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Creating a tidy home: DIY sliding door

A grey sliding door covers half a wooden shelf with bottles.
For example, you can hide unsightly shelves behind simple sliding doors.
  • Difficulty
    medium
  • Cost
    < 50 €
  • Duration
    1-3 h

Most everyone has some part of their home that they would rather hide away, be that a wardrobe, an unattractive shelf or their pantry. There are things that we need, but which are just a bit unsightly. We’ll show you how to tidy up your home with DIY sliding doors and turn eyesores into real head-turners.

Whether you’re talking about a rustic sliding door with a country-house feel, a contemporary sliding partition rail system or even a sliding door with frame, you can build your own sliding door with the right tools and a little skill. You can change the materials, design, colour and features to meet your specific ideas and needs. Before you start building your DIY sliding door, you’ll learn everything you need to know about planning, materials, tools and much more.

Planning

Anyone looking to build DIY sliding doors should take the time to plan properly. It’s not just about finding the right sliding door system for your home, but also about choosing the right material and measuring out everything precisely. Then you have to decide whether you want to build everything yourself or use ready-made parts in some cases. You can find standard sliding door kits for wardrobes at a DIY store, but you can also build a complete, customised sliding partition yourself.

Should you buy a ready-made kit or build your own sliding doors?

If you don’t have the time or space for DIY projects, buying a ready-made kit can be a less stressful option. If you do choose this option, you will not be able to customise or add extra features to your sliding door. But not so if you build a sliding door from wood yourself. You get to choose the material, width, type of rail/guide system and much more. In some cases, a combination of ready-made and custom-made parts is also suitable.

We will now describe the pros and cons of making your own sliding door.

Pros

  • Individuality and room for creativity
  • Made to measure and custom design (material, width, mounting, rail system, fittings, additional features) instead of standard dimensions
  • Less expensive

Cons

  • You need enough space, the right tools, time and a certain amount of craftsmanship. You can find great information on how to sand wood correctly and much more in our guides.
  • If you choose to work with materials like glass or plexiglass, this will add another level of difficulty to your DIY project. Building a sliding door out of wood is easier, however.
  • You will need to prepare the construction plan and material list yourself, unless you want to follow the instructions in this article.

Accurate measurements

Sliding doors allow you to reorganise a cupboard or small room set aside for cleaning supplies, tools, garden equipment and much more to make it appear more spacious and less cluttered.

Before you can build your DIY sliding door, you first need to make sure you measure everything out correctly. Once you’ve done that, you can make a sketch of the DIY sliding door, which will prove handy going forward. And even if you want to use a small number of ready-made parts to build the sliding door, the sketch will help when it comes time to purchase the materials and put the door together.

Build your own sliding door: Outdoor vs. indoor

Generally speaking, the main difference when it comes to building a DIY sliding door for use indoors or outdoors is the materials you’ll need. The basic steps, like the ones we’ve outlined in our guide, are the same in both cases. Assembly and whatever extra features you might need may vary depending on where you want to install the door.

If you want to install sliding doors inside, you will need to factor in the pitch of the roof, the height of the ceiling and the amount of space available to you. In addition, you should consider whether you want your sliding door to do two things at once, like be both a room divider and a shelf, before you start building. With a little bit of skill, you can not only save space and keep things tidy, but also give your home a personal touch. 

Sliding doors for indoor use

You can use a sliding door as a room divider. Wardrobes, shelves and cupboards in the kitchen or cellar are other popular uses. Here are a few examples where sliding doors can be used in your home:

Installing a sliding door under a sloped roof or in a jamb wall

If you want to make full use of every square inch of your home, you should think about a sliding door under a sloped roof. This allows you to make the most out of spaces that would otherwise not be used.

Depending on whether you want the doors to run directly under the sloped roof or to the rear underneath it, you can find the guide rails, brackets and panels you need at your local DIY store. In combination with a matching shelf system or drawers, you’ll have a new – and above all – tidy storage space in no time.

