How to Build a Sliding Barn Door | This Old House

In this video, This Old House senior technical editor Mark Powers builds and installs a sliding barn door. (See below for shopping list and tools.)
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Many of our readers have asked us what’s the best way of tackling homemade sliding barn doors. It's easy to see why: building a sliding barn door means you don't have to rip open and reframe a wall for a pocket door.
DIY sliding barn door hardware is available in all manner of styles and budgets, and the door options are limitless-from salvage finds to original DIY creations like this one, a mix of pallet wood and common cedar. Follow this tutorial on how to build a sliding barn door from TOH senior technical editor Mark Powers.
Shopping List for Installing a Sliding Barn Door:
- track and rollers [amzn.to/30Zx6EF]
- 1x6 pine [amzn.to/34u4tBq], get seven 8-footers for the back
- 1x3 strapping [amzn.to/2PRBUL8], get one 8-footer for blocking
- 1x4 pine [amzn.to/2UyEYdP], get one 8-footer for the mounting board
- 1x5 pine [amzn.to/2Q795dV], get one 10-footer and two 6-footers for the filler strips
- pallet boards [amzn.to/2N0PSIi], salvage about 40 pieces
- 1x6 rough common western red cedar [amzn.to/2UBmXeS], get three 8-footers and one 6-footer to make the face frame
- 1 1/4-inch deck screws [amzn.to/2ZE26xk]
- 18-gauge 1 1/4-inch brads [amzn.to/2ZBYcVK] for the pneumatic nailer
- 1 1/4-inch pocket-hole screws [amzn.to/2ZApU53]
- 3-inch deck screws [amzn.to/2MYVNxk]
- panel construction adhesive [amzn.to/2LIKsyL], get two tubes
- wood glue [amzn.to/2zYr3V2]
- paste wax [amzn.to/2ZAANns]
- 100-grit sandpaper [amzn.to/2MZbuom]
- latex paint [amzn.to/2PQpoLW]
- door handle [amzn.to/2UygEsm]
Tools List for Installing a Sliding Barn Door:
- tape measure [amzn.to/2MXmOkN]
- miter saw [amzn.to/2zZbqMY]
- bar clamps [amzn.to/2ZF0cfJ]
- drill/driver [amzn.to/2ZQS4nM]
- speed clamps [amzn.to/2ZC0tAg]
- straightedge [amzn.to/2Lx1qzH]
- combination square [amzn.to/2zZmLwA]
- pneumatic nailer and compressor [amzn.to/2ZGnJNm]
- caulk gun [amzn.to/2UtWobu]
- pocket-hole jig kit [amzn.to/2N0cLf1]
- 1/8-inch drill bit [amzn.to/2MZLER3]
- cotton rag [amzn.to/2MYYmzs]
- small paintbrush [amzn.to/311iKUb]
- stud finder [amzn.to/312qaq3]
- 5/16-inch drill bit [amzn.to/312KTdo]
- 3/8-inch socket wrench [amzn.to/2PLTsrN]
- 2-foot level [amzn.to/2ZLPXpd]
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How to Build a Sliding Barn Door | This Old House
/ thisoldhouse

[@gnome2024]

Going to build something similar soon. Three layers of wood looks like it would be heavy, no?

[@RobsVette01]

Most barn door rails can hold up to 200 lbs.

[@RyanChapman3]

It's heavy, mine is probably 100 pounds, but once its up it glides super easy

[@spencerdasilva]

But... Its one sided. How does the other side look?

[@davidrosen4951]

Talking kind of fast. Also camera angles make it hard to see big picture. Need some presentation improvement. First time I've encountered a "This Old House" video that really could use a re-make.

[@samsngdevice5103]

LQQK - YOUR BARN DOOR IS OPEN!! 🤦

[@jeffreykarl2865]

Doesn't look right with a Sophiscated white case moulding

[@kimchee94112]

How well those things stay on track? If it comes off track, a 200 pound door could flattened the little lady like a pancake.

[@jamesross1798]

I've been doing construction for over 100 years. The solution is to put a used condom on the door handle and near the joints

[@DillonCleans]

@@jamesross1798 wh-😦

[@Maxid1]

Uh oh, he's wearing his safety glasses on his eyes now. What will protect the hair on the top of his head?

[@timandrew1091]

Want to build me 4 sliding doors for a 42' airplane hanger opening?

[@SSSDFDSF]

It's too thick

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Your voice sounds like a smooth bourbon

[@ShakespeareCafe]

$50 in materials $1000 in tools Miter saw Drill Air compressor Nail gun Pocket hole jig Hand tools

[@jorrba3934]

Most homeowners have some basic tools. You could also rent them out for a low price.

[@jorrba3934]

Material is between 200.00 280.00 for a 1× 6 10' pricing in wood is going higher .

[@jorrba3934]

Also between 80.00 to 100.00 on the metal slideing rails. I just bought one

[@simpleman3674]

Slow it down mark lol I have no idea what I’m doing

[@magissemperdeficiet4259]

they never showed the other side of that door, prolly looks like garbage

[@LisaMontgomery79]

What does the word "prolly" mean?🤔

[@alinazheng9572]

@@LisaMontgomery79 Maybe it is "probably".

[@TNtoolman]

Most convert barns into homes... New concept, convert your home to look like a barn...

[@stateniland]

Hello I'd like to know if you're close to NYC. Love for you to make us 4 pocket doors in the style of a Barn Door. Hoping you're close :) Thank you. Joe Ps- If anyone knows of a talented woodworker who may be able to help please contact us.

