As we count down the days until September, I’m thrilled to share an exciting update on our home renovation project: the installation of barn doors. If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you may have seen glimpses of the process unfold. In today’s post, I’ll be sharing the first part of this journey – framing a doorway for barn doors. This is just the beginning, as we’ll also cover building the doors themselves and finally, hanging them in place.
How to Frame a Doorway for Barn Doors
As we count down the days until September, I’m thrilled to share an exciting update on our home renovation project: the installation of barn doors. If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you may have seen glimpses of the process unfold. In today’s post, I’ll be sharing the first part of this journey – framing a doorway for barn doors. This is just the beginning, as we’ll also cover building the doors themselves and finally, hanging them in place.
Step 1: Removing the Doors & Door Hardware
Removing the door hinges and hardware is relatively straightforward. Begin by locating the small peg in the top of each hinge, which can be easily pulled out or dislodged with a hammer if needed. As you remove the pegs, the hinges should come loose. Next, focus on removing all hardware attached to the door frame. This typically requires only a screwdriver, as the screws will come free and the hardware will detach.
With persistence, you’ll be able to successfully remove both the hinges and hardware.
Step 2: Remove the Inner Trim
The attention-grabbing details in doorways often go unnoticed – like the narrow strips of wood that prevent doors from swinging too far open. In the final photo, can you spot this feature? As we work on removing it, remember that it’s simply a wooden strip nailed into place and can be easily dislodged with a wedge and mallet. The excitement is palpable as we dismantle it, much like Chip Gaines’ enthusiasm on demo day. His infectious energy has rubbed off on me too.
Once all the hardware and extraneous trim are removed, take some time to scrape away any loose paint using a scraper. This tidy process will also involve removing any stray nails or staples protruding from the doorway.
Step 3: Smooth Out the Doorway with Spackling
To complete the transformation, you’ll need to apply lightweight spackling to the interior surfaces. This step is crucial in preparing the area for finishing touches; I find spackling to be an enjoyable task, especially when it comes to filling nail holes or covering imperfections. For this process, you’ll require lightweight spackling compound, a putty knife, and fine-grit sandpaper. Alternatively, you can purchase a comprehensive kit that includes these essential tools.
Once you have the necessary materials, use your putty knife to spread the spackling compound over the area where the hardware previously resided; be sure to slightly overfill the spot, as you’ll be sanding it smooth later. Additionally, extend the application of the spackling compound just beyond the affected area to ensure a seamless transition.
To avoid any issues during the sanding process, I recommend allowing the spackling compound to dry overnight before proceed Cookies will prevent chunks from falling off when you start sanding. Once the compound is completely dry, use your 220-grit sandpaper to lightly smooth out the surface. The area should be free of any imperfections or bumps, and running your hand over it shouldn’t reveal any evidence of the previously rough spot.
Finally, take a damp cloth and gently wipe down the surfaces to remove any excess dust that may have accumulated during the process. This will leave your project looking polished and ready for the final touches.
Step 4: Paint the Walkway with Your Trim Color
As the walkway transformation takes shape, it’s time to focus on painting. Before committing to a specific shade, I recommend taking the removed trim piece to Home Depot and having them conduct a color match, ensuring you select a semi-gloss finish for easy maintenance. With this crucial step complete, your doorway-turned-walkway is now primed for barn door installation. This versatile technique can be applied anywhere in your home where a door removal would benefit from the added space.
For instance, we previously converted three doors in our master bathroom into one spacious area, streamlining the layout and reducing visual clutter. By removing the door from our walk-in closet, we created a more airy feel and eliminated unnecessary barriers. If you have any questions regarding framing a doorway for barn doors, please don’t hesitate to ask, and I’ll respond promptly. Now that the groundwork is laid, are you ready to begin building your own barn doors?
Pin How to Frame a Doorway for Barn Doors!
As the walkway transformation takes shape, it’s time to focus on painting. Before committing to a specific shade, I recommend taking the removed trim piece to Home Depot and having them conduct a color match, ensuring you select a semi-gloss finish for easy maintenance. With this crucial step complete, your doorway-turned-walkway is now primed for barn door installation. This versatile technique can be applied anywhere in your home where a door removal would benefit from the added space.
For instance, we previously converted three doors in our master bathroom into one spacious area, streamlining the layout and reducing visual clutter. By removing the door from our walk-in closet, we created a more airy feel and eliminated unnecessary barriers. If you have any questions regarding framing a doorway for barn doors, please don’t hesitate to ask, and I’ll respond promptly. Now that the groundwork is laid, are you ready to begin building your own barn doors?
