Sliding doors can add extra flair, functionality, and security to pantries. But what do you need to install sliding pantry doors? Also, what are the steps for a proper installation? We researched and found the items you need to gather and the steps to follow for this project.
A sliding pantry door assembly requires a drill, track saw, brad nailer, and installation kit. After gathering these items, here are the steps to follow:
- Prepare the door’s opening.
- Mark the areas for the screw holes and drill them.
- Install the track and secure it with the correct screws.
- Hang the roller.
- Create a ½-inch clearance between the door and the floor.
- Mount the rollers onto the door.
- Hang the door onto the track.
- Secure the floor guide.
- Drill a finger hole in the door to open and close it smoothly.
It might seem like the steps mentioned above are fairly simple to accomplish, but it's important to follow the steps closely to ensure a great end result. Continue reading as we tackle these steps in greater detail. That way, you'll minimize the risk of making costly mistakes.
Steps To Install Sliding Pantry Doors
Here are the tools and steps needed for this project:
What You’ll Need
- Sliding door kit
- Drill
- Track saw
- Brad nailer
Step-By-Step Guide
- Prep the door’s opening by adding primed stock materials to help pad the space. Hold the track to the opening’s top.
- Mark the holes where the screws will go. Take away the track and drill the marked areas.
- Return the track to the desired position and secure it with the appropriate screws. Level the track if it’s still misaligned.
- Hang the roller onto the track. Measure the distance between the bottom of the door to the floor.
- Then, subtract ½ inch for the doorway’s clearance. Transfer the sliding pantry door’s measurement for the other doors in the setup, if any.
- Cut the other doors to the correct size using a track saw, and mount the rollers to the doors.
- Hang the doors onto the track.
- Place and secure the floor guide at the desired location.
- Drill one hole per door to allow one-finger operations. Doing so will allow the pantry doors to open and close smoothly.
- Connect the trim piece in the cut opening, which hides the track. Secure the clipped piece with a brad nailer.
You can also watch the video below to help assist you with this installation:
Also, if you want to learn more about the dimensions of sliding doors for your pantry or other locations around the house, check out this post: How Big Are Sliding Doors?
Click here to see this electric nail gun on Amazon.
How Do You Hang Pantry Doors?
The process to hang panty doors generally differ depending on the type of door. In this section, we'll talk about how to hang a standard interior door:
- Take your level to check if the frame has the proper alignment.
- Lift and carry the door into the door frame's open space. You don't need to make any installations, yet. This step allows you to check if fillers to the setup are necessary for the interior pantry door to be flush against its frame.
- If the space doesn't have flooring at the moment, use wooden shims of appropriate height to give the interior door an allowance. The height of the shims should match the flooring's measurements.
- Take more wooden shims and put them behind the door jamb on the hinge side. Make sure that the shims are level.
- Drill a hole into the frame where the doorstop will go.
- Mark and drill holes into the frame for the hinges.
- Remove the shims underneath the door. The installed screws and shims should now be able to hold the pantry door's weight.
- Close the door to test if the jamb is in the correct location and is level.
- Repeat steps 4 to 7 on other areas of the door to ensure that the doorway is square against the frame and level on all sides.
- Cut off the excess shims.
How Do You Install Hanging Sliding Closet Doors?
Before proceeding with the installation to hang sliding closet doors, make sure to allow an overlap of 3 to 4 inches for each doorway in the setup. After ensuring that element, the steps for the assembly operation are as follows:
- Measure the door opening’s height on both the left and right sides.
- Use a hacksaw to cut the track at a length that’s slightly smaller than the door’s width.
- Mark the screw openings on the track with a pen, pencil, or marker.
- Drill the pilot holes to the marked locations.
- Use a screwdriver to secure the track onto the doorjamb. The screws needed for this step should come with the kit. Otherwise, you may need to pay an extra visit to the local hardware store.
- Attach the door pulls to the sliding doors with the help of carpenter’s glue.
- Mark the location of the rollers that should go on top of each sliding closet door.
- Drill the pilot holes for the rollers and attach these parts using the appropriate screws.
- Hold the rollers to ensure they line up with the track.
- Tilt the sliding door so that the rollers will lay on the track while offering a suitable amount of glide to the doorway. Take note that some rollers may require you to push them in for a proper installation.
- Install the rollers on the other sliding closet doors in the set, if any.
- Test the door by opening and closing it to check for errors. Adjust the roller screws if adjustments to the height or tilt are necessary.
Can Sliding Closet Doors Be Installed Over Carpet?
Installation of sliding door closet doors over carpets is possible. However, the setup process can be more difficult than normal because the assembly will generally require the track brackets to run on the closet opening’s width as opposed to using conventional corner brackets.
Here are the steps to install the door’s bracket track on the carpet:
- Line up the bracket track on the flooring according to the instructions mentioned in your sliding door’s guide. Take note that the top door rail should align with the floor bracket.
- Mark the screw-holes on the carpet and track with a pen, pencil, or marker.
- Drill holes through the marked areas in the carpeting. The newly formed gaps should also go through the pad and subfloor.
- Use a screwdriver to screw the bracket track to the subfloor loosely.
- Check for errors and readjust if needed.
- Tighten the screws and ensure that the bracket track doesn’t shift on the carpet floor when the doors open or close.
Another method is to cut the bottom of the sliding doors, which is a possible solution if you don’t want to install brackets into carpets. Check out the video below to learn how to achieve this method:
Do Sliding Closet Doors Need A Bottom Track?
Sliding closet doors don't always require bottom tracks. Some units have track rollers that can support the door’s weight. Moreover, these models may not need tracks to glide smoothly along surfaces.
Still, homeowners have the option to install tracks for their sliding closet doors. Use a bottom guide if concerns arise about the rollers bumping into things as they slide.
An example situation would be when using a sliding closet door to separate children’s rooms. Closet doors that only have one or two roller guide rows don’t usually need bottom tracks. But doorways with three or more roller guide rows need tracks.
How Long Does It Take To Install A Sliding Closet Door?
It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to install a sliding closet door. But some cases may require about 2 to 3 hours to complete the installation.
Take note that the time it takes to complete this setup job can differ depending on the job’s demands. Therefore, tougher assembly jobs require more time and effort to complete.
How Much Does It Cost To Install Sliding Closet Doors?
Sliding closet door installations can range from $204 to $468. Additionally, the overall fees can increase or decrease depending on certain factors such as the following:
• Conventional sliding door units: $50 to $200
• Stylish wooden closet doors: $430 to $2,000
• Additional hardware: $50 to $300
• Professional labor: $100 to $3,000
Final Thoughts
To install a sliding pantry door, you'll need the right equipment and materials for the job. Some of the items required for this project are a track saw, a brad nailer, and a sliding door kit. Make sure to follow the correct steps to prevent making expensive mistakes.
Additionally, you can read the post below for more information about sliding doors:
