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How to Build a Sliding Pole Barn Door
A pole barn door can be a great addition to any barn, and is a beautiful-looking piece of hardware. A door costs around $600 or more, but you can build your own shed door by spending less than $300.
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🛠️ What This Is About
Building and installing sliding pole barn doors—you’ll assemble a sturdy wooden door and mount it on heavy-duty track hardware so it smoothly slides open and closed.
📋 Materials & Tools Needed
| Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| 2× framing lumber (e.g., 2×4, 2×6) | Build door frame |
| T&G or board siding | Door surface |
| Bottom trim boards, cross-bucks | Reinforce structure |
| Slide track & trolley hangers | Mount and move door |
| Header/track board | Support track |
| Floor guide | Keeps door aligned without swinging |
| Fasteners (screws/nails) | Secure frame, siding, hardware |
| Tools: saw, drill, level, square | Cutting and assembling |
⚙️ Step-by-Step Guide
1. Build Door Frame
- Lay out vertical boards to desired height (e.g., 8 ft).
- Clamp flat and screw top and bottom horizontals into place—check for squareness using a square.
2. Install Siding & Trim
- Use T&G boards or regular barn siding.
- Fit boards inside clamps and fasten.
- Add a center horizontal board and side trim for rigidity.
- For a polished exterior, attach trims at 45° angles from the back to hide screw heads.
3. Add Structural Cross-Bucks
- Cut diagonal cross-buck strips (approx. 4½″ wide).
- Fasten across the door face—adds stability and style.
4. Prep Header and Track
- Attach header/track board above door opening before siding.
- Drill trolley mount holes in top rail:
- For doors ≤4′ wide: 1′ from each end.
- 4′–10′ wide: 1′6″ from ends.
- 10′ wide: 2′6″ from ends.
5. Mount Track & Hang Door
- Install track board then hang door using trolley hangers with star washers and lock-nuts.
- Leave ~1″ gap between bolt head and rail.
- For safety, install emergency stop bolts near track ends to prevent derailment.
6. Add Floor Guide & Stops
- Mark bottom edge line and mount a floor guide (plastic or metal) that the door slides over, preventing swing.
- Install a door stop and latch on jambs—typically a side-mounted latch (~3 ft high) keeps the door secured.
🧠 Pro Tips
- Build and assemble your door flat—it ensures square and level surfaces.
- Install track and header before finishing wall surfaces to avoid adjustments later.
- Choose heavy-duty kits (e.g., Cannon Ball, CCJH, Strongar) rated up to 800 lb for large exterior doors—these roll smoothly and are built for durability.
- Add emergency stop nails at track ends to prevent derailment during high-speed movement.
- Use wood trims with beveled edges fastened from the back for a cleaner look.
✅ Pros & Cons
Pros
- Adds rustic charm & function
- Slides instead of swinging—saves space
- DIY-friendly with standard lumber and hardware
Cons
- Hardware can be pricey
- Requires sturdy header support
- Large doors may be affected by wind—consider bottom guide or latch
👷 Who Should Build This
- Homeowners adding character and easy access to a pole barn, garage, or shed
- DIYers comfortable with carpentry and hardware installation
- Anyone needing a space-saving, stylish barn door upgrade
Sliding Pole Barn Door Kit
The sliding pole barn door kit is a great choice for a professional looking sliding barn door. With its steel frame and heavy duty hardware, this door will last for years. If you are looking for an easy to install and inexpensive way to add a touch of class to your home, then this is the perfect choice for you. This kit comes with everything you need to install your barn door including the hardware, rails and guides. All you have to do is hang it when it arrives and enjoy!
If you are looking for something more personal or custom, then sliding pole barn door plans may be what you need. These plans come with step by step instructions that will show you how to build your own custom barn door from scratch! Some of the most common types of doors include:
A-Frame Doors – A simple design that allows the frame itself to slide up and down through the opening in your ceiling or wall. These doors use gravity rather than hinges so they require no additional support other than their own weight.
Pivot Doors – These doors use hinges at each end so they can swing inward or outward depending on how they’re installed in your home or business
The sliding pole barn door is a great looking, easy to customize and budget-friendly option for adding character and style to your home. The best part is that you can build it yourself with our free plans.
