Sliding Gallery Door Installation

Installation Steps

Step 1: Prepare the Opening

Remove the casing from the wall where you plan to install the Sliding Murphy Door. Using a stud finder, locate and mark the studs around your door jamb. DO NOT remove the existing door jamb unless you plan to finish the rough opening. This door uses a surface-mounted jamb and does not install in the rough opening.

Diagram shows a wall opening with casing removed, indicating stud finding around the jamb area.

Step 2: Orient Side Casing and Threshold (Right Sliding Example)

Determine your sliding direction. Orient your side casing and threshold accordingly, aligning the thru holes with their corresponding holes on the back edge of the threshold. Ensure the two side dowel holes face inward. For a right-sliding door, the "L" shaped closing side casing attaches to the threshold on the left. Attach the "L" shaped closing side casing using one confirmat screw in the outer-most hole and the 5mm spring pin through the smaller inner-most hole.

Diagram illustrates orienting the threshold and side casing for a right-sliding door, showing dowel and screw placement.

Step 3: Attach Top Jamb to Side Casings

Apply a dab of wood glue into the holes at the ends of the top jamb and insert the 8mm dowels. Orient the board so the series of thru holes are closer to the top edge than the bottom. Apply a small amount of wood glue into the side holes at the top of the opening and closing side casings. Align the board so the group of 4 holes are on the closing side and connect the pieces.

Diagram shows the top jamb being attached to the side casings using dowels and glue.

Step 4: Position and Mark Surface Jamb

Place the surface jamb up to the wall so that the inner edges align with your existing jamb or finished opening. Mark the baseboards and trim them as needed. Locate and mark all studs in the wall around and above the opening.

Diagram shows the surface jamb positioned against the wall, with markings being made for baseboards and studs.

Step 5: Level Threshold and Plumb Casing

Using a 36" or longer level, check the threshold to ensure it is level both left-to-right and front-to-back. Shim as necessary. Note: If you must shim the threshold, ensure it is supported across its width; unsupported sections may prevent proper door function. Push the closing side casing against the wall and ensure it is plumb front to back. If it is not possible to get the jamb plumb, it is better that the top of the surface jamb leans slightly forward. If the top leans backward, it may cause interference between the door and the jamb as it is closing.

Diagram shows a level checking the threshold and a plumb bob or level checking the side casing.

Step 6: Secure Bottom of Closing Side Casing

Ensure that the inner edge of the closing side jamb is plumb left-to-right and aligned with the inside edge of the existing jamb or finished opening. Drill a pilot hole using a 1/8" drill bit near the bottom of the closing side casing, ensuring it aligns with a stud. Secure the bottom closing side corner of the jamb using one of the provided 3" lag screws.

Diagram shows a drill creating a pilot hole at the bottom of the closing side casing, aligning with a stud.

Step 7: Square Threshold and Casing, Secure Top

Using a square, ensure the threshold and closing side casing are square. Adjust as necessary. Check that the closing side jamb is still plumb in all directions. Shim as necessary. Once it has been verified that the closing side casing is plumb and square, drill a pilot hole near the top, ensuring it aligns with a stud. Secure using one of the 3" lag screws provided.

Diagram shows a square checking the angle between the threshold and closing side casing, and a drill creating a pilot hole near the top of the casing.

Step 8: Secure Center of Closing Side Casing

Using an 1/8" drill bit, drill a pilot hole near the center of the closing side casing, ensuring it aligns with a stud. Secure using one of the 3" lag screws provided. Ensure that the closing side casing remains plumb and square when securing the center. Shim as necessary.

Diagram shows a drill creating a pilot hole in the center of the closing side casing.

Step 9: Square Top Jamb to Closing Side Casing

Using a square, check that the top jamb is square to the closing side casing. Shim as necessary. Use a 1/8" drill bit to drill a pilot hole in the top jamb near the closing side casing, ensuring it aligns with a stud. Secure using one of the 3" lag screws provided, ensuring the top jamb remains square to the closing side casing.

Diagram shows a square checking the top jamb against the closing side casing, and a drill creating a pilot hole in the top jamb.

Step 10: Square Top Jamb to Opening Side Casing

Check that the top jamb is square to the opening side casing, that the opening side casing is plumb front to back, and that the threshold is level and square to the opening side casing. Shim as necessary. NOTE: If it is not possible to get the opening side casing plumb, it is better that it has a slight forward lean. Repeat at the other end of the top jamb, ensuring it remains square to the opening side jamb. Using a 1/8" drill bit, drill a pilot hole in the top jamb near the opening side casing. Secure using one of the 3" lag screws provided.

Diagram shows a drill creating a pilot hole in the top jamb near the opening side casing.

Step 11: Secure Bottom of Opening Side Casing

Check that the opening side casing is still square to the threshold. Use a 1/8" drill bit to drill a pilot hole in the opening side casing near the bottom, ensuring it aligns with a stud. Secure using one of the 3" lag screws provided.

Diagram shows a drill creating a pilot hole near the bottom of the opening side casing.

Step 12: Secure Top of Opening Side Casing

Verify that the opening side casing is still square to the top jamb and is still plumb front-to-back. Use a 1/8" drill bit to drill a pilot hole near the top of the opening side casing, ensuring it aligns with a stud. Secure using one of the 3" lag screws provided.

Diagram shows a drill creating a pilot hole near the top of the opening side casing.

