How to Build a Bookcase Door

Bookcase doors are a great way to add extra storage to your room while adding a decorative touch. One of the best features of a bookcase door is that it still remains a door so you gain a bookcase while not impeding the use of your closet.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rubber Mallet
• Bookcase Door Kit
• Studfinder
• Drill
• Nail gun
• Saw
• Safety Glasses
• Wood Glue
• Marker or Pencil
• Door Strike
• Plywood and Boards

1. Decide on what size of book case door you'll need. Keep in mind where the door needs to pivot to clear walls and shelves without creating large gaps.

2. Purchase a bookcase door from a bookcase door dealer. It is much easier to buy a kit that has the equipment you need to make the door, as well as the recommended size of the door already prepared.

3. Remove the closet door. Use a door strike and mallet to remove the door hinges.

4. Begin to build the bookcases by placing the cam locks into the fixed shelves' cavities. Make sure that you have centered the cams and they are facing the edges. Tap the cams with a rubber mallet to make sure they are seated properly.

5. Secure the fixed shelves and the side panels of the bookcase together using the shelf pins. Test to make sure all the pieces fit together.

6. Mark where you plan to nail with a marker. Tighten the cams after everything is in place and you are satisfied with the look.

7. Attach the back panel to the shelving unit. Secure the panel with wood glue on the rabbit edges. Nail the back of the bookshelf into place using one nail every six or seven inches down each side of the bookcase. Use this measurement to place nails across the shelves. Remember to do this for both bookcases.

8. Create a bi-folding door by joining the two bookcases together. Measure the spacing between the two bookcases using the spacers with the kit. Clamp the spaces between the two units, making sure the tops are even.

9. Put a few screws into the top edges of the bookcases back panels and then at the bottom edges. Follow up with holes in the center edge of the back panel.

10. Place the hinge over the holes and begin to pre-drill the screws. Tighten the screws once they are both in and the hinge is straight.

11. Begin to assemble the valance and threshold by positioning the mounting brackets on your bookcase door. Make sure the threshold and valence are aligned properly. Verify that the door is flush with the trim. Make sure they are evenly spaced and mark the valance and threshold. Move the valance to adjust for trim and mark it. Make pilot holes into the threshold and attach to the subfloor with 3 inch screws.

12. Install the rest of the pivot hardware that was included with the bookcase door kit.

13. Use a stud finder to identify and mark studs above the closet so that you can nail the valance into place. Measure the height and the bookcase and valance together and mark on the wall above where the door is going to go.

14. Place the bookcase into place. Verify that the pivot brackets on the bookcase match with the threshold pivots.

15. Attach the valance using spaces to make sure the valance and bookcase do not rub together when the door opens. Hammer the pivot brackets into place once aligned properly.

Tips & Warnings

• Rubber mallets are ideal for projects because they do not scuff.

[woot]

on 3/11/2009 Sounds like a great project