Pocket Doors – Frequently Asked Questions

In this blog we will be looking at some frequently asked questions regarding pocket doors. These are the questions we get asked the most, however if you have any other questions please feel free to e-mail us or give us a call.

What is a Pocket Door?

A pocket door is a type of Sliding door which slides directly in to a ‘pocket’ or wall cavity. When a pocket door is open the door cannot be seen, as it disappears into the adjacent wall pocket. They are a great option when space is limited, as they do not require any room for the swing of a regular hinged door. This makes pocket doors more convenient and spacious.

What Kind of Pocket System Should I Use?

The kind of pocket door that is best for you will depend on a few factors; The material of your door(s), timber or glass, the weight of your door(s), the size of your door(s), and the number of doors being used. There are different pocket door systems suitable for these different factors. It is easy to find your perfect pocket door system on our website, as we have separate pages for timber doors, frameless glass doors, and also fire doors. Each product also lists important information such as maximum door thickness, weight rating, etc.

How do I Install a Pocket Door?

Installing a pocket door in an existing home can be more difficult than installing one in a new build because of its complexity. The first thing to consider is where there may be wiring, switches, sockets and pipes, etc. The next thing you will need to establish is whether your wall is load bearing or not, loadbearing walls will need to be propped up during installation. Pocket doors are designed to be incorporated in to a stud wall, and the plasterboard should be fitted directly on to the kit, without a wall being built first.

Can I Fit a Pocket Door if I Already Have a Doorway?

If you already have a masonry wall, you may find it more appropriate to use a regular sliding door kit with wall mounted sliding tracks and runners. This is much easier than having to build a single stud skin of your own design, and will also keep wall thickness at a minimum.

Can I Install a Pocket System Myself?

Some pocket door kits require fitting by a professional, however some of them can be fitted by an experienced DIYer. If you have little to no experience with carpentry or DIY, we would strongly recommend getting someone in to fit the door for you.

What is Included in a Pocket Door Kit?

All of our pocket door systems come with track, runners, brackets and stops. With a fire rated pocket door system intumescent fire seals are also included. Whilst most of our systems do come with timber jambs, the budget systems such as the COBURN Hideaway and the ISCA do not include timber jambs. The kits also contain wall reinforcements, providing structural strength within the wall, these are what the plasterboard’s will be attached to. The rigidity of the wall will depend on how strong the wall reinforcements are, this increases with kit price. Some pocket door kits can be sold with optional extras, such as wall reinforcers for extra tall pocket doors over 2.4m, soft close carriages, and more.