HD Pocket Doors Kit Installation - Best Pocket Door System Available???

In this video I go through the process of installing HD Pocket Door Kits in this new home. These are heavy duty pocket door kits. They utilize an LVL header which the pocket door track mounts to. You simply screw the LVL to the bottom of your framed rough opening.
The other key aspect of these pocket door kits is the steel 1-1/2" tube steel studs. These studs ensure the wall is stiff and stays straight. This is important because you want your split jamb margins to be consistent and straight with the door. These steel studs are great for 8' door heights.
You can order pretty much any door configuration you can imagine and these guys are great to work with. The sky is the limit with the kits they can build to meet your unique situation.
I was really impressed with this system and highly recommend the product.
www.heavydutyp...
My Favorite Tools - Insider Carpentry Amazon Site - www.amazon.com...
Support more content like this by becoming a PATREON SUPPORTER - / insider_carpentry
INSTAGRAM - insider_carpentry

[@hdpocketdoors]

Great install! Sweet video! Really appreciate the positive feedback.

[@aidencristiano3874]

a trick: you can watch series on Flixzone. Me and my gf have been using them for watching all kinds of movies recently.

[@brodybrayden283]

@Aiden Cristiano definitely, have been using Flixzone} for years myself :D

[@ethanboggio3314]

If Spencer says it good... it's good! I've come to trust his word.

[@mattbowers5342]

When Spencer was tapping the top track it was probably 1/128th inch off lol. This looks like a nice system, thanks for the video!

[@jdsand7630]

Installing 1 of these for my 1st time tomorrow, this video helps a lot, thanks Spencer! Wish me luck

[@muddywater6856]

Those are nice! I thought I was the only finish carpenter who installs the rough in hardware😀... discovered over the years it is easier than a tearout. Little bit pricey but cheaper after the inevitable callbacks. That bottom guide is nice also..

[@loulu8179]

Spencer - U Da Man!!! Sometimes it's the little things that matter - I ordered (2) of the Dewalt bit holders you were using! Thanks! 10/12/20 - My guys saw them and made me order more!

[@InsiderCarpentry]

You will love them. I use mine like crazy.

[@matthewshull8376]

Great video, as you are correct, pocket doors just suck for the most part, and are becoming increasingly used on projects I become involved with. I am definitely checking these out, seem very well made and of course you made it look easy, LOL! thanks for sharing all your content, it really helps us all to see others in our field doing such great work and sharing their knowledge!

[@royalvarez6436]

Nice kit! I thought your audio was off for the first few minutes. Glad you revisited the installation components towards the end.

[@texascraftsman7215]

I like that system but I really like the Johnson track system but I’ll definitely look into it... love installing pocket door systems on a wooden subfloor it’s a time saver for sure

[@johnwhite2576]

No comparison between johnson and Hd- just call the owner and he will explain better than I . Yes you pay more but just look at teh materials and rollers- as I recall, johnson uses a three roller system- qualitatively inferiors tot any four roller one

[@Aepek]

8:27 Ain’t that the TRUTH😅, & well said😉 Don’t do very many, but enjoy doing the “hidden” doors w/ the different hidden hinges/latches thats out there. It’s always cool when your done with an install, & ppl don’t have a clue that a door is there. Pretty cool materials, hardware, & designs out there for these doors, & I’ve always been fascinated by them (along w/ hidden passages inside a house/building as well). Thx for vid✌🏼

[@Off-Grid]

We used a Johnson Commercial Pocket Door and it was of good quality too.

[@johnwhite2576]

Not even close…no comparison

[@jefferyholland]

I have put a crap load of pocket door kits in but I have never seen one that heavy duty. Not gonna pick one of those up off the shelf at lowes.

[@jasonbeaver1061]

I decided on this pocket door frame system over the Cavity Slider because of this video. But be aware that you will have to wait on it (unless they only did me this way). I ordered on March 18 and they just shipped it to me on April 19. They emailed a response to me saying they have a 4 week lead time - they are built to order. I did not see that anywhere on on their website and I don't think it was mentioned in this video. Just wanted to let people know in case you have a timeline for completing projects.

[@georgeEPC]

Jason what was your thoughts on the steel studs? I have found that in general they still bowed the wall. For the money I was not a fan of them

[@stephenhinkle3277]

Would love to see a door mounted to the track.

