How to Hang a Barn Door (A Step-By-Step Guide)

Posted by The Barn Door Hardware Store on Feb 2nd 2024

Barn doors are a distinguished and delightful element of the farmhouse aesthetic.

They are quintessential farm-style doors that slide (rather than swing) open and provide a cost-effective way to add character to your home – creating excellent transitional pieces that connect rooms with a natural fluidity.

Installing a barn door feature is a relatively simple home improvement activity that can be completed easily within an afternoon.

This blog post presents a hands-on, step-by-step guide on how to hang a barn door using The Barn Door Hardware Store’s hardware kits! We’ll discuss:

Choosing the right barn door for your needs
Gathering the right tools
Installation, step by step
Adding the finishing touches.

Let’s get into it!

Choosing the Right Barn Door and Door Hardware

Before purchasing your barn door and hardware, you must first be sure of the size and dimensions you are working with.

Measuring a doorway for a barn door differs slightly from measuring for a regular swing door.

This is because you will need a different side for a sliding door than a traditional swinging door for the same size opening.

With barn doors, you will need a door that is slightly larger than the opening (doorway).

This will ensure that the barn door covers the opening completely and prevents light or sounds from slipping through the edges of the door. Having a larger door also ensures privacy, and simply looks better!

To determine the width of the barn door you need, simply measure the opening (doorway) from one side to the other and then add two inches to your width measurement.

Adding two inches to your measurement will ensure your door is big enough to avoid having gaps when the door is closed, which will subsequently ensure privacy, prevent light from coming through, and have a better appearance.

To determine the height of your barn door, measure the doorway from the floor to the top of the opening and add one inch to the measurement.

NOTE: If your opening/doorway has molding frames, always measure to the outside edges of the molding.

You also need to consider the size of your barn door hardware track. This track size should be at least twice the size of your predetermined door width to ensure that the door will completely uncover the opening when opened.

A correctly-sized sliding hardware track will provide a smooth and effective operation of a barn door!

Now that you have a good idea of the size of door you require, it’s time to choose the perfect barn door.

There are multiple different types of barn door hardware available in the market.

Make sure you choose and purchase the right kit for your wants and needs.

Most purchase kits on the market are specific to the type of barn door you are wanting to install, and include all the hardware and materials needed.

Note: The hardware kits do not include the barn door itself. Doors are sold separately!

Sliding barn door hardware kit

A single sliding barn door requires one track and door and is the most basic and easy-to-install option.

Purchasing a sliding barn door hardware kit will ensure you have everything you need to install a single barn door.

Double barn door hardware kit

A double barn door track is designed to hold two sliding barn doors. The two barn doors come together to close off a large doorway.

A double barn door hardware kit includes all the supplies you need to install a double barn door feature.

Bypass barn door hardware kit

As the name would suggest, bypass barn doors and tracks allow two barn doors to bypass each other.

Both doors can slide across the track without coming into contact. If you are looking to install this type of barn door, ensure you purchase a bypass barn door hardware kit.

Ceiling mount barn door hardware kit

If you cannot install a barn door on the wall due to space limitations, it may make sense to install the barn door track on the ceiling.

Further, you may wish to opt for a ceiling-mounted barn door for a unique and modern look. To do so, you will need to purchase a ceiling-mount sliding barn door hardware kit.

Bifold barn door hardware kit

Bifold barn doors are another unique feature in which each barn door has hinges in the middle so that they can both slide across and open up.

Folding doors can be a great choice for indoor spaces as they help to create space and improve aesthetic appeal! A bifold sliding barn door hardware kit is needed to install this type of barn door.

Gathering Tools and Materials

Once you know what type of barn door you wish to hang, and have purchased the door itself and related hardware kit, set aside some time for the installation.

First things first, you’ll need to gather the necessary tools and materials that you’ll be using, including:

Hanger/rollers
Hex bolts
Door stoppers
Hex wrench
Junction plate
U Brackets
Bolts
Connectors
Wheels
Spacers.

Note: the hardware kit you purchase will include all the necessary hardware and parts that are mentioned above!

Different track lengths come with different quantities of hardware. Be sure to check the hardware kit manual to make sure you have everything you need before installation.

You will also need:

A tape measure
A drill
A pencil
A level.

Installing the Hardware

When you have everything you need, it’s time to install the barn door track! Keep reading for step-by-step instructions.

The instructions below are for hanging a bypass sliding barn door using The Barn Door Hardware Store’s hardware kits.

Refer to the instruction manual included with your hardware kit for more specific instructions and visual cues and diagrams.

Note: The installation process will slightly vary depending on the type of barn door and track you are hanging.

Installing a mounting board above your door opening

A mounting board will hold the weight of the barn door. It should be the same length (or slightly bigger, than the door track).
Secure the mounting board to the wall with a power drill and screws.

Installing the track hardware above the door opening, onto the mounting board

Using a pencil, draw a horizontal line for where your track will be placed, using the following formula (½” + Door Height + ½”). This line will be used to line up horizontally to the center of the track
Find all the studs (included in your kit) and lay your track on the wall. Use a level to make sure the track is straight. Ensure the line you drew previously, lines up horizontally to the center of the track, and that each stud is in line with each hole
Mark the center of each hole’s position using your pencil
Drill the first marked hole into the mounting board using a 3/16” drill bit
Install the lag bolt and spacer into the first hole (referring to the manual diagram and instructions)
Repeat the drilling process for the remaining holes
Install the door stoppers in an approximate position where you want the doors to stop (referring to the manual diagram and instructions).

Installing other hardware features

Drill the holes for the hangers according to the dimensions given in your instruction manual specific to your hardware kit
Install the anti-jump pads on the top edge of the door, following manufacturer's instructions. It is suggested that you mount these right below the track

Hanging the Barn Door

Now that your hardware is in place, it’s time to place the door on the track.

You may need two people for this part of the process:

Lift your door at a slight angle
Rest both wheel grooves onto the top of the track carefully
Once the door is in place, install floor guides following manufacturers' instructions
Carefully slide the door across the track to ensure it is sliding smoothly and is secure. Ensure that the door is level.

Adding Finishing Touches

Installing the door handle

Select where you want the door handle to go and secure it with a drill and screws. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions and diagrams specific to the door handle

Installing the floor guide

Install the floor guide in your own preferred location, depending on how you want the door to slide! After the door is hung to the track, you will be able to locate where you want the floor guide to be installed, according to your sliding preference
Put the floor guide hardware together following the picture diagram provided in your hardware kit
Fasten the screws loosely, but just enough to hold them together
Locate the area where the two doors overlap when fully shut. Have the floor guide installed on the inside door
Mark the dotted guides on the location of the inside door (following the provided diagram)
Install the floor guide to the area you have marked. Adjust the floor guide to suit door thickness
Once in place, fasten the screws tightly so that the adjustment does not shift out of place
Set the door inside the track.

Installation is complete!

Conclusion

A barn door can be a stylish and practical addition to your home, and installation is relatively simple!

Be sure to follow the specific instruction manual included in the hardware kit provided by your manufacturer.

Refer to any diagrams included in the manual to ensure you are installing the hardware correctly.

If you are unsure about any step or think you may be missing a part(s), consult with the manufacturer directly!