Pocket Doors vs. Barn Doors
Renovating your property or decorating a new place?
There are so many different decisions to make, and it can be really confusing, not to mention costly if you make the wrong choice!
If you’re looking to grab some new doors, you’ve probably come across both barn doors and pocket doors as options for your space.
These doors may look very similar at first. However, there are important differences to know before you decide.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to make sure you choose the right doors the first time round, including:
- All about pocket doors
- All about barn doors
- Comparing and contrasting
- Final thoughts
Let’s dive in so you can pick the right doors for you!
Pocket Doors
Pocket doors are sliding doors that go into the wall when the door is open.
They were very popular in Victorian homes, but still have their fans to this day. Classic pocket doors are usually made of light, painted wood to match the trim of the home and/or the wall color.
However, these days there are a decent variety of pocket door types available, including glass and dark wood.
Installation Process
Installing a pocket door can be tricky. However, you can do it yourself if you have some construction experience.
It’s very important to never try and install a pocket door in a wall that plumbing or electricity runs through.
To install a pocket door, first remove the old door frame and molding. Then, cut and take out the drywall from both sides of the wall.
Taking care, cut away the exposed studs, and install a new header for the pocket door, then attach the slider track.
Hang your door using the kit's instructions. Install the hardware on the pocket door and the wall.
Following this, you’ll need to repair your drywall and repaint, and install and paint door trim. Then repeat for the other side if you’re using a double pocket door.
Price
Pocket doors vary widely in price, depending on sourcing and materials.
However you’re looking at a cost of four hundred dollars to a grand for a complete kit from a standard hardware store.
The cost for installation, if you can't do it yourself, ranges from $500 to over $4,000. This depends on the type of door and the house. A new build with a cheap door costs around $500. An old house with an expensive door can cost over $4,000.
Pros
- Space Saving: Pocket doors tuck neatly into your wall, making them a great choice for small areas like bathrooms and laundries
- Aesthetic Appeal: Pocket doors are great for a Victorian Aesthetic, and (with more modern looking doors), even minimalist looks.
Cons
- Tricky Installation: Pocket doors are much more difficult to install than almost any other type of door. Because of this, hiring someone to do it for you can be quite costly. It is even more expensive if you are renovating an existing door frame.
- Trickier Maintenance: It’s virtually impossible to clean or maintain the hardware of your pocket doors, as it’s concealed in the wall. This can lead to it wearing out more quickly, leading to another expensive repair or replacement.
- Poor Sound Insulation: Removing the stud, and any insulation, and replacing it with a door that doesn’t fully seal in leads to more sound traveling.
Barn Doors
Barn doors also slide, but they sit on the outside of the wall when they’re open.
Barn doors, inspired by their agricultural origins, were once linked to a rustic style. However, they have recently become popular in many different designs.
Barn doors roll on external hardware, and are often found in double door form, though there are many different types available.
A classic barn door is made from solid, warm wood, with wrought iron hardware and a large, decorative rolling wheel.
These days, there are many types and colors of wood for barn doors. You can also find glass options, like solid and paned, clear and frosted, or tinted. Metal doors offer an industrial look. There are even fun and functional doors, like chalkboards.
Installation
Installing a barn door is quite simple. You can probably do it yourself if you are a bit handy. Of course, there’s no shame in asking for help!
To install a barn door, you’ll need to locate and mark your wall studs, then install the backer board and metal track. Attach the hardware to your barn door, if it doesn’t come pre attached, then hang your door. Done!
Price
Barn doors can cost from two hundred dollars for a basic hardware store door to over a thousand dollars for heavier, higher-quality doors. Prices vary widely based on the type and quality of the door.
In general, installation costs anywhere from $600 dollars to a little over a grand.
Pros
- Space Saving: Barn doors take up less room than traditional doors, as they don’t need to swing outwards
- Ease of installation: Barn doors easy and quick to install at home
- Maintenance: Barn doors are very easy to maintain
Cons
- Take up wall space: you won’t be able to put up chunky art work or bookshelves
- No full seal: There is a gap between the barn door and the wall. This allows sound and smell to travel more easily than with a regular door
Comparison
The main difference between pocket doors and barn doors is where the hardware is placed. Barn doors have their hardware on the outside of the wall. In contrast, pocket doors have their hardware on the inside.
This gives pocket doors their more subtle, sneaky effect, and gives barn doors their rustic or industrial charm.
This also means that it is easy to maintain the hardware on a barn door. You can clean it, apply oils, and replace parts. However, it is difficult or even impossible to do the same on a pocket door.
Both doors can be made of a variety of materials, from traditional wood to sleek frosted glass.
In barn doors, you can also get a variation in the type of hardware and roller wheel.
Neither option is as secure or soundproof as traditional doors. However, there are several measures you can take. These include insulation, soft closes, latches, and bars. These steps can help make them much closer to traditional doors.
They’re comparable in price, with a wide range of doors available in either type.
If you want to install a door in an existing home, pocket doors cost more. They are also a bit pricier for new builds.
You can place a barn door anywhere there are studs in a drywall wall. You can also install it in brick or concrete, as long as you have enough wall space.
For concrete walls, you don’t need a backing board if you don’t want one. You can install the hardware directly into the wall.
Pocket doors need at least three feet (on average) of empty wall space to go into, and cannot be placed into load bearing walls.
This means their usefulness in rooms like bathrooms and laundries is reduced. This is because electricity or plumbing runs through the wall.
Both of these door types are generally recommended for small spaces. In addition to bathrooms and laundries, they work well as closet doors and pantry doors. They can also hide other storage spaces.
They are often used to separate open spaces, like kitchens and dining rooms. This way, you can decide when you want separation.
Glass doors are great for keeping light in a room while reducing noise. They are perfect for spaces like playrooms, bedrooms, or offices.
Both sliding doors are useful in bathrooms. They can separate a toilet from a sink or shower area. They can also serve as the main bathroom door. This helps prevent moisture buildup.
However, these doors do not block sound and smell as well as traditional doors. This is important to think about, especially if your bathroom is next to a main living area.
Comparison of the Main Feature of Pocket and Barn Doors
| Parameters | Pocket Doors | Barn Door |
| Base Price | $400 -$1000+ | $200 - $1000+ |
| Maintenance | Very Difficult/Impossible | Very Easy |
| Aesthetic | Victorian/Variable | Rustic/Variable |
| Installation | Very Difficult | Very Easy |
| Sound Muffling | Poor to Okay | Better but still not the best |
| Placement | Limited, need an empty wall | Can be hung over walls with plumbing or electric |
Conclusion
Overall, pocket doors and barn doors are comparable in the price of the base door.
However, the limited placement, poor sound travel, hard maintenance, and costly installation make pocket doors lose this battle.
Barn doors are more versatile and easier to install and maintain. They also provide better sound insulation. This makes them the best choice!
They also have a more modern aesthetic, as they’re trendier than pocket doors. Unless you’re dead set on a concealed door, or need the wall space, a barn door is likely your best bet! Shop our barn doors.
