How to Remove the Header Over a Closet Door and Put in Floor-To-Ceiling Closet Doors

Remove everything from the closet. Anticipate not using the closet for at least three days.

Remove the existing doors and all hardware, including tracks for sliding and bi-fold doors.

Draw a vertical line even with the existing width of the doorway, ending at the ceiling on either side of the closet -- both inside and out. These lines delineate the area to be removed. Score these lines with a utility knife as deeply as possible.

Cut power to the room at the breaker box. Use work lights plugged into another room with an extension cord to see what you're doing.

Break up the existing drywall between the lines marked in Step 3 with a hammer. Use the blunt side of the hammer to dent it then pull it loose with the claw end. Look for any electrical wiring as you go and avoid snagging it with the hammer claw. Remove the drywall from both the inside and outside of the closet.

Remove all visible insulation and discard it. Don't pull the insulation down from above or you'll pull it out of the ceiling. Simply cut if off straight across at ceiling level with the utility knife.

Cut off the exposed vertical wood support beams that are flush with the ceiling. A power saw makes the work go more quickly, but a hand saw is easier to control in tight spaces. Have a helper hold any electrical wiring out of the way. Do not attempt to cut any support beam with stapled wiring -- remove the staples first and tuck the wires well out of the way.

Tuck any electrical wires up into the ceiling. Wires can be attached to existing beams with insulated staples if necessary. Sand the edges of the remaining drywall smooth to ensure a clean fit with the new drywall.

Cut pieces of 2x4 to fit between the ends of the vertical support beams and attach them with 90-degree elbow joists. Attach the new wood flush with the ceiling and level all the way across. Use a carpenter's level to be sure. For extra security, add flat plate-style joists on the underside of the wood at each joint.

Cut new drywall to fit the exposed areas. Score the drywall with a straightedge and the utility knife then bend it to break off. The deeper the score, the cleaner the break. Attach drywall to wood supports with drywall screws, driving each screw far enough in so that the head makes a slight dimple in the drywall. Place drywall pieces as close together as possible for cleaner seams.

Fill all seams and screw dimples with drywall putty, smoothing down the areas as much as possible. Apply paper drywall tape to the seams -- not the dimples. Apply wet putty with a wide putty knife to the drywall tape and allow it to dry.

Apply another coat of drywall putty on top of the drywall tape as smooth as possible. Be stingy -- using too much putty results in a bumpy finish. Allow the area to dry then sand it smooth with a fine-grit foam sanding block.

Assess the seams, going by feel rather than sight. If you feel little "hills" at the seams, apply another coat of putty on either side of the existing coat, feathering both edges and using as little putty as possible. The goal here is to turn a hill into a very gradual incline to make the bump less noticeable. Allow the seams to dry then sand them smooth. Repeat, as necessary, until the newly-installed area is smooth and level.

Apply one coat of primer and allow it to dry. Apply two coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry before continuing. Install trim around the doorway if desired.

Install closet doors, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Track-type doors can be installed directly into the drywall, but regular hinged doors may require a door frame. Some doors are available pre-hung, with the door frame already attached -- otherwise, simply screw a 1/2-inch piece of wood in the height and width of the frame into the existing drywall, cover the screw holes with spackle and paint then install the hinges.