I am going to attempt to install some sliding doors from B&Q (i am a
novice at DIY) and was wondering if anyone has done this and got any
tips. One of my concerns is the fact the doors are not as tall as the
ceiling and I believe that you can buy some spacers but cant find too
much information on how they work. Also where we plan to put the
doors it is currently carpeted - do you need to take the carpet up to
install the tracks? And lastly both walls have skirting - do you have
to cut the skirting to install the tracks? If anyone has any good
links with detailed instructions I would be most grateful.

Thanks

ICTUser

On 24 May 2007 01:47:18 -0700, ICT User
mused:

I am going to attempt to install some sliding doors from B&Q (i am a
novice at DIY) and was wondering if anyone has done this and got any
tips. One of my concerns is the fact the doors are not as tall as the
ceiling and I believe that you can buy some spacers but cant find too
much information on how they work. Also where we plan to put the
doors it is currently carpeted - do you need to take the carpet up to
install the tracks? And lastly both walls have skirting - do you have
to cut the skirting to install the tracks? If anyone has any good
links with detailed instructions I would be most grateful.

I generally frame the opening out with 4x1 so you've got something
sturdy\square etc... to fix to all the way around. I'd cut the
skirting and carpet out.
--
Regards,
Stuart.

ICT User wrote:
I am going to attempt to install some sliding doors from B&Q (i am a
novice at DIY) and was wondering if anyone has done this and got any
tips. One of my concerns is the fact the doors are not as tall as the
ceiling and I believe that you can buy some spacers but cant find too
much information on how they work. Also where we plan to put the
doors it is currently carpeted - do you need to take the carpet up to
install the tracks? And lastly both walls have skirting - do you have
to cut the skirting to install the tracks? If anyone has any good
links with detailed instructions I would be most grateful.

It's a while since I fitted any of these, but as I remember it they come
with ceiling fittings consisting of two plastic brackets (one for the
ceiling and one for the upper track) and an aluminium tube about two
feet long that goes between them. You cut the aluminium tube to the
correct length to suit your ceiling height. Full measurement
instructions are in the pack. You can then screw a piece of melamine
onto the brackets to cover the gap. There is a couple of inches
adjustment in the door fittings to take up any minor errors or level
problems.

Providing the carpet is not too luxurious, you should have no problem
screwing the lower track to the floor through the carpet. You can butt
the track right up to the skirting, but the door will also only butt up
to the skirting - not right the way to the wall. You can use a strip of
wood or melamine screwed to the wall to fill the gap.

I found that the instructions in the packs were very clear and easy to
follow. The only drawback I found was that the systems are not very
rugged and will only stand up to children and teenagers for a couple of
years!

HTH,

Roger.

Lurch wrote:
On 24 May 2007 01:47:18 -0700, ICT User
mused:

I am going to attempt to install some sliding doors from B&Q (i am a
novice at DIY) and was wondering if anyone has done this and got any
tips. One of my concerns is the fact the doors are not as tall as the
ceiling and I believe that you can buy some spacers but cant find too
much information on how they work. Also where we plan to put the
doors it is currently carpeted - do you need to take the carpet up to
install the tracks? And lastly both walls have skirting - do you have
to cut the skirting to install the tracks? If anyone has any good
links with detailed instructions I would be most grateful.

I generally frame the opening out with 4x1 so you've got something
sturdy\square etc... to fix to all the way around. I'd cut the
skirting and carpet out.

I'm installing some right now as it happens, and I do exactly the above
too. ISTR for some reason the instructions specify you mustn't sit the
bottom runner on a wooden rail, but just screw it through the carpet. I
always screw a 4"x1" to the floorboards and fit the runner to that -
works well for me and looks neat - you carpet up to the 4x1.

The kit as provided comprises doors, then a separate upper/lower rail;
everything else is 'optional'. You can buy various expensive packing
and space filling gizmos, but scrap timber is pretty well as easy and a
lot cheaper. I usually screw a 3"x2" timber firmly to the ceiling (into
the joists), the length of the wardrobe, above the doors. Next, lay a
4x1 on the floor, temporarily stand up two more 4x1s (exactly 89" long!)
on the flat one, against the end walls, then balance the final 4x1 on
the top, thereby creating the frame at just the riht height. Now you
just need to secure the top rail to the 3x2 using scrap timber spaces.
Use a spirit level and/or plumb line to get everything level and plumb.
Useful to have a spare scrap bit of wood 89" long to use to check the
gap between top and bottom rails as you're building it. Finally, panel
over the gap below the ceiling with something suitable.

If I remember I'll try and post a photo later.

By the way, the kit is cheaper at Focus than B&Q if you have one handy!

David

ICT User wrote:

OK, further to my previous post, as promised here's a couple of pics.

First one shows the right-hand end of the opening (can't fit it all in
one shot). Note that the vertical 4x1 is packed away from the wall by a
couple of inches; this was done at both ends in order to reduce the
opening to 3 metres (which is a break-point above which I'd have needed
a fifth sliding door!):
http://img.photoamp.com/i/EPDDz6L6l.JPG

This is the rear side of the top rail, showing the bits of packing which
keep the rail rigidly at the correct height:
http://img.photoamp.com/i/ndnRcj9r.JPG

install the tracks? And lastly both walls have skirting - do you have
to cut the skirting to install the tracks? If anyone has any good
links with detailed instructions I would be most grateful.

One way or another you do need flat walls for the full height of the
doors, otherwise when you slide the doors closed they'll hit the
skirting and leave a gap accordingly between door and wall. Either cut
the skirting (as reccomended in the instructions), or (as I did, as it
was easier) cut a profile out of the packing to go round the skirting.

hth
David

Thanks this will be a great help - I am planning to do it this weekend
- so let you know how i get on!

Thanks again

ICTUser




On 24 May, 18:42, Lobster wrote:
ICT User wrote:

OK, further to my previous post, as promised here's a couple of pics.

First one shows the right-hand end of the opening (can't fit it all in
one shot). Note that the vertical 4x1 is packed away from the wall by a
couple of inches; this was done at both ends in order to reduce the
opening to 3 metres (which is a break-point above which I'd have needed
a fifthslidingdoor!):http://img.photoamp.com/i/EPDDz6L6l.JPG

This is the rear side of the top rail, showing the bits of packing which
keep the rail rigidly at the correct height:http://img.photoamp.com/i/ndnRcj9r.JPG

install the tracks? And lastly both walls have skirting - do you have
to cut the skirting to install the tracks? If anyone has any good
links with detailed instructions I would be most grateful.

One way or another you do need flat walls for the full height of the
doors, otherwise when you slide the doors closed they'll hit the
skirting and leave a gap accordingly between door and wall. Either cut
the skirting (as reccomended in the instructions), or (as I did, as it
was easier) cut a profile out of the packing to go round the skirting.

hth
David