I've been dying to upgrade our master bathroom with a barn door that I love, but I couldn’t find anything I loved at a price point I was willing to spend. So here I am building another barn door!
Materials:
4 | 1x4x8' pine = $60
5 | 1x6x8' pine shiplap = $52
Handle = $9
Hardware = $40
Miscellaneous supply = paintbrush, nails, glue, stain, sand paper = $20
My total cost: $181
Tools:
Tack and string
1. Measure the doorway and draw up a plan
I wanted the door to have a seamless look from the front, and I love the interest that a herringbone design brings to a room, so I ended up going with dimensions that were 6 inches bigger than the doorway to be sure the door trim wouldn't be exposed when the door is shut.
2. Make your cuts
Cut List:
Frame:
2 | Pine 1x4s @ 83" (for the sides)
2 | Pine 1x4s @ 27" (for top and bottom)
1 | Pine 1x4s @ 76" (down the center)
*I marked the shiplap cuts as I went, so there aren't any measurements available for these.
3. Assemble frame
I assembled the four sides of the frame using pocket screws. Because I had to work the herringbone pattern into place and make sure they all met perfectly in the center, I didn't connect the center frame board until the end.
4. Mark center with tack and string
To keep the herringbone pattern on track, I marked my center with a tack and string. This made it easier to line everything up easier as I went. (pictured in step 5)
5. Start on herringbone
Getting started on the herringbone was a bit of a brainteaser at first. Make sure your "zig-zag" falls center with the string. This is where I originally made the mistake of starting the pattern off-center. Also, be sure that the corner triangles are perfectly square, or else the pattern will veer off to one side as you move your way up the door.
6. Mark the length of the shiplap then cut, glue, and nail to frame
After the first set of herringbone boards is set, it's smooth sailing. I laid each board in place, marked the cut as close to the edge as I could, cut the shiplap, then glued and nailed it into place.
7. Attach the center frame board and secure the shiplap to it
Working on the board face down was how I would get that seamless look from the front. Now that the herringbone is placed I just needed to add the center frame piece to lock everything in. I applied wood glue down the center of the 1x4 board, placed it face down, and used pocket screws to attach it to the frame. Then I nailed each shiplap piece to the centerboard.
8. Sand, stain, and seal
I sanded both sides until they were smooth to the touch. I used a wood conditioner to ensure an even stain, then stained with one coat of Early American and another coat of Simply White. I repeated this twice for a color I loved, then sealed it with two coats of BEHR Polyurethane.
I'm soo obsessed with the design and interest this door brings to our master bedroom. It's exactly what I was looking for! If you end up building your own herringbone barn door PLEASE tag me, I would love to see it!
<3 Aubrey