(vinyl barn door with no structural wall issues)
(steel door with some modifications to the wall)
Cost to install a barn door varies greatly by region (and even by zip code).
Get free estimates from door contractors in your city.
The average cost of installing a barn door is $600.
Interior barn doors are a popular way of separating rooms and creating privacy, while saving space at the same time. They have a rustic style that appeals to many people and, with different stains or hardware, can complement a range of styles.
The cost of installing a barn door varies depending on the material, size, and structural integrity of the wall you are hanging it on. Most people spend around $600 for a 30-inch barn door installed on an interior wall of their home.
Barn doors have advantages and disadvantages. The doors do not take up a lot of space like a traditional door because they do not swing out into the room. This makes them a good choice for smaller spaces, such as half baths. They are also stylish, enhancing many different interior designs. They can be easy to install and maintain.
However, because they do not cause a seal with the doorway, they let more sound in than a traditional door. The track the barn door rolls on can also be extremely loud, especially in some settings. When opened, the door covers part of the wall, which makes that section inaccessible. The doors may also be heavy and difficult for some people to slide open and shut.
Finally, if you only want a single track at the top, the wall you install the door on needs to be structurally strong enough to hold it. Otherwise, this could cause problems over time.
While the majority of barn doors are made of wood, usually pine but other types as well, it is possible to find them in a few different materials. Each has pros and cons, which you want to consider before making your choice.
Material | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Plastic-Vinyl 1 ($150-$500) | Lightweight Low maintenance Many styles available | Less durable Fewer colors available |
Medium-Density fiberboard (MDF) ($150-$600) | Lighter weight Easier to install | Fewer options More likely to let sound through |
Chalkboard ($150-$2,000) | Finish available on many materials | Very few styles available Must be flat Higher maintenance |
Hollow core ($170-$550) | Lightweight Easy to install | Fewer options Higher maintenance Easily damaged |
Wood ($170-$1,000) | Durable Many styles and finishes Classic look | Heavy Maintenance required |
Metal ($200-$2,000) | Durable Unique styles Low maintenance | Heavy Fewer options |
For a barn door to work properly, it needs the correct hardware. The door slides on a track mounted above the entryway header. This track needs to be strong enough to support the weight of the door. The hardware also involves a roller system that allows the door to slide along the track. This varies depending on the style and may include wheels or ball bearings, and in some cases clips. The hardware attaches to the door itself, and the moving parts are inserted into the track. When pushed, the door should slide along the track to either end.
Installation of a barn door is fairly straightforward. The entryway is checked to ensure it can support the weight of the door, and the track is leveled and mounted above the door frame. The door itself usually has the mounting hardware already attached, but if not, this will be screwed into place. The door is then inserted into one end of the track and slid along the path to check its balance and position. A stop is placed at the end of the track to prevent the door from leaving the track once it is in the correct position.
Installing the door is usually charged on a one-time or flat-fee basis. The total charge depends on the size of the door and opening, whether a single or double door, and if the door is meant to be bi-fold or a single slider. How difficult the studs are to find and whether the wall needs reinforcing can also impact the cost of the install. Labor costs range from $100 to $300 on average, with most homeowners paying around $150 to $200 for the installation. Most people spend around $600 in total for a 30-inch wooden barn door installed on an interior wall of their home, with $150 for the labor and $450 for the door itself.
The majority of the maintenance that a barn door requires is the same as any other door. If the door is wood, for example, it may need to be repainted or stained periodically. Otherwise, the biggest maintenance comes from the track. It should be kept clean and free of debris that could cause the rollers to stop working. It may occasionally need to be oiled, and the door may need to be rehung or repositioned in some cases if the track begins to sag.
Barn doors are a space-saving method for dividing rooms. Pocket doors offer a similar service but with different appearances and results. If you want to conserve space and are comparing the two, consider the way they look and install. Barn doors are decorative and seen whether open or closed. They install on the wall above the doorway and cover the wall when open. Because the track is visible, they are easier to install and maintain.
Pocket doors install on a track that goes into the wall adjacent to the doorway. When open, the door is invisible. Because the track goes into the wall, they are more difficult and expensive to install and maintain.
Both perform similarly in terms of sound and how well the door seals. They may also look similar in some ways when the doors are closed. However, the installation and how they look when open are the biggest differences between the two.
It is possible to find barn doors that also have glass inserts. This allows you to see into the room beyond, even when the door is shut. This can increase the cost of the door by anywhere from $100 to $1,000 depending on material and style.
In some cases, you can purchase an automatic door opener for your barn doors. This makes them more accessible and easier-to-use. The mechanism is purchased and mounted separately and costs between $400 and $2,000, depending on the model.
It is also common in some areas with larger door openings to use double barn doors. In some cases, these doors may even bi-fold or slide over one another in each direction. Expect to pay an additional $500 minimum for double doors.
Most people pay around $600 for an installed barn door.
Thicknesses range depending on the material, but most are around 1½-inches thick.
Not necessarily. The important thing is that the wall is structurally able to support the weight of the door.
Pocket doors themselves are not necessarily more expensive, but the installation is. The average cost to install a pocket door is between $500 and $2,200 while the cost to install a barn door is between $500 and $700.
Technically yes, although it will not necessarily have the same style, and any existing hardware should be removed first, which may leave behind marks.
Cost to install a barn door varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.