How to Install Sliding Closet Doors

Sliding closet doors free up valuable floor space since they move along a track instead of swinging open, giving you more freedom to arrange furniture however you like.
Installing sliding closet doors is a manageable home improvement project with significant functional advantages, and should follow these simple guidelines to achieve success.

Why Sliding Closet Doors Beat Regular Doors

• A regular closet door needs room to swing open – about 9 square feet you can’t use for anything else. Sliding doors? Zero floor space required.
• You also see your whole closet at once instead of half at a time, like with those folding doors that always break. Everything’s right there when you open it.
• Regular doors have hinges that get loose. Folding doors jump off their tracks constantly. Sliding doors just… slide. Simple.
• Clean lines, no door sticking out into the room. Fits the style people want now.

What This Project Costs

1. Cheap hollow doors start around $60-80 for most closets. They’re light and easy to work with, but feel flimsy.
2. Wood doors cost more – $200-400, depending on type and size. Heavy, but they last forever and look expensive.
3. Mirror doors run $120-250. These make small rooms look bigger, which is nice if your bedroom’s cramped.
4. Expect to spend an additional $40–80 on quality hardware. Investing in durable rollers and tracks prevents future issues like jamming or misalignment.
5. Figure $100-500 total if you do it yourself. Hiring someone adds $150-300, but it might be worth it for heavy doors.

Tools You Need

1. A cordless drill works best. Get one that’s got some power – cheap ones struggle with the screws you’ll be using.
2. A measuring tape that’s at least 25 feet long. Short ones are useless for this job.
3. Level that’s 4 feet long. Those little 2-foot levels don’t cut it for installing tracks straight.
4. Safety glasses because you’ll be drilling overhead, and metal shavings hurt.
5. Stud finder helps, but you can find studs by tapping on the wall and listening for solid spots.
6. Screwdrivers, pencil, hacksaw for cutting trim if needed.

Getting Measurements Right

• Measure width at top, middle, and bottom. Write down the smallest number – that’s what you order doors for.
• Do the same for height – left side and right side. Again, use the smaller number.
• Check if your opening is square by measuring both sides diagonally, corner to corner. Numbers should match within 1/4 inch. If they don’t, your frame’s crooked and needs fixing first.
• Most bedroom closets are 60-72 inches wide and 80 inches tall, but don’t assume – measure yours.

Getting Old Doors Out

Hinged doors: Pop the hinge pin with a hammer and nail set. Lift the door off the hinges. Unscrew hinges from frame.

Folding doors: These are tricky. Lift slightly and pull the bottom pivot out of the floor socket. The top should clear the upper track. Watch out – they’re heavier than they look.

Old sliding doors: Lift straight up to clear the bottom track, then pull forward out of the top track.

Clean everything after the old doors are out. Vacuum dust and wipe down the opening.

Installing the Top Track

• Find studs across the whole opening. You need solid wood to screw into, not just drywall.
• Mark the center line of where the track goes. Use your level – has to be perfectly straight, or doors won’t work right.
• Drill pilot holes slightly smaller than your screws. Prevents wood from splitting.
• Install screws a little at a time, checking level as you go. Don’t tighten one end completely before starting the other end.
• Use 2.5 or 3-inch screws into solid framing. Anything shorter won’t hold the weight.

Putting Hardware on Doors

Follow whatever instructions came with your doors exactly. Usually, hardware goes 2-3 inches from each edge.

1. Use the templates if they give you any. Makes placement consistent.
2. Test hardware on track before hanging doors. It should roll smooth across the whole thing.

Hanging the Doors

1. Because closet doors are large and heavy, it’s best to have an extra set of hands during installation for both safety and precision.
2. Put the back door on first -the one slides behind the other.
3. Line up the rollers with the track and set them in. Should click into place.
4. Check that the door hangs straight up and down. Most hardware lets you adjust this.
5. Now do the front door the same way.

