I'm putting in a pocket door for my closet, the kind that recesses into the wall. The door that I'm using has a pattern cut into it. See the attachment

The frame and trim for the bedroom door accommodates a 30 inch wide door so I want the closet door to match.

After looking at pocket door frames I am unsure what width to get because I don't know if the dimensions listed for a pocket door frame are for what size door the finished frame accommodates or if you have some leeway as to how much you can add to the frame before adding trim.

The issue is there is a varying amount of flat space on either side of the pattern on the door depending on what width of door you use. When the door is shut I want there to be an equal amount on either side. With a pocket door you will have an overlap of the frame and trim on the side the door recesses to.

So for example if I want the finished width of the door frame with trim to be close to 30 inches wide would I get a 32 inch door and a 30 inch wide pocket door frame and shave off some of the left side of the door until it looks centered when closed?

thanks

 

A pocket door will always have part of the trailing edge covered by the jamb stops. There is no getting around it unless you plan to have a custom door made. I find it hard to believe anyone would quibble about a few fractions of an inch.

 

Well then you can note in your life experiences that you have the distinction of having met such a person.

 

In your struggle to take a 32" door, cut the sides differently so that they match "exactly", all the other ratios of rail to stile... to the apex of the arc... will be off. The proportions will be all wrong. Do it however you like. But you would have better luck using a 30" door, cutting maybe 5/16 off the latch side, and glue an extra 5/16 onto the side the stop partially covers.

In my life experience, I have bigger fish to fry.