The Pros and Cons of Barn and Pocket Doors For Remodeling
Tips On Remodeling With Pocket Doors
Today's hottest design trends harken back to the past. Sliding barn doors have made their way from a utilitarian function found in the barn, to the design highlight of many walk-in closets. With some updating of hardware, staining, and modern stainless steel or cast iron tracks, sliding barn doors can make a design statement that is not only contemporary but functional.
Pocket doors were common in homes built at the turn of the last century. In Victorian homes, they were often used to separate formal seating areas or entryways. Today, updated pocket doors are experiencing a renaissance.They are a great way to infuse a space with architectural charm, and they can open up vast amounts of floor space as well!
In fact, thanks to the popularity of standard barn and pocket doors, manufacturers like Sierra Pacific have expanded the category to include a number of different styles and types of doors that can be considered modern “variations” of the pocket door. Another growing trend within the industry includes architectural wall systems like NanaWall.
Pocket doors, barn doors, and other types of “pocket doors” offer both pros and cons for homeowners. Let's look at the ten main types of pocket style doors, along with the various benefits and drawbacks to help you decide if they might make sense for your next home improvement project.
First, The Pros of Pocket Doors...
They Work in Any Decor
Pocket doors fit into any décor from traditional to contemporary, they're a wonderful detail and many homeowners love them. They can be simple or dressed up with modern hardware, stain, or even frosted or stained glass inserts.
They Are Functional
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. They're also a great way to create a private area within a larger space, for example hiding an office space off the kitchen. Pocket doors can be built with “partial height” doors offering an elegant solution for keeping pets or kids safely in one place!
They Can Act As Art
As an interior design element, pocket doors give you the opportunity to experiment with colors and textures without taking a big risk since the doors are hidden much of the time. You can also restore an original element to a historic home by using architectural salvage to add period-specific details to your space.
Exterior Glass Walls
Today, interior/exterior flow is another up and coming trend in home design. Pocket doors can be a stunning way to open your home to the outdoors. If you want an intricate system of sliding panels, make sure to consult with a designer or your design-build contractor. A large opening in a perimeter wall can impact the structural integrity of the exterior wall.
Types of “Pocket-Style” Doors
Manufacturers like Sierra Pacific, NanaWall and others have capitalized on the design trends for pocket and barn doors, and the major movement toward indoor/outdoor living and have created a wide range of door styles for both interior, and interior/exterior uses.
These door styles can enhance your interior design by creating a visual focus and a dramatic look, allow in copious amounts of natural light, and even open the interior of your home to your outdoor living space in style.
Here are ten door styles to consider for your home remodeling project.
1. Bypass Door
these sliding doors as perfect for use as closet doors, or for the washroom. They are smooth-rolling doors that overlap and slide from side to side, giving you full access to all of the space in your closet. Unlike a swinging door, they do not require and room space to operate.
2. Pocket Sliding Doors
These are the standard variation of pocket doors. They are versatile and operate by sliding into “pocket” in the wall when not in use. They allow you to regain the space you'd normally lose by the radius needed for a hinged door to operate and they can help to create a larger space with improved flow when hidden in their pocket.
3. Sliding Bi-Fold Doors
Bi-fold sliding doors allow you to open up huge expanses of walls to the outdoors. Unique to this style of door is the ability to incorporate an access panel – a single door integrated into one panel that allows passage without opening the entire system. Bi-fold doors can stack to one or both sides, can swing in or out, and can even go around a 90% corner. This is an expensive option with prices starting at around $1000 per linear foot.
4. Patio Sliding Doors
These are a great alternative to swinging doors. They can contain up to four-panels, but typically are two panels with one operable, the second fixed. If you're looking for a more dramatic option, consider a four-panel unit with the middle two panels operable.
5. Sliding French Doors
A sliding French door has the appearance of a traditional swinging French door with wider stiles and rails but function as a sliding patio door. You can customize the look, choosing from a variety of different grid options to give them a multi-light look.
