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How to install pocket door:
Page 5 of 7:   How to install drywall on pocket door

Boxes cannot be concealed inside walls.
All boxes must be accessible for inspection and repairs as needed.

It is best to avoid problem by running full length of wire. If  junction box is necessary on the wall, then cut opening in drywall, set the box flush with finished wall surface, then install smoke detector or sconce light over top of box.
Another option is to use a rectangular wall box, and install blank plate over the box.
Buy
Smoke detectors


Nail left-side jamb to pocket door frame at the top but wait to nail lower down is an advantage from this point on.

Hang door on rollers 
1) Cut door so it fits into the opening.
Important: You want a close fit. No more than 1/4" less than opening width. If you cut off slightly more, there are work arounds, but more than 1/2" too narrow can be a problem. If you are not comfortable making such a close shave, the left side door jamb can be pried slightly wider at top and then pushed back using prybar.

2) The 2 rollers should be inside the track, and should roll freely. A dent in track will cause problems.
Attach roller hanger hardware on top of door with screws. Make sure screws are stout enough to hold door. If you choose a solid core door, the weight might be a problem over time. A panel door or hollow-core door is best choice.

3) To hang the door: Tip door out at bottom and lift to attach to the track rollers. Once the door is hanging straight down, it will not come off the rollers. back using prybar.

4) Carefully check that the door rolls into the pocket door frame without touching wires or nail etc. Anything that sticks into the opening will scratch the door.

5) If the door works fine and looks good, remove and apply paint or stain etc so door is finished.

6) Re-install door after drywall in installed.
Buy: Shallow electric box
Resource: How to add electric box to pocket door

Overview
A) The frame has a 3/4" space for the left side door jamb

B) Drywall (sheetrock) sits on 1/2" wide wood strip that comes with pocket door frame.

C) The casing will nail into wood strip after drywall is installed. Use short nails.

D) Add 'door stop' to top if door hangs too low.

E) Add door stop to both sides of the door frame after door is hung. This will cover the gap where door was slightly smaller than width of opening.

Recommend using 1-1/2" nail for casing on pocket door frame. Nail at angle to ensure nails do not hit door.
Other trim, like the baseboard etc, recommend 2" nail is standard.

I buy pre-primed wood casing for projects then add first coat of paint before cutting and nailing. If bare wood is used instead of prfinished casing, then apply primer, sand and clean, then apply 1st coat of paint before nailing, to speed up project completion.

I use a Pneumatic finish nailer for projects. I also recommend a power miter box for cuts. Always use sharp blade. For crown moulding, use a Compound Miter box.

Buy
Trim nailer
18 ga 1-1/2" nails
Air compressor
Power miter box
Compound Miter box
Make sure width of jamb matches width of pocket door frame
Slightly wider or narrower is fine. More than 3/16" difference can be a problem when applying trim and caulk.
The drywall is notched around the jamb as illustrated ... the drywall does not need to be cut as close as shown in illustration.

Jamb will be held into final place using the door trim or casing.

90 minute mudMud or drywall compound: I recommend using fast-drying 90 minute drywall mud for joints. Reasons: can be used to fill gaps without shrinking or cracking, and dries fast so several coats can be applied in one day.
Even thick coats of 90 minute mud will dry quickly, within hour or so, without cracking.
Mix small batches using tap water and cake mixer. The mix can be clumpy. Simply push out the clumps using drywall knife during application. For mixing, I cut off a 5-gallon bucket so it stands 4" tall and makes a good mixing bucket. Afterwards, I can hit the bucket with a tool to remove the dried mud or use a chisel to scraper out dried mud. Clean your mud knife completely so the fast-dry does not stick to tool.

For the final finish, I use the gallon-size container of pre-mixed or all-purpose mud: The advantage is pre-mix mud is not clumpy, and can be spread in very thin coats that dry overnight.
Pre-mix mud cannot be put on thick. Pre-mix sands easier than fast dry resulting in smooth finish for the final coat.

Textures must be made from pre-mix to avoid lumps. Mix paint and mud together with a bit of water to make texture.
Buy:
Taping and drywall knife
Spray texture gun
USG easy sand 90
Put up new drywall. 

Do not cover junction box with drywall.
For these illustrations, a smoke detector will be hung over the octagon box in the hallway.

No screws near the wires going to switch


Use 1 to 1-1/4" drywall screws to attach drywall to pocket door frame. Using long nails or screws can prevent door from rolling.

