DIY Affordable Sliding Door (around $200)

Barn doors can be expensive---the door, railing system and hardware---it adds up fast! But, you don't have to sacrifice style for budget or, your budget for style. Here is how to get a stylish barn door for under $250!

How to Build a Sliding Barn Door

Materials (Based on 33" Door Opening)

Barn Door Hardware Kit (amazon, $40) Door Pull (amazon, $18) Plywood (must be 3/4") (Home Depot, $80) MDF Trim 1X4X16 (Home Depot, $27) MDF Trim 1X3X8 (Home Depot, $18) MDF Trim 1X6X8 (Home Depot, $27) Common Board 1X4X8 (Home Depot, $9) Quart of Paint ($20) Caulk ($4)

Equipment

Drill Nail Gun Nails (less than 1 1/4") (or screws) Wood Glue Miter Saw Circular Saw Drill Bit 1/2"

Alternative Options

Plywood

Plywood is a big portion of the cost. I used 3/4" maple plywood to help reduce noise but it also makes it super heavy.

If you are looking for a cheaper alternative, or don't need noise reduction, then these are some quality cost saving options for you.

• 3/4" MDF Panel (Home Depot, $58)

• 3/4" Melamine White Panel (Home Depot, $44)

Saw

If you don't have a saw, that's okay! Don't let it keep you from this project. The nice people at Home Depot (or Lowes) will make the cuts for you. I think the first 5 cuts are free. After that, it's like .25 per cut. Just help them out by knowing your cuts before you go (see reference below).

Let's Goooo!

"All projects are scary. They all have an element of, "Oh no! What did I get myself into?" kind of feeling.

Before we get started, I want you to stop. Remind yourself that you can do this (especially if you're new to DIYing.) All projects are scary! They all have an element of, "Oh, no! What did I get myself into?" kind of feeling. Or as a friend of mine put it, "they all come with a little bit of "PSD" (Project Stress Disorder)", usually hitting somewhere around mid-project. I'm here to encourage you to stop the self-doubt. Don't let the enemy have a seat at your sawhorse. You got this!!!

Barn Door on a Budget

I created illustrations for you to follow, along with simple step by step instructions. It is important to note that my dimensions are based on a door opening of 33" W x 82" H---your measurements may differ slightly. All barn doors should be larger than the door opening as you want it to overlap by an inch (or so) on each side (mine overlaps by 1.5" on each side and 3" at the top.)

For example, my door opening is 33". I added 1.5" to each side making the plywood 36" in width. The height of my door opening is 82", so I added 3" to the top, making it 85". I cut my plywood to 36" W X 85" H

Step By Step Sliding Barn Door

Step One

Cut plywood to size.

Step Two

Make cuts to the MDF board to fit the H & W of plywood.

Step Three

Lay plywood flat on the ground. Using wood glue, glue the back of the MDF board to the plywood. Clamp or lay heavy items on top to ensure MDF lays flat against plywood. Allow glue time to dry.

Step Four

With a helper, gently flip the door over. Using a nail gun (or screws), less than 1 1/4", nail (or screw) through plywood---to add extra adhesion. Make sure you do not nail/screw so deep that you go through the MDF.

Step Five

Caulk and paint.

Step Six

Determine the length of your support board, cut and paint. (*Note: The support board is what you attach your railing system to.)

Step Seven

While paint is drying, locate studs in the wall. Try to get at least 3 screws in studs, for more.

Step Eight

Using the length of your plywood, place the bottom of the support board at the height of your plywood. For example, my plywood is 85". So the bottom of my support board rests at 85" up the wall.

Mounting a Barn Door

Step Nine

Attach the railing track (from the hardware kit) in the center of the support board. Use the instructions from the railing kit.

Step Ten

Attach the wheels from the trailing kit & the door pull to the door. For the wheels, use a large drill bit (I didn't have a huge drill bit, so I used the largest one until the hole was the desired size.) For the door pull, use a small drill bit slightly smaller than the screw it came with. Below is a reference of placement for the hardware.

Barn Door Railing and Hardware Placement

Step Eleven

With a helper, lift the door to where the wheels rest on the track. Apply the stoppers from the barn door kit and gently roll the door back and forth. If there are not any weak spots where the support board attached to the wall, then---YOU'RE DONE!

YAY!! You did it! I'm so proud of you!

DIY Sliding Barn Door