How to choose the best hardware for your pocket door
Installing a pocket door is a project which can have a transformative effect on a home or a workplace. It brings practical and aesthetic benefits immediately and is quickly becoming the default solution for creating space in a building and combining functionality with design innovation. As anyone knows, a door is one of the most functional features of the home, in that it needs to be durable and robust to withstand years of constant and repeated use, and with that in mind, how you select your pocket door hardware is an important element of the installation process.
What is pocket door hardware?
Pocket door hardware can be defined as the key components of a pocket door system which are integral to how the system operates. With a door you want the operation to be seamless, effortless and consistent, so in the case of a pocket door we can include the following components as pocket door hardware:
- Framework
- Track
- Overhead rollers
- Door
- Flush pulls
- Door locks
With a pocket door system supplied by the Pocket Door Shop, the first three items on this list come together as part of a kit, and hence, these are not items that you necessarily have to choose. A full pocket door system includes the stainless steel pocket door frame complete with track and runners. The kit also includes white primed wooden jambs and dust brushes, and a recessed door post with integral white rubber bumpers. Together, these items are essential to the safe and secure operation of the pocket door, but there are other items of pocket door hardware that you can choose to match your personal preference.
Choosing your pocket door hardware
Pocket door hardware plays a vital role in the consistent functionality of a pocket door, and while the pocket door system itself incorporates the main body of the installation, other hardware such as flush pulls and bathroom locks are sleek and discreet in their design, while also being robust to withstand years of repeated use.
These are a type of finger pull handle which are essentially the only type of door handle you can use with a pocket door. The handle is a circular finger pull which sits in the body of the door and therefore is finished flush with the door surface. This is so that the handle doesn’t cause an obstruction when opening and closing the door and manoeuvring it in and out of the pocket. Some of the flush pull handles in our range are moon-shaped or oblong in shape, while the majority are circular. So you can choose the shape that suits the style of your home or workplace, and matches other items in the surrounding area. The biggest factor in choosing the right flush pull handle, however, is the finish. Here you can choose from satin chrome, polished chrome, painted black, antique brass, polished bronze, stainless steel and oil rubbed bronze. Each finish can be chosen to suit other features of the home or workplace, such as light switches and plug sockets and of course other door, drawer or cabinet handles.
A bathroom lock is essential for communal bathrooms and most people also opt for a bathroom lock on an en-suite bathroom. This is a two-piece system incorporating a thumb turn and a locking mechanism, and is a simple system attached to the internal and external side of the door. This enables someone to lock the door as necessary from the inside, and without the need for a key. Again, choosing a bathroom lock comes down to finish and design and the bathroom locks supplied by the Pocket Door Shop come in the same range of finishes as listed above for the flush pull handles.
Although some pocket door accessories can be classed as non-essential, some can be included as hardware because they fundamentally enhance the everyday operation of the pocket door. The touch latch system is a good example of this, because it enables the user to eject the door from its pocket with a simple touch on the leading edge of the door. This could be essential to prevent you trapping your fingers in the ‘pocket’ cavity. The anti-slam accessory and the self-close fitting are also important for ensuring a door is always closed and that it doesn’t become damaged, and operates safely in a way that prolongs its lifespan.
Check out our pocket door hardware at the Pocket Door Shop
So you can choose the pocket door furniture and pocket door accessories that enhance the everyday operation of your pocket door, and enjoy the full potential of your system for many years to come.
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