Pocket Door Information
Pocket doors and accessibility issues go hand and hand. Many people recommend using a hidden or pocket door to avoid problems caused by the door swing.
A pocket door is an easily installed home improvement product that can help maximize space. Rather than a swinging hinged door, the pocket door slides into a hollow cavity or “pocket” in the wall. The door is mounted on rollers that glide along an overhead track.
Pocket doors have been around for a long time, but you probably remember them as being tacky looking and hard to maneuver. Today’s models have come a long way and the old fashioned ones have been updated. Smooth axel-mounted nylon or ball-bearing rollers and sturdy metal tracks result in easy, trouble free operation.
In today’s accessible home, pocket doors make good sense.
The door doesn’t take up valuable floor space, so it is perfect for a tight area. For example, you might want to use one in a small bathroom that simply doesn’t have the space for an in-swinging door and where an out-swing door would be in the way.
Considering Universal Design
A pocket door makes sense anywhere that an open door is an obstacle. If you have ever had a loved one fall in the bathroom, against a traditional swing door, you will never forget how hard it was to remove the door, or maybe you needed to enlist the aid of a 911 team with axes to make access possible.
The pocket door requires no threshold and it is easy to open and close, which makes it a good alternative for wheelchair and walker users. Pocket doors are generally universal and can be adapted for almost any interior door.
Keep in mind that standard recessed latch hardware can be difficult to use if hand strength is limited. You can adapt the standard hardware and install easier to use latches such as “C” handles, loop handles or a door stop to keep the door from sliding completely into the wall pocket.
Pocket doors are available either as kits or pre-assembled units. The kit type is slightly more involved to install but easier to transport and stronger. Complete instructions make this a project for handy do-it-yourselfers.
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