Interior Fun

9 Alternatives to Pocket Doors

Have you ever wanted to create a large open space without having to deal with the inconvenience and expense of a traditional sliding door with frames and tracks? Pocket doors are great for creating open-concept living spaces with no interruptions, but they can be costly and difficult to install.



Some homeowners are switching to alternatives to pocket doors because they are require remodeling the wall and more expensive than other choices. There are many less expensive alternatives that will still allow you to enjoy the benefits of an open space without all the work or expense. Some find these options more appealing because they don’t have the same restrictions as pocket doors in regards to layout.

What is Pocket Door?

People often confuse pocket doors with sliding doors because of the way they look and function. Pocket door is a type of door that slides in and out of the wall. They are called “pocket” doors because the panels fit inside a cavity between two walls, so they can be installed in places where swinging or sliding doors won’t work well: for example, hallways and tight spaces. Most commonly, these can be found in offices and hallways.

Types of Pocket Doors

Pocket doors are a great way to save space in your home. They disappear into the wall when not in use, and can be a real life-saver if you don’t have a lot of square footage to work with. But what are pocket doors, exactly? And what are the different types of pocket doors available on the market today?

Pocket doors are sliding doors that disappear into the wall when not in use. They’re a great way to save space, and they come in a variety of different styles and finishes to suit your needs.

The most common type of pocket door is the traditional sliding pocket door. This type of door slides on tracks that are mounted to the wall, and it’s perfect for small spaces.

Another type of pocket door is the swinging pocket door. This type of door swings outward when open, to allow people to walk through it. The swinging pocket door is often installed in a hallway for this purpose.

Benefits of a Pocket Door

The benefits of a pocket door are that they do not take up any space when open and they make a smaller opening for the room. A pocket door can also be used in rooms with narrow passages or with tight corners, where most doors would not fit. The pocket door is a great option for rooms where most doors do not work well.

Pocket doors are a great way to keep your home looking clean and tidy. They also allow for the space to be used more efficiently. Though they may not provide as much physical security as a traditional door, pocket doors can still offer you some peace of mind with an added measure of privacy.

Drawbacks of a Pocket Door

A pocket door is a type of entry door that slides into the wall on either side, hence its name. It is usually used in smaller spaces for space efficiency reasons, but there are some disadvantages to this design. Pocket doors are tricky to install, as they need to be perfectly level with the ground. Floors also can’t be uneven or raised because it will make opening and closing the door difficult.

Due to this, pocket doors tend to be more expensive than traditional hinged doors, which makes them less economical for homes with smaller budgets.

Best Alternative to a Pocket Door

Barn Doors

Barn doors are a beautiful alternative to the typical pocket door. The sliding barn door provides an elegant way of separating rooms without blocking out natural light, and is also easy to operate. Barn doors are sliding doors that can be used for small rooms or hallways. They have similar benefits to a pocket door, but the installation is much easier, and they can be used in a wider range of spaces.

Bi-Fold Doors

Bi-fold doors are becoming a popular alternative to pocket doors due to their accessibility and convenience. Bi-fold doors are typically mounted on the wall, meaning they never protrude into the room, and they can be opened outward or inward depending on which direction your home is facing.

Pocket doors are great for saving space in small rooms but there are many people who find them difficult to use because of their narrow opening.

Pre-Hung Doors

A pre-hung door is a door with the hardware (sill, hinges, and latch) already installed. This makes installation easier than installing a pocket door which requires cutting the hole for the hinge, install three more pieces of hardware, and then cutting out the necessary hole in the wall to put in the latch.

Pre-hung doors are a popular alternative to pocket doors because they look like normal doors. This makes them extremely good for homeowners that want the front of their home to maintain the appearance of a normal door.

Standard Hinged Doors

Standard Hinged doors provide an alternative to a pocket door. Pocket doors cost more because they require the opening be framed out to accommodate their narrower width. Hinged doors are not inexpensive but may be more affordable than a pocket door due to this difference in installation. Hinged doors come in many different sizes and styles similar to other types of exterior doors.

