Photo: Erik Mclean

Is a pocket door more expensive?

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.

angi.com - Which Is Better: Pocket Doors or Barn Doors?

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Highlights Pocket doors and barn doors save floor space when open.

Pocket doors are perfect for small spaces.

Barn doors add character and are easy to install yourself.

Pocket doors cost less for materials but are more difficult and expensive to install.

Bi-fold doors, accordion dividers, sliding glass, and mirrored doors make great alternatives.

Get quotes from up to 3 pros ! Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you. Find pros When it comes to pocket doors vs. barn doors, both styles come with a sturdy set of pros and cons. Both styles are great options if you want to save space, because the doors don't swing outward. Pocket doors and barn doors are ideal for bathrooms, closets with limited access, or small areas of your home. Read on to weigh the differences, pros, and cons of each one and figure out which door is best for you.

What Are the Differences Between Pocket Doors and Barn Doors?

Opt for barn doors when you want a rustic appearance. Choose pocket doors when you want a more discreet design or to show off wall decor. Here are the main differences between the two.

What Is a Pocket Door?

A pocket door is a sliding door that disappears into a compartment in the wall. They’re often used when there isn’t enough floor space for a swinging door or for architectural effect. A pocket door travels on rollers or tracks either at the top or bottom of the door. Pocket doors are usually thin and lightweight.

What Is a Barn Door?

A barn door is typically a sliding door with a rustic or farmhouse appearance hung on a track that's above the door. Sliding along the wall, barn doors take up wall space when they're open, but not floor space. They're often used to add character or close off an adjoining room. Related Article Don't Miss These 10 Home Decor Styles Making the Leap into 2022 If you’re looking for your next home decor inspiration, you may want to look outside for inspiration

Pocket Door Pros and Cons

Pros

Saves floor space when open

Great for small spaces or to close off an adjoining room

Complements many styles of decor

Low-key aesthetic vibe

Cons

Can be difficult to open, close, and lock, especially for those with reduced mobility and dexterity

Not as sound-proof as a hinged door

Can become unstable

Hard to access for repairs

Requires professional installation

Barn Door Pros and Cons

Pros

Saves floor space when open

Easy to slide and open

Straightforward DIY installation

Offers a modern farmhouse or rustic feel

Cons

Takes up wall space, minimizing space to hang artwork or shelves

Can block access to existing light switches and outlets

Might not integrate with design styles other than modern farmhouse or rustic

Doesn’t offer as much privacy or noise-dampening as a hinged door

Can be noisy when opening and closing the door

Requires moderate effort to open and close, as doors can be heavy

Pocket Door vs. Barn Door

Pocket doors and barn doors both save space when they are not in use. They work best in areas where the door doesn't swing back and forth, like closets and bathrooms. For space and construction, a pocket door will let you house shelves and wall decor. A barn door would get in the way.

Ease of Installation

Barn doors are much easier to install than pocket doors because they run the track outside the adjacent wall. The labor cost for installation is much lower. Plus, there's no need to tear up walls or refinish after installing. Although the track is more noticeable, it's larger and even more decorative than pocket-door tracks.

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“Pocket doors are a great space-saver,” says Bob Tschudi, Angi Expert Review Board member and general contractor in Raleigh, NC. “But they require extensive reconfiguration of the walls on either side of the door, which can be time-consuming and expensive.”

Easiest to Install: Barn Doors

Cost of Door

The cost of a barn door itself and the tracking hardware ranges from $250 to $2,500. The type of material impacts cost, as barn doors can be made of wood, metal, MDF, or vinyl. Pocket doors cost anywhere from $60 to $1,000, depending on the size, type of material, and style. You might need hardware such as connectors and fasteners, which can add $100 to $350 to your material costs.

Lowest Material Costs: Pocket Doors

Installation Costs

If you want to install pocket doors, you’ll usually have to hire a pro to do it (unless you’re an experienced DIYer with similar experience). That means you’ll have to pay labor fees. Pocket doors are also more expensive to install because they usually require construction to a home's structure. The cost of installing pocket doors for new construction ranges from $100 to $500, or $1,000 to $2,500 for an existing wall. The installation cost of a new barn door is anywhere from $100 to $300 per existing wall.

