Both pocket doors and barn doors can bring a modern or rustic feel into any room because of their mechanics. While pocket doors slide into the wall completely out of sight barn doors slide along the outside of the wall so they are constantly visible.
There are some drawbacks to pocket doors. For example, they are space savers in the bathroom, but they way they sit on tracks within the wall means that they don't seal as tightly as traditional doors and this can be a problem for some people. They also do not create any acoustic privacy.
Pocket doors were popular in the late 1800s, especially in Victorian houses. They had a resurgence of popularity in the 1950s. But because pocket doors from the past ran along raised tracks on the floor, the tracks were a tripping hazard, so builders and homeowners avoided pocket doors when possible.
Pocket doors are sliding doors
Instead of opening outwards, the door slides into the pocket that is fitted within the wall cavity and completely hidden from view. Pocket doors can come in single doors or in pairs, depending on the size of the opening, and the doors move (slide) on rollers suspended from a track.
Pocket Doors create a completely clear opening, allowing for easy movement from room to room. If you'd like to add some architectural charm to a room, Pocket Doors are a great way to do this – particularly when combined with the correct type of door.
Pocket doors are more expensive to install because they usually require construction to a home's structure. Both doors have a nominal cost of $400 for an average 30-inch solid wood door. However, the installation cost of a new barn door is anywhere from $100 to $300 per existing wall.
During a new construction, pocket doors will cost between $500 and $1,000. As part of a remodeling project, their cost will be in the $1,000 to $3,500 range. These prices reflect both parts and labor. These doors hide inside a wall cavity instead of swinging out from a hinge.
A pocket door differs from a standard hinged door that opens by swinging back and forth. Instead, a pocket door slides, via rollers on an overhead track, into a “pocket” in the wall on either side of it. When it's fully open, the pocket door completely disappears.
Since pocket doors hang on a track and slide into the recess of a wall, the doors themselves are typically thin, lightweight, and don't prevent all sound from traveling between rooms. Though you can hire a handyperson, installing sliding pocket doors is a fairly simple DIY project!
At the very least, pocket doors do require thicker walls. This means an offset of more than 4 inches (100mm) to accommodate doors that have a usual thickness of 2 inches, with a bigger gap required for thicker door choices.
Pocket Doors Are Noisy
On the other hand, pocket doors will always make some noise as they roll along their tracks. Modern pocket doors with upgraded hardware can minimize this noise, but they will never be as quiet as swinging doors. This is a serious consideration when thinking of installing them as bedroom doors.
Pocket doors are a good option for smaller rooms that may not have space for a full-swing door. They're perfect for closets, connecting two spaces (for example between an en suite and a walk-in closet, and small bedrooms where floor space counts.
To hang a pocket door, you need a rough opening that is twice as wide as the door itself. This means taking down the old swinging door, removing the jamb and disassembling the wall framing. You'll also need to remove drywall and relocate any electrical wires that are in the way.
Glass pocket doors can open your home and modernize the appearance of your living space. This type of glass sliding door has a lot of other potential benefits, too.
The major push that has ushered pocket doors into a new era is the outdoor and indoor living trend. Massive glass pocket doors offering a clear view onto a homeowners' backyard or view have continued to take over new construction, and even remodel projects, for the last several years.
According to Holly Witten of Holly Witten Designs, "A pocket door allowed for a flow between the parlor and dining area, and then closed the rooms for more intimate gatherings in each space at different points in the evening." You won't only find pocket doors in 19th-century homes, though: They experienced an even ...
A standard sliding pocket door has the same sizes as a corresponding hinged door. It typically measures 30" or 36" in width and 80" in height. It is also possible to build customized solutions having very large or very small passage sizes.
Pocket doors are hung from recessed tracks, with the top of the door attached to a trolley system and glides that keep the door centered when it moves. Alternatively, some are mounted from the ground or the ground and ceiling, if the door is heavier and wider than the standard door.
To install a pocket door in an existing wall, you have to remove drywall, and it's easier to uncover the entire wall instead of trying to work in a limited opening. That way, you can remove entire studs instead of cutting them and reroute wires as needed.
With a sliding pocket door, you'll save space and give your room a more streamlined look. These doors are mounted on tracks and roll in and out of a “pocket,” or hollow compartment in the wall, so they don't take up space in the room.
Yes, you can lock pocket doors to secure specific places in your house. Pocket doors can have a lock on one or both sides. If you want to secure your property, you can choose a pocket door lock with a key. The locks may either be a round or square lock.
To order a single pocket door, first determine your door size (door width, door height and door thickness). Next, select a frame kit that accommodates your door size. Keep in mind that if you don't see your exact door size, the frames can be cut down to accommodate a smaller size door.