The physician who owns the clinic where I work is letting us (the staff) have a big input into designing a renovation. He hired a designer, but since we’re the ones who work there, we want to be practical, and she’ll be responsible for drawing what we want. Today’s question: we want to use pocket doors on four rooms, – – one of which is a bathroom. We’re tight on space, and a hinged door on the bathroom would hardly leave room to close the door when you’re inside.
Three rooms are offices, but, can you get a door that will seal tightly enough that everyone passing by in the hall won’t hear every sound from the bathroom? Are they more trouble than they’re worth? Is there a brand of track that we should either specify MUST be used, or conversely, must NOT be used? How much do they add to the construction cost ? -? – our boss is a decent guy and we don’t want him to spend money that shouldn’t be spent.
Thanks in advance. :^)
Replies
The physician who owns the clinic where I work is letting us (the staff) have a big input into designing a renovation. He hired a designer, but since we're the ones who work there, we want to be practical, and she'll be responsible for drawing what we want. Today's question: we want to use pocket doors on four rooms, - - one of which is a bathroom. We're tight on space, and a hinged door on the bathroom would hardly leave room to close the door when you're inside.
Three rooms are offices, but, can you get a door that will seal tightly enough that everyone passing by in the hall won't hear every sound from the bathroom? Are they more trouble than they're worth? Is there a brand of track that we should either specify MUST be used, or conversely, must NOT be used? How much do they add to the construction cost ? -? - our boss is a decent guy and we don't want him to spend money that shouldn't be spent.
Thanks in advance. :^)
OK, I've done what I should've done (a search) in the first place, and I know that Johnson is the track that I should ask for. But I still don't know if it's suitable for a bathroom with lots of people walking right past it. Anyone ???? PLEASE????????
This has gone to the archives already???????????????????
Edited 4/7/2002 2:57:59 PM ET by martagon99
Hi there.
I'm a design-build remodeler. We have done several hospital/doctor office remodels. Be careful of pocket doors for fire code reasons. I would leave it up to the designer to determine what the code requirements are. Pocket doors are fine in many circumstances and make a previously inaccessible bathroom or procedure room meet ADA requirements. The door will need to meet the fire rating required.
Also check to make sure the designer knows exactly how much locking is required for the door. There is a variety of hardware available for pocket doors to make sure patients have privacy.
One thing to remember, is sometimes physicians like to have a door swing, so that the patient can step behind the door if it is opened at an inoportune time.
We like pocket doors. Theyare more time consuming to install and require extra framing, drywall, and painting. Not to mention making sure the jamb is still the same. Plus the carpeting, vinyl flooring, transistions strips, and baseboard also may end up changing a little depending on the installation.
I hate pocket doors - Nothing but trouble IMHO. I'd change the number of bathrooms, or do almost anything to change the layout so you don't have to use pocket doors.
One think comes to mind - If you barely have room to close the door, the bathroom certainly won't meet ADA requirements. Watch out you don't get yourself in hot water there....