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Barn Doors 101

What are the benefits of sliding barn doors?

  • Sliding doors save space by eliminating the room needed for door swings
  • They create a focal point and can make a statement for a home or office.
  • Unique doors looks great when they’re not in use, so they can be left open and not be in the way
  • They provide a contrast of materials and create interest for a commonly boring and forgotten element of the home
  • The greatest benefit is that a sliding door is so much more than just a door.  It is functional art!
White Modern 4-Panel Barn Door

If you are thinking about installing a barn door, you might wonder – do barn doors need a bottom track? The answer is YES.

The bottom track keeps the barn door from swinging back and forth against the wall. The track should allow about 1/2″ of space between the bottom of the door and the floor for proper clearance.

Custom Made Rustic Wood Barn Door

How do I measure for my barn door?

This is a loaded question and varies based on a few factors.  Do you have a door casing? Do you want the casing hidden or partially exposed when the door is closed?  How much room to do have for the door to slide?  Is there a header or casing above the door that needs to be cleared to mount the rail?

Since the door sits off the wall in order to slide, it must be wider that the opening to fully hide the opening.  We recommend 1-1/2″ to 2″ of overhang on each side.  30″ opening –> 34″ wide door.

The height is a bit trickier based on the casing and header.  For a  sheet rocked opening we recommend the door height be 1/2″ larger than the opening.  Once hung, the door will be another 1/2″ off the floor for a total coverage above the door of 1″.  The center of the rail will mount ~2″ above the door (3″ above the opening) which will be close to the center of 2×8 blocking.

If you have casing and the rail will be mounted above the casing so the door height should be (the opening + the casing + .5″).  Now the center of the rail will be ~2″  above the casing.

Once you’ve established your desired size.  Double check to make sure you still have enough space for the full door to slide out of the way.In some applications, a standard door/rail application won’t work because there is a lack of support above the opening.  

Open Area for Sliding – Sliding doors are great because they save space in a room by eliminating the need for a door swing.  However, the door also needs a place to slide when it is not closed.  The example below shows a pair of bi-parting doors that replace the problematic folding closet doors for a more elegant and functional solution.

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When is the best time to replace your Front Door?

A beautiful new front door will instantly increase your home’s curb appeal. This is great news for those who are looking to put their home on the market as a new front door also greatly increases your resale value. In fact, replacing your front door is one of the best investments you can make as it increases your energy efficiency while also adding enhanced curb appeal.

Purchasing and having a replacement door installed for the front of your house is a major home upgrade. The front door of your home is one of the most utilized assets that you have. It provides you with a layer of security from potential intruders. It also protects you from the elements in terms of heat, cold air, rain, and snow. Your exterior front door is the entry into your home, and also typically sets up the design for the exterior and interior of your house. Purchasing and having a replacement door installed at the proper time can be very important

There are a few other considerations that should be made when choosing a replacement door. The first thing is to think about the design that you want. A replacement door is going to be something you look at every single day for years to come. You want to get a design that is going to allow your house’s exterior and interior to look truly special.

One of the biggest things when deciding on a replacement door is to time it out properly. Your exterior door should not get to the point where it cannot do its job. From a security perspective, this means providing adequate security from the outside world. If your front door can no longer lock properly, close properly, and so on, it is time to get a replacement door.

For a simple door replacement, measure the old door’s width, thickness (normally 1 3/4 inches) and height (normally 6 feet, 8 inches). Then note the direction the door swings.  You can call or email me, and I can send you a handing sheet so that you know exactly what the handing of your current door is. You will want to order a new door with the same handing as the one you have now.

Material also makes a difference when you consider a front exterior door. Solid wood is still one of the most popular choices out there. Some other options have also started to grow in popularity. These consist of doors made out of steel or fiberglass. These can be painted any color and are very durable, as well as secure. 

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We are painting doors! We use Behr Pro Series Pure White, Swiss Coffee, or your Custom color. The possibilities are endless…. Let’s get creative!

Paint is a simple and affordable way to give your doors some personality.  You can paint your doors a bold color to add contrast against the rest of your color palette in the space.  Some colors to consider are teal, cayenne, wine, or a burnt orange which are fun and make a statement. You can paint both sides of your doors one color, paint one side of your door a bold color, or use 2 contrasting colors on one side to create a two tone colorblock design.  It will be sure to make a statement!

