Barn Door Pros and Cons

In the domain of interior design, barn doors have recently reentered the style cycle. This could be despite or because of their rustic, agricultural origins (we haven’t quite made our minds up on this!).

These sliding statement pieces tastefully blend form and function, adding a touch of charm while maximizing space extremely efficiently.

However, barn doors are not perfect. You should think about how you want your door to work in your space. We have a detailed list of pros and cons in this article. We hope it helps you make a smart choice about your barn door. Let’s get started!

The Pros of Barn Doors

Barn doors, as you may have already gathered, are very trendy fittings as of late.

At first, farmers liked these doors for moving livestock in and out of barns. They needed a solution because there wasn't enough space to swing open a regular door.

Nowadays, they are used everywhere!

We think there are some good reasons for this widespread adoption of barn doors. Even with their farming background, they still have the space-saving features they were known for. Plus, they look quite stylish.

Here are some of the biggest positives of using barn doors in your home environment:

Space-saving solution

The reason why barn doors exist in the first place (more or less) is because of their space-saving properties.

We have all been in a situation where we enter a room with just enough space for a regular door. This often happens in bathrooms or pantries.

A barn door does not take up space in either room. You can easily roll the door to the side. This helps you make the most of the space in both areas!

Aesthetically pleasing

We’ve explained why barn doors were invented. Now, let’s talk about why they are popular again: they look amazing!

Seriously– what's not to love about a good barn door?

The rustic wood hangs beautifully on a smooth track. It adds a touch of rustic style. However, it can also bring a modern feel based on the materials and colors you choose.

Versatile

Barn doors can be used in a whole range of settings and can be made to suit a wide range of styles.

If you need a stylish indoor door or a classic barn door for an outhouse or shed, we have what you need. We believe you will find the perfect barn door for your situation!

Easy installation

Another benefit of barn doors is that they are easy to install. In fact, anyone can put them up with the right barn door tools!

Namely, you’ll likely need the door track kit and a few simple tools.

Variety of designs and materials

Barn doors are both beautiful and versatile. They can fit into many architectural and interior design styles. These styles include industrial, traditional, Scandinavian, and maximalist

You’ll be spoilt for choice installing your barn door in a huge range of different contexts.

The Cons of Barn Doors

Now, despite their obvious pros, there are two sides to every barn door – and there are some cons as well. These are as follows:

Limited privacy

Barn doors are not the best choice if you want privacy. This is especially true for a bathroom or toilet!

A barn door can slide open by itself if your floor isn’t completely flat. This is more common in older houses. It can also happen if you don’t have a latch to keep it closed.

Your latch options will be limited for barn doors due to their sliding nature – a key aspect to keep in mind.

Noise pollution

This is another rather large downside to barn doors: their rather non-existent noise-canceling properties!

A couple of potential workarounds for this issue include proper insulation, as well as simply installing a thicker door. Again, if considering a barn door for a bathroom/toilet, this is a big factor to keep in mind.

Limited insulation

This is a big drawback for exterior barn doors, like those for an outhouse or shed. It can also be a problem for interior barn doors.

The main thing to consider is heat loss, which will have a direct impact on the energy efficiency of your household.

However, noise pollution is another factor affected by a lack of insulation.

Weatherstripping is a common solution for the insulation issues of barn doors. We recommend speaking with a professional about your insulation options. This should be done before you decide to install a barn door in your home. We have written a guide on Barn Door Insulation; feel free to check that out.

Cost

Cost is a factor for almost all of us, whether we like it or not. Barn doors can be expensive, just like any other door!

However, there is a wide variety of styles, hardware, and therefore price points to consider when looking into barn doors.

If you do your research well, we trust you’ll be able to find a great barn door that works within your budget.

Making the Decision

So, you’ve come this far, and you may be seriously tossing up the pros and cons of getting a barn door.

And you’d be right to do so; for all the benefits, there are some potentially significant drawbacks to these doors.

We recommend that if you are considering a barn door for your home, you should check out our barn doors and barn door hardware. Our range means we may have exactly what you need!

As far as installation goes, there are some factors you are going to want to keep in mind. These are:

Assessing the available space

Barn doors are great options if you’re working with a tight space budget.

However, there are other factors to think about. These include wall space, the door frame, and nearby furniture.

Determining the desired level of privacy

As we have discussed, barn doors are not great for privacy. They have stricter latch requirements and can let in noise.

If you care about privacy but still want to try a barn door, consider professional insulation options.

Analyzing the existing interior design

Barn doors are extremely versatile. With this in mind, the type of door, rollers, and track you choose may depend on your home's design

Understanding what will work well with this style is recommended, but also not completely necessary.

If you have your eye on a specific barn door, why not go for it? There are no rules!

Budget considerations for both initial investment and potential long-term maintenance

Like all doors, barn doors can range from relatively cheap to very expensive.

Stay within your budget. Remember that maintenance costs over time are important too, just like with any door!

Check out the accessories at The Barn Door Hardware Store to complete your barn door project!