How do Pocket Doors Work in Loft Conversions?

 

We all want to make the most of the space we have available to us. That might be designing our rooms to be multi-use with clever furniture or well-thought-out layouts. It might also be making the most of the rooms in our homes – whether dividing up an existing room or creating a new one.

Many homes have lofts or attics suitable for conversion to an additional room. However, these rooms mainly depend on making the most of the available space, as they generally have reduced headroom. This means that every aspect of the design needs to consider space-saving – even elements you might not have thought about, like the doors. Glass Single Pocket Doors can work in even the smallest space, making loft conversions simple and accessible.

In this article, we’ll examine how pocket doors can be the ideal choice for a loft conversion project.

What is a Pocket Door?

A pocket door is a type of sliding door with various advantages. A pocket door moves sideways along a rail rather than moving in or out on a hinge like a traditional swinging door. A pocket door is further separated from a traditional sliding door by its ‘pocket.’ Traditional sliding doors move along a rail to the side of the door cavity. A pocket door moves into a hole in the wall, known as the pocket. This makes the door appear to disappear into the wall.

How do Pocket Doors Work in Loft Conversions?

Loft Conversions need to be planned in a way that considers the space and its limitations. Lofts are often home to a range of potentially small and awkward spaces. This means that they need to be planned out to maximise space. A pocket door can ensure that all the space in a room is usable rather than wasting space for a door to open. A traditional swinging door needs space for its door arc to move into. At the same time, a pocket door allows you to use the room without any swinging space.

Space Optimisation: Loft conversions often involve working within limited spaces. Pocket doors are ingeniously designed to disappear into the wall, eliminating the need for a door swing radius. This efficient use of space allows for more versatile furniture arrangements and a spacious feel, even in the cosiest lofts.

 

Aesthetic Appeal: Beyond their practical benefits, pocket doors add a touch of sophistication to loft interiors. The minimalist design complements modern and contemporary aesthetics, enhancing the overall visual appeal of the space. Thanks to pocket doors being available in various materials and finishes, they can seamlessly blend into any interior design scheme.

Enhanced Privacy: Loft conversions frequently involve creating multiple rooms within an open space. Single Pocket doors provide a seamless solution for ensuring privacy when needed, effortlessly gliding closed to enclose individual rooms without infringing on the living area.

What do you Get In Our Pocket Door Kit?

The Pocket Door Company provides the highest quality pocket door kits, so you can use any door you choose in your loft conversion. In our pocket door kits, you receive:

Galvanised steel frame

A strong galvanised steel frame. A quick-click frame that assembles into a complete unit comprising of full pocket, track, and doorpost.

Runners

Runners are tested to 100,000 cycles (around 25 years of average use!)

Extractable Track

The track can be extracted without having to break into the wall. (See the Tech Tips section in the Technical tab for instructions).

Front and rear door stop

It can be adjusted to determine how far the door protrudes from the pocket.

Metal anti-warp door profile

Slots into a channel in the underside of the door. While it is not visible, it ensures your door does not warp. This ensures it continues to slide smoothly.

Self-centering door guide

It clicks into the frame and doesn’t screw into the floor, so it is perfectly centered every time.

Fixings

We even include the screws needed to attach the plasterboard to the frame.

Jamb kit

Comes complete with a jamb kit made from unfinished finger-jointed fir and paint/stain ready. The jamb kit includes dust brushes and a recessed door post with integral bumpers for a professional finish.

Contact Us

Pocket doors are ideal for loft conversions for all of the reasons above. However, if you need help choosing a pocket door or need assistance, contact us to learn more. Our team will be happy to help you choose the correct set of pocket doors for your next loft conversion project.

Check out our full range of pocket door kits.

 

 

Choosing the Right Pocket Door for Your Hospital

 

When you think about refurbishing or planning out a hospital – or any medical facility – you might not think about the doors. You’d consider the floor, the bathrooms, the beds, and the lights – but are you paying close enough attention to the doors?

It would be best to consider all the variables in a hospital because every detail matters. Do your design elements work together to make the hospital a cleaner, safer, and more comfortable place? Installing pocket doors could help your facility tick all three boxes!

In this article, we’ll examine how you can use pocket doors in a hospital setting and their role as part of its overall design and functionality.

What do Hospital Doors Need to Consider?

A door needs to be right for its circumstances. This does not just refer to the design and appearance but also the things you need the door to do. In a hospital, you must consider your door’s material, handle, and swing.

Swing Doors

Swing Doors are the most common type of door in all types of buildings. They hang on a hinge and swing into a space to open and close. They are simple to operate and universally understood. However, they do not easily fit into tight spaces as they need a clear space behind them to open into.

