Barn Doors, Pros & Cons
Barn Doors have been an easy answer for adding a little privacy to any space, but Andy and I have noticed a shift in this trend. We’ve had an upturn in people wanting to replace their barn door with pocket doors or traditional doors. Which has Andy and I wondering if this trend is on it’s way out or if the rush of this trend made people make spur of the moment decisions and barn doors ended up being a poor choice for most.
While barn doors are an easy and in some cases cost effective way to add a barrier to any door way there are definite pros and cons. When installing any door Andy and I encourage our clients to ask themselves a few questions.
1) What is the main purpose of the door?
2) Is the space large enough to accomodate the door style you are wanting to install?
3) Does it match the functionality of your family / business / or space?
4) Does it fit Into your budget?
5) Is this a DIY project or should you hire professionals?
Many of these questions will help you narrow down the proper door needed for the space. And while we agree trends bring fun and exciting style to any home they may just simply be the wrong choice. So, let’s walk through a few pros and cons of barn doors and hopefully you can make a more informed decision.
Pros:
barn doors have an array of styles and Designs, making them a great choice
barn doors also have a large price range. Big box stores have affordable options but minimal design choices. Custom made barn doors will run a bit more but you’re design choices are unlimited
If you’re having trouble finding a solution for your oversized doorway French barn doors are a perfect option
properly installed with the proper track system barn doors are sturdy and can take high traffic areas
They can also add texture and depth to any space
Traditional barn doors usually have a quick and easy installation with minimal mess
mini barn doors are often used as toddler or pet gates
some barn doors can be a DIY project but please make sure you have the proper tools and knowledge to install
Cons:
barn doors are not the best for Privacy. They do stick off of the wall which allows for sound and light to come through. Because of this Andy and I rarely recommend barn doors for bathrooms
because barn doors sit on a track system they also stick about 4-6” off of the wall, making them less ideal for hallways or narrow spaces
The track system on traditional barn doors are exposed and can be an eye sore. There are hidden track options which are cool but be prepared to pay a bit extra
Barn doors require extra wall space to install the track. Basically the size of the door will determine the size wall space you will need for the track when door is open. any windows, doorways, archways, etc. may not allow you to install a barn door
Most of the barn doors andy and i have been asked to take down are because they are nOT properly installed. many have not been properly anchored, installed upside down, the track could not support the weight of the door. some of these are easy fixes but some will end up costing as much to fix as it did to install and buy the original door. so be sure you know or your installer knows what they’re doing
custom barn doors; especially for custom size doorways, can be very pricey but worth it.
Not all track systems are created equal and the track system is the most important factor for longevity. Most often than not the price for a track does determine it’s quality and this is not the time to pinch pennies.
Bottom line:
the bottom line is…
1) are barn doors aesthetically pleasing to you
2) do you have proper space for one
3) how much privacy does your space require
4) and as always budget
as always Andy and I want to continue to help you make informed decisions in making your house a home. If you’re in the northern california area and looking to have a barn door installed or a custom barn door made hit the envelope button at the top of the page and send us an email, we’d love to help.
Niki & Andy
