Pocket Door vs Barn Door Guides: Pros and Cons with Cost

Last Updated on April 16, 2024 by John Patterson

Sliding doors can bring a modern flair to any property. But there are so many models on the market, which one should you choose? To make things easier for you, we came up with this nifty guide comparing the most popular sliding door types out there: the pocket doors and barn door models.

Below you’ll find everything you need to know before making your purchase. From price comparison to visual characteristics – all of your questions were answered in one place.

Ready? Let the pocket door and barn door comparison begin,

Pocket Door vs. Barn Door

Pocket doors can bring a modern feel to any room because of their mechanics. When open, they slide into the actual wall. Most pocket door models are plain in style, but interior decor faux can happen.

Why get a beautiful door when you are going to hide it?

Still, there are quite a significant number of options available on the market – traditional, contemporary, modern, etc. You are not limited in terms of materials, too. You can get a wood, aluminum, or glass door.

Check what The Pocket Doors Hardware Kit Reviews 2024 with Buying Guide is.

Barn doors aren’t as versatile as pocket doors. This door is made from wood and has a pronounced rustic aesthetic. It goes well with rooms decorated in a country, rustic modern, cottage, and farmhouse style. If you are looking to install a barn door in a more contemporary space, let’s say that the results wouldn’t be very eye-pleasing.

Check Barn Door Hardware Kit  Reviews 2024 with Buying Guide.

Which one is more practical?

Both barn and pocket door options are designed to save you as much space as possible. The solutions are perfect for small rooms like closets and bathrooms because the doors don’t swing out when opened.

According to Fantastic Handyman, the Australian home improvement & maintenance company, there is a slight difference that makes one door model better than the other – pocket doors slide directly into the wall, disappearing completely, while the sliding barn doors move on a track which is located outside the wall.

Unlike the pocket doors model, sliding barn doors can block access to light switches and outlets. The same goes for artworks and shelves. If you want this model, you need to install it on a bare wall.

Which door option is more comfortable to install?

Overall, pocket doors are more challenging to install, and many things can go wrong during the process.

As we said earlier in the article, pocket doors are pushed into the wall when opened. This means that the first thing to be done before placing the door is to open up the wall. Some walls are too thin to hide the track, and if you want the pocket doors model, you need to demolish the whole thing and rebuild a thicker wall.

Compared to the pocket doors model, barn doors are a dream to install. You can place the track on any wall you want, as long as it’s obvious. However, this means that the door and its track are always visible. Also, barn doors are a bit more challenging than pocket doors.

Related Reading: Removing a Pocket Door: Step-by-Step Guide
Also: How to Drill into Bricks With or Without a Hammer Drill.

Which one is more budget-friendly?

Are pocket doors expensive?

Are barn doors expensive?

Generally, pocket doors or barn doors cost roughly the same – about $300 for a 70cm wooden door. What doubles the end price is the installation. A barn door placement will cost you somewhere between $70 and $250, no matter if you are installing it on an existing wall or оn a new construction.

While on the other hand, pocket doors can make your wallet cry – the price for installing the model on new construction can reach $400 and nearly $2,000 if you want it set up on a new wall.

Which one provides more privacy?

If you want privacy, silence, and light blocking, barn and pocket doors are not your best options. While most models are designed to slide smoothly and fit the doorway, a tight seal is not something you will get. Of course, you can always buy a door that has a locking mechanism.

Still, barn and pocket doors have one significant disadvantage – they tend to leave their tracks. If this happens to you, forget about the whole tight seal deal because you’ll have a gaping door to deal with.

Which one is easier to maintain?

When it comes down to maintenance, both barn doors and pocket doors models require the same type of care – the track must be kept clean, there shouldn’t be any dirt on it or the rollers, regular oiling is also a must, followed by a rehanging if the track has sagged.

However, caring for a barn door is much easier because the racks and the rollers are visible. When it comes to the pocket door, everything is half-hidden inside the wall, making the cleaning process harder and more time-consuming.

Which one is more durable?

Barn and pocket doors move on a track that tends to cause problems, like with everything, the cheaper the track, the more issues you will have with it.

Both barn and pocket doors can start squeaking, become hard to move, come off their tracks, or hang out. Still, barn doors come with fewer problems than pocket doors because their track is visible and more prominent.

Which one is soundproof?

A barn or pocket model isn’t a good option if you are looking for a door with insulation properties. Both styles aren’t designed to reduce sound in any way. If you attach acoustic paneling to them, you’ll make the sliding doors heavy, resulting in them coming off their tracks.

Generally, both models open and close smoothly without making any loud sounds. However, if your barn or pocket door starts making annoying, squeaky noises, then you’ve probably neglected one significant thing – to oil the track regularly.

Related Reading: Home Soundproofing, Decorating, and Organizing ideas.

Which one is easier to operate?

Barn doors and pocket doors-style models are perfect if you have a person that requires mobility aids in your home because they are easier to operate.

Also, if you want to make a pocket door even more accessible and safe, get two door panels installed instead of one. They are a lot lighter, which makes them easier to slide.

Which one will raise the value of my home?

As much as they cost to install and maintain, neither a pocket door nor a barn-style one will add value to your home if you want to sell. In some cases, it does precisely the opposite – potential buyers, especially first-timers, might lose interest because barn doors have a distinct look. In contrast, pocket doors can become a nightmare in terms of maintenance.

Let’s sum it up…

Pocket doors Pros and cons

Read more about Pocket Door’s advantages and disadvantages here.

Barn door pros and cons

FAQs

Are pocket doors hard to install?

Answer: Honestly, it’s a bit more complex than installing a barn door. Not to worry, watch the below video for detail.

Are barn doors easy to install?

Answer: My answer is the same again. Too much more accessible than adding pocket doors, harder still, or framing a swinging door. Let’s watch the below video-.

Conclusion

As you can see for yourself, both door styles come with many advantages and, of course, disadvantages. Before purchasing either of the two, consider every factor we’ve described because it’s still a serious investment, and nobody wants to be sorry. We hope our guide on Barn and pocket doors has made your decision-making easier.

Related Reading:
#1. French Door Advantages and Disadvantages
#2. Barn Door and French Door Differences