Do you need a header over a pocket door?

Pocket doors that are 4 feet wide would require a header that spans the opening of 8 feet, plus another 4 feet on each side where the doors tuck away. It’s 16 feet long, heavy, unwieldy and often constructed of two 2-by-10s or more depending on the load above.

Can you replace a pocket door with a regular door?





A sliding pocket door can easily be replaced with a standard swinging door.

How do you remove a pocket door without removing molding?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Older style pocket doors ride on a J track to remove the door tilt the bottom out and lift it straight up to get the wheels off the track then remove the door.

Can you remove door header?

Yes, you can remove that. Its purpose was solely to support drywall and whatever door or trim was installed. It is a header, just not a load-bearing variety.

Is a pocket door wall load bearing?

The wall is load bearing. The supporting beam is there with supporting studs on both sides if opened up and would not need to be altered. There isn’t anything inside this wall area other than the pocket door frame which is attached to a supporting stud.

How do you make a pocket door header?





Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So what I like to do is put together a pattern or our story pole that helps me to know where all my headers are going to be set. Helps me to know where all my finished trim is going to be set.

Why are pocket doors not more popular?

Pocket doors were popular in the late 1800s, especially in Victorian houses. They had a resurgence of popularity in the 1950s. But because pocket doors from the past ran along raised tracks on the floor, the tracks were a tripping hazard, so builders and homeowners avoided pocket doors when possible.

Are pocket doors out of style?

Pocket doors are not a common door type found in homes today but have actually been around for centuries. In the past, the door type was actually considered a standard feature in an upscale home but this gradually went out of style. Swinging doors became the new ‘It’ feature and homes continue to use such doors today.

Are door headers load bearing?

The header for a door is much like a bridge, transferring the weight above it to the floor and foundation below. Doors in a load-bearing wall that holds the weight of the house, created by beams and trusses, need a larger header than those in non-load-bearing walls.

How do you install a new door header?



Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Before it is installed. Start by cutting two header boards three inches longer than your rough opening size then cut a piece of OSB or plywood to sandwich between the two header boards.

How do I add a new header?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Making sure that it's not sticking out on the ends or on the sides. Then you'll take your other 2×4. And place it on top make sure that it's nice and square.

How do you make a door header for a load-bearing wall?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: And cut these up into pieces for whatever size header needs so if it's 39 and a quarter it's going to take for uh two of these two ply for a two by four wall so i'll cut this one 39. And a quarter.

How do you strengthen a pocket door on a wall?



Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: The clips work with either 5 8 inch or three quarter inch plywood depending on which pocket door frame you use the solid plywood allows you to hang heavy objects.

How can I tell if a wall is load-bearing?

Step 1: Determine Whether a Wall Is Load-Bearing or Not

  1. Check an unfinished basement or attic to see which way the joists run.
  2. If the wall runs parallel to the joists, it’s probably not load-bearing.
  3. If it’s perpendicular, it most likely is a load-bearing wall.


How can you tell if a wall is load-bearing without removing drywall?

Generally, when the wall in question runs parallel to the floor joists above, it is not a load-bearing wall. But if the wall runs perpendicular (at a 90-degree angle) to the joists, there is a good chance that it is load-bearing.

Do I need a structural engineer to remove a load-bearing wall?



If the wall is not load-bearing, then it shouldn’t be a problem to remove, provided you know what you’re doing and take all the necessary precautions. If, however, the wall is load-bearing, you may need to get help from a structural engineer who can provide you with a structural engineer’s report.

What happens if you knock out a load-bearing wall?

Removing a load bearing wall may create structural problems in a home, including sagging ceilings, unleveled floors, drywall cracks, and sticking doors.

How expensive is it to remove a load-bearing wall?

To remove a load-bearing wall, construction will likely cost between $1,200 and $3,000 if you have a single-story home, and between $3,200 and $10,000 for multi-story homes. For a partition wall, the cost is between $300 and $1,000.

Can I remove one stud from a load-bearing wall?

As pointed out in the comments, you can’t simply cut a load bearing stud without any issues. Some sort of temporary support must be put in place to carry the load before you cut into existing structure and not removed until the new structure is in place.