Which materials are used to make pocket doors?

The pocket door is a practical interior design solution that creates additional space in the home or workplace and allows you to re-purpose a room or space, but it also adds charm and character to an interior space. This means that the pocket door is adaptable to suit both traditional and contemporary spaces, but a significant consideration is the installation process and the cost, and with this in mind it is important to understand how pocket door systems are constructed and which materials they use.

When you are installing a pocket door, the major factor is the pocket door framework. This is what the door hangs on and incorporates the overhead rail, which enables the door to slide into a ‘pocket’ wall recess. The framework therefore is the element which requires most consideration in terms of size and space, and how the installation works.

The different materials used in a pocket door system

But let’s look at all the components of a pocket door system and break it down to assess what materials are used, this will help you when preparing for the installation process.

Wood

Of course, most pocket doors are made from wood, timber to be exact. Wood is a traditional product that is robust and adaptable, but in terms of a door, timber is strong to withstand long term repeated use, and has good soundproofing and airtight qualities. This makes it ideal for any internal door, and particularly for bedrooms, bathrooms, home offices and any living room or kitchen.

Most wooden doors can be sanded and painted as desired, but the range of pocket door systems supplied by the Pocket Door Shop also enables the use of laminated wood, which provides a slightly more contemporary finish and also acts to protect the wood from knocks and dints. The Pocket Door Shop can also supply fire-treated wooden doors, which are tested to withstand the spread of fire, in the case of FD30-rated doors, for up to 30 minutes.

Wood is also used for the jambs supplied as part of the pocket door system. These are the vertical and horizontal timber sections which form part of the door frame and hence ensure the door itself is centred and level to enable trouble-free long-term use, and that it closes flush and neatly.

Glass

An alternative to the wooden pocket door is the glass pocket door. These are particularly useful where you have created a small space that needs to be occupied, ie. rather than just used for storage or occasional use. So you may have created a small bedroom or an office, and there are no windows, so the only natural light you can create is through installing a glass door. This enables light to flow into the room and makes it more comfortable and less claustrophobic.

To help with privacy, glass pocket doors can be made with a satin opaque finish, which creates a frosted appearance and hence allows light to flow through it, but aids privacy because nobody can see in. To add a decorative effect, you can also add sandblasted designs to a glass pocket door, or company logos if fitted in the workplace.

Galvanised Steel

A pocket door system is essentially made of galvanised steel. This includes the entire framework, which is made of several vertical and horizontal sections which easily click together. The framework holds the door in place when it is fitted, but 50% of it sits in the wall recess and is unseen, because it holds the door in the ‘open’ position. Therefore, the width of a pocket door frame is actually double the width of the door itself, which is an important consideration when deciding if you have sufficient wall space to fit a pocket door. Galvanised steel is used for this framework because it is light and easy to handle, which helps with the construction and installation process, galvanised steel is also strong and will maintain its condition long term. The framework of the pocket door system will also incorporate the overhead rail, which is also metal.

Plastic

There is only a small amount of plastic used in the construction of a pocket door system, and this is usually just part of the wheel runners which attach to the door and help it run along the overhead rail. You can also add optional plastic strips which help to seal the door and enhance the soundproofing and airtight ability of the door.

Contact the Pocket Door Shop for more information

If you need to know more about the installation process or how pocket door systems work, then contact our team at the Pocket Door Shop today.