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7 Simple Steps to Building a Modern Barn Door DIY

Feb 2, 2024 by Brooke Larsen · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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Don't pay for overpriced barn doors in your home. Build a DIY sliding barn door that is modern and customized to your preference.

Are you in the market to replace interior doors? If you live in an older home, chances are your closet door, pantry door, or bathroom entrance might need a facelift. Why not try replacing those old doors with a sliding door that is customized to your liking?

Learn to make your own DIY barn doors in this easy 7 step tutorial complete with pictures and tips. With a few supplies and a little labor, you can create a beautiful DIY barn door project that will be a stunning statement in your home for all to see.

Modern Barn Door DIY

We quickly determined that a pocket door or traditional door would not highlight the desired features of our master bathroom space. Contemplating the design further prompted this custom barn door. With such a pretty design space to feature, a new modern barn door is exactly what was needed to bring both bathroom and master bedroom together.

Supplies Used for Modern Barn Door

  • 4'x8' White oak veneer sheet of plywood
  • (4) 4" thick x 8' long white oak wood
  • Wood glue
  • Nail gun - brad nailer
  • Miter saw
  • Table saw or skill saw
  • Clamps
  • Barn door hardware
  • Door hardware for barn door track
  • Drill
  • Wood material for your header board
  • Wood stain, paint or top coat, if desired

How to Build a Barn Door DIY

Solid wood doors are absolutely beautiful. The wood panels and architectural details can be so elegant. We purposefully picked the fiberglass wood grain style for our front door. But sometimes purchasing wood doors from professional building companies isn't doable in your budget.

Luckily, DIY barn doors are not a difficult or overly expensive home project. I completed our white oak barn door for approximately $250. For a gorgeous wood door style that is custom to your liking, that's a steal! The type of wood will be the biggest expense depending on cost of materials where you live. Make sure to research and price check for the best total cost of lumber.

1. Properly Size Your Barn Door

First, use a tape measure to determine the width of the door opening. Then add at least 4" to your total. For best results, the wooden barn door should overlap the doorway by a minimum of 2" on each side and also on the top of the door.

My door is 3' wide x 8' tall.

2. Cut the Plywood for Main Part of Door

Cut your white oak plywood sheet to the exact size you need for your door. The additional 4"x8' smaller pieces of white oak wood are used to frame out the door as trim pieces since there isn't a typical door frame. It will also give additional strength to the entire door.

Using plywood to build a barn door

This work bench is really handy to make my projects on. See how I made this DIY work bench here.

3. Glue White Oak Border to Plywood

Glue the 4"x8' white oak pieces of wood to the outside straight edge border of the door using wood glue. You may need to cut them down if not to size. Clamps are a great way to help hold these in place. You can also use a brad nailer from the back to help hold it on, just keep in mind that if you go that route you may need to cover nail holes with wood filler.

4. Create and Install X

The basic principle here is that you are essentially creating two large Xs on the front of the door for that nice barn door look. You can also come up with a different design, if you don't want the unique look of the X shape.

How to build a white oak barn door

Find the center point of the door. Then, measure out where that exact center point is on the sides of your door. Cut a diagonal piece of the white oak piece of wood to fit nice and snug from the center point (on the side edge) to one of the opposite corners. Remember - measure twice and cut once!

Tip: Lay the wood out on the door in the position you need. Then use pencil marks to label each side so it is easier to find the correct angle.

Xs on a barn door

For the next diagonal piece, again lay it over the top where you want it and mark where it needs to be cut.

Tip: Cut it larger than needed and slowly trim it down until it fits perfectly.

Continue to cut each piece of wood until your Xs are filled in. It should fit in there pretty snug. This is how the Xs should look in the middle. Take your time and get it just right.

Once you have measured, cut and placed all of your X pieces, glue them to the door. When the glue is dried, stand it up.

X pattern barn door

5. Add Optional Finish

At this point, you can proceed to add a wood stain, coats of paint or a top coat. This will be personal preference depending on the style. I decided to leave my natural.

Depending on the condition of your door, it's a good idea to lightly sanding with 220 grit sandpaper for a finishing touch. Wipe it with a clean cloth when finished to remove any dust.

Natural wood barn door

6. Prep to Hang Your Barn Door

When hanging a barn door you need to install it into wood for strength. Wooden barn doors are heavy and constantly moving along the top rails so you need good support. We used white oak for the header.

How to Determine the Measurements for Your Header

First thing, measure your barn door hardware. Make sure it is at least 2x the size of your door opening. You must have the right size or the door won't be able to open all the way. If not, you will need to purchase a new hardware kit.

Installing barn door hardware

Next step, find the studs in the wall. Use finishing screws to anchor the header to the wall. We used two screws in each stud all the way across. Once your header is in place you can add the barn door hardware to the header and top of the door.

Adding barn door hardware

7. Add Hardware

Finally, add the chosen hardware to your wood door, hang it up and it is ready for use!

Final Reveal - Modern Barn Door DIY

This wooden barn door is the cherry on top that pulls both of these spaces together. The wood tones add a warmth to the space and it is a beautiful focal point.

I can't wait for you to try this with your own barn door. These custom DIY wood doors are a much better way to get what you want at a fraction of the price.

Wood Barn Door

Learn how to build a modern barn door DIY that can not only add a unique touch to your home, but also showcase your creativity and expertise. In 7 simple steps, you can create a memorable design that can make a big impact on any room in your house.

Looking for more woodworking DIYs? Take a look at this easy way to embellish your entryway and add a little flair to your walls.

Happy DIYing!

Brooke

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About Brooke Larsen

Hello Friends! I love anything DIY and home decorator! On my blog I hope you will find home inspo. Whether it is for your next DIY project or home decor. If I can do it, anyone can!

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Hi I am Brooke I am an avid DIY-er and home decorator! I share home inspo and all of my DIY projects with step-by-step directions. I sprinkle in a few recipes to help out all of us busy moms too. If I can do it, so can you!

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