Does anyone have any thoughts on how to make a pocket door act as an exterior door in the winter? Outbuilding is divided in half between a screened-in porch and a closed-in guest room. Pocket door serves as go-between. Would like to be able to keep the closed-in part warm in the winter.
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This is an unusual application for a pocket door. Pockets do not normally have any weather stripping or insulation. Unless you build an insulated wall on one side, or fit 3/4 inch foam on the inner wall during construction, I can't think of any way to insulate this kind of door. You might be able to improve thermal performance with weather stripping around the opening and a flexible sweep along the bottom.
Considered a thermal pane slider, french door or conventional swing door to replace it? One of these options should fit in the same rough opening and would be more thermally suitable.
Considered a thermal pane slider, french door or conventional swing door to replace it? One of these options should fit in the same rough opening and would be more thermally suitable.
In addition to Tom's criticisms, I will add that pocket doors can be a REAL first-class nuisance. (And it's not like hinged doors are perfect, either!)
Their lighter-duty indoor cousins are a frequent problem area on these forums.
Regards,
-k2 in CO
Moderator, Miscellaneous Forum
http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Miscellaneous
Their lighter-duty indoor cousins are a frequent problem area on these forums.
Regards,
-k2 in CO
Moderator, Miscellaneous Forum
http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Miscellaneous
Kathleen,
I have a suggestion to soundproof your pocket doors that would serve a two fold purpose. There is a very good insulating as well as soundproofing material that could be adhered to the inner or outer surface of the pocket doors. It is a material called Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) for short. It is a black vinyl material that would be adhered to the face of the doors on either side (it makes no difference) and it would act as a thermal barrier as well as a soundproofing barrier. It is only 1/8" thick so it should not inhibit the doors operation in any way. However, it is a very heavy material and would need to be adhered to the pocket doors with an industrial strength contact cement, (something like 3M-77 or 3M-80) I would suggest that you remove the pocket doors in order to adhere the vinyl to them.
Once the doors are back in their runners you can paint them with a vinyl or latex paint to match the decor of the room.
Kathleen, you can find this and many other soundproofing and insulating products at
www.soundproofingamerica.com
I hope this helps you Kathleen.
Lyonhart!
Dr. Bob12
I have a suggestion to soundproof your pocket doors that would serve a two fold purpose. There is a very good insulating as well as soundproofing material that could be adhered to the inner or outer surface of the pocket doors. It is a material called Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) for short. It is a black vinyl material that would be adhered to the face of the doors on either side (it makes no difference) and it would act as a thermal barrier as well as a soundproofing barrier. It is only 1/8" thick so it should not inhibit the doors operation in any way. However, it is a very heavy material and would need to be adhered to the pocket doors with an industrial strength contact cement, (something like 3M-77 or 3M-80) I would suggest that you remove the pocket doors in order to adhere the vinyl to them.
Once the doors are back in their runners you can paint them with a vinyl or latex paint to match the decor of the room.
Kathleen, you can find this and many other soundproofing and insulating products at
www.soundproofingamerica.com
I hope this helps you Kathleen.
Lyonhart!
Dr. Bob12