Sliding doors allow you to create physically separate spaces under a sloped roof. Instead of one large room, the space under the roof can also be divided to create a work space, storage room, bedroom and so on. 

Installing a sliding door in front of a wardrobe

Are jackets, shoes, scarves, hats and other things always lying about in your entrance? Over time, it can be hard to find what you’re looking for among the piles of clothes, not to mention the mess and clutter this creates. One solution could be a sliding door to section off a corner or other space in the entrance for a wardrobe. Whether you’re making the sliding door yourself or buying one as a kit, you can also transform a shelf in your home into a handsome wardrobe.

Installing a sliding door in front of a shelf

You need space to store your boxes, books, clothes, towels and other odds and ends. But where? Here, too, a modern sliding door can be the solution.

If you already have a suitable shelf, there is no need to build or buy one. Instead, you can build a DIY sliding door to place in front of your shelf to cover it up. A guide rail installed at the top of the shelf is a great option here.

By the way, building a shelf is a great DIY project that is in most cases easy to do yourself. Are you looking for inspiration? Then take a look under DIY furniture.

Installing a sliding door in front of a kitchen cabinet or floor unit

In the kitchen, too, there never seems to be enough space to store cutlery, utensils and food. Is that the case with you, too? If there is anything lying about, it is quickly stuffed into a drawer or put on a shelf. In the end, it looks messy and it’s difficult to find what you want. To solve this problem, you can install a stylish sliding door in front of a storage space to hide it from sight. You can also do the same with floor units. Plus, a sliding door reduces the amount of dust and dirt that collect on your things.

Tips
Sliding doors in a combination of materials
You can use a variety of materials such as glass, wood or ceramic to transform sliding doors into a decorative highlight in your kitchen.

Installing a sliding door as a room partition

If you have large rooms and want to create a partition to section off several areas in a room for different purposes, then a sliding door is the perfect solution. Without having to erect a wall, you can divide the living and working spaces in no time at all. Divide your bedroom into a space for sleeping and a dressing area by using a sliding mirror door. Or create a personal workspace right in your bedroom with the aid of a sliding door. Let your creative side run wild – the sky’s the limit! 

Sliding doors for outdoor use

Want to build a sliding door for your garden shed? Or are you planning to install a sliding door in front of a storage room or an alcove in your carport, tool shed or garage to cover or close it off? You can also build a DIY sliding door for use outdoors.

If you install a sliding door outdoors, you’ll need to protect it against the elements. This can be done using a waterproof wood preservative, stain and by selecting screws and other fixtures that are rustproof.

Installing a sliding door in a carport or garage

Practical, elegant and, above all, space-saving, sliding doors are also ideal for carports. Instead of losing lots of space because you have to leave room to open and close a standard swivel door, you can customise a DIY sliding door to your individual needs. It’s up to you whether you opt for a simple model or for electric sliding doors or double doors that can be operated separately.

Electric sliding doors are a really practical solution for the garage. Plus, you can install a lock on your DIY sliding door or other devices to enhance safety and security, such as a burglar alarm or an emergency exit function.

Installing a sliding door on a tool shed

You do not have to choose a sliding door made from wood if you are installing one on your garden or tool shed. Especially aluminium has the advantage that it is extremely light, weather-proof and low maintenance.

If you want to use your tool shed to store garden tools and other supplies as well as work it in, you can install glass doors to ensure you get plenty of sunlight inside. This turns even the smallest shed into a great hobby room.

Sliding doors in a conservatory

Sliding doors are a great option for your conservatory. As an elegant, space-saving solution to connect your home to your garden outdoors, a sliding door lets in the maximum amount of sunlight and, depending on the sliding door system you choose, they are easy to open and close.

If you can build a DIY sliding partition, there are no limits to what you can do. You get to choose the material, width, shape and, of course, what special features you want. The more often you use the door, the more stable it should be.