Opening a swing door can also be bad for overall hygiene standards, as swinging can create airflow that blows particles around. This is particularly important in hospitals because of the strict infection control protocol in place.

Operating Room Doors

Operating rooms need to be kept at the highest standards of cleanliness. While regular cleaning and maintenance are significant factors in keeping these standards, using the right sort of doors can also have an impact. Operating room doors need to be as hygienic as possible – this could consider how often they are opened and how they are opened. An operating room door needs to have a kickplate to allow it to be opened without using hands. They are also often clear or partially clear to allow for viewing and communication without opening the door.

Pocket Doors

Single Classic Pocket Doors are particularly well-suitable for a hospital environment. They are a form of sliding door. Unlike many sliding doors, pocket doors hang from a rail rather than run along one. This means that there is no lip on the floor. Many people in hospital may have temporary or long-term mobility issues. This means they should have as few obstacles in their way as possible. Places like bathrooms or private hospital rooms need to be easily accessible to their patients without additional steps in place.

Pocket Door Versus Swing Door For Hospitals

It has been our experience that opting for pocket doors over traditional swing doors presents several compelling advantages that hospital administrators and builders should consider.

Infection Control: Pocket doors eliminate the need for door swing space, reducing the risk of cross-contamination. Minimising touchpoints can enhance hygiene protocols in hospitals where infection control is critical.

Space Optimisation: Space is often limited in hospitals, and that’s where having pocket doors can be a significant advantage. Pocket doors slide seamlessly into the wall, saving valuable room for a swing door’s arc. The extra space can be utilized for additional medical equipment, beds, or wider corridors for accessible patient transit.

Improved Accessibility: Pocket doors are designed for smooth, effortless operation. Many times, for patients with mobility challenges or healthcare professionals transporting equipment, these doors offer easy accessibility, ensuring seamless movement within the hospital’s premises.

Enhanced Privacy: In situations requiring privacy, such as consultations or examinations, pocket doors can be equipped with soundproofing features, ensuring patient confidentiality and a conducive environment. It also helps reduce ambient noise for patients with difficulty falling asleep without complete silence.

Durability and Maintenance: Double Pocket doors are often made from high-quality materials. This means they are durable and require minimal maintenance. In a high-traffic environment like hospitals, durability is essential to avoid frequent replacements and repairs, contributing to cost-effectiveness in the long run.

High Quality Pocket Doors

The pocket door company supplies high-quality pocket door kits across the UK. Our kits come with everything you need to fit and assemble the door. They can be fitted by a professional, or you can do it yourself. Furthermore, our pocket door kits are made of tough steel, guaranteeing long life and excellent performance.

To learn more about our pocket doors, check out our full range of pocket doors to see which options are available.

When To Install a Pocket Door

A pocket door can be instrumental in transforming any space from homes to tiny offices. Everyone wants to make the most of their space. No matter your home’s size, you want to use it wisely. How you design your rooms can affect this.

While you can make clever use of your furniture and layouts to help keep your rooms spacious and efficient, they are not the only way. The design of your rooms themselves can help you maximise the utility of the space. A double pocket door can boost even small spaces while staying private and stylish.

In this article, we’ll examine when installing a pocket door can be a practical option.

What is a Pocket Door?

A single pocket door is a mechanism that allows a door to slide into a hidden ‘pocket’ inside a wall. Unlike traditional sliding doors, a floor rail is optional and the door slides away into a wall cavity. This means that the door appears to disappear when it is opened.

Why Choose a Pocket Door?

A pocket door can help you make the most of your space. Think about the layout of most rooms. You will likely leave space behind a door to ensure it has room to swing into. This is potentially wasted space that could be used for other purposes. A pocket door lets you plan for 100% of the room’s floor plan.

Our pocket doors are particularly suitable for rooms where space is at a premium. This could mean rooms that are traditionally small parts of the house – like a laundry or boot room.

Do I Need To Install A Pocket Door When I Renovate?

A pocket door is a little more complicated to install than a traditional door, due to the need for a pocket to be constructed or fitted. Some walls are easier to start with than others. If you have a home with hollow walls, such as a drywall/plasterboard construction, it is easier to fit the pocket. However, if you have solid walls, you must construct an artificial gap for the door to slide into.

If you need to undertake further work to make a pocket door practical, it might be easier to do this while completing a broader renovation. That said, a professional should be able to install a pocket door in just about any space, even one that may not currently be ideal for it.

Pocket Door Use Cases

 

Pocket doors offer versatile solutions to enhance space utility and efficiency within a home. Here are several ways in which they can strategically be leveraged:

 

Space Segmentation: Pocket doors can divide large rooms into smaller, more functional spaces. For example, they can separate a living room from a dining area, creating distinct zones within an open floor plan.

