Most customers come to this page after their hardware kit is already on the way — and that's fine. But if you're still in the planning stage, it's worth spending two minutes here before you check out. In our experience since 2016, the accessories customers most often wish they'd ordered with their kit aren't decorative extras. They're functional components that affect how the door operates every single day.
The Accessory Most Customers Forget: The Wall-Mounted Floor Guide
Most of our hardware kits include a floor-mounted floor guide by default. But if your flooring is finished hardwood, tile, or anything you'd rather not drill into, you need a wall-mounted floor guide instead — and it's not included in the kit. This is the single most common accessory gap we see after an order ships.
A floor guide keeps the bottom of your door from swinging away from the wall when it's open or closed. Without one, the door will drift and bang — especially in a hallway or any space with air movement. The wall-mounted version does the same job as the floor-mounted guide, but it anchors to the baseboard or wall instead of the floor, so your flooring stays untouched.
If you're installing over finished flooring, add a wall-mounted floor guide to your order before you check out. It's a small addition that prevents a frustrating callback.
Soft Close and Soft Stop — Worth It or Not?
Soft close and soft stop mechanisms are the most common upgrade customers ask about, and the honest answer is: it depends on the door and the location. For a bedroom door — especially in a home with kids or in a shared wall situation — a soft close is worth every penny. The door decelerates as it approaches the end of the track rather than slamming into the door stop, which reduces noise and wear on the hardware over time.
For a pantry or laundry room where the door is opened and left, or for a very lightweight door, the benefit is less pronounced. We're happy to help you think through whether it makes sense for your specific setup — just reach out before you order.
Track Joiners and Extra Rollers
Track joiners are needed when your opening is wider than a single track length can span, or when you need to route the track around an obstacle like a light switch or outlet. Two track sections connect end-to-end with a joiner bracket to form a seamless run. If you're covering an opening wider than 12 feet, this is likely your solution.
Extra rollers are worth having on hand if you're hanging a particularly heavy door or if you're building a custom door where the weight distribution isn't centered. They're also useful to have as a spare — rollers are the component most subject to wear over years of daily use, and having a replacement ready means you're not waiting on a shipment when one eventually needs swapping out.
Not Sure What You Need?
If you've already ordered a kit and aren't sure which accessories apply to your installation, email us at info@thebarndoorhardwarestore.com. Tell us your kit, your flooring type, and your trim situation, and we'll tell you exactly what to add. We're available seven days a week and we'd rather answer the question now than troubleshoot it after install.
