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Barn Door Cost by Material

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. The price of your barn door varies depending on the material. You can find affordable plastic or MDF barn doors, or more expensive hardwood and metal variants. There are advantages and disadvantages to each type, and the table below shows some common types, along with average costs:

Vinyl Barn Door

Vinyl is one of the cheapest materials for a barn door. It comes in a wide range of colors, providing many options to choose from. It is relatively durable but lacks the aesthetic impact of a wooden or metal door. Vinyl barn doors cost between $150 and $500.

MDF Barn Door

MDF, or medium-density fiberboard, is another relatively inexpensive option when shopping for barn doors. This is a man-made material, produced by forming wooden fibers into sheets or panels. One useful thing about MDF is that it can be painted easily, letting you customize your barn doors. Costs for MDF barn doors range from $150 to $600.

Chalkboard Barn Door

A chalkboard barn door can be a great option to install in the kitchen. It usually features a wooden frame surrounded by a large black chalkboard, letting you write or draw on the door. You can decorate it with your artistic imagination or write notes and reminders on it for the family. Costs for chalkboard barn doors vary from $150 to $2,000.

Hollow-Core Barn Door

Hollow-core barn doors are doors that are mostly hollow on the inside. This makes them lighter and easier to open and close, and they are more cost-effective than many alternate door types, such as thick wood or metal doors. Hollow-core barn doors usually cost between $170 and $550.

Wood Barn Door

Wooden barn doors are among the most popular types. They look great in rustic, country, or traditional homes, but they also work equally well in more contemporary homes with the right surroundings. There are many different wood types to choose from, leading to a wide range of prices, from $170 to $1,500 on average.

Metal Barn Door

Metal barn doors are among the most expensive options, but they also benefit from being among the strongest and most long-lasting. They can take knocks and bumps without any real damage and stand well over time. Many different types and styles of metal barn doors are available, and they range from $200 to $2,000.

Barn Door Prices by Type

Barn doors can also be divided down into different types based on size and design. Select single barn doors that are generally the same size and shape as regular doors and double doors for larger entryways and even French barn doors. The table below shows average costs for each type.

Single Barn Door

Single barn doors are the smallest and simplest variety. They can be installed over a standard-size entryway, leading into a bedroom, living room, kitchen, or other room. Prices range from $150 to $1,000.

Double Barn Door Cost

Double barn doors are twice as big as single barn doors and are most commonly used on large entryways separating kitchens, living rooms, and dining rooms. They can divide an open-plan space into more distinct, separate rooms, with prices ranging from $250 to $2,000.

French Barn Door

French barn doors are used in the same way as regular French doors and can be fitted to the outside of homes. These barn doors usually cost between $500 and $2,000, depending on the size and material.

Barn Door Prices by Location

Barn doors can be installed either inside the home or outdoors, depending on your preference. The installation location has a slight impact on the average costs of these doors:

Cost of Interior Barn Doors

Interior barn doors are the more affordable option. They come in a wider range of colors and materials, and since they are not exposed to the elements, you do not need to worry about them degrading over time or replacement. They can be fitted in various rooms and points around the home as desired and cost between $150 and $2,000 on average.

Exterior Barn Door Cost

Exterior barn doors are often fitted to garages or on the outside of the home, perhaps leading out to the backyard or deck, usually installed in addition to pre-existing French doors to add a stylish aesthetic, rather than being used like regular doors. Since they are exposed to the elements, they need to be strong and durable, so cheaper, weaker materials are not suitable for this installation. Because of this, costs for exterior barn doors tend to be higher than interior alternatives, costing between $500 and $2,000 or more.

Barn Door Costs by Design

There are various designs you can opt for when buying a barn door. The design you choose may impact the price of the door, and it depends on your personal preferences and tastes, along with the theme and style of your home. The table below shows some common designs and average prices:

Paneled Barn Doors

Panel doors have been around for centuries and are made by combining several pieces of material into one larger structure. This results in a final door with indents and paneling, rather than purely flat surfaces on either side. Panel barn doors are often the cheapest to buy, but prices vary greatly depending on the material type. Their cost ranges from $150 to $1,500.

