We are using 1/4″ plywood because it is extremely light. Heavy doors require expensive heavy-duty hardware.

• ➜ Purchase 2ft x 4ft “Handy Panels” of Birch or Lauan plywood to save on cutting, or buy a full sheet and cut to 24″ x 24″.
• ➜ Sand the edges smooth to prevent splinters.
• ➜ Apply your finish (stain, paint, or clear coat) before hanging.
• ➜ Drill a 1″ hole or attach a lightweight adhesive handle near the bottom edge for a finger pull.

Use a “bypass” sliding door track kit (often used for closets). These usually come with a top track and floor guide, but we will only use the top track.

• ➜ Screw the aluminum track into the center of your 2×4 Header board.
• ➜ Ensure the track is level. If your rafters are uneven, shim the header board, not the track.
• ➜ Insert the roller carriers into the track (if they are the captive type) before screwing the ends of the track tight.

The final step is connecting the wood panels to the rollers.

• ➜ Screw the roller brackets onto the back top edge of your plywood panels. Measure carefully so they hang straight.
• ➜ Lift the rear door panel first and hook the rollers onto the rear track rail.
• ➜ Lift the front door panel and hook it onto the front rail.
• ➜ Stabilization: Since these hang freely, they might swing. You can install a small wooden block or “C” channel on the floor or shelf below to guide the bottoms, though for lightweight rafter storage, gravity is usually sufficient.