[@garrygiordano4059]

Your videos are excellent “how to’s” and go beyond what else is available out there. You mention that your builders, “rough frame pocket door openings” with 2 X 6 lumber without using pre-fab kits. Could you elaborate on that method sometime. Thanks

[@Stefan_Kawalec]

You definitely should be nicknamed "No BS guy".

[@cruisinthru3916]

One day I'll reach the level where getting my tools in and out for the day is called "Tool deployment" I still have a way to go. :)

[@InsiderCarpentry]

Haha. I don’t know what else to call it.

[@cruisinthru3916]

@@InsiderCarpentry Im at the cussin and banging walls as I go level. j/k LOL

[@jakebranker9404]

Hello This may be a dumb question. But what do you use as nailers for adding drywall around these pocket doors?

[@learningisfun2108]

Thanks for the video. Very helpful. I bought the KN Crowder CC “catch and close” kit which was a bit expensive but I only have one to install and wanted a quality system. Have you ever used this system? If so, what are your thought and how does it compare to the system from this video. Many thanks.

[@InsiderCarpentry]

I haven't used that system, sorry. :(

[@Nest2309]

Hafele door bottom guide is very shallow ( for a finish floor )and either u block it up and pray the floor thickness specs r correct or do it after unfortunately the next time u back to the site to hang the finish doors everything is close and tricky to adjust .

[@mickrose9633]

My go to pocket door kit was always the Johnson kit, I liked the 4 wheels on the track. But I really like this kit a lot. Now can they ship to Hawaii???? Aloha Mick

[@TwoTall1988]

This pocket door setup is ridiculously expensive. The Johnson soft close/open kit is $150 on Amazon for a 36x80 door on a 2x4 frame wall, the HD kit from Cristner Woodworkers is $678 which is 4.5 times as expensive.

[@johnwhite2576]

@@TwoTall1988 have installed both-you get what you pay for . There is a reason for the difference in price , obvious when you handle and install the two doors. Johnson=spec house build; HD=bomber custom home build.all it takes is One call back for pocket doors- what are going to do? Tear out the wall to save $200 bucks ?

[@muddywater6856]

Of the cheap/junky pocket door frames, Marwin is barely ok. Johnston frames have noisy wheels. These HD frames are a giant step up.

[@muddywater6856]

@@tundrawhisperer4821 I agree.... Using the heavier solid door slabs for pocket doors in lieu of the hollow doors does help the noise, and the warping. The notch mortise latch hardware on the hollow doors weaken the door terribly. Quality of doors continues to deteriorate over time.

[@InsiderCarpentry]

There are clients who expect a better level of execution that a standard track and upgraded johnson wheels offer. The price point isn't for everyone but it definitely is for some people.

[@jeffzhang3144]

What is the price range for this pocket door kit with soft close? Thanks

[@unamor]

Great video! Do you know if you are able to recess the top track into the ceiling for a seamless look with this kit?

[@Albeast_34]

Hey man, I installed one of these HD Pocket doors in my house! I’m going to be drywalling it soon. Is it best to hang the door before drywall is installed? Also, when installing drywall, do you drive the drywall screws right into the metal frame? Really appreciate the help!!

[@jakebranker9404]

I had the same question. Did you find an answer?

[@Albeast_34]

@@jakebranker9404 I ended up just hanging the door before drywalling. Worked out fine

[@TwoTall1988]

I was looking for an alternative to the Johnson Hardware Soft close/open kit because of some of the reviews and the company seems weird. They (Fevco Door Products) literally cannot compete with the price of their kit on Amazon but they make the kit and don't know who's selling on Amazon? But I'm not willing to spend 4.5 times as much ($150 vs $678) for an HD kit... that's just ridiculous. Even their pocket door hardware is just off the rails $307 for privacy pocket door hardware.

[@InsiderCarpentry]

It is a very expensive system, but its a necessary thing in high end luxury home where precision matters.