Flush Barn Doors

Flush doors are more modern than panel doors and may be favored by those with contemporary homes. They have no panels or indents, basically just a big slab of materials, such as wood or metal. Depending on the size and material, flush doors cost anywhere from $200 to $2,000.

Glass Barn Door

Glass barn doors have sheets of glass incorporated into their design. Typically, they have a large frame of metal or wood around the outside edges and then a large central pane of glass in the middle. However, they can have different designs with several panes. The glass is usually frosted to let light through but maintain privacy. Costs for these models range from $300 to $2,000.

Average Cost of Barn Doors by Plank Design

Another way to differentiate between barn doors is to look at the plank design. The vast majority of barn doors, even those made with materials other than wood, have some form of plank pattern or placement. The planks can be positioned and arranged in different ways, and there are various established designs like Z Brace and British Brace to choose from. The table below shows some examples and average costs.

Z-Brace Barn Door

A Z-Brace barn door is one of the simplest varieties, and it is always easy to identify. When looking at the door, you should be able to see a Z shape formed by one long plank going from the top right corner to the bottom left, connecting with the edge to make the Z. Stylish and simple, these types of barn doors typically cost between $150 and $1,000.

Mid-Bar Brace

A mid-bar brace door is when there is one plank of wood going across the middle section of the door. This is a simple door and captures the classic barn feel, so it works well in rustic or country homes. Costs range from $150 to $1,000 for this plank design.

Half-X Brace

A Half-X brace barn door features an X shape made by two crisscrossing planks on the lower half. You also usually see another plank above the X, going across the middle of the door. Costs for this door range from $150 to $1,500.

Plank Barn Door

A classic plank barn door features simple planks of wood laid side by side, either horizontally or vertically, producing a classy pattern that works equally in rustic and modern homes. Costs for this kind of barn door typically range from $200 to $1,500.

British Brace Barn Door

A British brace barn door is typically a double door, where both of the doors combine to create a shape that looks like the British flag. To identify a British brace barn door, look at it from the front, with both panels side by side. You should notice that six main planks come together from the sides and corners and seem to converge at a central point, just like the red and white parts of the British flag. Costs for this door range from $200 to $2,000.

X-Brace Barn Door

An X-brace barn door is one where the X shape is formed by planks stretching across the entire door. It features two long planks connecting to opposite corners, forming a big X in the middle. Costs for this ranges from $200 to $2,000.

Double-X Brace

A double-X brace barn door is another one that is very easy to identify. These doors feature a pair of X-like shapes on each panel, one above the other. It works on both single and double doors, and it is one of the more elegant and desired options in modern homes, with costs ranging from $250 to $2,000.

Barn Door Installation Cost

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 to install a barn door 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.

Cost to Install a Sliding Barn Door

When installing a barn door, fit the hardware yourself or make use of pre-existing hardware and ask for professional help with fitting the main door panels and balancing them correctly. You can also request a full sliding door installation, which includes track and roller fitting for your door. Expect to add an extra $50 to $150 for attachment of the track and rollers.

Hanging a Barn Door

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.

Cost of Barn Door Hardware

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. When buying hardware separately from the door, expect to pay between $50 and $300.

What Are Standard Barn Door Sizes?

Barn doors generally fit an established range of sizes, varying from 36” to 42” in width and from 80” to 94” in height. The most common barn door size is 36” x 84”, giving them the extra height advantage of most standard door frames, which usually measure 36” x 80”. Double barn doors may use two 36” wide doors to cover a larger entryway or may need to be custom-made to fit the space.

Pros and Cons of Barn Doors

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, and they can be easy to install and maintain.

However, because they do not create 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.

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.

Maintenance

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 vs Pocket Doors

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.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Automatic Barn Doors

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.

Barn Door Trim

Barn doors can be fitted onto door trims, or you can have trim added later to enhance their look and feel. Trim is decorative and functional, helping to minimize the amount of light, sound, and odors passing through the gaps between the door. The average cost to install barn door trim is between $150 and $400, depending on the trim’s size and type.