

2. Square & True head stud
Make sure the head stud is square and true. If it is twisted this will throw out the head channel and sliding track resulting in issues with the door.

3. Correct head stud material
The head stud must be the right material to allow the pocket door head track to be easily and robustly fixed.

Timber is the ideal material choice (timber stud is perfect).  If you are using a steel stud system, then use the correct sized timber insert rather than scraps of plywood or OSB board which don’t provide the optimum fixing.

4. Stud size and plasterboard thickness must be correct.
The stud width must be 94mm (if using steel stud system 94mm head and base track and 92mm studs)

Plasterboard must be 1 or 2 layers of 12.5mm plasterboard either side of the pocket. The system configuration will determine this.  For example, with the Enigma system we can accommodate almost any configuration.  Just let us know, you will follow our bespoke process which the friendly expert team will guide you through very willingly!

So that’s it, your four top items to achieving the perfect structural opening for your sliding pocket door. 

Good Luck!