[@TwoTall1988]

@@InsiderCarpentry I wouldn't really say "where precision matters", it's more like "where they have money to spend and are willing to spend it on frivolous door frames/hardware"

[@jimpeterson3633]

Try Hawa 80 b or 40b track and wheels

[@frankrubeshaw4673]

Great video. Have a question in the video at about 8:55. There is an inside corner. There’s a stud bumping into the metal frame. Drywall would screw to the stud to the left. What would you do on the right. No stud to screw drywall to. It would screw to the frame but in the corner is my concern. Thank you for the info

[@ssdistributingco]

Great videos, I’ve learned so much from you. What driver bits are you using in this video, red, attached to the side of you drill driver?

[@InsiderCarpentry]

I think they are Wiha. Good bits.

[@elkskiutah8204]

Nice. I will try this brand next time. Seem to be much better than the other brand. Do yiu need to put a board under the header? Or did you just have extra RO height? What is the deal with that last bracket you placed on the bottom? Does it mean yiu need to saw cut in the door bottom?

[@InsiderCarpentry]

Yes, you need to groove the bottom of the door. You have to make the RO higher, correct. So you need to plan for that.

[@elkskiutah8204]

So you need ro install that 1" header board? I guess it makes sense to shim that so yiu don't flex the steel track? I have two PD's in planning I will price these.

[@jrcallesen]

Where do I get the bit holder thats on your dewalt impact?

[@InsiderCarpentry]

www.ludwigcabinets.com/store/c2/Multi-Bit

[@raybenitez9699]

Do you have a link for the bit holder on your impact driver?

[@InsiderCarpentry]

www.ludwigcabinets.com/store/c2/Multi-Bit

[@jejones8976]

Spencer, Have you ever installed the CavitySlider pocket door systems, and if so, how would you compare to these kits from HD?

[@InsiderCarpentry]

I haven't. At first glance I would much prefer the HD pocket door kits.

[@jimpeterson3633]

I have tried cavity sliders. I wasn’t impressed

[@rickculpepper709]

I just done some defla with the belt on top with soft close. You ever done any

[@rickculpepper709]

Sorry helfla

[@kennyblasingame2260]

Did you have them frame the header high and then shim an lvl below it to get dead level? Now days we are putting lvl studs on any bathroom tile wall and also on long soffit runs. No movement!

[@InsiderCarpentry]

The track comes with an LVL as part of the kit. You do have to frame the header up higher to accommodate that.

[@kennyblasingame2260]

Insider Carpentry nice! Thanks👍🏻

[@bembenus13]

Hi buddy. Where can i get that bit holder for Dewalt impact driver? Looks cool

[@InsiderCarpentry]

www.ludwigcabinets.com/store/c2/Multi-Bit

[@bembenus13]

@@InsiderCarpentry Great. Thanks! Looking forward to see more of your videos

[@jt5747]

Have you tried the CS Cavity Slider pocket door system?

[@InsiderCarpentry]

I looked at the system but it didn't impress me. I thought the HD system looked better and was much more carpenter friendly.

[@jt5747]

@@InsiderCarpentry Thanks. I'm looking to get the HD Pocket Door one with an arch top opening they said they can make. I've never installed a pocket door before, but there is a first time for everything.

[@darrenmarsh2290]

@@jt5747 Give yourself some extra time, they can be a pain.

[@sbuenz]

CS makes a much better system, and easier to install. Better bottom guide, ability to adjust horizontal slats for mounting things to wall surface, soft close, self-squaring aluminum frame, etc…

[@garethgriffin7687]

This system looks good- I have used the Eclisse pocket door systems lately and I am very happy with those.

[@rickculpepper709]

What type of stud finder you use?

[@InsiderCarpentry]

Franklin

[@cjpenning]

Bi-fold doors are almost as bad.

[@monkeygraborange]

Bi-fold doors are garbage.

[@megadouche7030]

Dude. It said NO volcar.

[@charlemarcharlemar2401]

This evidences of a man installing something but in no way does it tell you how to do what he is doing.

[@georgeEPC]

Bought these they are garbage just like any others 16 gauge steel is junk. Flimsy had to do so much to keep wall from bowing

[@learningisfun2108]

Thanks for the video. Very helpful. I bought the KN Crowder CC “catch and close” kit which was a bit expensive but I only have one to install and wanted a quality system. Have you ever used this system? If so, what are your thought and how does it compare to the system from this video. Many thanks.