Hardware for Flip-Up Pocket Doors
Suggestions for hardware for a door that flips up and slides into a pocket. June 16, 2014
Question
We have a job that requires a flip up pocket door and I am looking for advice as to hardware and viability of the system. We have done standard pocket doors and the system seems a little prone to damage if the doors are not opened and slid in correctly. We used the Blum hardware on the ones we did. Any advice would be greatly appreciated in regards to better hardware, etc. We have considered a tambour door but it won't work for this design. The cabinet is to be a dog crate and the customer wants the door out of the way when open.
Forum Responses
(Cabinetmaking Forum)
From contributor D:
Accuride makes some high quality pocket door slides. The Accuride 123 works well and comes with hinges. The Accuride CB 1321 Pro Pocket can be used with horizontal doors and mounts in such a way that damage to door front cannot occur. Both slides are available from Hafele and other Accuride distributors.
From contributor M:
I have to disagree with Contributor D. The Accurides are prone to damaging doors as well; two little impressions at each hinge. The slide edges bite into the corner of the door, showing on the face when the operator attempts to close the door before sliding it completely out. The stop pins only give it leverage, especially when horizontally.
From contributor D:
You might want to check the features and benefits of the Accuride 1321 Pro pocket. The hardware has an auto open feature which springs the doors out the last 1 1/2" and the hinges and slides are all in the back of the door. You have to work hard at damaging the face of the door when using this hardware.
From the original questioner:
I need a door height of 26" to 28" and it does not look like any of the hardware works with doors over 24" tall. The Accuride hardware looks well made. It seems odd that the hardware won't accommodate a 28" door as lots of TV cabinets require that as a minimum height.
From contributor D:
That is a pretty tall door for a door that lifts and pockets. This hardware is made mostly for vertical doors and then can do doors up to about 42" high. I would look at other options. Can you pocket on the side? Can you bi-fold and pocket on one side? Can you slide the door up like an old fashion elevator door? You must have a very deep TV cabinet if you are planning on sliding a 28" door into the cabinet.
From the original questioner:
The project is a fancy dog crate meant to look like furniture and give the dog a place to lie down and be contained in the living room. I think I am going to have to explore other options because as you say this hardware is better suited to vertical pocket doors. I was trying to avoid the tambour option but it may be the best option.
From contributor M:
You're right; I haven't used the auto open version. It doesn't look like the hardware has changed from the 123 though in any way besides the auto open feature. So, I imagine that you'd still have to be careful to support the door until it's fully open before allowing it to close in order to prevent damage. In regards to taller (or wider depending on orientation) doors, use the type that has cables and pulleys to keep the slides parallel.
