Add 4 to the measurement and you have your recommended door width.
How to measure track length for sliding barn door.
Whatever your measurement is for at least twice the width of the door plus the extra 4 to 6 inches that will be your minimum track length.
Using a tape measure begin at the left edge of the opening and measure straight across to the right edge.
If you have a double door you will need a track that is four times the width of one barn door.
Add 1 to 2 per door for overlap depending on privacy needs.
Most installations will require a hanger board or ledger on the wall to mount the door track.
Always remember that your barn door railing system should be at least double the width of your door frame possibly longer if you have an odd shaped door.
A 2 x 6 will work for most homes it should be at least as thick as the trim.
Cut a board twice as long as the door width project diagram drawing 1.
You can extend the track length for stylistic reasons if you wish.
How to measure for a barn door in three steps.
This is how long your track length should be at minimum for a single sliding door.
Then measure and cut 2 sections of dowel to act as spacers between the track and the wall.
Take the width measurement for your new barn door and multiple it by two.
Width of door x 2 4 to 6 inches of space minimum track length.
To calculate simply follow this equation.
To figure out what size track you need double your final width measurement.
For instance if you have a doorway that s 35 you ll want a track that s at least 70 although a safe 6ft.
For door openings with casing molding.
Total door width will be 36.
Measure across for the width and from the top of the casing molding to the floor for height.
You will usually just want the sliding barn door to be just an inch or so bigger than the height of the opening.
Measure from there to the floor for your door height.
Measure from inside to inside of the opening.
If the doorway has moldings measure.
Measure from outside to outside of casing molding.
Next starting at the end that attaches above the door lay out marks every 16 inches where the backing plate will attach to the studs.
Sheetrocked opening no trim or casing width.
It also creates space for the new sliding door away from the wall to clear the trim.
Keep in mind when you are designing your barn door the back of it will give you a totally different look when closed.
In this example the opening width is 32 4.
72 would probably be even better.