Innovative pocket door hardware and accessories

The pocket door has been re-imagined in the 21^st century as a design classic from the Victorian age, but it should not be dismissed as one of countless period design features which are rewarded with retro status and only a brief comeback, because the pocket door also looks fantastic in a contemporary setting. But more importantly it offers innovative solutions in terms of design and practicality, and is definitely here to stay.  

And this is above and beyond being a simple space saving solution, and a way to zone-off areas of an open plan floor layout to create temporary areas for multiple uses. This ground-breaking inventiveness also extends to furniture and accessories, which combine to make the pocket door a lifestyle enhancement as well as a decorative design feature. In this guide we have listed the simple additions you can make to the pocket door, in most cases retrospectively if necessary, to make it work more practically for you, and in a cost-effective and convenient way.

Flush pull handles

Safety and convenience are essential for internal doors that we are using frequently throughout the day, and a common concern raised by people considering pocket doors is the safety hazard of trapping fingers when the doors disappears into the ‘pocket’. You can install the door so it protrudes from the pocket, but this does reduce the space in the passage through the door, so instead you can install a flush pull handle. This is built into the leading edge of the door and enables you to grab the door and close it, without the risk of trapping your fingers in the narrow pocket. The flush pull handles can be supplied in a range of colours and finishes.

Touch latch system

An even more ingenious solution to this problem is to install a touch latch system. This is also incorporated into the leading edge of the door, but is a mechanism which ejects the door from the pocket door frame when the user pushes on it. The door is then presented to the user with no effort required and can then be closed as required.

Bathroom lock system

In terms of pocket door furniture, the bathroom locking system is a neat two-piece solution which has a thumb turn on one side of the door and a locking system on the other. This provides a privacy function for bathrooms, toilets and en-suites and is small, neat and discreet. Again, this is available in a range of colours and finishes.

Anti-slam accessory

The anti-slam accessory is perhaps the most popular addition to pocket door systems. It is very common for doors to be slammed, mostly accidently, but it can have a cumulative effect which you would be advised to try and avoid. It works much like a regular door closer, in that a pneumatic system works to take control of the door-closing action at a specific point. This then enables the door to go through a soft close process. This prevents the door from slamming and therefore reduces noise, damage and potential injury.

Self-closing

Just as useful is the self-closing mechanism, which is a feature aimed at ensuring a door is closed behind someone. This can assist with safety, security and climate control. As the person walks through the door, a timer can be set to leave a specific amount of time before the door then closes. This can help people in a rush, people who have an armful of books, papers or other objects, people of limited mobility, and simply people who are forgetful. This is also a useful feature for fire doors, which by law have to be kept shut at all times, and for security systems. Some locks will only engage when a door is fully shut and in the rested position, so where doors are required to be closed, this feature ensures that always happens.

Double-door co-ordination

This final feature is another accessory which can assist those who have their hands full or who are struggling with mobility issues. Where double pocket doors are fitted, this feature allows a person to push open one door and the mechanism will then ensure that both doors open together. If you only have one arm free because you are carrying something, this is particularly useful, but double door co-ordination is also beneficial for someone in a wheelchair or who has limited strength and therefore only has to worry about opening one of the doors.

You can see more details about all of these accessories and furniture items on our website, and you can select the products you need and order online today.