Closets are one of the most functional spaces in the home, but they don't have to look like it from the outside. By adding sliding closet door trim to a closet with a bypass door track, you can improve the overall appearance of a bedroom, hallway or wherever the closet is located. Adding trim to a closet, including three-panel sliding closet doors, isn't difficult, but it is crucial to do it correctly.
Measure and Prepare Wood Trim
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When you go to the hardware store, you'll have some choices in what kind of wood trim to buy. Make sure you choose one that matches the style of your home and the room with the closet. After you bring it home, leave it in the room where you'll hang it for at least two days. Leaving it in the room lets the wood adjust to the particular humidity and other conditions, preventing warping or other damage later.
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To calculate the amount of trim you need, use a tape measure to carefully measure the height and width of the closet. You'll want to measure wherever you plan to add the wood trim; usually, this is on the wall just outside the opening. Next, measure the width of the trim, adding that figure to the height and width of the closet. That is the length to which you need to cut the trim. Use a wood saw to cut accordingly.
For the corners of the trim to fit together and appear seamless, you'll need to use a miter saw to bevel the edges to a 45-degree angle. You only need to bevel the top of the pieces going on the sides of the closet. You may want to fit them together on the ground to make sure you're doing it correctly.
Hang Sliding Closet Door Trim
To adhere the trim to the wall, you'll use clear epoxy. Before you do, you should do all the painting, including painting or staining both the trim and the wall underneath it. Make sure you complete all your flooring first. You should add trim and other touches last if you're in the middle of a renovation. In addition, experts strongly recommend painting or staining the wood trim before adhering it to the wall.
The chances are good that the wood you bought from the hardware store is untreated (although you can buy pre-stained or painted trim). If it is, you need to either paint or stain it to protect it from moisture and other sources of damage. Make sure to allow it time to completely dry before using the epoxy. Speak with an expert at a local hardware store to find the stain or paint that works best for the particular type of wood you're buying.
Using Epoxy on Sliding Closet Door Trim
Once it's ready, generously spread the epoxy onto the flat backside of the trim, starting with the top piece of the trim. You may want to have someone help you with this step. Carefully apply the trim to the wall, taking care to line up the bottom corner of the trim with the corner of the closet. Press it firmly all over to make sure it attaches correctly.
Next, do the same with the two side pieces. Make sure that the top piece you have previously beveled sits snugly with the end of the side pieces of trim.