Dark Gray double doors. Just Beautiful!
Try an Accent Barn Door to divide a room with a pop of color to add interest.
This blue is absolutely amazing to add color, texture and interest for a very small investment.
A fresh coat of white paint makes any door look fresh and clean.
Try a Swiss Coffee color to warm up the space and make it feel cozy!
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Upgrade to Real Wood Baseboards today!

Real wood baseboards, such as those found in home centers, tend to be made from softwoods such as long, uninterrupted pine boards and finger-jointed pine or from hardwoods such as oak and hemlock. Softwoods typically are primed and painted, though not always. While hardwoods can be primed and painted, it defeats the purpose of purchasing expensive hardwoods to cover up the beauty of the grain with paint. As a result, hardwood baseboards are usually stained and sealed.

Real wood, even a softwood, is stronger than MDF. So, if you anticipate installing baseboards in a high-traffic, high-impact environment, you would want to purchase real wood over MDF baseboards. Because primed and painted natural wood is better than MDF at standing up against moisture.

Finger-jointed pine offers a low-cost way to purchase real wood baseboards. Finger joints, like scarf joints, create long baseboard runs out of shorter pieces of material. But finger joints are even better than scarf joints because a comb-like profile is cut into each end, then glued together, creating a bond that is as strong as other parts of the wood.

Hardwood moulding tends to be a lot more resilient in terms of durability – its hardness allows for a lot of wear and tear before it becomes noticeable, and beyond that, can typically be refinished to look like new over time.

If you have pets, it is a much smarter choice in terms of your investment to choose hardwood over MDF. Unintentional scratches will always happen, especially with children or animals, and knowing that your investment is safe from everyday use and occasional accidents can offer great peace of mind when making the decision to use hardwood. While generally more expensive than MDF, hardwood moulding will always last longer, in better condition, proving to be worth the investment years down the road. Above all, hardwood is going to look more professional than MDF giving you rich looking trim for years to come.

Solid Oak Baseboards. Oh so Beautiful!

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Coffered Ceiling Inspiration

This architectural style stands the test of time as one that delivers drama, elegance, and an emphasis on spaciousness.

We offer Coffered Ceiling Beam Kits on our website. Check out the sizes and prices and order online for faster service. https://socaltrim.com/product-category/coffered-ceiling-beam-kits/

A coffered ceiling is a pattern of indentations or recesses in an overhead surface. In architecture, a “coffer” is a sunken panel in a ceiling, including the interior surfaces of domes and vaults. If a surface is “coffered,” it is not smooth. The architectural detail has been popular since Renaissance architects imitated Classical Roman techniques. Modernist architects often play with the depth and shape of the coffer.

Coffers have been used in ceilings for centuries. Sometimes they were used to disguise the architectural engineering, where one beam or brace would be structurally necessary but others were built nearby for visual symmetry and to hide the necessary beam. Although hollows are sometimes used for structural weight distribution, coffers have always been used decoratively. Historically, a coffered ceiling can make a room look larger and more regal, as it does in the Palace of Versaille.

The Deep Coffer is the most popular depth and uses a 4-5/8″ crown.  It takes up 4″ from the face of the grid to the back of the coffer.  If you are suspending the grid from a drywalled ceiling, you will need 7″ of vertical space. This will allow you room to angle the coffers up thru each.

Medium Coffer takes up 1″ less vertical space than the Deep and is often used in rooms with ceilings at 8′ or less.  It uses a 3-1/2″ crown.   It takes up 3″ from the face of the grid to the back of the coffer.  If you are suspending the grid from a drywalled ceiling, you will need 6″ of vertical space. This will allow you room to angle the coffers up thru each.

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New product alert! We now stock Door HINGES!!

If you are looking for Residential hinges or Commercial hinges, Look no further! We are here for all your needs… Give us a call at 951-412-4175, place an order online at www.socaltrim.com, or come on down to our showroom and pick up the hinges that you are looking for. We can sell you 1 hinge or 100+ hinges. Let us know what you are looking for and we will make it happen for you. Very reasonable pricing and availability!

