Inversely if the room had an earthy feel with rustic designs, perhaps aged or antiqued furniture pieces, with warm tones, you might want something a little more than a Flat Black finish to accompany the aesthetics. The finish of the hardware determines which application it would best suit. Rather, the intended site of application of the hardware determines what finish you would choose.

There are several different finishes to choose from. Let’s review the three most popular and widely chosen. They are the Flat Black Acrylic, the Clear Acrylic Overcoat, and the Unfinished.

Flat Black Acrylic

The flat black finish is probably the most popular because of its subtle appearance. It allows for a hint of rustic character while maintaining the contemporary feel of a particular interior. It is perfect for home offices, libraries, studies, or anywhere else where the interior design is modern/contemporary.

Clear Acrylic Overcoat

The clear acrylic overcoat is ideal for those who want a more rustic, earthy feel to their room. This style of hardware pairs well dens, living rooms, and anywhere else where you might be trying to preserve an old-world, rustic style. This finish is also perfect to accent custom wood doors that have been aged or weathered.

Unfinished

Perhaps the most unique of the three finishes, unfinished barn door hardware systems are just that, unfinished. No finish coat is applied to the end product. This provides for several advantages. One is that it allows a skilled homeowner or designer to apply their own finish to achieve the exact style they need. Another advantage is that since there is no protective coat on the surface of the hardware, it allows the raw mill steel of the hardware to weather and age, giving it an even more rustic feel. Some prefer this “organic” approach to aging the hardware. Some will even let it weather and rust just a little on the surface, then seal it with a clear coat to preserve that rustic look!

Whatever the room or door you’re trying to match, we have the right finish. For more information, send us an email and we’ll help you get started on your project!

Flat track hardware is not only unique and attractive, it is also versatile in its applications. The most common of its uses is as a doorway from one main room to another. Yet there are a few other really great ways in which people have been using this hardware. We’d like to share some of those with you.

Again, the most classic use is to be part of a doorway from one main room to another. By this we mean to say from an entryway to a home office, a kitchen to a dining room, or a main hallway to a living room. As mentioned in previous posts, this can add to the decor and character of a room. In later posts we’ll talk about how this can also add actual value to your home if you’re looking to get it reappraised. More rooms can equal more market value.

Another really great application of flat track hardware that we’ve seen recently has been as part of book shelves and cabinets for libraries and studies. Let us describe one example in particular. The book shelf stood on the floor and was about 7′ tall and 5′ wide. The shelf was divided vertically into three sections. The barn door hardware was mounted to the top of the case with a door that hung down to cover all the shelves vertically. However the door was only as wide as one section of the shelves so as to only cover one vertical section and leave the other two exposed. The door itself have a glass window build into the center of it that allowed a view of the middle section of the shelves. The door would slide back and forth exposing different areas of the book shelf and covering others. It was creative, artistic, and functional.

A third way in which we’ve seen barn door hardware used is as a sliding system for a small door covering for things such as windows and TV cabinets. In the picture you’ll see a perfect example of how this hardware can accommodate even small doors for small openings. We’ve particularly grown fond of this application of the hardware!

Do you have ideas? We’d love to hear them! Send us an email with your idea and let’s get started today!

Most people know that there is a difference between regular and stainless steel. However not everyone knows exactly what that difference is. If you’ve ever compared pricing between the two, then you know that stainless steel is more expensive. But why? What is so special about stainless? In this post we’ll address what exactly is stainless steel, why it can be so expensive sometimes, and how it is used in sliding door hardware.

Regular Steel

There are actually several different types of steels. Steels are alloys (two or more elements that combine to make metals) in which iron is mixed with carbon and other elements. Depending on how much carbon is added to the steel and how it is heat treated, the steel can be soft, hard, flexible, or brittle. One of the draw backs to standard steel is that since its essential element is iron, it will rust and pit on its surface.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel, however, resists rusting and pitting. This is why it is used in kitchens, bathrooms, and other places where sanitation is a priority. Because it resists pitting and rusting, its surface doesn’t have pores or cracks in it to harbor dirt, dust, and germs.

Stainless steel is created by adding a significant amount of chromium to the alloy. The chromium reacts with the iron in steel and causes it to resist rusting. This is what gives the steel its bright and shiny appearance, although the metal itself is actually dark. The surface of stainless reflects a lot of light.