Find a style that works best for you: Building your own sliding door

Sliding doors are no longer just functional, they also have a decorative function. They fit in no matter where you put them. Whether in the wall, in front of a shelf or suspended on a floor-or ceiling-mounted track, there are a wide range of options available to you if you’re looking to build a sliding partition.

There are a full range of options available not only for how you build the door, but also in terms of how you want it to look. Paint, fixtures, rail systems and much more allow you to find a personal style for your home. For example, if you want to build a sliding partition for a modern home, the industrial look could be just what you’re looking for. Alternatively, you can create a cosier atmosphere and a rustic feel with a wooden sliding door.

The vintage look is all the rage at the moment. For example, you could reuse old doors by installing them in the sliding door system of your choosing. Also check out more of our upcycling ideas. How about a wardrobe or a shelf made from empty tins? Or why not build an indestructible stool from an old tyre.

If you’re interested in other decorative ideas for the home, you’ll find what you’re looking for here.

Choosing the right material for your DIY sliding door

When deciding on what material to use, you first need to figure out where you want to install the sliding door. Once you’ve done that, the choice is usually quite clear. A wooden door can provide a rustic or modern look, depending on the style of your home. A sturdy sliding door made from wood can be ideal for your garage or shed in the garden or yard, too. Or maybe you’ve been thinking about building a glass room partition for inside your home?

Whether you opt for wood, metal, glass or plexiglass, or even a sliding door built into the wall, the material you ultimately end up choosing is a matter of taste, your level of skill and, of course, the budget you’re operating on.

The advantage of building a sliding door out of wood is that it is not only easy to work with compared to other materials, but you can also create the desired look for nearly any ambience thanks to the different types of wood, grains, colours and glazes available. Wood is also highly versatile. It can be used in modern industrial spaces, in rustic country homes or for a sliding door in the same colour to match your wardrobe.

Tips for choosing the right accessories

Whether you are looking for an elegant solution to partition a large room, section off a storage space or shelving unit or simply want to save space by not having to leave extra room aside for opening and closing the door, sliding doors are a great option in many cases.

For do-it-yourself sliding door systems or DIY sliding doors there is a wide variety of accessories to choose from. Fittings, rails, door handles and much more are not only available in different materials, including brass, zinc, wood, ceramic and metal, but also in different colours and sizes.

When choosing accessories, make sure that they match the rest of the fittings, are functional and easy to clean, are simple to assemble and do not break the bank. If at all possible, ask an employee at your DIY store for their professional advice.

You need
Step17

Sawing the wood to size

A piece of wood is sawn to size with a circular saw.

Saw the plywood to the appropriate size for you, ideally with a circular saw.

You need:
Hand-held circular saws
,
work gloves, ear protectors, safety glasses, Plywood panels

Saw the plywood to your desired size with the hand-held circular saw. Here we recommend the 18 volt cordless device – it is more flexible and easier to handle.
Do not forget to deduct the height of the rollers from the total length. If you want to place several sliding doors next to each other, plan a few more cm into the width, to ensure that the door panels overlap.
When sawing, you should wear protective goggles, gloves and ear protectors.

Step27

Sanding the wood smooth

Use a sanding device to sand down the wooden boards.

Sand the plywood beautifully smooth.

You need:
Bosch multislipere
,
work gloves, face mask, safety glasses, ear protectors, Plywood

To ensure that your DIY sliding doors are beautifully smooth and the varnish adheres better, you should sand down the plywood. Then place the sanding paper on the multi-sander and wear down the surfaces and edges of the panels without pressure in the direction of the grain, until everything is beautifully smooth.

 

Tips
A tip
Remove the sanding dust after sanding the panels – for example with a cloth or suitable cordless handheld vacuum cleaner.
Step37

Sawing a cutout for the handles

The cutout for the handle is sawn with a jigsaw.
There is a black handle and a ruler on a wooden panel. The dimensions of the handle have been transferred to the board.
The cutout for the handle is sawn with a jigsaw.
There is a black handle and a ruler on a wooden panel. The dimensions of the handle have been transferred to the board.