Oil Rubbed Bronze, Satin Brass, Satin Nickel, Antique Nickel, Bright Chrome, Satin Chrome, Prime Coat( Paint grade) Bright Brass, Residential 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″
Antique Brass, Oil Rubbed Bronze, Satin Brass, Satin Nickel, Antique Nickel, Bright Chrome, Satin Chrome, Prime Coat( Paint grade) Commercial 4″ x 4″
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Add some FUN and INTEREST to any room!

Let’s open our Imagination and get Creative! What can you dream up to make your walls more interesting and on center stage? What shape and paint color? What size and texture? Anything you can dream up can become your reality. We would love to help you in this endeavour. Give us a call at 951-412-4175 or come on down to our showroom to see the materials that we have available to you.

Diamonds are always a girl’s best friend.
This is one of my personal favorite looks. I just can’t get enough of the Grey walls with the Pure White painted trim. This is not only eye catching, but it’s also a very fresh look.
I just love this one! I would want this on the wall behind my bed. I might want to paint the design trim white in my own house just because it’s my own preference, but what where would you want to make this accent wall? and what color would you choose?.
You just can’t go wrong with boxes and squares !
This Wainscott is a timeless and classic look.
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Brand New Masonite Interior Door! Please Welcome the Livingston

Door Features:

Available in heights of 6’8′, 7’0′, and 8’0′ and widths up to 3’0′
Available in solid core or hollow core
Surface: Smooth
Panel Type: Recessed
Available Fire Ratings: 20 minute

This brand new door from Masonite is Unique, Versatile, and a Timeless design perfect for any style home

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Raised Panel MDF Interior Doors… Oh Yes!

There are numerous benefits that make MDF doors a highly popular choice. It is easy to shape, and, unlike wood, it does not contain knots, making its surface smooth and spotless. Additionally, MDF interior doors are considered to be much sleeker, uniform and simpler to clean and maintain than other types of doors. MDF doors can also be easily painted and finished. Furthermore, they are very receptive to a faux wood finish, which adds a more elegant look. Additional benefits include durability, strength and sturdiness. MDF doors are known for resisting denting, deforming, rotting, and other types of damage that standard wood doors are typically susceptible to. MDF doors are awesome sound resistant, giving you enough privacy at every corner of your house. They are fabricated from sustainable material and leftover wood products, rendering them thoroughly eco-friendly.

Beautiful Double doors add Style and Character to any home. Great for entry to a Master Bedroom, Home office, Game room, etc. There are so many designs to choose from. Have fun expressing your own personal style!

MDF doors are actually quite simple to maintain and are cleaner than solid wood doors, as they are free from rotting, warping and other types of damage. Additionally, their sturdy fabrication means that maintenance is typically limited to a fresh coat of paint or finish, along with occasional cleaning with a damp cloth. 

MDF Primed solid core 2 double arch panel raised moulding 2 sides TB2

MDF interior doors are a great choice for your home due to their affordability and sustainability. They are essentially maintenance-free and serve as a long-term, reliable option. They are easy to paint and finish as well, giving them an elegant and delicate appearance.

Primed Solid Core Raised 3-Panel Square top MDF doors TM3

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Hey Condo and Apartment Renovators!

If you are a Construction Company that rehabs or remodels Condos or Apartments you have come to the Right Place! We sell Doors, Moulding, Closet Material, and MDF 4′ x 8′ Sheet material, and many more items for discounted rates if you buy in bulk. We currently service many renovation companies and House Flippers. We offer excellent Customer Service, On-time deliveries, and have knowledgeable office staff to answer all your questions. Give Kyle or Darcy a call at 951-412-4175 to answer any questions you may have. We are at your service, and always open at the website www.socaltrim.com

Craftsman Style 387MUL-5. Many MORE profiles available. Bulk Pricing for larger projects!
Imperial Base 342MUL-6 Check out our website at www.socaltrim.com. We are always open online 24 hours a day
6-Panel Smooth and Textured, Hollow Core and Solid Core
2-Panel Arch Top V-Grooved just a few to mention
Home and Jobsite Deliveries Available upon request. Ask about fees if they apply. We are here to ensure your orders arrive when and where they are needed. Ask us about delivery locations and times.