Interior Barn Door Hardware Buying Guide


Hal Barn Door - Second Door Kit - Bent Strap in Black Hal Barn Door - Second Door Kit - Bent Strap in Black

So you decided to save some space and add some style by installing a barn door in your home. Whether you salvaged an old door from an actual barn, purchased a prefabricated door, or even built your own, your door requires a unique set of hardware to properly install it.

To set your barn door apart from the rest—and function properly, you need to understand your hardware options.

60" Guffey Barn Door Hardware Kit

Barn Door Hardware Mounting Components


The hardware necessary for installing a barn door comprises of seven main components: a track, rollers, hangers, door guides, jump blocks, standoffs, and stops. Each piece of hardware serves to ensure proper door functionality and guarantee safety.

diagram showing barn door hardware mounting components
barn door roller
Roller

Rollers are mounted on the track and allow the door to open and close smoothly. Each door will require, at minimum, two rollers.

barn door track
Track

This heavy-duty bar, or rail, mounted above the door opening is how the door will hang, slide, open and close.

barn door hanger
Hanger

Door hangers attach the door to the rollers so that the door can be hung from the rail. Hangers come in a variety of materials, designs, and finishes to accommodate any design plan.

Adjustable Floor-Mount Barn Door Guide in Black
Guide

Door guides mount to the floor and prevent the door from swinging. They keep the door on track, which is important for safety and protecting your wall.

Standard Barn Door Stop Pair in Black
Stop

Stops are placed on the rail and prevent the door from opening too far and coming off-track. Doorstops are another critical piece of hardware to ensure safety.

Barn Door Anti-Jump Discs Pair in Black
Jump Block

A piece of metal or plastic, usually round or square, which is attached to the top of the door to block the door from jumping upward and off the track.

Barn Door Rail Standoff Spacer in Black
Standoff

Also called spacers, standoffs mount behind the track to create a gap between the track and the wall.

barn door connector
Connector

For applications that require more than one track, connectors connect two or more tracks end to end.

barn door roller
Roller

Rollers are mounted on the track and allow the door to open and close smoothly. Each door will require, at minimum, two rollers.

barn door track
Track

This heavy-duty bar, or rail, mounted above the door opening is how the door will hang, slide, open and close.

barn door hanger
Hanger

Door hangers attach the door to the rollers so that the door can be hung from the rail. Hangers come in a variety of materials, designs, and finishes to accommodate any design plan.

Adjustable Floor-Mount Barn Door Guide in Black
Guide

Door guides mount to the floor and prevent the door from swinging. They keep the door on track, which is important for safety and protecting your wall.

Standard Barn Door Stop Pair in Black
Stop

Stops are placed on the rail and prevent the door from opening too far and coming off-track. Doorstops are another critical piece of hardware to ensure safety.

Barn Door Anti-Jump Discs Pair in Black
Jump Block

A piece of metal or plastic, usually round or square, which is attached to the top of the door to block the door from jumping upward and off the track.

Barn Door Rail Standoff Spacer in Black
Standoff

Also called spacers, standoffs mount behind the track to create a gap between the track and the wall.

barn door connector
Connector

For applications that require more than one track, connectors connect two or more tracks end to end.


Factors to Consider

Barn door mounting rails are available in a variety of lengths, most commonly 60"(5ft), 72"(6ft), and 84"(7ft). You will need a door that is slightly wider than the opening in the wall, usually by about 2". The door will also need to be taller than a standard door to reach the rail. This allows you some flexibility for larger door openings or double-door setups. More narrow passages may require a rail that can be custom cut to a shorter length, and openings larger than 7' may need two or more rails mounted side-by-side to get to the size that you need. Measure the width of your opening before you begin searching for hardware, so that you are already familiar with what to look for.

If you have already chosen a door, it helps to know its size and weight specifications to select hardware to install it. The door's height, width, thickness, and weight will all play a factor in the required hardware. All barn door hardware kits will have minimum and maximum requirements for each one of these size attributes, so make sure that your door is compatible.

Letcher Bi-Fold Barn Door Hardware - 72" Opening

Decorative Door Hardware

From a design standpoint, it's important that you select a set of barn door hardware that blends well with the features of your door and the decor throughout the room that it's going into. Barn doors and barn door hardware come in an array of styles ranging from modern to rustic. Choose a set that fits seamlessly into your space.

Kobe Solid Brass Door Pull in Antique Brass
Door Pulls

Adding a door pull to your barn door gives you a handle to easily grasp to open and close from the outside. On the inside of the door, install a matching pocket door pull so that you have something to grasp from either side.

Four Curl Cast Iron Dummy Strap Hinge in Rust
Faux Hinge Straps

Another easy way to add authenticity to a rustic interior barn door is by attaching faux hinge straps to the outer edges of the door or doors. They’ll give your sliding barn door the appearance that it opens like a traditional hinged barn door.

Elongated Pop-Out Brass Pocket Door Pull in Satin Brass
Privacy Locks

If you're hanging your barn door at the entrance of a bedroom or bathroom, you'll probably want the option to lock the door from the inside. There are several types of hardware that can be used to lock a barn door, such as hook latches, hasps, teardrop locks, and pocket door locks.

Kobe Solid Brass Door Pull in Antique Brass
Door Pulls

Adding a door pull to your barn door gives you a handle to easily grasp to open and close from the outside. On the inside of the door, install a matching pocket door pull so that you have something to grasp from either side.

Four Curl Cast Iron Dummy Strap Hinge in Rust
Faux Hinge Straps

Another easy way to add authenticity to a rustic interior barn door is by attaching faux hinge straps to the outer edges of the door or doors. They’ll give your sliding barn door the appearance that it opens like a traditional hinged barn door.

Elongated Pop-Out Brass Pocket Door Pull in Satin Brass
Privacy Locks

If you're hanging your barn door at the entrance of a bedroom or bathroom, you'll probably want the option to lock the door from the inside. There are several types of hardware that can be used to lock a barn door, such as hook latches, hasps, teardrop locks, and pocket door locks.

Quick Installation Notes

  • When mounting the rail or the track, do not mount directly to drywall. Secure the rail to wall studs or prepared wood blocking. If the mounting holes do not line up with the studs in your wall, secure a mounting board to the wall, then fasten the rail to the mounting board. Ensure that the mounting board is attached to the studs.

  • Some barn door rails do not come with pre-drilled mounting holes. This allows the installer to drill their own holes, ensuring that they line up with the studs in the wall. If this is the case, make sure that the drilled mounting holes are evenly spaced, and that you can use mounting screws close to each end of the rail. If not, you may still need to use a mounting board for proper installation.

  • The existing door jamb will no longer be needed, so removing it is simply a style choice. If you want to minimize labor and the jamb being there doesn’t bother you, then leave it. Removing it will require some woodwork, sanding, painting, and likely some drywall repair, but the result is a much cleaner and finished look.

  • After the rail is installed, attach the straps and rollers to your barn door. Hang your barn door on the rail before installing the guides or stops. This will make it much easier to determine where the guides and stops will need to be mounted in relation to the door.

  • Most importantly, do not take any shortcuts when installing your new barn door. Follow all installation instructions closely or consult a professional if needed. Barn doors and their hardware are heavy, and safety takes priority.

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