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How to install a barn door

Arch frame with a clay coloured barn door in a bedroom.

Overview

Barn doors have a rustic and welcoming appeal, which makes them popular on Pinterest and in home décor magazines.

Along with adding charm to any living space, barn doors are also versatile statement pieces that can open up a room, section off a home office, or transform an awkward layout. They come in a variety of styles and are further customisable with hardware. Best of all, barn doors are easy and cost-effective to install.

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

Steps

1Check the space

First, walk around the doorway and ensure there's enough space for the door to slide. Make sure the door won't block any power sockets or light switches.
Team member checking the space with a measuring tape.

2Measure the space

Measure the entire opening. For an ideal fit, you are looking at a 50mm overhang on either side when the door is pushed open, and about a 10mm gap at the bottom once the door is hung and is on its track.
Team member measuring the space.

3Mark and cut the mounting board

You will need to use a mounting board to fix the door to your wall. This prevents the door from dragging and scraping the wall. This board must be the length of the track that holds the door, plus 50mm on either end.
Team member marking the mounting board.

4Measure the track centre line

To attach the mounting board to the wall, you will first need to find the centre line for the track on the wall. The standard height is the height of the door plus 43mm. However, this can vary, depending on the door you choose.
Team member using a level on the wall and marking with a pencil.

5Find the studs

Barn doors are heavy and need plenty of support to prevent damage or injury. They need to be secured correctly. Attaching a mounting board to the wall studs will do this.

Using a stud finder, find all the stud locations in the wall above the door and along the length of the mounting board—mark these points on the centre line.

Team member finding the studs with a stud finder.

6Prep the mounting board

Use the previous measurements we took from the wall in Step # 4 to mark the stud points on the mounting board.

Using a countersink drill bit, drill two holes at each stud point. Your track will be attached to the mounting board via screws, so mark the track holes onto the mounting board and pre-drill them, too.

Team member drilling into a mounting board.

7Attach the mounting board

With the help of an extra pair of hands, attach the mounting board with screws. Use a level to make sure everything is straight.
Team member attaching mounting board to a wall with a drill.

8Fill the holes and paint

Use wood putty to patch up the screw holes and sand them down lightly once the putty has dried. Paint the mounting board the same colour as the wall so it blends in.
Team member filling holes with filler.

9Attach the metal track

Using the included spacers, lag bolts and washers, attach the track to the mounting board. Check to make sure it’s straight and then tighten the bolts
Team member attaching the metal track to mounting board.

10Install stoppers

Slide a stopper onto each end of the track and tighten it with the hex key supplied in the kit.
Team member installing stoppers.

11Attach rollers to the door

Attaching the rollers might seem challenging, but if you use the templates that come with the hardware kit, it should be straightforward.

Using the templates, mark the holes and – using a spade bit – pre-drill them

Team member drilling a hole in a door.

12Install the anti-jump blocks

You’ll need to install anti-jump blocks on either end of the tracks to prevent the door from slipping off the track if you slide it too far.

To do this, measure 35mm from the inside of the rollers and 7mm from the face of the door. Do this on both ends. You will need to pre-drill holes to install the blocks. For now, tighten the screws just enough to place the anti-jump blocks in place.

Team member attaching anti-jump blocks with a drill.

13Hang the door

With the help of a friend, lift the door onto the track. Push the anti-jump blocks into position and then tighten the screws all the way. Slide the door along the track and check the stoppers are securely in place.
Team members hanging the door.

14Install door guides

Slide the door all the way open. Make sure the door is hanging straight by measuring the gap between the door and the wall on the top and bottom of the door (they should be the same measurement). Put the floor guide into the groove at the bottom of the door and mark holes on the floor for drilling. Drill the holes and secure the floor guide.
Team member installing door guides with a drill.

15Watch the full episode

For more renovation inspiration, watch Episode 3: Master Bedroom, Ensuite & Fernery renovation in our Make It Happen: The House Project series.

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Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.