How to Add Sliding Doors to a Pole Barn

Sliding doors are a great way to access your pole barn. With some help from friends, you can add sliding doors to make your new barn easily accessible. Depending on the mounting kit you purchase, your sliding doors should be in place in no time.

Things You'll Need

• Ladders
• Door mounting kit
• Mounting board
• Nails
• Safety goggles
• Awl
• Drill and bits
• Level
• Replacement doors

Instructions

1. Purchase a door mounting kit for your barn door. Either purchase ready-made doors in the correct size or purchase the materials to make doors.

2. Put the mounting board in place. It should be slightly longer than the door rails. Nail it firmly to joists on the inside of the pole barn. The mounting board bears a lot of weight, so be sure it can support the door.

3. Follow the manufacturer's directions to assemble the door track. Attach any supports that come with the track. Use the level to mark a straight line where the door track should go on the mounting board.

4. Slip on your safety goggles. Use the awl to pre-drill the holes in the mounting board to hold the door track in place. Drill holes and attach the door rails to the mounting board. Be sure to use all the spacers and mounts that come with the kit.

5. Assemble the doors if you are making your own. Attach the hanger rollers to the top of the barn doors. Some sets come with a bottom roller guide. If this is the case, attach it as well.

6. Have two friends support the first door from the ground as you climb the ladder. All three of you should work together to guide the hanger rollers on to the door track. Install the second door in the same manner.

7. Make sure the sliding doors operate smoothly. Remember to put a stop outside the doors so they don't go off the track each time you use them. Also, install locks inside the doors.

Tips & Warnings

• Barn doors are extremely heavy. Make sure you have enough help to hang them.