What barn door tracks to suit 18mm thick door?

[MJR]

I'm looking to install a barn door in place of an existing hinged door in a garage work area. I was hoping to use one of the pre-finished and less expensive doors like this 18mm MDF door  https://www.bunnings.com.au/inbuilt-18-x-2100-x-1000mm-avellino-valence-oak-internal-barn-door-mdf-m...    but the instructions for the tracks all seem to say they suit 35-45mm thick doors. I am wondering if this is only if you choose to run a groove along the bottom for the T guide? If instead I used a U shaped floor guide like https://www.bunnings.com.au/rolltrak-matte-black-barn-door-guide_p0297020 would that suit an 18mm door? I know I would need shorter fixing screws to mount the side-fit brackets to the door, but is there anything else that would prevent this track from working on a thinner door? https://www.bunnings.com.au/rolltrak-2000-x-40-x-6mm-matte-black-smooth-finish-barn-door-track-side-...

Also, can that track be cut-to-size in length to reduce it from 2000mm to 1900mm?

[JacobZ]

Hi @MJR,

Thank you for your question and welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

I believe they are saying that the tracks suit a 35-45mm door as this is the standard thickness for most doors. Realistically, the 18mm door is going to weigh less than a 35-45mm door anyway so I don't see any issues with using this track with this door. The only thing to consider is that the face of the door will sit the same distance from the wall as a 35mm or 45mm door. This means there will be a larger void between the door opening and the door. Not really an issue, just something to be aware of.

As you have suggested, you would need to shorten the bolts included in the mounting kit, but this is fairly easy to do with a hacksaw.

Looking at the instructions for the Rolltrak Matte Black Barn Door Guide, it looks like the guides are adjustable along the full width of the slot, so I'm fairly certain you could adjust them to suit an 18mm door which would certainly make them easier to use than a T guide.

Also looking at the instructions for the Rolltrak 2000 x 40 x 6mm Matte Black Smooth Finish Barn Door Track Side Fix Set, I can't see any reason you couldn't remove 50mm at each end of the track to slightly reduce its length. You would however need to repaint the ends of the track to match the rest.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Jacob

[MJR]

Wonderful. Thanks for the reply   I'll post photos to confirm for others in future once the job is done. 

[1job_at_atime]

Hi ! Stumbled upon this as I was planning a very similar job. Going to use laminex 18mm panels instead of wardrobe doors to fit a right space . Wondering how you went with the cutting the barn door track and using the u guide ?

[EricL]

Hello @1job_at_atime 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's wonderful to have you join us.

Let me tag @MJR to make them aware of your question. It would be interesting to find out how far MJR has progressed and if they have finished the project using the 18mm door.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[MitchellMc]

Hi @1job_at_atime,

As Jacob mentioned earlier, the biggest issue is that there will be a huge gap behind the door to the wall. You'll be able to fit your hand through there. I would recommend attaching some 19mm thick timber horizontally to the top of your Laminex panel to increase its thickness to 37mm. This will put it in the realm of a standard door thickness and push your panel further towards the wall, minimising the gap.

Cutting the track would be best done with a hacksaw. Mark squarely to the track and follow your line. Take your time with it, and you should get a neat cut.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[1job_at_atime]

Thanks guys, any thoughts on two doors on the one track to create a bypass ? One door would have the roller  hardware installed on the front and the other of the back. 

[EricL]

Hi @1job_at_atime 

It's an interesting idea, but you will need a second rail if they are bypassing each other. Having a single rail means that they will run into each other because the rollers are all on the same track. You can have them slightly overlap one another by having the doors bigger and extend past the roller assembly. 

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric