Can I Hang New Pocket Door if Track Is Still in Place

September 23, 2021

Reviewed by Bob Tschudi, Expert Home Building and Remodeling Contributor.
Written by HomeAdvisor.

Pocket Doors Cost

During a new construction, pocket doors will cost between $500 and $1,000. As part of a remodeling project, their cost will be in the $1,000 to $3,500 range. These prices reflect both parts and labor.

These doors hide inside a wall cavity instead of swinging out from a hinge. They are ideal for areas with tight square footage, adding 10 square feet of usable floor space normally covered by an open door. The frame will fit in the wall's interior, so the length of the wall will affect whether this style is functional.

DIY kits are available for $60 to $400. However, creating the hollow space in the wall can affect the integrity of your home's structure, electrical and plumbing systems. This makes it a job best left to professionals.

Average New Pocket Door Cost

Average Cost	$1,000
High Cost	$3,500
Low Cost	$500

Pocket Door Installation Costs

It is cheaper to install boxed roller doors in a new construction than as a remodel. You can expect to pay about $500 to $1,000 per door when constructing a new home. This is a wide range because of the many variations in doors and hardware available.

Average cost to install a pocket door is $1,000

As an example, a hollow core 24-by 80-inch door—the narrowest standard size—will weigh 20 to 25 pounds. A 36-by-96-inch solid core door, one of the largest available, will weigh in excess of 90 pounds.

As the size and weight of the door to be supported increases, it will require greater framing strength and sturdier hardware. This results in greater costs.

Installing a Pocket Door in an Existing Wall

As with a fresh build, the cost of installing a pocket door in an existing wall can vary greatly. Use the chart below to find estimates for materials, labor, custom features and more.

**Average Costs to Install a Pocket Door**
Line Item	Average Pricing*	Details
Door	$140 – $220 for 1 door	30-by-80-inch hollow core door Six-panel interior Fully ready for installation and use Pre-primed for painting
Supplies	$12 – $14 for 1 door	Fasteners Connectors Materials to prepare and finish all surfaces
Equipment	$65 – $90 for 1 door	Accessed as a daily rental fee
Labor	$350 – $575 for 6 hours	Rough framing fabricated and installed Door frame mounted, hung and adjusted Hardware finalized All cleanups
Optional Custom Framing Labor	$150 – $245 for 2 hours	Header Trimmer studs King studs Cripple studs measured, cut and secured in turn Bottom plate trimmed to fit the opening
Total:	$560 – $1,000

*Note: Costs reflect average door size. Rates vary by location.

Your wall will require extra framing if the boxed roller door is to be placed in a load-bearing wall. If there is any plumbing or electrical work needed, this will also greatly increase your project budget.

Get Pocket Door Quotes From Pros Near You

Exterior Sliding Pocket Door Price

There are currently no manufacturers producing pocket doors intended for exterior use. Custom-built units can be constructed with costs proportionate to craftsmanship, installation and the complexity of the design.

Check out our guide on the cost to install sliding doors for more information.

Beyond the custom designing and construction of the door and pocket, the installation and issues faced are similar to the cost of adding an exterior door, falling towards the top of the scale, near $2,500 or beyond.

Unlike interior units, outdoor pocket styles may need a frame and seal, like the style and cost of sliding patio doors, to keep water out and air-conditioning or heat in.

Cost to Install French or Double Pocket Doors

The labor and material prices for installing a French pocket unit are not so different from those of a standard, solid door. However, because French-style doors are usually glass, installers must be careful to avoid damaging the fragile panes. These are heavier than hollow-core, wood doors, so they will be a little more expensive to secure and install.

Pocket French Doors: $235 – $810
Installation: $500 – $1,020
Total: $735 – $1,830

When installing double or French pocket models, the largest cost consideration is in the demolition, rewiring and framing of the space required. Consult with a professional to get a quote for the project.

Demolishing an Interior Wall

One of the major expenses involved in inserting a boxed roller door into an existing wall is the cost of demolishing or deconstructing the wall where it will be placed. This type of project will fall in the $1,300 to $5,000 price range. Provided there is no asbestos or another hazardous issue present, the cost should be toward the lower end.

Remodeling and Other Price Factors

Installing a pocket door in an existing wall is not a minor upgrade but an expensive remodeling project. Here are a few factors that could affect your budget:

Demolition of Wall: $1,300–$5,000
Electrical: $100+ per hour. If there is any electrical work in the wall where the door is to be located, you will need to hire a licensed electrician.
Plumbing: $125 per hour plus materials. If you must reroute pipes, you'll need a licensed plumber.
Mold Removal: $400–$6,000. If the home has had a moisture problem, you may need mold remediation technicians.
HVAC: $40–$200 per hour. This price to have your heating and cooling system or ductwork serviced does not include supplies.
Waste Removal: $0–$30,000. Waste removal costs can range considerably depending on the material.

Get a Pocket Door Installed. Call a Pro.

Pocket Door Costs vs. Regular Doors

A standard, hinged, interior door costs anywhere from $60 to $1,000 depending on the type and features. The cost of a pocket door is not much different since it is simply a slab rather than a pre-fitted interior door with a cut handle hole.