Least Expensive to Install: Barn Doors

Related Article How to Install a Pocket Door Max out your space with style

Privacy

Barn doors and pocket doors can provide some privacy, but they are not suitable for blocking sound or light. Most pocket doors slide smoothly and fit the doorway, but a tight seal is not something you will get. “We recently installed a barn door for a bathroom in a primary suite bedroom,” Tschudi says. “While it was a dramatic look, there was enough of a gap to make the bathroom not soundproof, which doesn’t appeal to some clients.” Barn doors have a track on the outside, making them hang with space between the doorway wall and the door itself. But you can always buy a door that has a locking mechanism to help with privacy.

Offers Most Privacy: Tie

Maintenance

Whether you opt for barn or pocket doors, both types require the same kind of maintenance. Lightly oiling the track after cleaning will keep it in a good state for long periods. Also, if you notice that the track is sagging, you must rehang the doors to get them back into their original position. Another benefit of barn doors is visible racks and rollers—they require less maintenance and are easier to clean. Due to how a pocket door is hidden in a wall, it can be more challenging and time-consuming to clean.

Easiest Maintenance: Barn Doors

Durability

Pocket doors can get a lot of wear and tear because of how they move on a track. The more expensive the tracks, the less likely there will be the problems associated with the more affordable versions. Both pocket doors and barn doors can start getting squeaky, become hard to move, get off their track, or hang out. Even though they have a track visible and more prominent, barn doors come with fewer problems than pocket doors. This is due to their design outside the wall, rather than the interior, which is hard to reach.

Most Durable: Barn Doors

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Functionality

Pocket doors slide into the wall, and when open, are inconspicuous. The doors also slide between spaces like rooms or hallways, and they're more practical. Meaning, your guests might not be able to tell there's a door when they're open. Barn doors cover a wall when they're open and slide on tracks. Barn doors also block electrical outlets and switches in the wall when open; for this reason, they should have dedicated walls to slide over.

Most Functional: Pocket Doors

Aesthetics

You can choose a sliding barn door that looks farmhouse rustic, or industrial, because they’re available in a variety of materials. It’s all about personal preference. However, the space where your barn door will go should be empty, with no aesthetic or functional elements. On the other hand, pocket doors require no exterior side panels, so they are easy to have in a home with little wall space when you want to decorate. Feel free to hang your most beautiful artwork on the walls. Pocket doors are usually plain on the outside. They look amazing with an interior decor faux vinyl covering or custom-ordered with a design of your choice. You can choose any type to match your style. Either way, a pocket door will improve your home's overall look and aesthetic. There are a few door materials to choose from, and you are not limited to a number of styles. You can pick a sleek modern one or something much more rustic. You can also find pocket doors made out of aluminum or glass.

Best Aesthetics: Pocket Doors

Pocket Door and Barn Door Alternatives

Believe it or not, there are some stylish and space-saving alternatives to pocket and barn doors. Many of the options below are affordable and do not require you to make changes to your walls.

Bi-Fold Doors

Bi-fold doors are making a comeback as they now come in modern styles. They offer a convenient alternative when you install them in specific spaces. This type of door works well in spaces where standard swinging doors can't open. These doors help solve space problems. You won't have the door-swing clearance between separate rooms to worry about.

Accordion Door Dividers

A fresh look for a tired old standby, modern accordion doors are full of revitalizing styles and colors. They combine the practicality of accordion-style doorways with elegance if you go for a French door look without wasting space. The glass panes let light inside the house, and when opened up, they take up little space.

Sliding Glass Doors

Sliding glass doors are convenient for both the interior and exterior of a home, and they add an air of luxury to any room. Many times, they come in frosted options, which maintain some privacy while still expanding the space.

Mirrored Doors

One option for making a smaller room feel larger is to use mirrored doors. These types of doors reflect light around the room, giving it an illusion that it's brighter and more spacious. Related Article 10 Unique Ideas for Interior Door Designs Open your door to a wide range of interior design possibilities

angi.com - Which Is Better: Pocket Doors or Barn Doors?