What is A Barn Door
Barn door is a type of sliding door that is mounted on a sliding rail at the top. The door slides horizontally on this sliding rail. They are available in both single and double-door configurations. Barn doors are best suited for industrial and rustic interiors.
What Is A Pocket Door
A pocket door is yet another type of sliding door used in homes and offices. When opened, the doors slide into a cavity or ‘pocket’ inside the walls. Since they can be completely hidden out of sight, pocket doors give a seamless look.
Comparing Barn Door vs Pocket Door
Unlike traditional doors, you don’t need to step out of the way to open barn doors and pocket doors. This feature makes the doors an ideal choice for people with mobility issues. However, there are some key differences between barn doors and pocket doors.
Privacy plays a key role in choosing between a barn door vs pocket door for the bathroom. Pocket doors close more tightly than barn doors. Hence, pocket doors can be more suitable for smaller bathrooms.
Buying A Barn Door
If you have finalized a barn door, you must also decide on the following points before purchasing one:
Configuration
Barn doors are available in single door and double door configurations. Single barn doors are better for small spaces. Double barn doors are suitable for wider openings, like bedroom or living room.
Panels
You can choose from different panel styles on barn doors. 1-panel barn door gives a minimal look. Multiple panels, like 2, 3, 5 or 6 panel barn doors are suitable for traditional interiors. Z-frame and K-frame barn doors feature diagonal braces. They offer the maximum farmhouse appeal to your space.
Purchase hardware kits to install matching knobs or handles.
Glass
Depending on your desired privacy level, you can choose from a variety of glass styles. Some popular choices include frosted, clear and mirror glass. Frosted glass allows privacy and also lets the natural light inside. Clear glass and mirror glass barn doors are best for closets.
Features
Additional features like bypass and soft-close can make barn doors more functional. In bypass barn doors you can slide one door behind another. It is useful for areas with no wall space for two barn doors.
Soft close barn doors operate smoothly and do not make much noise. They door slows down when it approaches a near-closed position. This mechanism prevents the door from slamming shut. It further enhances the longevity of doors.
Buying A Pocket Door
Here are some key points that will help you decide which type of pocket door would be best for your home.
Type
Pocket doors are available in both single door and double door configurations. For single pocket door, a single door cavity is required in one wall. A double pocket door is usually installed in living rooms or walk-in closets. Two door cavities are required in each wall for this door type.
Frame
You will first need to purchase pocket door frames when installing a pocket door. These frames are fitted into the wall pockets, allowing the door to operate. You can choose from frame materials like steel or wood. Hardwood wooden frames with solid core are quite long listing but may require maintenance. Steel frames are a better choice since they can resist rotting and rust.
Buy a pocket door installation kit instead of individual parts separately. It includes the door, door frame and all the required hardware. This will save you time and effort checking the compatibility of each piece of hardware with the door and door frame.
Barn Door vs Pocket Door: Factors to Consider
Barn doors and pocket doors have their own benefits. The door you finalize depends on your specific needs. Here are some factors you must remember when buying one:
- Layout: Assess your room layout and available space. If you plan to install a barn door, make sure the wall does not have any switches or shelves. For the pocket door, ensure that the wall is of optimum thickness.
- Size: Measure the dimensions of your door opening beforehand. Common sizes available for barn doors include 36 by 84 inches, 42 by 84 inches, 36 by 80 inches and 30 by 80 inches. Pocket door frames can fit into width size of 4.5 inches to 75 inches. The required height for pocket door frames is 80 to 99 inches.
- Door finish: Opt for unfinished doors to stain them in the desired shade. But you will have to stand them first. Buy primed doors to get a ready-to-paint surface. Prefinished doors are best for a faster installation.