You need:
NanoBlade saw
,
pencil, safety glasses, face mask, work gloves, pocket rule, Handle, Plywood panel

To ensure that the doors do not get caught on the door handles when pushing back and forth, you should use recessed handles. They interface almost flush with the surface and form recessed handles for gripping. Transfer the dimensions of the handle to the door panel and saw out the cutout with the NanoBlade saw.
This allows you to carry out what is known as a plunge cut without any complications. To do so, position the saw in the first instance almost upright on the wood. The saw blade thus floats approximately in the middle above the line that you have previously marked. Then switch on the saw and sink it in the wood. Then saw the cut up to the end. Rotate the tool and saw the rest of the line in the opposite direction. Proceed like this with all four sides until your opening is finished.

Step47

Varnishing sliding doors

A sliding door made of wood is painted in grey with a roller.

Varnish your sliding doors in your desired colour

You need: paint roller, work gloves, staff, Door panel, Varnish

Paint the door panels with a wide roller, which you immerse in the tray so that it is covered in varnish all over.

Alternatively, spray the wood with the paint spray system.

Let the wooden panels dry through thoroughly.

Tips
Tip
The shinier the varnish, the easier the door is to maintain.
Step57

Fastening rollers

The screws for the rollers are fastened using a cordless combi drill.
Holes for screws on the underside of the sliding door are pre-drilled with a wooden drill.
The screws for the rollers are fastened using a cordless combi drill.
Holes for screws on the underside of the sliding door are pre-drilled with a wooden drill.

You need:
Cordless combi drill
,
3.5 mm wood drill bit
,
Door panel, Roles, Wood screws

First establish the position of the rollers. Then mark the drill holes with the pencil and pre-drill the holes with the wooden drill. Then screw both rollers to the lower edge of the door panel.

Step67

Building ceiling rails

The rail system is expanded by a further part made of plastic.
Small wooden rods are stuck with adhesive tape into an L-shaped profile made of plastic.
Part of a rail system made of plastic is fastened to a ceiling. A square timber serves as a spacer.
The rail system is expanded by a further part made of plastic.
Small wooden rods are stuck with adhesive tape into an L-shaped profile made of plastic.

You need:
Cordless combi drill
,
masking tape / adhesive tape, Screws, Profiles, Door panel, Spacers

There are, of course, finished sliding door systems along with guide rails available for purchase. They are, however, expensive. With a few simple U- or L-shaped profiles made of plastic or metal, you can quickly and cheaply build yourself your own rail system. If you have more than one door panel and would like to push them together to save space, you can install several profiles behind each other, allowing each door panel to run in a rail.

Drill the holes with a cordless combi drill and the appropriate drill bit.

Tips
Tip

U-shaped profiles should correspond to the thickness of your plywood panels plus 1 mm tolerance.

For L-shaped profiles, you can use residual wood from the plywood panels as a spacer and simply screw the profiles behind each other to the ceiling or the shelf.

Step77

Inserting door panels

Split screen: On the left, you can see an opened clothes cupboard with a sliding door. On the right side, the sliding door is closed.
Two grey sliding doors cover a wall shelf made of wood.
Close-up of a black handle of a grey sliding door.
Split screen: On the left, you can see an opened clothes cupboard with a sliding door. On the right side, the sliding door is closed.
Two grey sliding doors cover a wall shelf made of wood.

You need: Door panel, Handle

Now you can attach the door panels. To do so, put them on the floor with the rollers at some distance and parallel to the rails. Now tilt them slightly diagonally in the direction of the rails, to allow them to be inserted from below into the rails. Push the doors up so that they are straight. Finally just install the handle, and your DIY sliding door system is finished.
Disorder and chaos immediately disappear behind your trendy sliding doors.

Tips
Tip
You can also varnish the wooden panels with panel varnish or magnetic paint, so you can use them as a notice board or colour them with chalk.