Sliding French Door

Every time I tried to describe my latest project photos were requested so this is my attempt to clear up what I was unable to describe over the phone.

I wanted to install a pocket door to close off my short hallway. That would have required a lot of wall modification so I decided to use drawer guides.

First, I had to build the door because three different sources quoted around $350 for the blank interior door with a full lite.

Material availability is quite limited here so I settled for locally available 1×4 clear Hemlock. Here is the clamping system.

Next a little trimming and sanding and on to the painting room.

The real fun came when I mounted the 36″ full extension drawer guides (via Amazon). The local marine supply carries aluminum so I bolted a few angles together to get a way to hang the guides on the back side of the door. Meanwhile, the door was getting laminated glass at the local glass shop.

There is another guide mounted on the bottom of the door. That is attached to angle aluminum screwed down to the floor.

All went without complications and the door works very well.

I cut out a small piece of the base where the door meets the wall across the hall and I plan to put a small piece of aluminum channel in that space as a receiver for the door.

Total cost $ 410 including hardware. It was challenging and a lot of fun.

Next will be a photo applique for the glass; still looking through my photos for the right one. Then I will probably make a transom window to go above the slider. It will all be backlit by the hall light.

Weather should be perfect for it.