Pocket Door Allowed?

5 years ago

We want to remodel our laundry room which you enter from the garage. From laundry room you enter the kitchen. Our dilemma is the door from the garage opens inward to the laundry. Door from kitchen enters inward into laundry. Since the doors are caddy corner to one another, it’s an awkward setup as they block entry into the house if both are open. I’m wondering if a pocket door from the garage is doable or does it have to be a swinging door? If pocket door is allowed, are there lockable options for security? Does it have to be metal or can it be solid wood or some version of wood? Will a pocket door provide proper sealing for code? Any other considerations?

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Comments (12)

HU-867564120
5 years ago
Will a pocket door provide proper sealing for code? NO!
Drew
Original Author
5 years ago
Is there another recommendation to solve the issue?
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millworkman
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Nope, unfortunately other than close up the door opening as a solid wall.
cat_ky
5 years ago
No, you need a fire rated door between house and garage. You can certainly put a pocket door between the kitchen and laundry, or even remove the door altogether.
bpath
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Does the layout allow for a pocket door between the laundry and kitchen? If it works, do that.

Or, can the garage door swing out? At the moment, I happen to be sitting in a house like that.
clt3
5 years ago
Fire door is code where we live also.
morz8 - Washington Coast
5 years ago
I have a pocket door between kitchen and laundry. Must be a solid door, it's heavier than heck and original to the 1955 house. With great light in both laundry and kitchen, many friends who enter this casual household through the back/garage, I seldom have reason to ever close the pocket door. If I'm cooking and doing laundry, I like to hear what's going on with my machines. Should add there is a large built in hamper, many cabinets including one that holds sink in the laundry so it's usually pretty neat/tidy - no mess I need to close a door on ;0)
Cavimum
5 years ago
Be aware that adding a pocket door requires new framing with a slightly thicker/deeper wall space, which will eat up a couple of inches in a room. That is not an issue, unless every inch counts somewhere. Check to see if it is a load-bearing wall, too.
User
5 years ago
Why do you need a door between the kitchen and laundry. Make it pretty, and take the door off.
Drew
Original Author
5 years ago
@notmycircus notmymonkeys … Yes the laundry room will be a complete remodel but I don’t want to look at it when I’m in my kitchen, especially if I can’t do something interesting with the door leading to the garage.
mrb6228
5 years ago
Can the laundry room door be reversed to open into the kitchen rather than into the laundry room?
Drew
Original Author
5 years ago
Having the door open into the kitchen is the option that seems easiest. We’ll likely go that route. It still wouldn’t eliminate the primary issue that you have to close the garage door just to enter the house. Quite frankly it’s just poor design but likely will have to stay that way.