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Kick plates are usually installed on the “push” side of a door, but there are plenty of reasons to install them on both sides. Interior kick plates can offer protection from pet scratches, doors being kicked closed, and even kids’ toys during enthusiastic play sessions. Consider what kind of use and abuse your door gets to determine which side or sides to install a kick plate on.

You want plenty of room between your pre-hung door and the framing in your wall to allow for shimming to get the door into the perfect position, so aim for about 1 inch on the top and both sides. That means you should make your rough opening about 1 inch taller and 2 inches wider than your pre-hung door. You’ll then use shims to stabilize and level the door before installing it.

You can use a variety of wood to build a barn door, but the most common options include 1-by boards and 2-by boards for the backing and the decorative boards on the front of the door. Softwoods like pine will save you some money and should hold up well, while hardwoods like maple and oak will stand up to more wear and tear. You could also build the backer out of plywood to minimize the cuts you need to make. Whatever you decide on, make sure the width of the wood is compatible with the mounting brackets you buy.

If you’re installing a pocket door into an existing door opening, the new space will need to be twice the width of the existing door, plus an inch. You'll need to double that number if you’re adding dual pocket doors.