When constructing our house, we always want to make it look spacious for a more enjoyable living environment. Many people rely on the exterior sliding barn door as a beneficial solution to expand their actual living space.
Instead of paying extra money for the help of a worker to install the door for you, you can make it DIY work. Read this post, and you will know how to install an exterior sliding barn door.
How To Install An Exterior Sliding Barn Door?
#1 Prepare Necessary Tools
Before getting into the detailed tutorial on how to install an exterior sliding barn door, you have to prepare some essential tools:
- A door mounting kit
- A ladder
- A measuring tape
- A mounting board
- Goggles
- A socket wrench
- An awl
- A miter saw
Once you finish gathering all of these objects, move on to the next step.
#2 Determine The Needed Space
Be aware of what you’re about to work with is never superfluous. You have to determine the width and the length of the door, along with all the hardware needed and the spare space of the wall. This task is quite easy. You only need to follow these steps below:
- Measure how wide the door is and then multiply that figure by two. Next, add four more inches to the result. Why four inches? This additional space will help in case you make an error or overhang. By doing this, you can get the right length of the hardware.
- To determine the door height, you have to determine how high the ceiling is and the header space. The recommended header space is from 6 inches to 8 inches, which is suitable for installing almost every door height.
#3 Assembling The Board
With a properly assembled board, you can set up the sliding barn door with ease. For example, if you have a 30-inch opening, you should rip the board so that the board width will be adequate for the openings.
When you estimate the barn door based on the opening of the door, you should set aside a gap of at least half inches. This spare space will be helpful if you need later adjustments.
Then, it would help if you positioned the blocks on the front of the edges. Once you finish, apply the long bar clamps. Next, arrange the whole installation at both sides of the edges until it’s in a neat condition. Lastly, keep the blocks in the fixed position by screwing up and strapping them. Having done all the above steps, remove the clamps.
#4 Cut The Filler Strips
Once you finish assembling the board, move on to the cutting filler strips process. In this process, you need to utilize a miter saw for the optimal result. You have to make sure that your cutting must follow the provided cutting patterns of the manufacturers.
Besides, put the rail-top at the top of the boards. You can add adhesives to keep it flush steady.
#5 Install The Mounting Board
A high-quality mounting board will play a crucial role in securing the door track while supporting the total weight of the barn door. Usually, the door is smaller than the mounting board so that it can slide without any hindrance. Furthermore, the bigger size will make the mounting board able to sustain the door’s weight. The favorable proportion should be the board twice as big as the door.
#6 Drill Holes And Put In The Rollers And Screws
Our next step in this “How to install an exterior sliding barn door?” is the inserting screws and rollers process.
Before drilling holes for placing rollers and screws, you must mark the drilling spots on the board first. Normally, when buying a pack of sliding barn doors, you will get the “installation guide,” which has information about the door measurement. Hence, you can drill with more precise results.
After completing the drilling step, you have to use screws to attach all of the needed hardware. Carefully position rollers on the top and bottom of the board as they will decide whether your sliding door can run smoothly or not. In this process, you can utilize the socket wrench to tighten the rollers.
#7 Position The Door
Now we’re moving onto the final step of the “How to install an exterior sliding barn door?” guideline.
One more thing you need to do before having a great sliding barn door is to hang the door on the mounting board. When carrying out this step, you should be sure that the door is on the right track.
Barndominiums Draw Buyers with Country Living, Cheaper Price Tag
By HomeLight Homes
Bottom Lines
Above is the tutorial about “How to install an exterior sliding barn door?”. Honestly, if you properly follow these steps, you can have your own useful sliding barn door. Keep in mind to prepare all the fundamental tools for optimal and safe manipulation before going into the specific process.
