How do I Build Retractable Doors?

Measure the wall to see if there is enough room for the retractable door. The opening in the wall will need to be about twice the width of the door. Measure the width of the retractable pocket door you will be using. Double the measurement and transfer the measurement to the wall with a pencil.

Check to see if there is electrical work or plumbing in the wall. In some cases you can tell by simply looking for light switches or outlets in the wall you'll be working on. Other times, you may need to carefully remove the drywall to see if there is any utility work there. Walls with plumbing should not have a retractable pocket door installed in them. Reroute any electrical work in the walls, or hire a licensed electrician to do the work for you if you uncomfortable doing electrical work.

Remove the molding around the existing doorway with a pry bar. Cut between the door jamb and the wall with a reciprocating saw that is fitted with a metal cutting blade. This should cut any nails that hold the door jamb in place.

Fit the reciprocating saw with a wood-cutting blade. Use the saw to cut away the wallboard along the marked measurements on the wall where the pocket door is going to be installed. Remove the existing header from the doorway with a pry bar and replace it by screwing a 2-by-4 inch board header that spans the length of the new doorway to the studs.

Install the retractable door. Measure the doorway header and transfer the measurement to the included door track. Cut the track to size with a hack saw. Screw the track into place on the doorway header with a screwdriver and screws. Install the floor brackets for the split studs. Tip the split studs into the brackets and nail the tops of the studs to the header. Hang the door in place on the track.

Install drywall on the walls surrounding the doorway. Screw the drywall in place. Apply drywall compound to the seams, place drywall tape on the drywall, and remove the excess compound with a putty knife. Let the compound dry overnight. Sand the compound and repeat as necessary. Paint the wall to match the rest of the room.

Install trim around the door. Measure the door and cut the trim to size on a miter saw. Nail the trim into place with a nail gun. Finish as desired.