Looking for a practical solution for an annoying laundry room door? This modern sliding door project was created by Shara from Woodshop Diaries, and it’s a fantastic way to enhance your space while eliminating the frustrations of a swinging door.
Materials and Tools Needed:
Materials:
- (5) 2x6x8 boards
- (1) 36×48 sheet (about ⅛″) plexiglass
- (25) ½″ x 48″ square dowels
- ⅜″ dowels (or use pocket holes and screws)
- Wood Glue
- Sliding door kit (size varies depending on door size)
- Frosted glass spray paint
Tools:
- Miter saw
- Circular saw
- Clamps
- Drill/Driver
- ⅜″ forstener bit
- Stud Finder
- Nail Gun (optional)
Step 1: Build the Door Frame
Start by building the door frame using 2x6s. Measure your door opening and add 4 inches to the width and 2 inches to the height. This will give you a size of 40 inches wide and 82 inches tall.
Cut two long styles and eight shorter rails. If your 2x6s have rounded corners, you can run them through a table saw to create clean edges.
Step 2: Assemble the Frame
Dry fit the pieces together on your workbench, ensuring all openings are evenly spaced. Use a speed square to mark dowel locations for assembly.
Drill holes for the dowels using a ⅜ inch forstener bit and sand the pieces before assembly.
Apply wood glue to the dowels and assemble the frame, securing it with pipe clamps and letting it dry overnight.
Step 3: Cut and Prepare the Glass Panels
For the glass panels, you can use an ⅛ inch sheet of plexiglass. Cut this into seven strips slightly smaller than the openings in the door.
Apply several coats of frosted glass spray paint to achieve a uniform look.
Step 4: Install the Glass Panels
Using quick-dry wood glue, adhere the glass panels in place. You can also line the openings with dowels for a clean finish.
Once the glass is secured, you can flip the door and repeat the doweling process on the other side.
Step 5: Hang the Sliding Door
To hang the door, install a sliding door rail kit. You may need to either remove existing trim or extend the top board to accommodate the rail.
Drill holes to install the rollers, ensuring everything is aligned properly. Once installed, the door should fit and roll smoothly.
Final Touches
After hanging the door, adjust the stops to ensure it doesn’t slide off the rail. You can now enjoy your new sliding door that not only looks great but functions perfectly!
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