Barn Doors or Pocket Doors?

Trying to decide on the best sliding door option can be a difficult decision. Both pocket doors and barn doors are designed to save space, and both are ideal for closets and rooms that you don’t want doors that swing out. But which one is the best option? Here are 4 things to consider before making your choice:

Installation 
Of the two options, pocket doors can be more challenging to install because they need a thick wall to be done properly. To install a pocket door, you must cut into the wall, so the wall would need to be thick enough to allow for the space to be cut out, and the door to slide in. On the other hand, a barn door is positioned on the outside of your wall and is therefore easier to install. So your specific wall may answer this question for you.

Space
Pocket doors are great space savers and when they are open, they don’t block any furniture or wall fixtures that you may have. But you can’t say that about barn doors. Although they are nearly right up against the wall, barn doors don’t disappear in the same way that pocket doors do. If you want a chair or end table tucked back in the corner of the room, for example, you may have to move them out away from the wall so that they don’t get hit by the barn door opening. You probably won’t want any furniture near the door so that you can reach over to open and close it without any difficulty. And don’t forget your light switches, picture frames and outlets that could create a space challenge if you install a barn door. 

Cost
For the most part, pocket doors and barn doors are very close in price if you are talking about the doors themselves. However, the installation process is where the cost starts to separate them. As we already noted, barn doors are relatively easy to install, and therefore the total costs stay relatively low. But an involved pocket door installation that requires cutting into the wall can escalate the cost quickly. That price tag will vary based on how much work is required, but the installation cost difference may be a deciding factor when choosing between the two.

Style 
This is the component that no one can help sort out for you. You will have to decide what style suits your personal style best. Many often love the clean lines and hidden feel of a pocket door, but a barn door can be a real knockout feature in a room.
 
So, these are the things to consider when choosing the best sliding door. The decision will ultimately come down to your budget, your personal style preference and what will work best in your space.