HELP! URGENT! Which way should I install the barn door hardware here?

jmw

7 years ago

I NEED TO GIVE THE CONTRACTOR AN ANSWER TOMORROW MORNING!!!

Here is a photo of the location that the barn door will be installed:

Here is a Houzz photo that shows the hardware NOT attached to a header:

Mill Valley Bungalow · More Info

And here is a Houzz photo that shows the hardware attached to an extended header:

Contemporary Living Room · More Info

My personal opinion is to keep the door casing as is and not extend a long piece along the wall to attach the hardware to. But one of my builders is trying to convince me that it will last longer & be stronger and not indent into the drywall if we do the extended piece along the wall.

Is one more structurally sound than the other? Aesthetically, I like it without but I also don't want to risk dealing with the hardware possibly damaging the drywall in the future. What do you suggest I do?

Thanks so much for your input!

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Comments (5)

Jill Schroen
7 years ago
I think it is going to depend on where your studs are and where the holes are on the bar. I think it looks ok with a header and dont really notice a difference. We installed ours to studs and it is strong enough so if you have the studs you can feel comfortable with the weight.
jmw thanked Jill Schroen
jmw
Original Author
7 years ago
We do have the studs, which is why I think we should be OK but I don't want to make the wrong decision. Thanks so much for your input!
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canamrider07 .
7 years ago
Won't the door height determine where the hardware is installed?
acm
7 years ago
Aren't you going to remove the casework either way? I can't imagine using a barn door with regular door framing -- looks much better with simple drywall returns, as in your examples.
Beth H. :
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
the header is what is in the wall and braces the doorway and studs above it. The white trim around the door is called casing.

if you attach it to the casing, it will bring the door out further from the wall. is that ok w/you? if you wanted more of tighter fitting on the opening, you'd prob want to attach it right to the wall. But of course the door casing will have to go (unless it can clear it while sliding)

People use the wood attached to the wall because often their holes for the rail don't line up w/the studs in the wall. (like your second picture) You can always drill your holes into the rail to line up w/your studs. They also do it this way so that the door will clear the baseboard molding.

ive done a few of these and didn't do door casing, attached it to the studs. It also slides by my baseboards w/o any problem.

you can see how closely it sits to the wall. there is no way it would clear any door casing.

Ditto this one.

It just depends which way you want it.

if you want to keep your casing, I'd redo it so that all sides are symmetrical.

right now your top portion is wider than the sides. (why is it done like this??) it looks top heavy. make them all the same width and install the rail like they've done here

or remove the casing altogether and install like this one. (how tall is your door? that will tell you how high up you have to mount it)
jmw thanked Beth H. :