Turn a Plain Door into a Barn Door

Here's a quick project that has a lot of impact. The idea came to me while I was trying to figure out a design for the dutch door I want to install in the dining room. I kept walking back and forth to my shop to get supplies and it clicked. I could make the boring shop door look like a barn door. We have talked about replacing it eventually but I thought I'd spiff it up a bit in the mean time. As usual I am easily distracted....

The door is solid wood. All I needed for this project was three eight foot 1 x 6's. I purchased mixed white wood boards from Home Depot. They are lighter weight and less expensive then pine or cedar. They were $4.12 a piece.

With the door closed I measured the distance across and cut three boards. I subtracted 1/8" so the board would clear the door frame on the right side. The middle one fit nicely between the door knob and the deadbolt. I attached the boards with my nail gun. Then I laid the cross boards across the door and marked the angles to cut with my chop saw.

When the door is open this is what it looks like. There is a gap that allows for the door casing. That's why you need to attach while the door is shut.

I chose to lay out the angle pieces in this design so they wouldn't land where the door knob is. That way I wouldn't have to cut out holes. I painted the door blue like the garage door to tie in with the blue roof on the cabin. I decided to paint the trim the same color so it would blend in with the door.