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Can a grab bar be installed into a wall with a pocket door?
Can a grab bar be installed into a wall with a pocket door?

It is possible but with some limitations.

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Written by Howard
Updated over a week ago

We frequently run into a situation where a grab bar is critically needed to assist one on and off the commode, but the only available wall is one with a pocket door. This particular wall contains no studs in the section containing the frame of the pocket door. The pocket frame often contains horizontal members to increase the structure's stability, but there are definitely limitations in terms of strength. A vertical stud is located where the pocket frame ends and is easily located with a stud finder. It is possible to install an assist bar in a pocket door using the vertical stud as an anchoring point and snap type toggles on the opposite side. It can also be entirely achieved with snap toggles or sheet metal screws into the horizontal pocket frame members. It is important to use screws that are less than 1.5โ€ in length and perhaps add several washers to ensure that no contact is made with the pocket door when it is slid open or closed. In some cases, the pocket door might be warped laterally and closer to the pocket frame on one side. When this is the case, there is a remote chance that the screws might make slight contact with the pocket door and scratch the surface when the door opens or closes. We explain the risks and limitations of such an installation to the customer. Still, there are no reasonable alternative solutions, in some cases, and the customer is in dire need of immediate mild to moderate functional assistance.

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