How To Choose Double Pocket Door Hardware
How To Choose Double Pocket Door Hardware
Double pocket doors are one of my favorite things to use in homes, but finding the right double pocket door hardware can prove to be somewhat complicated.
Double pocket doors are like french doors in that they offer a unique look to the overall design of the space where they are used, along with needing their own unique door handles and locks.
If you have never had them before, finding the right hardware can sometimes be frustrating and confusing when it comes to double pocket doors, which is why I decided this is an important topic to discuss today.
Below I collected a list of my favorite double pocket door hardware options from all across the internet to give you some ideas as you search for your own perfect fit.
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What Are Double Pocket Doors?
Double pocket doors or french pocket doors are when two pocket doors are installed so that when they are closed the doors meet at the center of the opening between them.
This is accomplished by having one pocket door frame installed on either side of the door opening so that two slab doors can be mounted inside each frame within the wall. Each door can then operate independently to be opened and closed.
Why Use Double Pocket Doors?
Double doors or french doors are a favorite choice when you want a larger opening than a single standard door can offer. Having the larger opening can create a more grand or luxurious appearance in the overall design of the space.
Practically, double pocket doors are great to use in tight spaces where typical french doors would not be possible because the swing of the doors would hit something or otherwise hinder the functionality of the space.
Where To Use Double Pocket Doors:
Some of my favorite places to use double pocket doors are for offices, bathrooms, and home gym spaces. Anywhere that could benefit from the larger opening and the doors not having to swing would be a great candidate!
When deciding where to use double pocket doors, it is important to consider the following:
Is there room in the wall for the pocket door frame?
In order to put a pocket door frame in the wall space, it needs to be empty of any plumbing, electrical or HVAC.
Where will I put my light switches?
Since there cannot be any electrical in a typical spot due to the frame being there, you need to consider where you might be able to put your switching or how far into the room you might have to walk to turn the lights on. In some cases the wall can be built out deeper to accommodate electrical, but make sure to check with your contractor or electrician to see if that is a possibility.
Do you plan to hang anything on the walls?
With the door frames in the wall, you’re not going to be able to hang anything on the walls with nails or screws that might go deep enough to potentially impact the use of the door.
Types Of Handles For Double Pocket Doors:
Locking Double Pocket Door Handles -
When installing locking double pocket door hardware, you’ll generally install the privacy set on one door and on the opposite door you’ll install the strike plate - this is how the doors lock together.
Passage Double Pocket Door Handles -
Installs similar to a locking handle without the lock on one side. Often as an edge pull you can grab onto on the inside of the door to pull the door out from the frame.
Double Pocket Door Flush Pull Handles -
Pulls are installed on either side of the doors as a way to grab the door and pull it open or closed. Not typically preferable to only have the flush pulls without an edge pull as they can be difficult to use if the pocket door is pushed all the way in.
Choosing Your Double Pocket Door Hardware:
There are really only two main things you need to know when choosing your pocket door hardware.
You will want to know the thickness of the door. This will be important to ensure you purchase double pocket door handles that will fit onto your door.
You need to select the type of handle. If you are using on a bathroom, office, or other room that needs to allow privacy then a locking handle will likely be preferred.
Once you know those things, your decisions will be narrowed down significantly!
What To Know About Using Double Pocket Door Handles:
It is important to keep in mind that pocket doors are hanging from a track inside the wall which means they often have a little bit of movement from side to side.
That movement can mean that lining up the doors perfectly, especially when locking them, can take a little practice. Don’t worry too much if it takes you awhile to get adjusted to how it feels to line them up when closing them!
If it continues to be difficult to close the doors, consider asking your installer about loosening or tightening the guides to help change how much the doors swing.
Locking Double (French) Pocket Door Hardware
Below you will find matched sets of hardware that make up what would be needed for a double pocket door set. These sets commonly include one handle that is locking and another that is a dummy handle of the same style to create a matching set. Occassionally, instead of a dummy handle there are options for one side to be the locking handle and the other the receiver.
*Click on the image to be taken to the product site and learn more*
Passage Double (French) Pocket Door Hardware
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Flush Pull Double (French) Pocket Door Hardware
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Conclusion
Double pocket doors might not be the most common thing, but they are a great solution for many situations where standard swinging doors are not an option. If you’re in a circumstance where you decide to use double pocket doors, choosing the hardware no longer has to be a difficult task. I hope this information has taken some of the mystery out of finding double pocket door hardware and handles!
Now I want to hear from you - Are you using double pocket doors in your own home? Where did you decide to use them and why? Let me know in the comments below!