We're building a new home that calls for five French Doors (ea 3'0" x
8'0") separating our living room from an outdoor courtyard. We want
the French Doors to slide completely out of the way, into "pockets" (3
panels on one side, 2 panels on the other)--but the factory-made units
(by www.weilandslidingdoors.com for example) are far beyond our
budget--so we'd like to build our own.

Thus, seeking detailed advice on how to use standard 1-3/4" thick doug
fir French Doors along with some sort of available hardware or easily
fabricated material to make the doors into sliders. Require specific
recommendations and specifications (pref. w/sketches, exact specs).
Thank you!

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Clarification of Question by sdchap-ga on 01 Aug 2003 16:16 PDT

Thank you, "journalist-ga", for the comments. Unfortunately, I'm
seeking something much different than an interior pocket door
configuration.

Each 3'0" x 8'0" French Door unit weighs about 70 lbs. Using a
standard interior pocket door kit for this application would be like
using small cabinet hinges to hang a garage door. Nevertheless, thank
you for the info.

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Clarification of Question by sdchap-ga on 01 Aug 2003 16:17 PDT

Thank you, "journalist-ga", for the comments. Unfortunately, I'm
seeking something much different than an interior pocket door
configuration. Each 3'0" x 8'0" French Door unit weighs about 70 lbs.
Using a standard interior pocket door kit for this application would
be like using small cabinet hinges to hang a garage door.
Nevertheless, thank you for the info.

Greetings Sdchap:

I found one reference to hanging these doors but it is nowhere near
complete for your project.  However, I wanted to note the information
for you:

"First you have to determin if the wall where you wish to install the
pocket door is load bearing or not, this is very important as you will
have to take it down in order to allow the porper space for the
pocket.  Also you need to go to your local Home Depot (Home Store) and
purchase whats called a pocket door kit, you may need to know how
thick the wall is (2x4/2x6 construction), second deside what type of
door(s) you would like, they can be just about anything form pine
french to standard hollow core doors. The kit should come with
instructions on how to install it and the track (overhead) to your
door(s)."
From http://www.bobvila.com/wwwboard/messages/2102.html

Have you inquired at Lowe's or Home Depot if anyone there could find
you specs for this?  It's a thought.  :)

Best regards,
journalist-ga


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