[@bikes7777]

I do it for you $4000

[@Mo_Polis]

Or,..... you could just come over and make us one?😁😂

[@richardferris6976]

Built one using ship lap from Lowe’s stained it but she didn’t want it polyurethanes. It warped what do u think caused it an how would I fix it

[@mikez4132]

If a board warps from humidity or moisture or just drying out on its own...(which is most likely the case since the boards were straight when you started) there is often little that can be done to repair it. What was the shiplap? Pine?

[@clintonflynn815]

A sliding barn door in a suburban tract home? Really? In the right setting they look great, but history will not be kind to the mass hysteria surrounding this.

[@feng443]

I wonder how to open/close the door from the side without handle?

[@DillonCleans]

You could add another handle on the other side so it’s operational if you’re on either side of the door.

[@OrangeJackson]

I liked the door, but the video format was awful. Like a robot talking with no natural pacing. Very unnatural sounding.

[@Orgakoyd]

pallets do NOT come apart that easily!

[@MrPs103]

I've seen cheapo thin ones like that with cheap nails come apart pretty easily. The ones with the thicker boards and ribbed nails are a pain in the backside.

[@gnome2024]

Agreed! If you watch enough how to with pallet videos you'll see a few using a special tool to take down a pallet much easier than without it. Still a lot of work though.

[@Orgakoyd]

John Dough Looks like I'm not the only one who watched pallet disassembly videos like my life depended on it.

[@biblegirl2980]

Aryan Adibmehr there is an electric saw that cuts pallets down quickly. There are KZbin videos showing you how to do this.

[@literoadie3502]

I've seen them. They're called reciprocating saws or sawzall.

[@MrIuculano]

Hey, could you send me a step by step in detail of the process to make this door? This is awesome, thank you

[@vahid-T]

Don't have the tools or the space

[@Anto-kz5hk]

What kind of glue is that?

[@ghodgeco]

Barn doors, ugghh. Just don't!

[@MrPs103]

Noticed your pocket hole jig moved a bit during drilling. Takes quite a bit of clamping force to keep that thing still.

[@리올리브-j6h]

Wow

[@mohamedzouggari4020]

wow nice

[@diyshow777]

Good~

[@comedysilver5572]

Why did you slide the drill over the board like that at 0:50 Haha this had me laughing for a while thx

[@samsngdevice5103]

He had a boogers on his fingers

[@augustreil]

Nice door but with the weight of it I have a feeling it will remain open 99.9% of the time.

[@RyanChapman3]

I built this and it takes 0 effort to open and close,

[@joyboggsfitness9007]

how much did your door weigh?

[@jfilipov01]

A lot goes into making and installing a custom barn door. Simple kits and slapping things together is not the way to go in my opinion. I have built and installed over a hundred doors of all different styles and sizes and every installation is different and yes, you need many big and little parts, lots of time and all the right tools on hand and in your work shop. The look isn't for everyone, but if you are into the rustic nature of things, then it can be really cool and functional. Watching this video, I think I would have built it similarly, but I would have been using olde wood and no, pallets do not come apart so easily nor are they so easy to work with. To do it right a door like this could take a few hours to build (after obtaining any olde wood) and depending on thickness when done, as many to install. Every little detail matters. So many do not do this, but I think it is best to coat all your boards on every edge and side before assembly. That way, if things move or gap, you don't see new plain looking cuts or coloring. If you insist on painting wood, definitely do that. I do not like to paint olde wood but to each his/her own. If you use new wood, let it dry in the space it will end up being installed in for a week to be sure it does not warp, etc. Once your door is done you do not want that to happen (one more reason I like olde wood). There are several things you can do to make it all come out just right if you take the time to want to. Custom, passion, creativity and design are all the keys! www.northshorebarndoors.com/

[@asasial1977]

90% of pallets won't come apart like that. the boards will just bust if you try to pry them off.

[@panagea2007]

That track didn't look very straight....

[@robertpatton2672]

does not explain stuff very well you know step by step instructions

[@skim193]

they do a good job representing various tool brands

[@jka7927]

save the world by reusing pallets!

[@tombomombodombo]

The metal rail is too short. The track is too wide. Very nice door otherwise!

[@salvatoresaccoccio2379]

You better be certain that there’s a header where you need it or all that for not.

[@JQUICK21]

Would love to know what color/name of that blue paint! Thanks for any info on that!

[@johncoonradtjr.5141]

What size are the door boards in the beginning.

[@anastasiabusse8155]

oK so can I borrow some tools.. lol

[@miketor33]

Amateur barn door

[@cbr900son]

Wow speed reading?

[@akhosha2]

Very cool!

[@fabuloso7176]

Blue

[@americosouza6199]

muito bonito show de bola

[@bosal2559]

very good your work 🌹❤️👍

[@bosal2559]

I’m oth sal Riyadh K. S. A

[@lol101love]

love this!!

[@addthisto]

what a set of tools....haa..unattainable

[@donavanmcelroy6263]

Very well done! Thanks for sharing 👍

[@Scandal929]

Just made two doors and considering what to finish with. Would the paste wax have to be reapplied on occasion, or could I seal it in somehow?

[@BandasPalette]

Two to three coats of lacquer, sanding in between coats would be best. Then when dried, polish it with paste wax and 4 zero wool, and a polisher or hand polish. Once a year re-apply the wax to keep the door protected. A great lacquer is Mohawk.

[@Scandal929]

@@BandasPalette Thanks!