Buy: 1-1/8" drywall screw
Use patching plaster to fill holes and gaps, or use fast-drying 90 minute drywall mud. 
Do not use the pre-mix drywall mud to fill holes and gaps. Pre-mix can only be applied in thin layers with day wait time between coats.

Tape:
For joints, use fiber tape to keep joints as flat as possible. Use paper tape on corners.
Fiber tape usually has a bit of self adhesion so simply stick it on the wall and apply dabs of mud over top to hold it in place. First coat over fiber tape should be quick and light. Full coverage not needed. Keep it flat, tight and smooth.
Paper tape is different application techniques than fiber tape. For corners, fold paper tape down the center, then apply mud to all surfaces where the tape will be applied. Do not leave voids or gaps under tape paper tape or it will bubble up. Bubbled-up areas of paper tape must be cut out with utility knife before final coat of mud.

When applying first coats: Push drywall knife hard to keep mud flat. Fast dry dies hard so it's advisable to keep ridges and lines at a minimum to reduce sanding.
For floating wide areas, used 8"-12" wide knife. Pushing hard when needed to easing the pressure to allow more mud to fill gaps.

Buy:
Patching plaster
Drywall tools
Yellow drywall tape
Drywall taping knife
1-1/4" drywall screw
Clamp lamp
How to make short drywall screwHow to make short drywall screw:
Drive screw into 2x4 up to length needed
Use hammer and pound screw completely over until it breaks off

For other types of steel screws, drive into 2x4 then cut off with hack saw
For small bolts, use professional electrical wire stripper to snip off the bolt.
For larger bolts, twist on a nut, then cut with hack saw. Remove nut to re-thread end of bolt, then sand off rough edges if needed using belt sander or grinder.
Buy: 1-1/8" drywall screw
paint strainerOld paint must be run through a paint strainer to remove clumps, debris, dried paint etc.
Put the strainer inside a bucket, pour paint into bucket, lift up the stainer and use hand to squeeze last of paint through strainer.
Do this over the grass, then wash hand and strainer and grass with water hose. Re-use strainer for next gallon.

With oil base paint, use brush to push last of paint through strainer, then discard the strainer when all the paint has been cleaned.

For latex, use a quality nylon brush. Cheap disposable brushes are not best choice.
Oil base, use a quality bristle brush.
Buy:
Purdy paint brush
Purdy bristle brush for oil paint
Use latex primer on walls.
General rule of thumb for new drywall is 1-2 coats primer, 2 coats finish. Don't skimp on wall paint.
Store latex brushes and roller overnight inside plastic bag in refrigerator. Oil base, store in freezer.


Make final pass with drywall mud using pre-mixed compound instead of 90 minute mud.
The pre-mix must be applied in thin coats.
Use 8" or 12" blade for final coat.
Finish the wall with primer.
clean paint roller Clean paint roller
Clean paint roller using garden hose.
Spray watter along edge of roller to get it spinning.
Move the hose back and forth along the spinning edge to flush out the paint.
Re-install door trim or casing. Sand lightly and clean trim, and apply a coat of paint before installation.
Be careful to use short nails on the pocket door frame so nails do not hit door.

Here's where the trick comes in for the jamb on left side: Step 1, nail trim onto jamb. The jamb is still not nailed to 2x4 yet. Step 2, slide the door closed. Step 3, carefully position the jamb so it meets the door perfectly. Step 4, nail trim or casing into 2x4... this is easy way to get a perfect fit and no need for shims.

The new jamb will look best and provide privacy with 2 pieces of door stop so the door slides between the two stops. This will ensure the door does not have a crack when fully closed. Also the door can be slightly out of plumb and it isn't noticeable.
Reinstall baseboard. Caulk cracks and spackle nail holes, then sand smooth before painting.
Buy
Trim nailer
18 ga 1-1/2" nails
Air compressor
Power miter box
Buy:
Purdy paint brush
Purdy bristle brush
Pocket door frame
Buy from my affiliate links:
Pocket doors at Amazon
Track and rollers
Caulk
Paint tarps at Amazon
4 mil plastic
Paint rollers at Amazon


End page 5/ / How to install pocket door

page 1 remove old door and trim
page 2 cut opening for pocket door
page 3 install new frame for pocket door   
page 4 install switch on pocket door

Go to next pages:
page 6 reinstall trim, texture, paint
 
page 7 install handrail on pocket door




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