 

Compact Bathrooms: In small bathrooms, traditional swing doors can be cumbersome. Pocket doors are ideal here, as they slide neatly into the wall, allowing for more freedom of movement within the bathroom space.

 

Wardrobe Rooms: Pocket doors are an excellent choice for walk-in wardrobes, especially where swing doors might obstruct pathways or furniture placement. They provide easy access to the room without compromising space.

 

Home Offices: Pocket doors can separate the workspace from the rest of the house for home offices or studies. When not used, the door slides away, allowing the room to blend seamlessly with the surrounding area.

 

Walk-In Pantries: In kitchens, pocket doors can be used for walk-in pantries. When closed, they keep the pantry hidden, and when open, they provide convenient access to shelves and storage space.

 

Room Transitions: Pocket doors can bridge the transition between indoor and outdoor spaces, such as connecting a living room with a patio or a garden. This creates a smooth flow between interior and exterior areas.

 

Home Theaters: In entertainment rooms, pocket doors can enclose home theaters. When closed, they create a secluded cinema atmosphere, and when open, the space can be used for various purposes.

 

Laundry Rooms: Pocket doors are practical for laundry rooms, concealing the space when not in use and providing easy access to the appliances and storage when needed.

 

Children’s Rooms: In children’s bedrooms, pocket doors can separate sleeping areas from play or study zones, allowing for more focused activities without disturbances.

 

Can I Install A Pocket Door Myself?

 

It is perfectly possible to install a pocket door yourself. If you have some DIY experience, the installation guide with our pocket door kits should make installing a pocket door simple.

However, our instructions are within the knowledge base of most professional builders/joiners. As a result, it should be easy to find a professional who can complete the installation for you if you would rather not do it yourself.

To learn more about pocket doors, check out our full range or get in touch today.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Pocket Doors

When redecorating your home, you need to think about a few things. You should consider colour schemes, new furniture, and the layout of rooms. One thing you might have yet to give much thought to is the doors you use in your home.

Traditional doors are not always the most suitable for every space. Pocket Doors are an alternative that can make the most of your space, lend a sense of flow to your home, and free up your floor space.

In this article, we’ll examine the many advantages of using pocket doors and a few associated drawbacks, which you’ll want to be aware of before opting for them.

What is a Pocket Door?

A Pocket Door is a type of sliding door. Imagine a classic sliding barn door – but with a few key differences. Unlike a traditional door, the Pocket Door slides in and out of the wall. They can slide on either a rail on the floor or an overhead track. Depending on the width of the doorway, you can use a single or double pocket door to fill the space.

Using the interior space of the wall means that a pocket door almost disappears when you are not using it and reappears when you need it. Interestingly, pocket doors have been around since the Victorian Era, when they separated less formal areas.

Advantages of Pocket Doors

The number one advantage of the Classic Double Pocket Doors is space. You don’t need to keep the same space free as you would with a regular door. While this is particularly suitable for smaller spaces like apartments and subdivisions of larger rooms, it also lends more space to all types of rooms.

A pocket door can create a sense of continuity and openness between rooms in a way that a traditional door cannot. A disappearing door can help you build a natural flow between rooms.

Here are a few more key benefits of pocket doors:

Improved Accessibility: Pocket doors enhance accessibility within a room. The sliding mechanism allows for a wider entrance, making it easier for people with mobility challenges or those using wheelchairs to move between rooms.

Aesthetically Pleasing: Pocket doors contribute to a sleek and modern interior design. When closed, they create a seamless, uninterrupted wall surface, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of a room. They also come in various designs and finishes, allowing homeowners to match them with their decor.

Flexible Room Layouts: Pocket doors offer flexibility when laying out a room. They can create temporary partitions, divide large spaces, or combine smaller rooms into a more expansive area. The adaptability allows homeowners to customize their living spaces according to their needs.

Noise Reduction: Pocket doors offer better sound insulation than traditional doors when closed. They can help reduce decibel levels, promising a quieter and more private environment, making them ideal for bedrooms, home offices, or libraries.

Increased Storage Options: Pocket doors can be installed to maximise storage options without obstructing pathways or creating obstacles in the room. They allow for easy access to storage spaces while maintaining a seamless appearance.

Smooth Operation: Modern pocket doors are designed for smooth and effortless operation. They glide along tracks with minimal resistance, ensuring convenient usage and durability over time.

Energy Efficiency: Pocket doors can contribute to energy efficiency by allowing better control of room temperatures. When closed, they create a tighter seal, preventing drafts and heat loss, which is particularly advantageous in conservatories or rooms with varying temperatures.

