A look at all the essential barn door hardware and accessories required
The doorways of your home don’t have to be all about function. With the right styling and parts installed, you can transform any doorway into something much more. Installing a new barn door can add an extra dose of charm to your living space.
Barn doors can be used to dress up the entrance to your laundry or one that separates your living room from the foyer of your house. The options are endless. These doors are also perfect for adding an extra design feature to your home, no matter which room it’s used for.
But once you have decided to get a barn door, there are plenty of other parts and accessories you’ll need for installation. These parts fall under the category of barn door hardware. This is not like a standard hinged door installation where all you need is a couple of hinges mounted onto the doorway. There are essential barn door hardware pieces you’ll need to ensure a smooth, safe, and secure sliding motion.
What to consider before installation
There are certain things you need to consider before installing a barn door. Many people overlook the fact that the hardware located above the barn door needs a sturdy surface for installation. Putting up a timber backer board is one option wall for installation. But today, it’s more common to install barn door hardware to the timber studs located behind the plaster wall. This offers a much cleaner and tidier look.
For your new barn door to operate correctly, it needs the right amount of space. Ideally, there should be enough empty wall space for a barn door to operate safely. For example, if your doorway is one metre wide, you will need a barn door that is over a metre wide to completely cover the doorway. Ideally, you want the barn door to overhang the doorway by at least five centimetres.
As the barn door slides open, you will need over a metre of empty wall space beside your doorway to accommodate your barn door. This measurement applies to the example we mentioned earlier. You also need to consider the height of your barn door. It needs to measure higher than the doorway it’s covering. Remember, the hardware used to install a barn door sits well above the doorway. Ideally, you also want close to one and a half centimetres of space between the floor and the bottom of your barn door.
Most high-quality barn doors are made from solid timber. This can make them very heavy. That’s why it’s best to have someone assist you when installing the barn door. It can be difficult and unsafe to lift a heavy barn door on your own while installing your barn door hardware.
Door track system
On the wall above your barn door, you will need to install the barn door track system. This system is made up of the door track and rollers. Firstly you will need to install the barn door track to the wall or a backer board. Keep in mind that the barn door track needs to be at least double the width of the doorway. This width enables the barn door to slide away completely from the doorway.
Most barn door track systems will include rollers. These parts of the barn door track system help your barn door slide across the door track. Rollers usually come attached to metal straps that are installed straight onto the barn door. Here it’s also important to note that there are two significant styles of door track systems for barn doors; top mount and side mount.
For a top mount system, the rollers for the track system are attached to the top of the door. Here they are less prominent. For a side mount system, the rollers are attached to the side of the door with metal straps that are often more visible after installation. So if you’re looking to make your barn door track system more of a design feature, then it may be best to install a side mount system.
Top mount door track system.
Side mount door track system.
Soft closers
A soft closer is a door part that’s become increasingly popular among barn door enthusiasts. This part is installed behind the rail of your barn door track system. So installing one of these won’t have a negative effect on the look of your barn door track system. You won’t have to worry about choosing one with a matching finish.
The main function of a soft closer is to gradually slow down the sliding motion of your door while helping to eliminate the sound it makes while closing and opening. As your barn door slides across, it comes to a soft stop in its final position, thanks to the soft closer.
Floor guides
A floor guide is an essential part of enhancing the sliding motion of your barn door. It works by preventing your barn door from swinging back and forth as it’s sliding along a track. With a floor guide in place, it should help to dampen the sound your barn door makes. There will be no excess banging that your door would make if it was swinging back and forth into your wall.
If you’re hesitant about drilling holes into tile, hardwood or stone flooring for your floor guide installation, there are alternatives. You can choose to install a wall-mounted door guide instead. Again make sure you factor in the additional wall space you will need for a door guide installation.
Door handles
As you complete the look of your barn door, there are many ways you can make it more of a centrepiece for your home. Sometimes choosing the right door handle can instantly elevate your door’s look. Think about options like a pull handle. They’re easy to operate and come in a range of finishes like matte black to match the rest of your barn doors hardware pieces.
There are also less obtrusive door handle types like flush door handles. These designs are simpler and sleeker without compromising the function of your barn door.
Find everything you need from Rolltrak
Ready to install your own barn door at home? Here at Rolltrak, we’re proud to provide you with all the essential parts you need for a barn door installation. Our full range of barn door tracks and accessories come in contemporary finishes to match the style of your home.
Our barn door range is designed to make it easier for anyone to install a new barn door. Our parts come with easy-to-follow instructions and all the fixings you need for a fast and simple installation. Check out our entire barn door range online or in person by visiting your local Bunnings Warehouse today.