Step 13: Add Additional Fasteners

Using a 1/8" drill bit, drill 3 additional pilot holes in the opening side casing, evenly spaced between the top and bottom screws inserted in previous steps. Ensure all holes align with a stud, and secure using three (3) of the 3" lag screws provided. Using a 1/8" drill bit, drill 3 additional pilot holes in the top jamb, evenly spaced between the two (2) screws inserted in previous steps. Ensure all holes align with a stud, and secure using three (3) of the 3" lag screws provided.

Diagrams show drilling multiple pilot holes in the opening side casing and top jamb.

Step 14: Attach Extension Slide

Remove the small section of the extension slide. Align the holes with the holes in the top jamb. Ensure that the release lever is pointing towards the closing side jamb. If the release lever is pointing towards the opening side jamb, the top jamb is on backwards and will need to be fixed. Secure the small section of the extension slide using the provided 18mm euro screws.

Diagram shows the extension slide section being attached to the top jamb with euro screws, indicating the release lever's orientation.

Step 15: Assemble Slider to Mounting Plate

Assemble the slider to the slider mounting plate using the four (4) M5 x 10 Hex Cap Screws provided.

Diagram shows an exploded view of the slider being attached to the slider mounting plate with hex cap screws.

Step 16: Attach Slider Mounting Plate to Casing

Align the holes in the slider mounting plate to the pre-drilled holes in the opening side casing and attach using the 1/4" x 1" Lag Screws provided.

Diagram shows the slider mounting plate being attached to the opening side casing with lag screws.

Step 17: Insert Linear Rail into Slider

CAUTION: Dislodging ball bearings in the slider can compromise door operation. Handle with extreme care. Carefully slide the linear rail into the slider from the outer edge. Slide it all the way through so that the outer edge is aligned with the outer edge of the slider.

Diagram shows the linear rail being slid into the slider.

Step 18: Attach Casters to Threshold

Use eight (8) of the provided #10 x 3/4" Wood Screws and Bevel Washers to attach the casters to the threshold. There is some left-to-right adjustment in the placement. Ensure they are adjusted towards the center (towards the closing direction of the door) and straight.

Diagram shows casters being attached to the threshold with wood screws and bevel washers.

Step 19: Place Door onto Threshold

With the help of another person, lift the door and place it so that the casters on the bottom of the door can roll across the threshold, and the casters on the threshold can roll across the bottom of the door.

Diagram shows the door being lifted and placed onto the threshold casters.

Step 20: Connect Extension Slide Sections

With another person supporting the opening side of the door so that the door is between level, connect the extension slide sections at the top of the door. Slide them together until you hear them click.

Diagram shows two people connecting the extension slide sections at the top of the door.

Step 21: Close Door and Verify Alignment

Push the door fully closed. This may take more force than expected the first time they are connected. Verify that the opening and closing sides of the door and surface mounted jamb align. If they do not, the door will have to be removed and the jamb adjusted to correct any misalignment.

Diagram shows the door being pushed fully closed.

Step 22: Secure Linear Rail to Bottom Beam

Once the door is aligned, open it slightly and align the linear rail with the pre-drilled holes along the bottom beam. Starting at the closing side, use the provided #10 x 1-1/2" Pan Head Wood Screws to secure the linear rail to the bottom beam. You will need to close the door to access the last few accessible holes. There will be some that are not accessible and do not need to be secured.

Diagram shows the linear rail being attached to the bottom beam of the door with pan head wood screws.

Step 23: Install Shelf Pins and Shelves

Install the shelf pins and adjustable shelves as desired.

Diagram shows shelf pins being inserted into the bookcase.

Step 24: Mark Shelf Pin Locations

Use a tape measure and measure up from the top of the horizontal face frame rail 1-1/4" (or whatever height desired), and make a mark centered horizontally in the vertical face frame rail. Repeat at each across the width of the door.

Diagram shows a tape measure marking points on the vertical face frame rails of the door.

Step 25: Check Alignment of Marks

Use a level to check the height and alignment of all marks.

Diagram shows a level being used to check the alignment of the marks on the door.

Step 26: Drill Pilot Holes for Gallery Rail Posts

Using a 3/32" drill bit, drill a pilot hole at each mark.

Diagram shows a drill creating pilot holes at the marked points.

Step 27: Thread Hanger Bolt into Post

Thread one of the provided hanger bolts into the bottom of the gallery rail post.

Diagram shows a hanger bolt being threaded into a gallery rail post.

Step 28: Install Gallery Rail Post

Thread the gallery rail post and hanger bolt into your pilot hole until tight. Ensure the thru hole in the gallery rail post is aligned horizontally and the small threaded hole is pointing down. Partially insert the #8-32 set screw into the hole at the bottom of the gallery rail post.

Diagram shows the gallery rail post and hanger bolt being screwed into a pilot hole, with a set screw being inserted.

Step 29: Repeat for Remaining Posts

Repeat across the remaining pilot holes.

Diagram shows repetition of step 28 on multiple posts.

Step 30: Insert Brass Rod

Insert the 5/16" brass rod. It may need to be trimmed to length.

Diagram shows a brass rod being inserted into the gallery rail posts.

Step 31: Secure Brass Rod

Secure the brass rod using the #8-32 set screws in the bottom of each gallery rail post.

Diagram shows a set screw securing the brass rod.

Step 32: Repeat for Remaining Shelves

Repeat on the remaining fixed shelves. Congratulations. You have successfully installed your Sliding Gallery Bookcase Door!

A final view of the installed Sliding Gallery Bookcase Door.