InvisiDoor Installation 101

The InvisiDoor pivot bookcase is one of our most popular products, and it's no secret why. Our hidden door solutions come ready to install, and installation is easy enough, if you have a few basic tools. Your InvisiDoor arrives with instructions, and we're always happy to help talk you through assembly or installation. This basic guide shows how easy it is to mount your hidden bookcase and create a concealed room in your very own home.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Before you purchase your InvisiDoor, double check that the door opening is plumb (at right angles to the base) and level. If not, the door will be noticeable and not work properly. 

InvisiDoor Installation Instructions: The Basics

As a general overview for how to install your InvisiDoor bookcase, you'll follow this basic plan:

1. Prepare the door opening and build your bookcase (if you purchased the RTA model)
2. Install the hinges
3. Install the bookcase
4. Install the support foot
5. Add the trim
6. Finish the bookcase with stain and a finish coat

Required Tools for Installing Your InvisiDoor

• Cordless drill or screwdriver
• Drill bits: 3/32" and 5/8"
• Level
• ¼" Hex driver

InvisiDoor Bookcase Door Hardware: Outswing and Inswing Hinges

Before installing your hidden door, it's helpful to know that how you mount the hinges depends on which way you want the door to swing open. If you want the door to open towards you, that's an outswing door, so follow the diagrams and instructions for mounting outswing hinges. But, if you want the door to open into the hidden room, that's an inswing door. You'll need to follow the right instructions and diagrams for an inswing hinge.

How to Install Your InvisiDoor: The Details

Install Hinges to the Door Opening

Use the diagrams to identify locations for the pivot hinge to be installed on the left or right side of the unit as either an outswing (which pulls out toward the bookcase side) or an inswing (which rotates away from the bookcase side). In most cases, the bookcase face frame will be ­flush with the drywall. Trim will later be mounted over the drywall and bookcase face frame, spanning across the jamb.

Walls more than a standard 2" x 4" thick may require modification for an inswing door application.

Use Hinge Plate #3 at the bottom and #4 a the upper jamb of the door. Use the diagrams to install hinge plate #3 to threshold/floor. Place the two steel washers and bronze bearing onto the hinge pin as shown.

Install a hinge plate #4 to the upper jamb. Shim the jamb as needed at location of pivot hinge for a solid mounting area with longer hinge plate screws mounted into header for final installation.

Install Hinges to Bookcase

First, install the mounting blocks (usually two 11/16" blocks on the bottom and one 1/2" on the top) to the hinged side of the bookcase unit. 

Then, use blocks of a different thickness to create appropriate height and margin for your application.

Use the mounting diagram to install Hinge Plate #1 to the bottom of the bookcase.

NOTE FOR OUTSWING DOORS: Prior to installing the upper hinge, drill an access hole for the set screw through the top of the bookcase. Use the diagrams for the location of this hole: 

• Predrill a small hole from the top of the bookcase.
• Then drill a 5/8" hole from the inside of the bookcase through the top to avoid tearing the inside of the bookcase.

Mount Hinge Plate #2 to the top of the bookcase. Thread the included set screw/cap screw into the threaded.

Install the Bookcase

For an outswing door, work from the backside of the InvisiDoor to put it into place on the lower hinge pin and install the capscrew through the top.

Lift the bookcase into the opening. Set the hinge on the bottom of the bookcase onto the pin of the hinge plate on the threshold. Align the upper hinges and screw the set screw into the hinge plate on the header. Use of Locktite adhesive can prevent set screw from twisting loose over time.

Verify the fit of the trim against the installed InvisiDoor. A slight gap between the bookcase and face frame is necessary to allow clearance for the bookcase to swing. Adjust hinges as needed by using slotted holes in hinge plates. Predrill holes for remaining screws for each of the hinge plates. The provided 2-1/4" screws will be used to secure hinge plate 4 through the upper jamb into the door header.

Install Support Foot

Mount bracket to the side of bookcase. Bracket must be attached near the face frame to allow enough clearance to swing past the jamb. Align the tapered stop to the location of the bolt when the door is in the closed position, mark the location, fasten it with the supplied tape/and or screw.

Install Trim

For an Inswing Door:

Trim on both sides and the top of the door are mounted to the wall and serve as a stop for the door. Avoid using trim that has a narrow inside edge as it will not hold up as a stop. A 3/4" thick molding is recommended. It is also recommended that the trim overlay the face frame by 1/2"- 3/4".

A wide variety of trim styles will work for the inswing mounted InvisiDoor. Corner blocks, mitered corners, or built out crowns can all be used without interfering with the function of the door.

For an Outswing Door:

Trim on the hinge side of the bookcase and the top will be attached to the wall, but the non-hinged side trim will be attached to the bookcase to act as a stop. It is recommended that the trim overlay the face frame by 3/4" and be mounted very securely to withstand the opening and closing of the door. The trim across the top of the door must be mounted to allow clearance for the door to swing below it. Also, allow clearance for the door-mounted trim to swing freely from the upper piece of trim as well as clear the floor.

Finish the Bookcase

Remove Invisidoor from the opening and remove hinge plates from the case. Do a final sanding of project. Apply stain and finish coat of choice according to manufacturer's directions. Reinstall hinges by mounting all screws. Reinstall InvisiDoor into opening and permanently install trim.

Want to see how it's done? Watch our brief instructional video about how to install your InvisiDoor.

Did you buy an InvisiDoor RTA pivot bookcase? We give you simple video based instructions for assembling it before installing! Or, follow these instructions:

The dimentions here are based on the size of the universal InvisiDoor (for standard 36" x 80" finished openings) to assist you in sizing your bookcase and finding the appropriate hinge locations. Modifications to the width or depth of the bookcase will likely require changing the spacing allowed for clearance or location of the hinge pivot point. In all cases, it is recommended that you create a template to mock up the dimensions of the opening and the bookcase to verify that you have the necessary clearance for your door to operate properly.

Design recommendations based on our universal bookcase. Modify design as appropriate for custom applications:

• Top, bottom, and fixed shelf are dadoed into sides for strength to prevent sagging.
• Face frame (2-1/4" wide) glued and nailed to carcass.
• ½" plywood glued and nailed to the back for strength to prevent sagging.
• Bottom shelf is flush to the face frame (inside the bookcase).
• Sides and back run down past the bottom shelf, but not as far as the face frame (forms a pocket on the bottom of the bookcase.)
• Screw 2 mounting blocks into this pocket. The thickness of the blocks may need to be adjusted based on the clearance and spacing needed for the door.
• Left and right edge of the face frame rounded over with 3/8" radius bit.

Let Custom Service Hardware Help with Your InvisiDoor Installation.

If you get confused or need assistance during any oint of the installatino process, feel free to give us a call during business hours, and we'll be happy to answer any questions. Give us a call at (800) 882-0009 or reach out through our online contact form.