Bottom Guide Goes In

1. This keeps doors from swinging in and out but lets them slide sideways.
2. Goes right where the doors meet when they’re closed – dead center of the opening.
3. Mark spots carefully. If it’s off-center, doors won’t work right.
4. Most guides just screw into the floor with small screws.
5. Test doors after installing the guide. Should slide easy without catching.

When Things Go Wrong

• Doors won’t slide smooth: Clean tracks with a vacuum and a damp rag. Check if the track’s level and screwed in tight.
• Doors won’t close all the way: The Track might be too far back in the opening. Doors need to overlap about an inch when closed.
• Doors fall off track: Bottom guide is probably in the wrong spot, or the rollers are worn out.
• Noisy doors: Need lubrication, or the hardware is loose.

Keeping Doors Working

• Clean tracks once a month. Dust and junk build up and make doors stick.
• Check screws every few months. Things get loose from the doors, sliding back and forth.
• Oil rollers once a year. Don’t use too much – attracts dirt.
• Wood doors might need a new stain or paint every few years.

Picking Door Types

Hollow doors are the cheapest and lightest, but feel cheap too. Fine for spare bedrooms.

Wood doors cost more but last forever and look good. Heavy though – need strong hardware.

Mirror doors make rooms look bigger. Handle carefully – broken mirror’s expensive and dangerous.

Mixed materials give you the middle ground – better than hollow, lighter than solid wood.

Type of Closet Door	Average Cost
Basic sliding closet door	$150 – $300
Mirrored sliding closet door	$200 – $500
Glass panel sliding doors	$400 – $800
Custom-built closet sliding doors	$700 – $1,500+

Getting Help vs Doing It Yourself

• Heavy doors over 50 pounds need two people. Hefty ones might require professional installation.
• If you need to modify the opening or strengthen the header, that’s carpenter work.
• Some warranties require professional installation.
• If you’re busy or not handy, paying someone saves weekend time and frustration.

Safety Stuff

• Use ladders right – don’t overreach, move the ladder instead.
• Sliding doors, especially solid wood or mirrored styles, can weigh over 50 pounds. Always have a partner assist to avoid injury.
• Wear safety glasses when drilling or cutting.
• Make sure the bottom guides don’t stick up where people can trip.

Making It Look Professional

• Keep gaps even around doors. Measure and mark if needed.
• Doors should hang straight and parallel when closed.
• Should slide with light touch – no forcing needed.
• All hardware is tight with no gaps or wobbling.

Finishing Up

• Install trim pieces to hide track hardware. Most door kits include basic trim.
• Touch up paint to match the room. Small details make a big difference in how it looks.
• Test doors a bunch of times before calling it done.

Making It Last

• Sound installation lasts decades with basic maintenance.
• Don’t force stuck doors – figure out what’s wrong and fix it.
• Hardware might need replacing after 10-15 years of heavy use, but doors and tracks usually outlast that.
• Better hardware keeps coming out, so you can upgrade later.

This covers everything you need to know. Take your time with measurements and installation – rushing causes problems.

Personal Experience

• In my own projects, I’ve noticed that mirror sliding doors can completely change the feel of a small bedroom by doubling the perception of space.
• I recommend always spending a little extra on hardware—cheap rollers are the number one reason homeowners call me back for repairs.

FAQs

How Can You Install Sliding Closet Doors If My Opening Is a Nonstandard Size?

In these instances, custom-made or customized tracks and doors may need to be ordered or tailored accordingly for installation.

Can a sliding door be installed on a carpeted floor?

Yes, but to prevent them dragging, additional features like raised bottom tracks or side-mounted guides would need to be in place such as side mounted guides to stop this dragging.

Can you explain the differences between bypass sliding and bifold closet doors?

Sliding doors travel along an inclined track while bi-folds fold open like accordions to save more space in an interior room than simply folding away. Sliding saves even more room.

On average, how long will it take me to install sliding closet doors myself?

On average, 2-4 hours is required.