Good Questions: Info Needed for Pax Sliding Door Project

Michael writes: I've read on your site about the Pax sliding door hack. I'm thinking of doing it myself, but have a question as to whether a further hack is needed or necessary. I'm going to do two sets of doors. So the 59" sets are probably my best bet. But what I'd like to do is be able to have the doors be able to move between sets. In other words...

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...normally, I'd have a left and right sliding door on each set and each would slide to the other area to "double up? but would never give a complete opening.

What I'd like to do is be able to move both the left-left and left-right doors all the way over and behind (or in front as the case may be) the left-right and right-right doors.

I think it would be a matter of having the tracks perfectly aligned to allow this, but I've yet to get out to IKEA to confirm this.

If you guys know, I'd LOVE to know.

Please share any Pax info with Michael in the comments below...thanks!

Comments (6)

The tracks have stops at the ends to prevent the doors from rolling off the ends which probably come off since they're extruded aluminum channels - so yes, you could certainly get the doors to slide to the other track if you align them perfectly and keep them that way (additional non-IKEA brackets?)

But the big question is "Why"?

Whether you allow the doors to roll to the other track or not, you're only going to have 50% maximum open at any one time because there will be two doors on the front tracks and two doors on the rear tracks - and if you allow the doors to roll to the adjoining track, how are you going to pull the door on the rear track closed without moving the front doors around?

posted by bepsf on May 15th 2009 at 6:46pm
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That's my closet (and my hot BF) in the pictures. I'm not entirely sure I understand what you want to do (it almost sounds like you want a pocket door effect?).

I don't know if that can be done with the Ikea doors for the reasons bepsf gave, but you might want to check into Raydoor http://www.raydoor.com/products/
They can build multiple panels that can all slide to the same side. Way more expensive though.

posted by Kathryn on May 15th 2009 at 7:09pm
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Hi Kathryn. Are you still loving the Elfa shelving? Is it holding weight? Would you recommend? TIA!

posted by quiltmaster on May 16th 2009 at 9:42am
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The Elfa shelving in the closet? Yes, it's in great shape and still doing the job. In fact, some of the pieces are from my very first apartment in Chicago...well over 15 years old! I highly recommend it!!

posted by Kathryn on May 16th 2009 at 12:03pm
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Aaaah, Firefox!!! Couldn't log in.

OK -- I'm "Michael" -- My question.

Further info:

Why: I have two closet opening areas -- each about 4 feet wide. I would like to access the areas in total -- one is an Elfa drawer area almost exactly 4 feet wide, i'd prefer to be able to open both drawers and not just one or the other, which would be the case with the standard Pax install.

The other 4' space is a writing / computer desk for my wife (this is our new baby room -- expecting in August), so I'd like a functional room for both of us when we have to be in there.

I DON'T mind, though, if one four foot space is completely shut off, while the other opening is completely open.

So, I'm not concerned if all 4 doors are covering one 4' space completely -- I'd be in the other 4' space working (and vice versa)

Cannot do Raydoor or similar -- just not in the budget.

P.S. Also put Elfa in ours -- like most of the rest of our loft. That stuff is rockstar!! Elfa Europe has some seriously cool closet doors -- just not avail in the US.

Thanks for any further comments.

I'll see if I can post some photos of the process assuming it goes through. First still need to install the Bamboo flooring -- should be this week or next.

posted by MRL on May 16th 2009 at 1:37pm
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@Michael,

I'm not sure the Pax doors will allow for a comfortable desk setup because (I think) you need to have a track on the floor. In my case, the floors were uneven and requred a 4" x 4" piece of lumber mounted on the floor that the track was then attached to. (You can see this in my Flickr set). I think it would be really awkward to try to have your desk chair straddling that.

Something like the curtains that Arthur installed might be easier and more functional: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/house-tours/chi-house-tour-arthurs-long-distance-home-045245

posted by Kathryn on May 17th 2009 at 9:28am
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