The major difference between the two is the price of having them installed. It will cost you between $1,000 and $3,500 to have a pocket door installed in an existing wall. The rate charged by a professional to hang a standard model is $150 to $200. If the old frame is in poor condition, an extra $100 to $150 may be added to the cost of having a pre-hung unit installed, depending on your location.

Ease of installation: It is much easier to install a hinged door than a pocket door. Boxed roller doors require special framing built into the wall to form their compartment. Regular doors may need some minor inletting for the hinges and latch. These are minor operations when compared with the work of rebuilding a wall involved when hanging a pocket door.
Insulation and sound: Having a jam, standard doors fit more snuggly than pocket doors. This makes them better at providing both noise insulation and airflow control.
Space in the room: Regular doors must swing to open. They need about 10 square feet of floor space to function. Lateral-running doors take up no floor area.
Size on the wall: A standard door costs you the wall area behind them when open. A pocket door makes this area usable for decorating or furniture.
Durability: Both doors can be equally durable with one added caveat. A pocket door is only as durable as its hardware. Cheap tracts will not last and give a durability edge to standard doors. Exterior pocket doors also require careful installation and a solid frame to ensure that the seals are water tight.
Maintenance and repairs: You will need to keep the tracts and rollers lubricated, adjusted and free of debris. With half the track inside the wall, this can be problematic. If they run into a noticeable problem, having them repaired could be $150 to $350.
ROI and Resale Value: Pocket units are considered design features. Although cost-return data is insufficient for pocket doors, the similar barn door increases resale value and helps homes sell more quickly. Sliding styles give your home more character and convenience which can help improve its sale when installed correctly. "We've found that barn doors have the same benefits that pocket doors do, but at a fraction of the cost," says Bob Tschudi, a Raleigh, NC-based GC. "We just did a barn door for a pantry in a very tight urban space and it not only looks good, but there is no wasted space."

Cost of Replacing Pocket Doors

There is rarely a reason to replace a pocket door, but the cost could run close to a new installation, between $1,000 and $3,500. Replacement doors themselves are the same as new ones priced from $60 to $1,000 or more for custom, hand-carved models.

If your door develops hardware problems, it can become expensive. Complete hardware kits run $65 to $350, not including labor costs.

Replacing the top rollers on most doors is a straightforward procedure for handy homeowners. However, if you damage a track to the point that it needs replacing, that could require reopening the wall.

DIY Installation vs. Hiring Pro

Installing a sliding pocket model as a DIY project will run between $235 and $1,650.

First, you'll need to make sure that the wall you'd like to use is not load-bearing, that it is large enough to house the pocket and that you do not damage any plumbing or electrical work during demo or reconstruction. "You can install a pocket door on a load-bearing wall, but it requires the help of a structural engineer," says Bob Tschudi. "The engineer can specify what type of support above the door is needed."

Next, you will need the right tools for the job. If you don't want to buy, you may be able to rent them. This will run $70 to $175.

Other expenses include the:

Door: $60–$1,000
Building materials: $100–$250
Hardware Kit: $65–$350
Miscellaneous Supplies: $10–$20

If you do not have the technical expertise required, find a local pro who can safely complete the install. Tearing into a load-bearing wall jeopardizes the structural integrity of your home. Improperly leveling the tracks will cause the door to roll into the lower position until fixed. For these and many other reasons, the price of hiring a professional is more than justified.

Find the Best Pocket Door Installers Near You

FAQs

What is a pocket door?

A pocket door is a sliding door that disappears into the wall when open. They use no floor or wall space and add an architectural flair to a home.

Are pocket doors more expensive than standard prehung interior doors?

Installing a pocket door is two to five times more expensive than installing a standard, pre-hung interior style. However, maintenance cost is virtually identical to its standard hinged counterpart. Long term, they pay for themselves in increased equity, adding 13% to a home's resale value.

How much does it cost to remove a pocket door, and can you DIY it?

The removing a boxed roller door will range from $950 to $2,750. It is equivalent to the cost of building a new wall. Experienced DIYer's can remove a pocket door as a DIY project, but it should be approached with caution. It requires demolition, construction and finishing skills that are generally reserved for licensed contractors.

What is the standard size or opening of the pocket door?

Slab doors come in sizes to fit most standard door openings. Their height will be either 78 or 80 inches. The chart below will help you determine the proper width for your home.

Size	Width
2' 0"	24"
2' 2"	26"
2' 4"	28"
2' 6"	30"
2' 8"	32"
3' 0"	36"
4' 0"	48"

How do you frame or retrofit a pocket door?

Framing and adding a pocket door framing is not a task for an inexperienced homeowner. The below is an outline of the basic steps that your hired professional will perform for the installation.

Demolition and rewiring of plumbing, electrical and ductwork to make a space in the wall.
Frame the opening. If it's in a load-bearing wall, consult a structural engineer to ensure the correct header is installed.
Insert new frame and shim.
Attach hardware.
Hang door.
Rebuild exterior wall.
Complete trim and finish.

Learn More. Call The Best Door Installers.

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Can I Hang New Pocket Door if Track Is Still in Place

Source: https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/doors-and-windows/install-a-pocket-door/