How To Fill The Gap For Sliding Barn Doors
Many people install barn doors in their houses to save space. No matter the door’s width, these flush against the wall taking up zero space in a room. You can install them anywhere in the house without worrying about opening and closing them. However, barn doors do have a problem. They usually end up with gaps between the door and the baseboard, as these doors need to slide over the board.
If you want to add privacy in your bathroom, you’ll have to fill the gap in your sliding barn doors in one of the following ways; adding weatherstrips, installing a door sweep, or installing a door that’s larger than your baseboard. Alternatively, you can use a soundproofing foam block or add a wooden strip (also known as a door seal).
Sometimes, the gap is problematic for individuals who want privacy or a quiet environment in the room or space on the other side of the barn door. Naturally, they need the presence of the gap for efficient sliding of the door. In this post, we will teach you some practical ways to fill the gap between the barn doors and the baseboard.
Related Content: How To Fix A Gap Between A Door And A Frame | How To Cut Foam Board | Types of Door Sweeps
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Ways To Close The Gap In Sliding Barn Doors The Right Way
Add Weather Strips
Weather stripping is an efficient way to reduce sound in a room and limit the presence of other elements. This strip bridges the gap between the baseboard and the sliding door by filling up the shortfall. Therefore, it will help to keep out:
- Light
- Dust
- Cold air
- Insects and arachnids
- Attach a self-adhesive weather strip over the side trims. Make sure to use weather strips of the right thickness to minimize the gap as much as possible. You can use a nail gun to fix the piece over the rim more efficiently for higher durability.
- Apply a strip to the bottom. Attach a strip at the bottom of the door as well if there is a significant gap there. It’s a good idea to use a weather strip that glides smoothly on the floor and closes the opening properly.
Use L-Shaped Side Rims
The benefit of an L-shaped side rim is that it covers the gap with the open end. As the door slides to close, touch the inner corner of this side rim, which completely covers the gap.
- Measure the barn door. Make sure to choose the correct dimensions for the side rim to cover the corner of the barn door completely.
- Add a strip to the inner corner. To make it more efficient, add a foam strip in the rim’s inner corner to bridge the gap between the door and rim, thus adding more soundproofing.
Install A Door Sweep
Like weather strips, door sweeps can block the gap by covering the exposed area between the door and the baseboard. One significant benefit they have over weather strips is that door sweeps do not scrape the floor when the door moves back and forth. You can install these affordable strips over the side rims and the barn door base to close the space.
Install A Big-Sized Barn Door
If you have not begun your barn door project yet, you can choose a more giant door than your baseboard. That way, you can cover the gap to obstruct light and sound to some extent.
Important: Note that a bigger door will increase your budget, so prepare for the additional expenses if you choose this method.
Use Quality Hardware
Do not just invest in a good-quality barn door, but also in the hardware to help it slide and close efficiently. High-quality rails will keep the sliding motion of the door smooth and firm, thus limiting the rattling and other unwanted sounds. Additionally, an excellent rail system covers the crack present between the rail and the top of the door, which is often missed.
Use A Soundproofing Foam Block
Using a soft foam-based block can help solve the gap problem in your barn door. Foam blocks are relatively inexpensive, and you can get them in flexible sizes.
If your barn door is positioned at least an inch away from the baseboard, cover the door’s corners with a foam block to fill the crack. A significant benefit of attaching these delicate pieces on the door’s edge is that they do not scrape the side trim or wall when sliding the door. You can paint the blocks with a similar shade as the barn door to conceal it if you want.
Add A Shower Door Seal
Similar to weather strips, shower door seals can also help close the gap. You do need to choose a compatible seal to cover the door’s width efficiently and covers the opening. It’s a good idea to take measurements beforehand and then bring those measurements when you go to choose the supplies.
Add A Wooden Strip
If you are a skilled carpenter, you can add a wooden strip on the door’s side thick enough that it closes the gap.
That might not close the gap completely, as you need the sliding mechanism to function smoothly, but it does decrease the crack’s width. Do not forget to paint the wood piece to hide it properly behind the door.
Soundproofing Barn Doors the Right Way
When To Call A Professional
If all the above methods do not work for you, call a professional to help you with the woodwork. While DIY projects like these are quite entertaining, wrong dimensions can cause the whole structure to look unappealing. A skilled carpenter has the experience to work around such doors. So, they might help you lower the gap between the baseboard and door effectively.
Or, if you wish, you could hire a professional to take the measurements while you do the actual labor. By hiring a professional to take the measurements, you don’t run the risk of measuring the doors wrong. Also, you can ask them to point you in the right direction as far as materials go. You may even be able to purchase the material through them, depending on the company.
Pest Proofing Your Sliding Barn Doors Is Just As Important
So, you’ve taken the time to cover any gaps in your doors, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that spiders can’t get in. It seems that spiders still find their ways into areas in your home, no matter what you do. Having a sliding barn door might make that easier for them, so what do you do?
Keep Your Door Closed
Believe it or not, one of the most common ways that spiders enter certain rooms is through an open door. Keeping your door shut makes it harder for them to squeeze into the space, mostly when all of the gaps are covered. If you have little children who also need access to the doors, you can install little handles on the bottom so your children can open and close the door with ease as well.
Use A Chemical Agent To Discourage Pests From Entering
It’s best to use an insect deterrent. These usually consist of bitter or pungent smelling substances and discourages the pests from entering your home and different rooms. Spray it on the bottom of the door and the sides. You can also spray it around the ground outside of the door as well.
If you have household pets or children that you are concerned about, they do have non-toxic choices. These are typically labeled as the ‘natural’ methods. Just make sure it also says they’re non-toxic, as not all-natural products are. One great product, in particular, is 100% peppermint oil.
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In Summary
Sliding barn doors are unique, especially when installing them in your home for your bathroom. While they’re a neat addition, they will have gaps that raise a privacy concern. By taking the time to cover up these gaps, you can ensure your family and your guests’ privacy.
Also, it’s an excellent idea to pest-proof around your sliding barn door. This will help to keep any unwanted insects or arachnids out of your bathroom. After all, you don’t want to be in the tub when you see a spider crawling on your wall! All in all, a sliding barn door will be a great addition to your home, only if you take the time to cover the gaps.
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