A pocket door is distinct from a standard hinged door that swings back and forth to open. A pocket door, on the other hand, slides into a “pocket” in the wall on either side of it via rollers on an overhead track.
From their versatility to the flexibility of their design, pocket doors are a truly exceptional housing option. Pocket doors have been around for a long time and have evolved from their common ancestors: the sliding doors.
They are currently gaining popularity among homeowners who want to save space without sacrificing style. On top of that, pocket doors are specialized items that are not available in every price range or style.
Hence, you'll have to decide whether they are suitable for your space or not. However, they also have some downsides. Therefore, in this blog, we’re going to review the pros and cons of pocket doors.
Pros of Pocket Doors
Pocket doors are great for the interior design and layout of your home. In fact, besides being regarded as an elegant choice, pocket doors are also considered a very convenient option by most experts and architects.
Pocket doors are made by attaching a swinging door to a frame that has been built into the wall.
If you're one of the many Americans contemplating making the switch to pocket doors, hopefully, the below-stated pocket doors pros will give you some food for thought. The pocket door pros are as follows.
1. Modern and Multipurpose
A pocket door is also a wonderful way to add a touch of elegance to an otherwise plain room. Pocket doors are incredibly versatile. You can use them to hide a small room, or you can use them to create a more open space.
They offer a sleek look to any home and make a space feel more streamlined and tidy. This makes them ideal in modern, open-concept homes where space is limited and you need to make the most of every inch of your home's design.
2. Act as a Barrier
They're also great for keeping out sound and light from other parts of your home or office.
If you have kids who nap during the day or if you have an office with clients coming and going, pocket doors can help keep them from waking up or distracting your visitors.
They can also provide a lot of privacy, and they allow you to close off parts of your home without having to remove any doors.
3. Less Space Consuming
They can fit into even the tightest spots, keeping a low profile and taking up minimum space.
That means you don't have to worry about them getting in the way when someone needs to get by them or move furniture around in the room where they're installed.
They also offer a lot of flexibility when it comes to installing them since they can go in between walls or be installed on the wall like a regular door.
4. Goes With All Decors
Pocket doors can give your home an updated look without having to replace its entire facade. They're great for apartments and condos, as they don't take up a lot of room and can be installed in any room.
They're also great for basements or other areas where you need to conserve space. You can have them painted in any color or finish that suits your space, so they'll look great no matter what kind of look you're going for!
They will surely compliment the look of your room if designed the right way!
5. Weather Friendly
Pocket doors are great for keeping your home weather resistant. When you have a pocket door, you can keep the cold out of your home in the winter, and keep the scorching summer heat out in the summer.
Pocket doors are also very easy to use, especially for those with mobility issues or disabilities. No more rain dripping through the cracks when you have one of these installed in your home.
They keep your rooms nice and cozy.
Cons of Pocket Doors
Pocket doors are great, but they have a few downsides. How can we proceed further knowing the general rule? “Everything that has advantages also has disadvantages”.
Let us have an in-depth look into the pocket door cons that might help us in reaching a final decision.
1. Expensive to Install
Pocket doors are one of the most expensive options for entrances in your home or office. They can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,900 to install on existing walls.
Because of their size and the materials that they're made from, pocket doors don't come cheaply. They also need to be installed by professionals, so you'll have to pay for that too.
2. Difficult To Maintain
Pocket doors also tend to be tricky to maintain, since you can't just open them like other doors. You need to pull them open from the side. This means that if your door gets stuck or doesn't close properly (which can happen), it'll take some effort to get it working again.
It becomes difficult to maintain the regular ones, so how would we get time to manage these pocket doors? Well, that’s some extra bit of energy and time that needs to be invested in maintaining them; you have to be careful with them.
3. Noisy
They're noisier than regular doors. When you open or close a pocket door, it makes more noise than the opening or closing of a regular door. They're basically like opening a door to a room jammed with people.
So if you want to keep noise to a minimum, you might want to think about another option.
4. Difficult to Install
Another pocket door con is that they can be hard to install.
If you've ever tried to put together a furniture set, then you know how frustrating it can be when instructions are not clear enough for someone who does not have much experience with home repair projects.
The first challenge is getting the hinges in place so that they'll line up with the door frame. This takes some patience and precision, but it's worth it in the end because once your door is installed, it'll look amazing!
You have to keep in mind that when you are installing pocket doors; make sure that there are no gaps between the wall and the flooring or trim around where your door will go.
If there is any space at all between those two, then there will be an ugly gap when you open or close your door.
Final Thoughts
In the end, it is up to you how to use pocket doors. They are not perfect by any means, but they can be useful in several situations. The best thing about pocket doors is that they have a multitude of benefits that most people do not realize.
On balance, the pros outweigh the cons, but that doesn't mean you should rush out and buy a pocket door right away. In fact, before buying anything new, it's always a good idea to do your research first.
Before reaching a decision, do consider pocket doors’ pros and cons. It is up to you to decide which attribute you feel is the most important in your situation.