Tools and Materials
Materials
- Long Screws
- Sliding Rollers
Oil/Wax
- Weatherstripping
Plastic Shims
Wooden Shims
Fixing Common Barn Door Problems
Barn doors may often have problems such as gaps between the door and the door frame, the door not moving smoothly or it may be drooping. Below we discuss each of these problems and explain how to fix a sliding barn door:
How to Fix A Sliding Barn Door
The first thing to do is to assess the rail system. Ensure the rails are parallel with each other and the surface they rest on is well firmly fixed. Use a level tool to check. Tighten any loose screws within the rails using a wrench.
Sagging rails can be fixed using longer screws or additional mounting points for the rails. Replace the old ones with new screws and tighten using a screwdriver.
Straight and secure rails will stop rails from sagging and sticking in the future.
How to Fix Sagging Doors
If the door sags in the middle, there could be a problem with the rollers. The rollers must be secured in the door brackets and working properly. Tighten the screws if needed.
Sagging could also indicate that the door is too heavy a load for the rollers or there is some misalignment. Replace thin rollers with thicker ones that are designed to fit big doors. Using oil or wax on the dry rollers will also be helpful.
How to Fix Barn Door Gap
Gaps occur when the door contracts or the housing materials settle. To raise the track, tighten the nuts on both sides. Next, use weatherstripping to seal gaps between the door and wall, namely on the side and above the structure.
Install a door scuff plate for small spaces at the base of the door.
How to Stop Barn Door Sticking or Dragging
Usually, doors need to be properly aligned and have rail tracks, which can be damaged if squeezed too tightly. Make sure that the rail installation does not have high or low points along the entire length of the mounting points.
It should be readjusted in specific areas wherever the rollers are jammed. Rub some lubricant like oil or wax on the rollers and the track. If the drag is high, move the door brackets from the wall further apart, increasing the clearance.
How to Smoothen Barn Door Movement
Faulty or worn-out rollers provide rough slides accompanied by vibration and noise. If your rollers are worn out, replace them; if they are still in good condition, lubricate them so they roll smoothly.
If used rollers are made of nylon or steel, they will be quieter than plastic or wood ones. Be sure the screws do not move to let rollers vibrate or wobble around. You should also check for loose rail mountings, which make the system vibrate when opening or closing.
How to Repair Loose Barn Door Handles
If handles are weak or, in some cases, fall off, longer screws can be installed to hold onto the door structure. The new screws should be pre-drilled slightly wider and deeper than that initial hole to help avoid woodworking the edges of wood doors.
On stubborn handles, just unscrew them. Then, facing the door, use carriage bolts all the way through with nuts placed on the back part.
If old holes are filled with toothpicks or wood glue, they form a wood filler with something to bite into.
How to Replace Broken Barn Door Rollers
To replace the broken rollers, slowly open the door and lay it flat to reveal the roller brackets. Note which side is up.
In the next step, remove the roller to measure the damaged area accurately. Replacement rollers are easily available in standard sizes and most cost a few dollars.
Replace the rollers with the new one using the same screws or bolts for the best results. This lubricant should be applied before mounting the door on the wheels. Raise the door vertically and place it back in place.
How to Adjust Barn Door Spring Tension
If your door has a lift and it is tight or loose, use the adjustment screws found at the end. Turn the tension bolt various times until the sliding motion is smooth. Care should be taken when restoring spring twists since the power generated when they get dislodged is relatively high.
You should clean and grease the springs annually for better results.
How to Shim Low Spot-on Barn Door Track
Sometimes, the upper track curves downward between brackets, allowing the door to slip off when closed. Adjust and shim under the low spot of the rail with either plastic or thin wooden shims until the track appears straight and level once more.
Always use small shims to avoid overcorrecting, which means repeating the same process over and over. Add silicone to lock in shims in their appropriate positions securely. Apply grease or oil to the rollers and the track so that they aren’t stiff when sliding at that point.
Almost all barn door problems, such as sagginess, gaps or sticking, can be fixed easily by using standard tools, making modifications and replacing worn parts. Ensure the tracks are straightened and secured correctly to work and replace worn parts as needed.