Barn Door Styles
Traditional barn doors start with a simple plank design and add frame pieces to create more prominent looks. More modern, unique barn door styles are also available. See some of the most common types of barn doors below.
Plank Barn Doors
Plank barn doors have the most basic design, with a frame consisting simply of vertical pieces (the stiles) and horizontal pieces (the rails) running along the outer edge of the door. While a single panel door is more understated than other barn door styles, the full panel offers clean lines and subtle style options.
Z-Frame Barn Doors
Z-frame or Z-brace doors offer more design elements than plank doors. A single diagonal frame piece or brace runs from the top rail to the bottom rail, creating a Z design. Double Z-frame doors create a unique barn door design when closed.
X-Panel Barn Doors
X-panel or X-brace barn doors are the next step up in barn door style. Two diagonal braces or crossbucks run from top to bottom, creating an X across the door panel. These types of barn doors add a more dramatic touch to a room than simpler plank and Z-panel styles. You might see these doors referred to as crossbuck barn doors.
K-Frame Barn Doors
K-frame barn doors, also known as K-brace doors, have inner braces that run diagonally between the top and bottom to a horizontal rail in the middle of the door, creating a K design.
On double K-frame doors, the diagonal pieces create an X and, with the lock rails, form a design similar to the bars on the British flag, so some refer to K-frame barn doors as British brace barn doors.
Multi-Panel Barn Doors
Multi-panel doors also build off of the basic plank design, but add horizontal rails to divide the panel. You can find multi-panel doors with two, three, four and more panels. Frosted glass panels create a modern look and brighten the interior space. You might see the diagonal braces we describe above within individual panels on multi-panel doors. Some multi-panel doors have raised 6-panel designs similar to conventional interior doors.
Other Barn Door Styles
Variations in the door panels create additional barn door types. Look for panels with vertical planks, horizontal planks, chevron designs and more.
Configuration Options for Home Barn Doors
The barn door configuration you choose depends on the size of your doorway, but your available wall and floor space are factors as well:
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Double barn doors offer the most dramatic look but require the most wall space. These types of barn doors make great living room barn doors, as well as attractive doors for family rooms and play areas. Bypass double barn doors typically require less wall area than standard double doors.
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Single barn doors work for home offices, closets and pantries. You can also find unique barn doors that dress up bedrooms if you don’t mind less privacy and less sound dampening.
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Bifold barn doors require minimal wall space, but need floor space to open. Single bifold and double bifold configurations are available. These are the best barn doors for closets in small rooms.
Barn Door Hardware
Barn doors often come with hardware included, ensuring you get pieces that match and fit the door. However, you can also buy a barn door without hardware and purchase separate hardware that creates the look you want. It’s helpful to know the key pieces of barn door hardware:
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Barn Door Rail/Track: The barn door rail installs over the doorway and supports the barn door.
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Barn Door Hanger/Roller: A pair of barn door hangers with rollers connect each door to the rail. The rollers on the hangers ride along the rail as you open and close the door.
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Floor Guide: A floor guide aligns a barn door so it hangs correctly on the rail and moves smoothly. The guide helps keep the door on the rail and keeps the door from hitting the wall.
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Barn Door Bumper/Stop: Like floor guides, barn door bumpers help keep the door on the rail. They mount on the rail and ensure the door doesn’t roll off of either end.
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Barn Door Lock: While a room with a barn door isn’t as private as one with a standard door, a barn door lock improves privacy.
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Connecting Adapter: This connector fastens two rails together end to end.
- Barn Door Hardware Kit: Many hardware kits package hardware and fasteners together, making it easy to match colors, styles and finishes.
How to Choose the Best Barn Doors for a Home
Start with the functional considerations:
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Measure your doorway and make sure the door or doors cover it fully. Choose the door and configuration — single, double or double bypass — accordingly, as well as the door size. Barn doors are taller than standard doors to allow for overhang and your door needs to extend an inch or two beyond each side of the doorway as well.
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Make sure you have enough open wall space for the door or doors. For tight areas, consider folding barn doors.
- Consider soft close doors for quieter operation.
Once you’re sure the doors work for the space, finding the best barn doors depend on the look you want:
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Fit the look of the room with the door style.
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Choose a material, from the natural beauty of wood to the modern look of glass and more.
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Find a color and finish that works with other features of the room. Or choose an unfinished or primed door and paint it to suit your style.
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Choose barn door hardware that complements the door and room or creates a standout contrast.
Benefits of Barn Doors
In addition to a relaxed style, barn doors offer several benefits over standard doors:
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They replace purely functional doors with decorative options.
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They can elevate the style of a room.
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They save lots of floor space.
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They can be easier to install.
Find Barn Doors for Your Home at Lowe’s
Sliding barn doors offer stylish alternatives to conventional doors and can make a dramatic impact to your home. Shop different types of barn doors on Lowes.com to find a style, material and size to fit just about any room in your home. Plus, you can get tips on installing a barn door yourself or let Lowe’s install your interior doors. Or stop by your local Lowe’s and talk to a Red Vest associate for help choosing barn door styles and to discuss installation options. We’ll help you find the perfect barn doors for your home.