As modern property owners create spaces that align with their personal style, they’re looking at new door options like barn doors and sliding doors. For many of them, deciding on a barn door or a sliding door is a tough choice. Despite looking similar, their functionalities and advantages differ. So, it’s worth looking at how they’re different so you can choose the right one for your space.
When you’re in the market to buy new doors for your home or office, you’re bound to face the barn door vs sliding door debate. Knowing the ins and outs of modern barn doors and sliding doors can help you make an informed decision.
Contents
What Are Barn Doors?
Barn doors are a type of sliding door and are named after the large doors used in barns and other agricultural buildings. Barn sliding doors slide on tracks to provide and restrict access to the interior. They’re usually made of wood and slide back and forth on a top-mounted track. If you look at interior design catalogs, you’ll see that these doors are a favorite among designers for providing a rustic charm to the space.
What Are Sliding Doors?
A popular space-saving option, sliding doors slide open and close on a floor-laid track while suspended from the top. Concept-wise, they’re similar to barn doors, except that they have a contemporary look. Instead of traditional materials like wood, they’re often made with a combination of materials like metal, glass, and wood.
Barn Door vs Sliding Door: How They’re Different
Now that we’ve done short overviews on both interior barn doors and sliding doors, let’s look at five main areas where they differ:
Installation
The main difference you’ll see in barn doors vs sliding doors is how they’re installed. While traditional barn doors slide along a top-mounted track, sliding doors move along a track on the floor.
To install barn doors, you need enough wall space for the track system to fit. This makes custom barn doors a poor choice for smaller rooms, where you have limited wall space.
Though sliding doors need track installation, they take up less space visually. Because of this, they’re easier to integrate into residential and commercial properties.
Design Options
Thanks to their bold look and traditional materials, barn doors act as a focal point in rooms. Whether your property has a modern or old-fashioned design, these doors come in different styles. You can customize them with different finishes and colors to align with your existing decor.
Sliding doors, on the other hand, blend into their surroundings, giving your space a streamlined appearance. They’re simple and minimalist, making them the perfect addition to contemporary and modern spaces. With their versatile design, they compliment just about any kind of decor.
Functionality
We mentioned earlier how barn doors slide onto the wall, so you need to keep the wall clear and free of furniture. This is a limitation, especially if you live in a smaller space or have furniture along the walls. You should also consider that they don’t seal as tightly as sliding doors, so heating or cooling can leak out. This can affect energy consumption and lead to less privacy.
Functionality-wise, sliding doors excel at providing convenience, especially in smaller spaces. You don’t need free wall space to open or close these doors, and they give you better insulation with a better seal. If space and energy efficiency are major factors that will influence your decision, these doors are a better choice.
Privacy
Despite their impressive appearance, barn doors don’t give you complete soundproofing. The gaps around the doors allow light and sound to pass through, making these doors unsuitable for bathrooms and bedrooms.
If you want to keep sound and light out of your room, sliding doors can provide a better seal. They enhance privacy and offer soundproofing, making them a better choice for private areas, like bedrooms.
Cost
How much you pay for single or double barn doors can vary depending on the design and materials used. If you have plenty of experience in DIY projects, you can install it yourself. But without the right experience and tools, mistakes are more likely, so it’s best to call a professional. Experts can install your barn doors carefully, ensuring safety and seamless operation.
If you settle for sliding doors, installing them may require a sizable initial investment. This is especially the case if you choose durable frames and quality glass. Even so, they seamlessly integrate into your home’s design, while potential savings on energy costs can offset the original cost you paid to set it up.
Rundown of Pros and Cons
Here’s how you can compare barn doors vs sliding doors for an informed decision.
- Barn doors can give you aesthetic appeal and customizability, allowing you to make a statement with its impressive design. However, they require enough wall space for installation, offer limited privacy, and have poor energy efficiency.
- Sliding doors are far more space-efficient and give you better insulation by creating an effective seal. Despite their modern look, they come with a higher cost for installation and minimal decorative impact.
So if your main concern is to get a stylish door that captivates your audience, barn doors are the way to go. But if you have limited space and prioritize privacy, choose sliding doors instead.
Bottom Line
If you’re torn between barn door vs sliding door, you should know what you’re looking for. How much space do you have? Where will you install the door? Is privacy and energy efficiency a major consideration? The main areas where they differ include functionality, installation, cost, and the availability of different design options.
If you want to renovate your home or commercial space, we can help. At Mannlee, we partner with leading architects and builders to bring you top-quality, durable door solutions that match your vision. Reach out to Mannlee to get more information on whether you should choose barn doors or sliding doors for your property.
