I haven't installed mine yet because I'm waiting until it's warm enough outside to spray paint the hardware black. I researched barn door hardware on the web and found a couple good sites for quiet, attractive hardware and doors (if you need a door as well). I'm planning on using mine as a decorative window treatment piece, and it will be only used once a day, so I decided to go with the less expensive Tractor Supply route. I also need to hang four doors so that ups the price significantly as the hanging hardware is the expensive portion.

You can hang any type of solid door from the hardware. Do a Google image search for modern interior barn door and you'll get a lot of good ideas.

This is from DIY's Raising House show--it was a $$$ house in Hinsdale IL

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geo: Can't wait to see yours. What do you mean by "Tractor Supply route"? Is this the site where you ordered your inexpensive hardware?

chijim: Thank you for the images! I still have not mastered loading images from the web. I love the look in the last photo. I think we would go with a single sliding door as the opening as built is for a standard pocket door opening.

So do you agree it can be done in a new home with traditional moldings? Need to convince DH. Also needs to be about same cost as pocket door.

Tractor Supply Co is a store that sells farm equipment. I've also heard of getting the hardware at the big box home improvement stores too. The barn door hardware we bought is a box track, as opposed to the rail system. Take a look at my thread below for some info and other links. Tractor Supply is a lot less expensive but it only comes in galvanized steel. Other barn door hardware sites offer different colors and finishes and looks.

I don't know how it compares price wise with a pocket door. We already had the doors and just needed the hardware. And like I said, we have to hang a lot of doors so I had to cut costs.

I love barn doors used indoors. It's trendy now, but I don't mind.

Here is a link that might be useful: Link to barn door thread

If you scroll down about 1/3 of the page "on this link" you will see a single barn door in this blogger's DR. Her DH made the hardware.

Barn doors do not have to look rustic - they are informal and fit with many styles. In a traditional decor it will add an eclectic touch.

I have barn doors as a front door, and I have a barn door to my bathroom .

The former is painted, the latter is 4 panes of glass. Neither are rustic. Neither are noisy.

The only bad thing i can say about them is they are trendy. But easy enough to undo in the future, imho!

I'd do it.

Here are a lot of examples. I have sliding doors over our TV, and even though they are on drawer glides, it creates some noise. I have more examples on a Pinterest board, linked below.

Double Interior Barn Doors

Interior Barn Door Color

TV Interior Barn Doors

Interior Barn Doors

Interior Barn Doors

Here is a link that might be useful: Pinterest - Interior Barn Doors

This post was edited by allison0704 on Fri, Feb 22, 13 at 12:31

Thank you for all the great links! I'm so excited to see so many different options.

geokid: read through your thread for your bedroom- what a fantastic idea!

I will keep researching, but am I correct in understanding that the box track systems are less expensive and aren't too noisy? If the door has wheels on the base, how does it work with hardwood floors? I see in some of the examples that the wheels just slide across the floor. I thought there would need to be an indent or space built into the floor. Wondering how much space this leaves open below the door when shut?
Not a huge issue since the barn door is for our mudroom and not a bathroom, but wondering how they look when shut.
Keep the ideas coming! Thank you!

?? i haven't seen barn doors with wheels on the bottom. Ours have a space much like you would under any door. No indent no track. The hardware is on the top only.

I don't think barn doors are as noisy as traditional doors that tend to "bang" on occassion.... or on a regular basis if you have children. I have a sliding bookcase that was custom made and hung with barn door hardware. I love it. Mine is intentionally rustic as is my Kitchen / great room, but I wouldn't hestiate to put one somewhere else in my traditional decor home.

My GC refused to put in a pocket door because he says they are problematic and he can not handle the follow ups.

Since I've seen only doors on actual barns, how does one stabilize the bottom of the door when opening and closing? Usually the bottom will swing out if there is no groove or wheels.

annz: exactly, that is what I'm also wondering. I am going to continue researching and will post back.

dilly: have to agree with your GC about pocket doors. In our previous home a friend broke our pocket door and we couldn't figure out how to fix it without breaking through the drywall so we had the pocket door opening sealed up so you would never know it was there.

Barn doors on real barns are heavy and need to be secure to prevent things like animals kicking them in. :) These are regular doors that just operate like barn doors. They aren't nearly as heavy and don't need to be so heavy duty. There is very little swing. You can install wheels or a track at the bottom if you are concerned, but most I have seen don't have them. Some I have seen do have casters on the back side of the door that keeps the door a set distance from the wall and from swinging into the wall.

I really can't see needing them but they make a roller stay~

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.tractorsupply.com/national-hardware-reg-dp318bc-heavy-stay-roller-galvanized-3540978

I think there's a difference between "traditional" and "formal." If the room you propose for a barn door is very formal, I don't think it will work regardless of the finish on the hardware. Barn doors are not necessarily rustic, but they are undeniably casual. Otoh, while pocket doors can fit nicely into a very formal interior, they are a real pain in the neck. Just wait until you have to repaint or refinish one!