If you’re interested in installing a sliding pole barn door, the first thing you’ll need to do is purchase the necessary hardware. This includes:
A set of hinges
A drive rod (this attaches to the spring)
An end bracket (this attaches to the wall)
How to Build a Sliding Barn Door
A sliding barn door is a great way to separate your living space from your work space. It can also be used as a room divider or simply for aesthetics. Installing a sliding barn door is not difficult and only requires basic carpentry skills.
The first thing you need to do is measure the distance between the two walls where you want to install your sliding door. You need this measurement in order to determine how long your rails will be. You can buy pre-made sliding rail kits or build them yourself from scratch. If you choose to make them yourself, they should be made of wood that has been treated with an exterior finish (such as paint), as this will make them resistant to moisture damage.
Item | Description |
|---|---|
2x4s (Outer Frame) |
|
2x4s (Inner Frame) |
|
Corrugated Fiberglass Roofing |
|
Foam Insulation |
|
Sliding Barn Door Hardware Kit |
|
Sliding Pole Barn Door Kit
The sliding pole barn door kit can be used to make a large sliding barn door or a smaller sliding door. The kit includes everything you need to build a sturdy, weatherproof door. The kit can be installed on any wall surface. If you have an existing structure, you can install the kit in a matter of minutes.
Sliding Pole Barn Door Plan
The sliding pole barn door plan is designed for people who want to build a large sliding barn door, but don’t want to spend their entire weekend working on it. This plan is quick and easy to follow and will allow you to start building your own barn door in just minutes!
The sliding pole barn door kit is great for creating a look that is both rustic and modern. It can be used in a variety of locations, including garages, workshops, and backyards. The kit is easy to install and comes with all the hardware you will need.
The sliding pole barn door kit features three different types of doors. The first type is the sliding barn door with two panels. This option provides you with more space than other designs because it spans the entire width of your garage door opening.
You also have the option of installing a single panel sliding barn door as well as a double panel version. Both designs feature a frame around each panel that helps to create an elegant look while also keeping them securely in place when they are open or closed.
These doors are made using solid hardwood lumber and come with an oak finish that will add warmth to any room in your home or business building
Sliding Pole Barn Doors are a great addition to any building. This is one of the easiest and most economical ways to add beauty, interest, and value to your home or business. The kit includes all of the materials necessary to build a sliding pole barn door. You will need to provide your own lumber and hardware.
Sliding Pole Barn Door Kits are available in several sizes, including 32 x 96 and 36 x 96.
The kit includes:
1 – 2″ x 6″ x 8′ board for top rail (select width based on size of door)
2 – 2″ x 6″ x 8′ boards for side rails (select width based on size of door)
5 – 1-1/4″ dia. carriage bolts with washers (for connecting rails together)
4 – 1-1/4″ dia. carriage bolts with washers & nuts (for connecting rollers & brackets)
You can build this sliding pole barn door with just a few simple tools. It’s made from wood and the hardware is steel, so it’s strong and durable. The door slides in a track at the top of the frame, making it easy to open and close.
The plans include all the measurements you need to make this sliding pole barn door. They also include detailed instructions for cutting all the pieces to size and assembling them into a solid frame.
You’ll need about three hours to build this project.
This project is for a sliding pole barn door kit. This is the first one that I have built, but it was fairly straight forward. The hardest part was getting the door to slide smoothly in the channel.
The first thing you will need to do is to build a box out of 2×4’s, then add plywood on either side of that. You can get away with using 1/2″ plywood if you are careful not to over torque the screws going into the studs.
For this project, I used 5/8″ thick by 3/4″ wide pine boards for my rails and stiles (the vertical pieces) and 1/2″ thick by 1-1/2″ wide pine boards for my rails and stiles (the vertical pieces). You can use any wood you want as long as it is strong enough to support your weight.
👍 Wrapping Up
Choose a quality track kit, build the door square with sturdy frame and cross-bracing, install track properly and add stops and floor guides for safety. With patience, you’ll have a functional sliding pole barn door that lasts.