DIY or hire a pro? what to consider when installing a pocket door

The benefits of the pocket door tend to focus on the space that is created compared to a traditional hinged door, and also the aesthetic quality of a neat and stylish door completely disappearing from view when it is opened. Combined, these make the pocket door the ideal 21^st century solution, as it is minimalist and unfussy, while also being practical and efficient. So pocket door systems are a smart solution which solve multiple problems, but another major benefit is that they are relatively easy to install. However, whether you do this yourself, or pay a professional to do it for you, requires careful consideration.

What are the potential installation problems with a pocket door?

• New-build properties - Ideally, installing a pocket door should be done when the building is being constructed. In the 21^st century the pocket door is becoming a default option for new build residential and commercial properties where people want to maximise space and have stylish door openings. In such scenarios the pocket door frame is simply incorporated into a stud wall structure and the walls are constructed around it.
• Retro-fitting a pocket door - Many people want to retro-fit a pocket door into an existing building, however, and unfortunately this presents a number of considerations which can vary depending on the age and layout of the property. If the wall you want to install the pocket door in is a load-bearing wall, for example, you may need to install a steel beam support above the door opening. This acts to transfer the load of above floors to the adjacent walls and relieves the pressure in the area you are creating the door opening. The easier and cheaper alternative to this is to create a double wall. So this would be the construction of a new stud wall adjacent to the existing wall, and into which you can install the pocket door frame. This ‘new’ wall would then be plaster-boarded over and to the naked eye would not be visible as an additional feature.
• Stud walls - If the existing wall into which you wish to incorporate a pocket door system is a stud wall, then it may be possible to remove the existing plasterboard and fit the pocket door inside this stud structure, but you need to ensure you measure accurately and consider elements such as the exact door width and the thickness of door jambs on both uprights. In such situations, and in all pocket door installation scenarios, precise measurements are critical.
• Wiring and pipework – These could be electrical wires and plumbing pipework in the existing walls, which would need to be removed or relocated to accommodate the pocket door. Getting this wrong could cause an accident, water damage or a fire, and could also mean key electrical services don’t work, and things like heating and hot water systems are inoperable.  

Should I DIY install my pocket door system or use a professional?

As we mentioned at the start, if you are fitting a pocket door system in a new-build property, this is a relatively simple process as you have space to work in and can see exactly what you need to do. At this stage, it is relatively easy to make adjustments to a stud wall construction to incorporate the pocket door framework, as the wall will then be built around it.

Even in this scenario, however, you need to be a confident DIY person. That means confident about:

• Taking and using accurate measurements
• Understanding installation instructions
• Using power tools

Retro-fitting a pocket door system into an existing wall, regardless of what type of wall it is, presents many other potential problems. So in addition to the above DIY confidence, you would need to have:

• Knowledge of building construction techniques and structural engineering
• Knowledge of basic plumbing and electrical work
• Skills to work with plasterboard

Installing a pocket door system yourself is definitely a valid option if you possess all these skills and have this knowledge, and that is not unusual at all. In such a situation a proficient DIY expert can install a pocket door system whether it is in a new-build property being constructed, on a newly installed stud wall, or on an existing wall. Installing a pocket door yourself is the cost-effective option, presuming everything is done correctly, but it will take considerable time and effort.

Therefore, if you are unsure whether you have the skills, knowledge or confidence to install the pocket door system yourself, hiring a professional to do so would be the best idea. There will be a cost attached to this, but the end result will be an installation process that is safe, quick and of a good quality.

If you have any concerns about installing a pocket door system, contact our experts at Pocket Door Shop and we will be happy to advise.