What to Consider When Selecting a Modern Pocket Door

Let's look at a few key factors to consider when selecting a well-designed modern pocket door:

Modern luxury homes (and commercial spaces such as Class A offices) feature a large number of full-height doors, which are gorgeous and create a relatively inexpensive illusion of grandeur. However, full-height pocket doors also present some construction and planning challenges that you must consider—most critically, you need to leave enough space for the top track that is recessed into the ceiling.

In new construction, you can design the joist layout so that the pocket door frame kit is parallel to the joists, and the top track will be recessed into the space between them.

In a remodel, the ceiling joist layout often limits your options. You may not always be able to easily install a floor-to-ceiling sliding door—unless you lower the ceiling by a few inches, in which case you may need to use a smaller door header.

Note that self-supporting pocket door kits do not require any structural support themselves, however, you will need to install a beam above the pocket door to create a self-supporting blank opening.

Modern pocket doors can be very wide. Wide pocket doors are usually fine for homes that use them relatively infrequently. But for a powder room, you will prefer a narrower opening that feels lighter and is more comfortable to operate.

Modern pocket doors almost exclusively feature extremely smooth anodized aluminum tracks and high-quality rollers (sometimes called runners). This combination results in near-silent operation and low opening force—a far cry from the noisy steel tracks found in low-profile pocket doors.

Look for a pocket door frame kit that gives you access to the top of the door and door hardware. Older pocket doors typically do not allow you to access the tracks and rollers, making them impossible to repair or adjust without removing the trim around the door—a labor-intensive process.

When you look at today's advanced pocket door systems, you'll find that not only can you easily adjust the height of the door, but you can also easily remove the door and adjust the soft-close stops on both sides.

You have two exciting door hardware options to choose from, and they depend on how you like to operate your door and the width of your access path.

Is your pocket door wider? Consider using a modern door pull - you'll sacrifice about 3 inches of width, but you'll gain an exceptionally comfortable way to operate your pocket door. For narrower doorways, we often consider using a flush door pull. These door pulls allow the pocket door panel to slide completely into the pocket.

Most pocket doors are attached to the wall, but this is not always the case. At WEKIS, we design and install pocket doors that can be concealed in a vertical wall, often in a hallway, or slide into the wall to look like built-in cabinets.

How can you achieve this look? The answer is to design a split door frame that blends in with the drywall. The pocket door's frame is flush with the wall. This key detail gives you a clean look - when the pocket door is open (with the panel in the pocket), the wall appears uninterrupted.

A similar situation occurs on the "solid door frame" side (lock side) of a sliding door. Modern frameless sliding doors have door frames that are recessed into the wall by about ¼ inch. When the door is closed, the panel sits in the recess, preventing any light leakage.

The typical pocket door panel installed in American homes is 1 ¾ inches thick (about 45 mm), but the factors that affect sound transmission have less to do with the thickness of the door and more to do with the composition of the panel. Hollow core panels are by far the cheapest panels. They are lightweight, but their main disadvantage is that they have limited soundproofing and feel cheap to the touch. Honeycomb core doors are the next step up - they are stronger than the hollow core and reduce noise transmission even more. The ideal choice is solid core door panels - they are the heaviest of the three, but provide the best soundproofing and are more cost-effective than dedicated soundproof doors.

It is no surprise that flush door panels win out almost every time due to their simple and universal aesthetic. However, almost every modern apartment or home offers the opportunity to introduce clever door panel design variations, so let's review some of them.

First, consider whether the space has natural light. A hallway door may be a good fit for a glass panel, as it can bring some light into a darker area. As you can imagine, glass options range widely—from clear to bronze to satin/frosted glass. You'll hear door manufacturers use terms such as 1-lite or single-lite to refer to a single glass segment, or 5-lite to refer to a door with five vertical glass segments.

Choosing a modern pocket door requires careful consideration of a variety of factors, including door height, door width, style, hardware, and acoustic insulation. At WEKIS, we are committed to providing high-quality, stylish, and functional pocket doors that meet your specific needs. By taking the time to evaluate your requirements and preferences, you can select a pocket door that will enhance your living space and add value to your home.

In summary, choosing the right modern pocket door is an opportunity to enhance the functionality and beauty of your home. By considering the factors outlined in this guide, you can make an informed decision that matches your personal style and practical needs. Trust WEKIS to provide you with superior pocket door solutions that will stand the test of time and enhance your living experience. We are a professional custom sliding door and hardware manufacturer. Our commitment to innovation and customer-centricity ensures timely delivery of customized, high-quality products to meet different design and functional requirements. In addition, our transparent communication channels, flexible customization options and collaborative approach enable customers to realize their vision with confidence, while our global reach and extensive distribution network facilitate seamless access to premium hardware solutions worldwide. 

From streamlined production processes to innovative design capabilities and unparalleled customer support, working with WEKIS demonstrates our commitment to excellence, reliability and mutual success in the furniture hardware industry. If you are looking for a reliable sliding door and hardware manufacturer, please contact us.