I’m aware that this blog post is significantly overdue – we’re talking over a year and two months late. I apologize for the delay, but life had other plans specifically, our little bundle of joy, Griffin, was born shortly after I shared my tutorial on building barn doors. As you can imagine, my priorities shifted rather dramatically at that point.
While I’m confident that no one has been left waiting with unhung barn doors for an entire year, I do hope this post will provide a helpful reminder and guide as we dive into the process of hanging them.
Materials to Hang Barn Doors
To complete your barn door installation, you’ll need a few essential components. Start by gathering the necessary hardware for hanging the door itself; this will typically include the track and any associated tools. Next, prepare a 1×6-inch wood board to serve as the door’s backing. You can paint this to match your desired color scheme. For assembling the door frame, you’ll need nails and a nail gun. To smooth out any imperfections, have some wood filler on hand.
Additionally, be prepared with extra paint for touching up the 1×6-inch board. Don’t forget a sanding sponge to ensure a flawless finish.
Step 1: Measurements for the Track (optional)
Before we began installing our barn door track, we needed to determine its proper length. This involved measuring the width of our doorway, plus the desired clearance between the door and the frame. We also factored in the space where the doors would hang, up to the point where we’d install the stop mechanism. To ensure a clean appearance, we added a couple of inches to each side to allow for some extra track beyond the stop. This total length was our guide for cutting the track, if necessary.
In our case, the provided kit had excess track, which we trimmed down evenly with a hacksaw.
Step 2: Determine Where to Put the Track
To determine the ideal height for hanging the track, you’ll need to take a few measurements. Start by creating a cardboard template of the metal connecting piece that will attach to the barn door. This will allow you to make adjustments before committing to the final installation. Draw lines on the cardboard where the track will sit behind it. Next, tape the cardboard template to the door in its approximate location and lean the door against the wall where you intend for it to hang.
Position the bottom of the door as close to the wall as possible to ensure an upright orientation. Measure the distance from the ground to the bottom edge of the track (your marked measurement on the cardboard). If you’re hanging on carpet, start your measurement from the top of the carpet when it’s not compressed, ensuring the barn door doesn’t wear down the flooring.
Finally, add an extra 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch to this measurement to account for clearance between the floor and the bottom of the track. Mark this measurement on the wall and record it for future reference.
Step 3: Measure & Mount the Supporting Board
The addition of a white supporting board behind the track was crucial for our installation process. This simple yet effective solution served two primary purposes: Firstly, the board provided a solid foundation for the barn door hardware to rest on, ensuring that the doors slid smoothly and effortlessly across the track by bridging the gap between the track’s mounting holes and our studs, effectively creating a ‘stud’ where one didn’t exist initially.
Secondly, the extra thickness afforded by the board allowed us to position the barn door hardware at an optimal distance from the door frame, thereby preventing any obstruction or binding issues. To determine the required length of the board, simply add a few inches to each side of your track’s measurement – this should provide the necessary clearance during the mounting process, ensure that the board is centered above the doors and level with the surrounding surface.
You can use the marks from Step 2 as a guide and have a helper hold the board in place while you drill, or utilize painter’s tape to secure it temporarily. To complete the installation, attach the board to the wall using a nail gun, taking care to nail into the studs, ensuring that the nails are sunk deep enough to be concealed by wood filler later on.
Once the board is securely fastened, cover any nail holes with wood filler and allow them to dry before sanding and painting over the affected areas.
Step 4: Mount the Track
As you proceed to secure the track to the board, recall the measurement taken during Step 2. Hold the track in place momentarily by applying painter’s tape for added stability as you drive the screws. It is crucial to consult the manufacturer’s instructions accompanying the hardware and adhere to their guidelines to ensure a seamless installation process.
Step 5: Attach the Hardware to the Barn Door
To complete the installation of your barn door, start by securing the hardware to the door and the frame according to the measurements and placement outlined in Step 2. Double-check that the door stops properly on the track and any remaining hardware is assembled as instructed by the manufacturer. Once you’re confident everything is secure, gently lift the door onto the track, ensuring it slides smoothly into place. With this final step complete, your barn door is now installed and ready to use.
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To complete the installation of your barn door, start by securing the hardware to the door and the frame according to the measurements and placement outlined in Step 2. Double-check that the door stops properly on the track and any remaining hardware is assembled as instructed by the manufacturer. Once you’re confident everything is secure, gently lift the door onto the track, ensuring it slides smoothly into place. With this final step complete, your barn door is now installed and ready to use.
