Replacement Hardware May be Available for Pocket Door

Question: I have a sliding pocket door to our bathroom which shakes and also opens and closes with a great deal of noise. The existing pocket door is hollow core and rides on an overhead track. How can we alleviate our problems with noise and rattling?

Answer: I put your question to Marceil Coor-Pender, vice president and general manager of Vent-Vue Products, 2424 Glover Place, off Riverside Drive, near Dodger Stadium. This firm has specialized in pocket doors (the kind that slide into recesses or pockets in walls), for more than three decades and has replacement hardware for many kinds of doors. Coor-Pender said that your problem could be worn or broken hardware. Since pocket doors are commonly found on older homes, the chances are good that worn-out hardware is causing your noise and rattling problems. You might check with Vent-Vue or a similar firm, such as a large hardware store.

Speaking of pocket doors, I love ‘em! We have two in our house, separating the kitchen from the dining area and the family room from the living room. More builders should use them, especially in today’s shrunken houses.

Coor-Pender at Vent-Vue said that--contrary to popular belief--builders and remodelers still use pocket doors. Vent-Vue has all the information on new installations, she said. One person she knows ripped out the drywall in a condominium and installed a pocket door between the bathroom and the dressing area, to her great satisfaction. If you have a remodeling project in mind, consider these space-saving doors.

Dale Baldwin will answer remodeling questions of general interest on this page. Send your questions to Home Improvement, Real Estate Department, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053. Baldwin cannot answer questions individually. Snapshots of successful do-it-yourself projects may be submitted but cannot be returned.