Do you want to add an impressive statement piece to your home? Are you looking for a modern and stylish solution to your door needs? Installing a sliding barn door can not only add unique style, but also provide much-needed functionality in many areas of the house. Sliding barn doors are the perfect choice for adding a trendy touch to any living space while providing privacy, noise suppression, and more.
Measuring for a sliding barn door is just as important or more important than selecting the right finish and hardware. Correct measurements will ensure that you have all of the necessary space for a smooth-operating sliding barn door, so read on for our comprehensive guide on how to measure for a sliding barn door and confidently order your ideal slider! Keep reading to learn more about the essential measurements that will make sure your sliding barn door is just right!
The Benefits of Having a Sliding Barn Door
1. Add Style
The benefits of a sliding barn door are endless! Used as a modern and stylish alternative to traditional hinged doors, a sliding barn door offers superior functionality in many areas of the home. They are perfect for tight spots where you don’t have enough space to open and close a hinged door and can be used on both interior and exterior spaces. A sliding barn door is a great way to add an impressive statement piece to your home that will make a lasting impression.
2. Provide Privacy and Noise Suppression
Sliding barn doors also offer privacy and noise suppression, making it easier to control sound levels in any space. This is especially useful in bedrooms or home offices where you may need some extra peace and quiet.
3. Save Space
Because of their unique design, sliding barn doors don’t take up any extra space when opened or closed. This is a great advantage if you have limited square footage in your home and need to make the most of it. No matter what size door you choose, it will never be an obstacle since it slides along the wall instead of swinging open.
Required Items to Measure for a Sliding Barn Door
Now that you know the benefits of having a sliding barn door, let’s talk about what you will need to measure before ordering. Here are the essential items you will need:
- The width of the space where the door will be installed
- The height from the floor or ceiling to the top track
- The height of the door itself
- The width of the door itself
- The thickness of the wall where the door will be installed
3 Steps on How To Measure for a Sliding Barn Door
Now that you know some of the benefits of having a sliding barn door, let’s take a look at how to measure for one. Taking proper measurements will ensure that your door will fit perfectly and operate smoothly. Here are the two types of measurements you need to take:
Step 1: Measure the Space
The first step in measuring for a sliding barn door is to measure the space where it will be installed. This helps determine how wide of a door you need, as well as whether or not any additional hardware needs to be purchased (such as tracks or mounting brackets). Here are some of the measurements you should take:
- The width from one side of the opening to the other
- The height from floor or ceiling to where you want the top track of your sliding barn door system
- If there is an existing wall mount or header, measure the distance between them.
Step 2: Measure the Door
The second step in measuring a sliding barn door is to measure the doors themselves. This helps ensure that you select the right size and style of door for your space. Here are some measurements you should take:
- The width of your door
- The height of your door
- The thickness (depth) of your door
Step 3: Determine the Required Clearance
The final step in measuring a sliding barn door is to determine the required clearance. This will ensure that your door opens and closes smoothly without hitting any obstacles. Here are the measurements you need to take:
- The height of the bottom track from the floor or ceiling
- The distance between the side of the wall and the edge of the door when it is opened
- The distance between the top track and the ceiling or bottom track.
8 Common Mistakes to Avoid when Measuring for a Sliding Barn Door
Knowing the correct measurements for your sliding barn door is essential to ensure a good fit and proper operation. Unfortunately, it’s easy to make mistakes if you don’t know what you’re doing. Here are eight common mistakes people make when measuring for a sliding barn door:
- Not accounting for door hardware. Door hardware can add up to an inch or more on each side of the door’s width and height. Make sure you account for these when measuring your doorframe.
- Not measuring twice. Measure twice, cut once! This is especially true when it comes to sliding barn doors. A few extra moments of double-checking your measurements can save you a lot of hassle down the road.
- Not measuring the entire doorframe. Just measuring the width and height of an opening isn’t enough when it comes to sliding barn doors. You also need to measure the thickness of the doorframe, as this will affect how your door fits.
- Forgetting about clearance space on all sides. You need to make sure there is enough clearance space around the door so it can move freely and not get stuck.
- Neglecting to measure the thickness of the wall. If you’re installing a standard sliding barn door, then this won’t be an issue as long as your walls are standard depth. However, if you have an unusual wall thickness, then this could affect the fit of your door.
- Not accounting for any unevenness in the walls or floor. Make sure to measure and account for any unevenness in both the walls and floor so you can make the necessary adjustments when installing your door.
- Trying to install a standard door on a non-standard opening. Not all doors are standard sizes. If your door opening is non-standard, then you’ll need to make adjustments to the door or frame accordingly.
- Not measuring for the track. Measure the length of the track you’ll need to hang your sliding barn door and add enough space on either side for proper clearance.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll be well on your way to a successful sliding barn door installation. With the right measurements and a bit of know-how, you’ll have a door that fits perfectly in no time.
Things to Keep in Mind While Measuring for a Sliding Barn Door
1 Right Equipment
When measuring a sliding barn door, there are a few things to keep in mind. First and foremost, make sure you have the right tools for the job. A tape measure that accurately reads inches is essential. You may also want to consider investing in a level for even more precise measurements.
2. Exact Measurements
When measuring for a sliding barn door, you will need to be especially precise. Make sure your measurements are exact and that you don’t leave anything to chance. If the measurements are off even by a fraction of an inch, it could affect how your door fits.
3. Clearance Space
When measuring for a sliding barn door, it’s important to remember that you will need enough clearance space on all sides of the door in order for it to move freely and not get stuck. Make sure you measure this and account for it when ordering or installing your door.
4. Professional Help
Finally, if you are at all unsure of your measurements or are having trouble getting everything to fit, don’t hesitate to call in a professional. They will be able to help you get the perfect sliding barn door for your home in no time.
Conclusion
Installing a sliding barn door is an excellent choice both functionally and aesthetically, and measuring for one should be carefully done. By leaving the appropriate allowances, carefully or accurately calculating the opening size, taking into account swing clearance, and measuring the header of the doorway, your barn door will fit snuggly in place.
It may take some extra effort to measure for a sliding barn door, but it can be extremely rewarding when you love the finished product. And don’t forget to add that perfect finishing touch with the handle or knob of your choosing! Taking time to research materials and explore options is important as well.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed during any part of this process, don’t hesitate to ask for help from professionals who are experienced in measuring such doors. Above all else, follow the steps outlined above on how to measure for a sliding barn door, and you’ll be sure to have a perfectly fitted barn door that serves its purpose with ease.
