Waterloo Mfg., Inc.

606 N. Bell Blvd.

Cedar Park, Texas 78613

(512) 219-1935

Waterloo Mfg., Inc.

606 N. Bell Blvd.

Cedar Park, Texas 78613

(512) 219-1935

Ordering: Information needed

The following information is needed to properly construct a pocket door frame!

1.  Unit Type;     "Single", "Double",  Or "Multipass".   A single unit is designed for a single door to slide into a single pocket. A double or converging unit is designed to accommodate two doors sliding into separate pockets and meeting in the center of a common opening. A Multipass unit is designed to accommodate 2 or more doors, all sliding into a common pocket. Multipass units can also be set up as a double or converging unit for 4 doors.

2.  Door Size;     width and height

3.  Door Thickness;    Standard 2x4 wood stud wall, (3-1/2" wide) will accommodate 1-1/8" to 1-3/8" thick doors only! 1-3/4" thick doors will not operate properly in a standard 3-1/2" thick wall!If a 1-3/4" thick door must be used, the simplest solution is to frame the wall with 2x6 wood studs, (5-1/2" wide) and order the pocket frame accordingly. If framing is already in place, "shimming" the studs to 4" wide is a possibility, and will allow enough room to install a 1-3/4" thick door.

4.  Wall Thickness;   This is the width of your framing material before the drywall or other wall covering is applied! If metal studs are being used, the width must be noted on the order. "Multipass" units will require thicker wall framing (minimum 7-1/4") than standard units.

5.  Thickness of drywall or other wall covering;   If the same thickness of wall covering is to be used on both sides of the wall, the unit can be installed facing either direction. If different thickness is to be used on opposite sides of a "single" unit, the unit must be "handed"! To determine the "hand" of a pocket door frame, picture your self standing in the opening where the door will be when it is in the closed position. Put your back against the front of the pocket that the door will slide into when it is in the open position. The side of the frame that is on your right is the "right hand" side of the frame, and the left side is the "left hand" side. "Double" or "Converging units" need not be handed, but must be ordered specifying the thickness of the wall coverings.

6.  Type of hardware:   Standard #125 series frame's hardware will have sleeve bearings and will accommodate doors weighing up to 125 Lbs. #200 series frame's hardware will have roller bearings, and will accommodate doors weighing up to 200 Lbs. #400 series frames will accommodate doors weighing up to 400 Lbs., but will require rough openings that are 1-1/2" taller than standard pocket door frames because of the larger size of the hardware at the top of the doors.

7.  Any other pertinent information;  Such as solid plywood sides or special split jambs, etc. Remember that pocket door frames are not to be used as a load bearing component. Consult your architect for information on structural configuration of walls and required headers above all door frames! 

Almost any configuration of doors can be used in a pocket door frame, from a single hollow core door to solid wood panel doors to wood frame doors with glass panels.

Doors that have applied moldings present a challenge and may require thicker than normal walls.