After taking a two day “learning expedition” installing door #1 (out of 4), I began door #2 armed with all the door installation knowledge I needed to get this one right… in one try!
First, I checked to make sure I didn’t have any “cross-legging” issues. I should be completely square, plumb, aligned and completely non-cross-legged. Because I JUST framed this wall a couple months ago. But my eyeballs thought they things looked a little wonky. So I did a little test I learned in my research on how to make the task of door installation — not as big a PITA. 
Perfect! My eyeballs were just playing tricks on me (or I was feeling paranoid after my last door install experience).
I want two double doors that open into the water closet, instead of one wide door which would partly block the path to the toilet. I don’t like doors that stick out into walkways or rooms. Doors shouldn’t stick out past walls, in my opinion. I searched high and low for hinged double doors. The only ones I could find were for a very wide doorway. I even tried to special order — but never got anywhere.
What I ended up with is frosted pivot doors. I almost made my own doors to begin with but found these online at Lowe’s and THOUGHT the $250 “double pivot door kit” worth my time and effort savings. Hind sight? I was oh- so- wrong.
The available specs on the “kit” was, as per the apparent norm on all manufactured items, severely lacking. The kit was: two doors, a track, and a bag full of hardware…and some really shi#$y instructions.
I couldn’t find any information ANYWHERE telling me how to prep my rough opening -height. Width, yes. Height, no. WTFF
I had to install the top pivot and hang the door in the track and then measure that and the bottom hinge –to “figure it out”. I didn’t have finished floors yet so I don’t know if I didn’t actually test fit the doors. They might not even work. But I’ll deal with that hurdle if/when I come to it.
I decided to install the track in the middle of the doorway. There was no directive on that point so I figured it was up to me to decide based on how it would look, once everything is finished.
Hope I end up liking how it looks once everything is finished because I finished the door. Because the whole point of doing the doors now is so I can trim them out so I can install my plank walls and then paint the trim, plank walls and cabinets — all at the same time.
If you don’t yet know, I am notorious for changing my mind mid project. That’s the beauty of doing everything yourself. You can see how individual design elements effect the overall project and change them to make everything look better.
So I changed my mind on my door casings. I originally wanted the doors to appear to take up more of the vertical space. And in this picture I don’t hate it, but IRL I wasn’t loving it. Probably because this particular doorway is quite narrow at 24″ wide. So narrow and really tall…didn’t make my eyes happy.
So I changed it.
Which made a mess of my wall above the door but I don’t care because I’m planking the whole bathroom.
I think. (If not I’ll have to do some patching…)
I did the exact same casing on the inside of the water closet. Minus the initial attempt and subsequent drywall damage.
Yeah – I’m making progress.
Do you detect a note of sarcasm in this post?
I might be feeling the strain of this Jack and Jill remodel dragging on for 4 months longer than I expected. But I would hardly be me if I didn’t drastically overestimate how fast I can knock out a project.
I’m now taking bets on date of completion. No promise of what your prize might be but…place your bets!
Gwen says
I love how you say you always drastically overestimate how fast you can knock out a project. That’s some healthy self esteem and being optimistic is a good character trait!
Have you seen Addicted2Decorating’s bathroom remodel, where she used bi-fold closet doors instead of one door? http://www.addicted2decorating.com/hallway-bathroom-remodel-before-after.html
If you end up not liking your frosted pivot doors, it’s another option over building from scratch.
Nikki C says
I am estimating June 21st 🙂
Is that unrealistic haha? I have the same problem of “oh I can do this in a day” I just hate the finishing touches; caulking, painting, etc.
I have only stayed on my timeline once, this past Superbowl I built a 6 foot bench for my entryway. Got the lumber that morning built, stained, and staged all within 3 hours.
You can do this! Finish strong as always!
Lynn R says
September 1st. (Don’t hit me. Everything just takes SOOOOOOOOOOOO long IRL.)
charisse says
Had you considered pocket doors at all? In my areas where the toilet was in its own compartment, I specified pocket doors. All my halls, like going to the laundry and garage are pocket doors. I love them, have had no problem with them ever after 12 years (all my doors are 7 ft + and solid core.) I love how they take up no space, I can close when I want or not. Just a thought. Hope the rest of this project flows smoother for you, but building things seems always to take longer than we estimate. If we really knew ahead of time, I don’t think we would even start!
Janell says
Wish a photo showed the doors installed/finished.
Larry Thomson says
Like I said on your last doors kick my butt. On my last bathroom remodel I decided to but in a pocket door and since my house is on pilings and the door had to be custom made it was a nightmare and I have all kind of tools planer table saws and so forth. So I feel your pain but I do enjoy doing it.
Frances says
I’m voting for July 7 as a finish date.
Bobbi says
I’ll guess June 30th, but I can never estimate an accurate timeline. Every weekend I make a list of what we need to get done, don’t think I’ve completed one list yet. We’re not alone though, just had to replace our wood floors (had a slab leak), the floor guy said it would take one maybe one and a half weeks, it took three.
Suzanne B says
Good thing it is not me as the date would be 30 years from now. Let’s see, I am accounting for a little breather time, a little wine time, a little change of mind time. I am going to close my eyes, turn around three times, and stab the calendar. Oops, a word of warning….don’t try that if the dog is underfoot. I have a ticked off beagle now. The beagle and I arrive at the humble date of July 19. What?…..Oh the Beagle says at precisely 4:47 PM. She is such a stickler for details.
Jessica Brown says
Sandra, you constantly amaze me with your ability to keep chugging away at issues like that! We are doing our house remodel as well & when those things happen we usually try a few things & the Mr. ends up going with whatever solution the ‘pros’ originally told us to do even if it goes against everything I wanted.
(He quickly goes from amazing to the hulk when progress stalls- so I only get a small window to figure out an alternative)
Your post about the pantry corner cabinet and video had me cringing along with you & I made him watch it so I could say “See! There are other people who will keep trying things to get what they want- it IS possible to be that stubborn hunny!” Haha
Quick Question: Do you use Google sketch to draw up the room plan?
My guess for completion is….June 21st!
*Including all finish work & a few changes or what I call- “Blips of Brillance” around our house =)
Jessica Brown says
Awh crap I just noticed someone else guessed the 21st already- I’ll change mine to the 25th :). So if u feel like making a few more changes you go right on ahead ;p
I can’t wait to see the finished room!
Darlene McClenny says
Sometimes along the way thing/s morph. You get new ideas, some times better ideas. And then sometimes life happens! (In my case, tonsilar cancer requiring surgery with a 2-3 week recovery. But I managed to ‘play in the mud’ the morning of surgery.) In the end you’ll have what you’ve envisioned and you wouldn’t want it any other way. It’ll be done when it’s ‘done’!
My guess is July 13 – my anniversary.
Cath says
I am just really glad that you are stronger and seem much healthier and sarcasm is back!
I miss watching you in action as that is how I learn. Cath
Sandra says
LOL Awesome! I’m glad someone appreciates my humor!
Choice Furniture Superstore says
I am waiting for the final outcome. This is not an easy task to do. Great work.