Remodeling Guides
Discover the Ins and Outs of Pocket Doors
Get both sides of the pocket door story to figure out if it's the right space separator for your house
Pocket doors will infuse an average space with architectural charm and can be great space savers — but they have their downsides, too. Here's some coverage of both sides to help you decide if pocket doors are right for your new house or remodel.
Many people adore pocket doors. Whether traditional or modern, they are a sneaky detail to enjoy every day and show off on your home tour. Hardware accents and facade finishes can dress up a plain pocket door panel and help it mesh with any interior design.
In addition to bathrooms, they’re good for closets or as connections between the two areas. Cladding the pocket door panel with a mirror for such applications further justifies the choice.
Find a local glass and mirror company to update your pocket door
Find a local glass and mirror company to update your pocket door
Pocket doors are good for giving a space physical privacy within a larger area, such as an office nook off the kitchen. The wood stain of this door is a nice contrast against all the white of the kitchen cabinets, and it marks the separation of spaces.
Pocket doors are space savers in the bathroom, as already mentioned, but the way they sit on their tracks means they don’t seal as tightly as a conventional door.
They will not create acoustic privacy. As gorgeous as these modern extra-wide doors are, the sounds of children playing are sure to be heard in the adjacent spaces. That's not so good if you're working or sleeping, but it's very good if you're taking care of small children.
A partial-height pocket door offers an elegant solution for keeping dogs or kids safe in one space.
Talk to a nearby door dealer to get this look
Talk to a nearby door dealer to get this look
Pocket doors allow you to play with textures and new materials without making a big statement, as the doors will remain tucked away some of the time.
They also offer an opportunity to incorporate architectural salvage and period-specific details to a historic house. They're heavy, so install them on sturdy hardware.
Extra-tall doors look amazing, but they can be difficult to roll, hard to lock and challenging for smaller family members.
Pocket doors can help to regulate access to the outdoors in a breathtaking manner. But having an intricate system of multiple sliding pocket doors means that the structural integrity of the wall can be reduced, because the door cavity sits where wall studs would be located. Be sure to discuss your vision with an architect or engineer.
If you have a say in the wall thickness, try to install your pocket doors in walls thicker than 4 inches. It will make for a sturdier wall and door system overall.
Tell us: Do you have pocket doors? What do you think of them?
Tell us: Do you have pocket doors? What do you think of them?
