Pocket Door Magic – Electrical Switches And Outlets Near The Door

Yes, I believe I’ve now earned the right to write a "how to" post on pocket door installation. One install and you know it all. Er, maybe not. But here is what I learned, in case you want to tackle one!

If you have found the most perfect flush pulls for your bedroom or bathroom door you can add pocket door jamb bolts for privacy locking. The jamb bolt is installed on the inside of the pocket door and operates like a rocker switch, physically preventing the door from returning to the pocket. There is a strike plate included that attaches to the door jamb to protect it from damage, as well as trim for an emergency release hole for outside the door in case someone accidentally gets locked inside.

This is a handy device for use as a privacy lock on pocket or sliding doors that do not have a lock installed. This pocket door jamb bolt is designed to be face mounted at the rear of a closed pocket door, acts as a privacy bolt to prevent door from opening. It works like a rocker switch. When pushed in, the other half pops out, physically preventing the door from returning into its pocket. For emergency access a small hole can be drilled through the door and a slim object can be inserted through the hole to flip the rocker closed. Made of solid brass and available in 7 popular finishes.

Sometimes the trim moulding is installed very close to the door. This gives you a very clean look, but it doesn’t allow much space for the pocket door pulls to clear the trim moulding when sliding the door in and out of the wall pocket. Most pocket door pulls will only require 3/32" clearance on both side of the door, however some will require 1/8" or more on both sides. Check the hardware’s specified projection (how far it sticks off the door’s face) to insure it can clear any existing trim mouldings

Once the frame is installed you drywall over the frame. Make sure you use short screws so that the screws don’t penetrate the frame and create a barrier for the door to slide. Next you’ll want to trim the door opening. You’ll need to install a narrow piece of jamb trim on each side of the door and also on the top (see the photo below). One of the pieces of jamb trim on the top will need to be easy to remove. If your door comes off the track the only way to re-install the door is to remove the trim so you can lift the door back on the track. If you notice in the photo we used some trim screws to attach one piece of the upper jamb trim.