6. Shoji Doors & Accordion Doors
Shoji doors are a door, window, or room divider used in traditional Japanese architecture. They consist of translucent or transparent sheets on a lattice frame. Typically used indoors, they are a variation on the sliding door. Tow panels slide and pass over each other stacking to create a maximum 3-foot opening. Accordion doors are often used in interior applications for example as closet doors. Soundproof accordion doors are available which are often an excellent solution if you need sound control in a room or area of your home. While we don't typically recommend Shoji or accordion doors, they do have their uses.
7. Barn Doors
Barn doors are enjoying popularity with designers and some homeowners. They offer a unique design perspective that works in almost any style from rustic to contemporary, however, have some drawbacks, for example, they offer no acoustic privacy. If you have tall ceilings they can look incredible, however, they can be heavy and difficult to open.
8. Multi-slide Doors
If you're looking for a solution to bring the outdoors in, multi-slide doors are worth a look. These doors can slide in one direction, or both, and can even be designed to disappear completely into a pocket in the wall. They can also turn a 90-degree corner. They don't come cheap however, prices start at around $1000 per linear foot.
9. Pivot Doors
Pivot doors are an exciting, bold, modern design. Engineered to float inside their frame, they sit on center pins on the top and bottom of the door panel. Pivot doors offer clean lines and a simple form and function making them a unique option for your home's main entry.
10. NanaWall
Nanawall is an architectural system of opening glass wall panels that provide homeowners with innovative options for creating sliding wall systems. In business for over 30 years, NanaWall is the first choice of architects, builders, design professionals for reimagining how buildings, people, and the elements interact. With over 20 unique systems to choose from, NanaWall brings design to the next level!
Pocket Doors: The Cons
Pocket doors do have some drawbacks. For example, while they can save space in a small bathroom, because of the way they sit on tracks within the wall, it means that they don't always seal as tightly as traditional doors and this can be an issue for some homeowners.
Pocket doors and the alternatives can also have some occasional functional issues. Larger wall systems like sliding bi-fold doors and multi-panel systems are expensive with prices starting at $1000 per linear foot, can be complicated, may require expensive structural upgrades, can be difficult to open for older homeowners, and must be regularly maintained. They can fall off their tracks, can be difficult to roll, problematic to lock, and can make noise if not regularly lubricated. If you're thinking of aging-in-place pocket doors can be difficult to operate for those with mobility or dexterity issues.
Barn Doors: The Cons
Barn doors don't offer acoustic privacy. Even the thickest solid doors do not dampen sound, odors, or light. This can be problematic if you have pocket doors separating your office or bedroom from the kid's play space. Not ideal if you're working or sleeping, but if you're taking care of the kids, it can be a good thing! If you have an extra tall space, pocket doors can look incredible, but they can be heavy and hard to roll which can be a problem for smaller or older family members.
The Bottom Line...
Pocket doors can be a stunning architectural element that can be a focal point in your home and offer space-saving benefits. That being said, they do have some drawbacks that may not make them the best choice for some homeowners. If you decide pocket doors will be an element in your next home improvement project here are some considerations to discuss with your design-build contractor.
• Use 2 X 6 construction. Pocket doors are more efficient in walls with 2 X 6 construction as opposed to standard 2 X 4 framed walls. Some larger systems like multi-panel sliding systems and NanaWall may require additional structural improvements to operate safely and properly.
• Always spend extra for heavy-duty hardware. Pocket door kits generally come with inexpensive hardware. Upgrade to heavy-duty, ball-bearing nylon rollers.
• Spend extra to install solid doors. They are heavier and harder on the hardware, but they're much more durable.
• Be careful with wall art. If you install pocket doors, be extremely careful when hanging art or attaching wall fasteners. If you inadvertently install a wall hanger into the pocket door glide path, it requires opening the wall to fix the problem.
Pocket doors offer benefits and drawbacks. The best solution is to discuss your choice with your interior designer or design-build contractor. They can help you to determine if they're right for you. They may not be for everyone, but if you're looking for interesting architectural detail, or to save some space, consider pocket doors!
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