Height. “This is important to know to make sure the piece of wood comes all the way down to the floor to meet up with the glider,” Gatto says.
For this project, Gatto hung her barn door track 5 inches above the door opening to accommodate her slab, which, after cut to size, came out to 7 feet, 2 inches tall. “It’s always best to wait and cut the door height on-site so you can verify the wood hits right above the floor,” she says.
Thickness. You will need to know what thickness of wood will work with the track you’ve selected. In this case, Gatto brought the track specifications to the millworker where she bought the slab, and had the slab planed and refinished at an additional fee to fit the track. “Bring the specifications with you of the track you are using while shopping for your wood piece to verify they are compatible,” she says.
Species. When selecting the species of wood, “ask for a lighter-weight wood to verify your track can support the weight,” Gatto says. “Again, refer to the track you have selected for optimal weight.”
Lightweight species include ash and alder, which Gatto used. It’s best to ask a professional at your lumberyard what will work best for your needs and track system.
Hardware and stain. Depending on your preference and the style of your home, you can choose whether to stain and finish the door, and whether to add hand pulls and locks. In her project, Gatto wanted a natural, modern look, so she applied a clear coat on the wood to bring out its natural beauty.
“The piece can be finished from the vendor prior to bringing it on-site,” Gatto says. “Or, if you have a crew, they can finish it on-site. Depending on the wood quality and how much sanding and finishing is needed, you can do it prior to installing or after. It is easiest to do it on a flat surface prior to installing, though. Hand pulls are done after the wood is installed. In my case, I did not use hand pulls.”