Because of the fact that it has extra elements added to it, and because of its beneficial properties, stainless is typically more expensive than regular steel.

Check out our other posts to learn more about stainless steel and how it is used with sliding door hardware!

Barn door hardware is not only unique and decorative in style, it is additionally very strong and reliable as mentioned in previous posts. Let’s take a closer look at the construction of this hardware to see why it’s so reliable.

With a closer look you’ll note that the track and hanger are constructed of solid steel flat bar. The flat bar of the track itself is 1/4″ thick by 2″ wide. The hangers that attach to the door roll along the 1/4″ thickness of the bar, making that 2″ of width an integral part of the strength of the system. The track can support doors that weigh up to 400lbs. Specialty systems are available heavier doors.

Standard door sizes in most homes are between 2′ 6″ to 3′. Therefore the total length of track needed is typically between 6′-8′, depending on the needs of homeowner. The track is supported by mounting hardware and spacers that hold the track at a distance of 1-1/4″ from the wall. Given the fact that the header wall may be made of different materials (ie- wood, concrete, etc.) the fasteners themselves are not included with the kits, but they can easily be acquired at a local hardware retailer.

On opposite ends of the track are two door stops that are 2″ by 2″. These obviously prevent the door from sliding off either end of the track. Some homeowners have larger door openings, like those to a dining room, library, or living room. Instead of using one large door to cover the opening, many like having two smaller doors that slide apart (as pictured above). In this case, two more door stops are needed at the center of the track to help the doors stay centered in the “closed” position.

The track hangers that attach to the doors are made of the same solid steel flat bar. Inside the curve of the hanger is located the hanger’s wheel. The wheel is meticulously designed to fit perfectly inside the curve of the hanger and run smoothly along the track. The bearings inside the wheels have a lifetime lubrication guarantee, meaning they will never need maintenance or additional lubricating at any time in the future. The hanger is about 11-1/2″ tall, and the strap of the hanger extends down onto the door a length of roughly 5-1/2″ with two spaces for attaching the hanger to the door.

The overall design is meant to imply a simple and minimalistic approach. This not only helps the preserve the rustic and unique feel of the hardware, but also gives it unbeatable strength and reliability.

Homeowners are taking this rustic look and bringing it indoors to accent their interiors. The rustic-style design of the hardware brings character to any room. Since the track runs outside the walls, homeowners get to proudly display their doors, whether they are in the open or closed position. This way the door becomes much more than just a door; it is an essential part of the decoration and aesthetics of a room. Standard doors that swing on hinges are merely a closure to another room. They are hardly noticed or considered part of a room’s decor. Pocket doors slide into the wall and out of sight altogether. Their design and construction rarely contribute to the overall design of a room or home. Additionally, the small pocket door latch becomes a nuisance over time causing the door itself to remain hidden in the door for the large majority of the time. Why even have a door at that point?

Sliding doors that remain exterior the wall are the choice of homeowners and designers. They are perfect for studies, bathrooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and libraries. Contact us today to learn more about sliding door hardware.

Solid Structure

One of the main reasons this hardware is so popular is its strength and longevity. Solid steel track and hangers give you strength and durability to last a life-time. And speaking of a life-time, our life-time guaranteed bearings in the rollers make it so you’ll never have to maintain or replace the hardware, saving you money and hassle. Essentially, this hardware will outlive your home.

Versatility

This flat track door hardware can be used for several applications. Many use it for closing off rooms such as libraries, studies, dining rooms, and home offices. Others have used it on glass doors for stylish bathroom entries. People even enjoy using it in its original application as barn door hardware, using it to put the finishing touches on a restored barn, cabin, lodge, or other rustic setting.

Attractive Design

With the style of pocket doors quickly fading, many are looking for new solutions to their doorway needs. At the same time many homeowners are looking for unique hardware to compliment custom doors that they’ve had built. The rustic look and feel of this hardware is an attractive accent to any door. With many finishes available, it can be used for virtually any door and room style. The standard Flat Black finish works well with all styles and colors, particularly with glass doors and office settings. The Acrylic Clear Coat finish (shown in the picture above) allows for a more rustic feel to the hardware, perfect for wood doors with stressed or aged finishes.

With so many options, there is no wonder as to why this hardware is booming in popularity. For more information, visit our other posts, or simply contact us! Let’s get started on your project today!