However, most of these doors require clearance to be able to open them, making them a challenge in terms of space and convenience.

Sliding Doors

Some people might think that sliding doors are just an accessory for smaller spaces, or that they are just a fad. Well, it is neither of these things. Sliding doors are an actual alternative to pocket doors, and they have plenty of benefits.

A variety of factors contribute to the popularity of sliding doors as an alternative to the traditional pocket doors. They are easier to install than pocket doors, more durable, and can be used in more situations.

French Doors

French doors are an alternative to pocket doors that some homeowners choose for their unique style and ease of use. They are perfect for homes that require high ceilings or large spaces.

The doors can be installed on either the left or right side of the wall, but they offer no privacy, making them more suitable for open living areas.

Pivot Doors

Pivot doors are an alternative to the pocket door and offer the same benefits. They make for a great space saver and can be installed in spaces where a pocket door couldn’t go. Pivot doors also provide a clean, sleek look that is hard to get with a standard door. The small panels of glass that pivot into or out of the room allow for light to enter, but they also help to keep the area private.

Shoji Doors

The shoji door, a traditional Japanese folding door made of rice paper and wooden frames, has been gaining popularity as an alternative to the pocket door for providing an elegant and modest entrance.

The shoji doors are most commonly seen in chic hotels like W Hotels and The Standard with the idea that they pair well with contemporary design.

Dutch Doors

Dutch doors are an attractive alternative to pocket doors, in that they allow for more natural light in rooms with limited space. A Dutch door consists of two swinging doors. Connected internally, when one door is open, the other one can remain closed.

Image: schlage.com

Are Pocket Doors Hard to Install?

Pocket doors are a type of door that slides into the wall to save space. They’re often used in small spaces, like bathrooms and bedrooms, where you need the door to take up as little room as possible when it’s open. Pocket doors can be difficult to install, especially if you’re not familiar with carpentry. There are a few things you need to consider before installing a pocket door:

  • The width of the door opening: Pocket doors require a bit more space than regular doors because they slide into the wall. Make sure you have at least 24 inches of clear space on either side of the door opening.
  • The weight of the door: Pocket doors are heavier than regular doors, so make sure your walls can support their weight.
  • The track: The track for a pocket door needs to be installed properly so that the door moves smoothly.

Are Pocket Doors More Expensive than Regular Doors?

Pocket doors are a unique kind of door that slides into the wall to save space. They are often used in small homes or apartments where space is at a premium. Pocket doors can be more expensive than regular doors, but there are many factors to consider when pricing them.

The biggest factor in the cost of pocket doors is the type of door you choose. A standard hollow-core door will be less expensive than a solid wood or metal door. The track and hardware for pocket doors also adds to the cost, so make sure you include those in your calculations.

If you have an existing door frame, installing a pocket door may be more expensive than replacing a regular door with a new one. The labor costs associated with installing a pocket door can also be significant, so it’s important to factor that into your decision as well.

Can a Bedroom Door Be a Pocket Door?

Pocket doors are a great way to save space in a small bedroom. They can be installed as regular doors, or they can be installed as part of a wall that separates the bedroom from the rest of the house. Pocket doors are mounted on a track, so they can be pulled into the wall to hide them when not in use. This is a great option for a small bedroom, because it creates more floor space and makes the room feel larger.

Conclusion

Pocket doors are a great space saver and can provide an easy way to divide rooms. But they do require more remodeling work which makes them a bad option for homeowners with less than ideal living spaces.

If you’re looking for a alternative to pocket door, take the time to explore the various options we discussed in this blog pos. Consider installing one that will divide your space in a way that makes sense to you and your lifestyle.

And with that, we officially end this blog post. But before you go, can you do us a solid and spread the love (or laughter) by sharing this on your social media? Who knows, maybe we might even find someone who can relate to our content and benefit from it... Wink