Is space-saving design your main priority? If so, a pocket door may be an excellent choice for your home. Considered a type of sliding door, the pocket door is a nice alternative to traditional hinged doors. The way the system works also creates a distinctive visual that benefits interior design and adds coziness to the space.
The following guide will give you important details on pocket doors, the key ones being:
What Is a Pocket Door and Why Is It So Popular?
A pocket door is a type of sliding door that slides inside a cavity or a wall pocket when it’s opened. Pocket doors are popular types of interior doors that can be used to make space-deprived small rooms appear larger.
So, instead of opening outwards, this door gets tucked neatly inside the wall. Rollers suspended from a track allow for smooth movement. This mechanism also makes pocket doors different from other types of sliding doors, which usually have a mounted wall mechanism to enable the movement.
Pros of Pocket Doors: Why Homeowners Love Them
Do you want to install pocket doors in your home? To make sure the decision is the right one for you, take a look at the following list of benefits:
- Saves space: This type of door eliminates the need for a swinging door frame.
- Aesthetic appeal: The sliding design is sleek, modern, and minimalist. It’s perfectly aligned with contemporary design aesthetics.
- Versatile designs: You’ll easily find a wide array of pocket door designs on the market. From glass to French and double doors, you have choices that can be tailored to meet your needs.
- Perfect for small spaces: Since they’re super versatile, pocket doors are an ideal choice for a wide range of spaces: master bedrooms, bathrooms, and closets to name a few.
Additional Reading: You might also want to learn How to Keep a Door from Warping: Simple Tips for Homeowners.
Cons of Pocket Doors
Pocket doors are a stylish way to save floor space, especially in smaller rooms like a small bathroom or home office. But before you swap out your normal door, it’s worth considering the drawbacks.
Tricky Installation: Unlike a regular door, pocket doors need a new door frame, a rough opening, and space within the wall. This often means removing drywall and adjusting framing—sometimes even wiring or plumbing.
Less Privacy & Soundproofing: Since pocket doors are hidden, they don’t seal as well as a traditional swinging door, allowing sound to pass through.
More Maintenance: Tracks and rollers wear out over time. Fixing a stuck or misaligned door would likely mean opening the wall again.
Lost Wall Space: Because the door is able to slide inside the wall, you lose room for shelves, artwork, or furniture placement.
Size Limitations: Standard single door sizes work best. If your door height is taller or wider, you’ll likely need a costly custom fit.
Not Always the Best Option: While perfect for tight spaces, pocket doors aren’t great on an exterior wall or near electrical wiring. Sometimes, pivot doors or a normal door are best to go with instead.
Pocket doors can be an excellent solution, but they’re not for everyone. Weigh these factors to help you decide if they’re right for your space!
Types of Pocket Doors: Finding the Right One for Your Home
With so many options—single door, soft-close, flush pulls, and more—how do you choose the right one? Some doors are often easier to install, while others require thicker walls, a new header, or adjustments to the current door opening. Plus, they don’t always seal as tightly as traditional doors and can sometimes develop issues with door tracks or becoming difficult to open.
Single Pocket Door vs. Double Pocket Doors: Which One is Best?
Tiny spaces and narrow hallways call for the use of a single pocket door system. Single pocket doors tend to be a bit more common. They’re a great choice for bathroom, pantries, and whenever you need to block off just one side of a room.
A double pocket is a style of door ideal for large rooms and open-concept spaces. A double door can be closed from either side of the opening. If you’re linking a living room to a dining room, a double pocket door will be an excellent choice. This variety also tends to be fairly common in workspaces.
French Pocket Doors: Classic Elegance Meets Functionality
In a sense, the French pocket door is similar to the double door. Two door panels extend into the wall and meet in the middle when the door is closed.
A French door can be constructed from both solid wood and glass panels. This way, you have a more traditional and a cleaner, more minimalist option to add to your home design.
Additional Reading: You can also read about Composite Doors: A Smart Choice for Durability and Style.
Glass Pocket Doors: Bringing Light and Style to Any Room
Glass pocket doors allow for light to pass from one space into another. They look modern, clean, and stylish. The transparency of the material also brightens up rooms that don’t get much natural light.
Glass pocket doors offer convenience and stylishness. This is the perfect type of partition to incorporate into an open concept design.
Barn Doors vs. Sliding Pocket Doors: Which One Should You Choose?
When does using a pocket door make the most sense and when should you look for an alternative? To answer the question, you need some understanding of door styles and their specifics.
How does a pocket door compare to a barn door, for example?
Barn doors have a rustic, country-inspired design. They’re most often made of wood and resemble the heavy doors on a farmhouse.
Pocket doors can be a lot more minimalist. They can also be crafted from various materials, and are sleek and unobtrusive. On the downside, a barn door is much heavier and more challenging to install than a pocket door. A sliding barn door is also not an optimal choice for smaller spaces.
What You Need to Know About Pocket Door Installation
The installation of a pocket door involves multiple steps.
Preparing the system and gathering the right tools are important.
You will also need to evaluate the installation site and assess the wall structure to ensure the integrity of the new system. Some potential obstructions you need to account for include wiring, plumbing, and ductwork.
You will also need to measure the space to ensure a perfect fit, remove any existing door structures, prepare the mechanism, and fit the new door.
As you can see, there are multiple steps to complete. Most of them require precision and there’s some risk of fitting the door poorly. Getting professionals to handle installation on your behalf is the best way to get precise results and increase the lifespan of your new door while enjoying optimal functionality.
Additional Reading: Learn about front doors in First Impressions: Exploring Types of Front Doors for Your Home.
Pocket Door Hardware: What You Need to Know
Each pocket door system is provided with a hardware kit needed to complete the installation.
Some of the essential elements the kit usually contains include:
- Split studs needed to get the door sliding into the pocket
- A track
- Door hardware (handles, hinges, pocket door lock, door guides, bumpers, etc.)
An installation diagram should be provided alongside the hardware. You will also get some instructions about the tools you’ll need to install the system.
After the installation is completed, try the pocket door a few times. If all hardware pieces are placed correctly, the door should slide smoothly in and out of the pocket.
Can You Install a Pocket Door in an Existing Wall?
A pocket door can be installed in an existing wall. Whether you have a stud or a solid wall, the installation of a pocket door shouldn’t be a challenging task.
If you’re dealing with a stud wall, the plasterboard will have to be removed. Ideally, you’ll have to do that on both sides but you can get away with just one if the space is enough.
A load-bearing wall is more difficult to work with. Making an opening can compromise the structural integrity, which is why you need to consult a professional before making any alterations.
Why Rooster Windows and Doors is Your Go-To for Pocket Door Installation
As already mentioned, DIY pocket door installation isn’t your best bet. If the door isn’t properly aligned or you haven’t prepared the wall for the optimal creation of a pocket, you risk experiencing some functionality issues. The way a pocket door slides is heavily dependent on how well the installation was completed.
Getting our professionals at Rooster Windows and Doors involved in your project will give you the kind of expertise and precision needed to get the best outcome.
Here’s what sets us apart from the competition:
- Expertise in door installation: Our team has extensive pocket door installation experience, homeowners in Chicago can benefit from.
- Wide selection of doors: From glass pocket doors to French pocket doors and double pocket doors, we have the range of designs bound to satisfy all homeowners.
- Quality materials & hardware: Our technicians use only the best pocket door kits and pocket door hardware.
- Custom solutions: Whether you need a single sliding pocket door or a full remodeling project, we’ve got you covered!
Ready to upgrade your home with a pocket door? Contact Rooster Windows and Doors for expert installation today!