Increase Property Value: The versatility, aesthetics, and functionality of pocket doors can enhance the overall value of a property. Potential buyers often find them appealing, making homes with pocket doors more marketable.

Disadvantages of Pocket Doors

One of the prime perceived disadvantages of a Pocket Door is that it’s not as heavy as a traditional one. This does not mean that it isn’t sturdy enough. It means that it might not have as much sound-deadening potential. A traditional door is supported on hinges to be heavier and thicker. Both qualities can help block sound from passing through. A Pocket Door needs to be light enough for you to slide. As a result, you are likely to have some potential noise leakage.

Below, we go into a couple of other vital drawbacks or cons of pocket doors:

Complex Installation: Installing pocket doors can be more complicated than hinged doors. The process requires creating a cavity within the wall, which may involve structural modifications. This complexity can lead to higher installation costs and longer construction time.

Limited Weight Capacity: Pocket doors have weight limitations. Heavy or solid doors may strain the sliding mechanism and cause operational issues. This limitation restricts the choice of materials for the doors, potentially affecting the desired aesthetic and durability.

Maintenance Challenges: The concealed nature of pocket doors can make maintenance and repairs difficult. If the door comes off track or the sliding mechanism malfunctions, accessing the components within the wall can be challenging and may require professional assistance.

Cost Consideration: Pocket doors, especially high-quality ones with smooth sliding mechanisms, can be more expensive than standard hinged doors. Homeowners need to balance the benefits of space-saving with the additional cost involved.

Potential Incompatibility: Retrofitting pocket doors into existing structures can be challenging. It might only be feasible in some cases due to the layout of plumbing, electrical wiring, or load-bearing walls, limiting their application in certain home renovations.

How Do You Fit a Pocket Door?

The most effective way to fit a pocket door is to have a professional do it. Even if you have hung a door before, this is a whole new process with more room for error.

You need to make sure that you have the space. Your wall needs to be at least twice the width of the door to fit in the mechanism.

If you are replacing an existing door, you don’t need to remove the drywall around the door. However, if you are installing a pocket door for the first time, you will need to do this. Thus, it is a job best handled by a professional.

To make the most of the advantages of pocket doors, check out our full range of pocket doors.

Why Choose a Pocket Door?

When remodelling a home, you need to make a few decisions. It would be best to decide how you want the rooms to look, how you want them to work, and how you want them to flow into each other. You might not have considered the type of door you use, and that’s probably one of the most important factors worth considering.

How you use doors can significantly affect the rooms more than you might realise. Traditional doors take up space. They close off areas and require you to keep an area free so they can swing into that space. This is restrictive for many types of rooms – particularly in smaller homes. Single or Double Pocket doors open up a range of new options, making your home more accessible and spacious.

If you are still on the fence about choosing pocket doors for your home, we’ll examine a few reasons to consider them in this article.

What are pocket doors?

A single pocket door is a sliding door that fits inside your wall. They disappear into a pocket within your wall. A pocket door runs on a rail or track that runs either on the ceiling or on the floor and ceiling for better stability. You can fill any interior space with pocket doors, although more expansive areas may need a double door.

At the Pocket Door Company, we sell a variety of pocket doors, which means there are ones for all types of spaces.

Is a pocket door right for my house?

Pocket doors provide you with a versatile option for the design of your space, offering a sleek and convenient space saving solution. Depending on what door you choose, you can make the feature a statement or simply have it blend into the room. Aside from being space saving, a pocket door can crucially change the design of a room, making it possible to turn a space into whatever you wish by minimising wasted space – ideal for smaller properties.

Do I need planning permission for pocket doors?

You are unlikely to need planning permission to fit a pocket door. The only time that you need permission is if you are renovating a listed building. While there are different grades of listing and different regulations, you should ensure that you do not damage any protected areas of the original building. This might cover the skirting board, the architrave, or the floorboards. If you damage or remove these, you will probably need to ensure that your renovations are in keeping with the rest of the property.

How do I design around a pocket door?

Pocket doors are used in more than just smaller spaces. They can also lend a sense of flow to a series of rooms. Pocket doors – when open – provide a clear pathway between different areas while still enabling you to close areas off when you want.

You can even use them to continue a design or decorative scheme you have used throughout the room. Due to the design of a pocket door, you can cover them with the same wallpaper or paint you have used throughout the room to continue a design theme.

The Pocket Door Company

 

Pocket doors are an easy way to maximise space. However, there is more to them than that because of their versatility. They are particularly suitable for people who use wheelchairs. They can be used to section off areas of a room, such as an alcove that you use as a home office.

Whatever you need a pocket door for, the Pocket Door Company can help you.

Get in touch to discuss your options.