Page 2 of 7: cut opening for pocket door
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How to install
pocket door: Page 2 of 7: cut opening for pocket door |
 Larger imagePocket door comes in two parts. Attach pocket door frame and head rail. The wall must be cut back 1-1/2" wider than width of pocket door head rail. For this project, the left side of existing door is going to remain in place. Check plumb of left side 2x4. If 2x4 is not straight up and down, it can affect installation. When you cut opening, allow for narrowest part of the left side so opening will be wide enough. For example if the top of left side 2x4 is tipped to right, then measure opening across from top of left side 2x4. Mark wall for cutting. Make a line where electric wire passes across the cut line to ensure no electrical damage. Across the top and on the left side, cut sheetrock 1" away from ceiling. leaving 1" of old sheetrock at top of wall is more work up front, but will save time later when finishing sheetrock. Leaving 1" will preserve the tape joint so ceiling does not need to be re-painted or textured. If the left side wall has accent wallpaper, then leaving 1" along the corner will save time and money. Select standard size pocket door: 30"-32"-36" 30" door is probably too small, unless room is very small. Buy from my affiliate links: Pocket door frame Pocket door frame Carpenter levels |
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 Larger image-Cut sheetrock. Be careful to identify location of wires before cutting. -Try to cut where there is no 2x4 If vertical cut is going to land on a 2x4, then make the cut farther to right away from 2x4 so it is easier to cut, then fill is new 2x4 as shown below. Cut slow and shallow. Best tool is hand-held sheetrock saw because is causes less airborn dust and you can feel obstacles inside the wall. Any saw blade can damage wires. -Do not remove sheetrock all the way to the ceiling. Instead, leave 1" or more of sheetrock across the top to preserve the tape joint at ceiling. This also preserves ceiling so it does not need re-painting. Saves a lot of work later during sheetrock work. Across the top: You can use utility knife to score a deep cut along the top... then use hammer and chisel to break away the sheetrock. Keep cuts straight. Use utility knife to remove rough edges that might interfere with final sheetrock finish. Buy from my affiliate links: Reciprocating Saw |
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 Remove sheetrock from one side of opening.Note that best cut will not land at a 2x4. Buy new 2x4 and make it exact width as wall 2x4s so it wedges perfectly between sheetrock. Cut new 2x4 shorter height than wall 2x4s ... it does not have to fit tight against top plate. Cut notch for wire. Slide 2x4 into place, then attach with sheetrock screws. | |
 Larger imageRemove switch, and staples holding wire to 2x4. Note where wiring is located so later work will not put a nail into wires. |
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 OptionPocket door can be installed without removing sheetrock on other side. Use reciprocating saw or hack saw blade to cut sheetrock nails. If you have wallpaper or cabinet etc on one side of the wall, for example a hallway, bathroom etc, it is possible to remove sheetrock from one side of wall. This will preserve wallpaper and save a lot of finish work and expense in some situations, but takes extra effort up front. To leave sheetrock intact on one side, the 2x4s have to be removed without tearing holes on the other side. Work slow. Cut nails holding 2x4s as illustrated ... or slide hack saw blade between sheetrock and 2x4 ... or cut 2x4s into pieces and remove bit at a time. For example, use reciprocating saw to cut the 2x4 into 9 or 10 short lengths and break out with quick strike of hammer. I left the sheetrock on one side when installing double pocket door on a remodeling job. There were bathroom cabinets and texture on other side of wall, and using techniques described above saved a serious amount of work removing cabinets, trim, and messing with tile floor. The job became easy during last steps because just one side of the new frame needed new sheetrock, texture and paint. The rest of this tutorial shows work with sheetrock removed from both sides of opening. | |
 Larger imageReciprocating saw is easiest way to remove old frame. Cut wood with wood blade and nails with metal blade. Reuse old wood as much as possible, use for extra bracing or next project. Do not throw real wood into the trash. The only thing that belongs in trash is particle board. Other items, old nails, wire, outlet box can be reused or recycled. Modern TV remodeling shows have the hosts breaking apart wood cabinets, doors and framing with a big hammer and throwing into the dumpster. They throw away good wood andd replace with cheap particle board junk that does not stand test of time or hold up against moisture. The chemical content of particle board is bad for human health. TV images are not consistent with real life. Recycle the header and other frame material. The old header is made from two boards sandwiched together with 1/2" plywood in the middle. This can be taken apart with some effort and the old header reused in 2 parts to make half of new header. The plywood likewise can be used to make new header. The extra work saves money and is correct choice for the planet's forests. Wall 2x4 that are cut in half during removal can be recycle on another project or as 2x4s inside the wall by nailing 2 pieces together with an overlay 2x4 that secures both sections together. |
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Buy
from my affiliate links: Pocket doors at Amazon Track and rollers Caulk Paint tarps at Amazon 4 mil plastic Paint rollers at Amazon |
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page 2/ How to
install pocket door page 1 remove old door and trim Go to next pages: page 3 install new frame for pocket door page 4 install switch on pocket door page 5 install sheetrock on pocket door page 6 reinstall trim, texture, paint page 7 install handrail on pocket door |
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from my affiliate links every time/ thanks: Amazon ''As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases'' Enter Amazon from any link on my site, fill cart with any item ... purchases pay small commission E-mail: geno03245w@gmail.com My response might end up in spam folder, check email folders Waterheatertimer on Twitter Message thru facebook |
