The 7 Best Pocket Door Tracks
Special Honors
Häfele America Co. When a company professes to know more about sliding door hardware than anyone else in the world, you can’t not take a look at its offerings. Lines that stand out include the Hawa brand, which is known for its light and silent operation, as well as the Eku Porta system, which uniquely allows you to remove the fittings and door leaf after installation is complete. hafele.com
Sugatsune America, Inc. This company has more than 80 years under its belt of manufacturing high-quality hardware for doors, including soft-closing systems and synchronized sliding doors – both of which are amenities that you won’t find from many other brands. In addition, its products are known to hold up for generations, so they shouldn’t be overlooked when you’re shopping around. sugatsune.com
Editor's Notes
September 30, 2020:
Similar to barn doors, pocket doors require less space in a room than traditional doors, since they conveniently slide sideways. When open, they disappear into the walls, which helps keep your space looking neat and tidy. In this update, we added in another choice from one of the most well-known brands in pocket door tracks, the Johnson Hardware 1500 Series. This one brings to the list a commercial grade option that’s also suitable for residential use, and is designed for installing a pocket door into a two-by-four stud wall. It comes with all of the required hardware and can be cut down to accommodate custom-sized doors and doorways. It’s made in Indiana by a pocket door track manufacturer that has been in business for more than six decades. Several other models from the same company retain spots on the list, including the Johnson Hardware 100721DR, which is available in four sizes that span 48 to 96 inches in length. This budget-friendly choice has a 125-pound weight capacity and a unique patented design. For a more robust construction that can support up to 400 pounds, look to the Johnson Hardware 200721DR, which includes heavy-duty rollers and steel components that are likely to last for a very long time, and it operates both smoothly and quietly.
For a model with steel components with a durable zinc coating, check out the Hartford Building Products HBP-S1. It’s equipped with two jump-proof three-wheel hangers and comes with a wrench required for assembly. The Slide-Co 162804 is known for its ease of installation, thanks to predrilled mounting holes at nine-inch intervals. All required fasteners are included, as well as adjustable guides, a rubber bumper, and steel ball bearings and brackets.
May 06, 2019:
Pocket doors are a stylish and practical solution when you don’t have the space required for traditional, hinged doors that swing open. The Johnson Hardware brand is well-known in the sliding door industry, and it’s often the go-to brand for quality track sets. Three of its offerings made our list, including the 111SD, which accommodates two doors and comes with two sets of sturdy, ball-bearing rollers per track.
For an option that incorporates four-wheeled hangers that are permanently lubricated, look to the National Hardware choice, which is easy to set up and works great with plaster, drywall, or wood paneling. Another that’s simple to install is the Slide-Co 162804, which offers pre-drilled holes every 9 inches and easily adjustable guides.
No matter which you ultimately select, for new construction, a finish carpenter is best suited for the job, as they specialize in fine details. If you’re thinking of adding this type of system to an existing wall, ensure there’s enough space for the door(s) to travel inside the wall.