Barn Door Hardware Buying Guide

 
Interior Barn Door Hardware Buying Guide
 
You've decided that you want to save space and add some style by installing a barn door or two in your home. Maybe you have salvaged an old door from an actual barn, or purchased a prefabricated door, or even built your own. No matter the case, your door requires a unique set of hardware to properly install it, and many options are available in terms of style and appearance. We'll get you familiar with the barn door hardware that you need, and guide you to make the perfect choice that will really set your barn door apart from the rest.
 

BARN DOOR MOUNTING HARDWARE COMPONENTS
 
  The hardware that is necessary for installing a barn door comprises of seven main components: a track, rollers, hangers, door guides, jump blocks, standoffs, and stops. Each piece of hardware serves an important purpose to ensure proper door functionality, but more importantly to guarantee safety. Confirm that any barn door hardware kit that you purchase includes all components, aside from any other nuts, bolts, and brackets that may be provided.  
     
  BARN DOOR MOUNTING HARDWARE COMPONENTS  
     
 
   Track  
  Track Heavy-duty bar, or rail, mounted above the door opening. This is what the door will hang from, and slide along to open and close.  
     
   Roller  
  Roller Rollers are mounted on the track and allow the door to open and close smoothly. Each door will require, at minimum, two rollers.  
     
   Hanger  
  Hanger Door hangers are used to attach the door to the rollers so that the door can be hung from the rail. Hangers come in a variety of materials, designs, and finishes to accommodate any design plan.  
     
   Guide  
  Guide Door guides are mounted to the floor, and prevent the door from swinging. These keep the door on track, which is important for safety and protecting your wall.  
     
   Stop  
  Stop Stops are placed on the rail and prevent the door from opening too far and coming off-track. Door stops are another critical piece of hardware to ensure safety.  
     
   Jump Block  
  Jump Block A piece of metal or plastic, usually round or square, which is attached to the top of the door to block the door from jumping upward and off of the track.  
     
   Standoff  
  Standoff Also called spacers, standoffs mount behind the track to create a gap between the track and the wall.  
     
   Connector  
  Connector For applications that require more than one track, connectors are used to connect two or more tracks end to end.  
     

Factors to Consider
 
Barn Door
Barn DoorBarn door mounting rails are available in a variety of lengths, the most common options being 60"(5ft), 72"(6ft), and 84"(7ft). You will need a door that is slightly wider than the opening in the wall, usually by about 2". The door will also need to be taller than a standard door to reach the rail. This allows you some flexibility for larger door openings or double-door setups. More narrow passages may require a rail that can be custom cut to a shorter length, and openings larger than 7' may need two or more rails mounted side-by-side to get to the size that you need. Measure the width of your opening before you begin searching for hardware, so that you are already familiar with what to look for.

If you already have a door chosen, it helps to know the size and weight specifications of the door while browsing for the hardware to install it. The door's height, width, thickness, and weight will all play a factor in the hardware that it will require. All barn door hardware kits will have minimum and maximum requirements for each one of these size attributes, so make sure that your door is compatible.

From a design standpoint, it's also important that you select a set of barn door hardware that blends well with the features of your door, and the decor throughout the room that it's going into. Barn doors, and barn door hardware, are available in an array of styles ranging from modern to rustic. Choose a set that fits seamlessly into the theme of your space.
 
 
Barn Door

DECORATIVE DOOR HARDWARE
 
   Door Pulls  
  Door Pulls Adding a door pull to your barn door is almost a no-brainer, as it gives you a handle to easily grasp to open and close from the outside. On the inside of the door, install a matching pocket door pull so that you have something to grasp from either side.  
     
   Faux Hinge Straps  
  Faux Hinge Straps Another easy way to add authenticity to a rustic interior barn door is by attaching faux hinge straps to the outer edges of the door or doors. They’ll give your sliding barn door the appearance that it opens like a traditional hinged barn door.  
     
   Privacy Locks  
  Privacy Locks If you're hanging your barn door at the entrance of a bedroom or bathroom, you'll probably want the option to lock the door from the inside. There are several types of hardware that can be used to lock a barn door, such as hook latches, hasps, teardrop locks, and pocket door locks to name a few.  
     

QUICK INSTALLATION NOTES
 
• When mounting the rail, or the track, do not mount directly to drywall. Secure the rail to wall studs or prepared wood blocking. If the mounting holes do not line up with the studs in your wall, secure a mounting board to the wall, then fasten the rail to the mounting board. Ensure that the mounting board is attached to the studs.

• Some barn door rails come with no pre-drilled mounting holes. This allows the installer to drill their own holes, ensuring that they line up with the studs in the wall. If this is the case, make sure that the drilled mounting holes are evenly spaced, and that you can use mounting screws close to each end of the rail. If not, you may still need to use a mounting board for a proper installation.

• The existing door jamb will no longer be needed, so removing it is simply a style choice. If you want to minimize labor and the jamb being there doesn’t bother you, then leave it. Removing it will require some woodwork, sanding, painting, and likely some drywall repair, but the result is a much cleaner and finished look.

• After the rail is installed, attach the straps and rollers to your barn door. Hang your barn door on the rail before installing the guides or stops. This will make it much easier to determine where the guides and stops will need to be mounted in relation to the door.

• Most importantly, do not take any shortcuts when installing your new barn door. Follow all installation instructions very closely, or consult a professional if needed. Barn doors and their hardware can become very heavy, and safety takes priority.
 
 
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