Barn doors can be a great way to add more flair to a room. They’re mostly made of wood (although you can also find metal ones), so they can provide rustic appeal to any space. They can also be a space-saving alternative to swinging doors as they’re a type of sliding door that does not require a lot of floor space. Another great thing about barn doors is that they are available in a wide variety of options, so you’re sure to find something that fits your style and budget.
However, choosing the best barn doors for your home is not as simple as it seems and involves considering many different factors. For example, when choosing barn doors for your home, consider the area they will be installed in and the volume of traffic they will be subject to. Try to determine what material the doors are made from and ensure that it is high quality and sturdy.
Furthermore, because barn doors are primarily used inside, there are advantages and disadvantages when choosing the right set for your home. One of the advantages is that security concerns will not dictate your choice of barn doors, but rather aesthetic concerns will come into play. As a result, you will have a much more extensive range of barn doors to choose from, which is both a good and bad thing.
It is nice to have so many options, but simultaneously, it can be bewildering and confusing, and that’s why we have compiled this handy barn door buying guide. With the information given here, you can easily navigate the world of available barn doors and choose a design that is best suited for your house.
The Practical Advantages of Barn Doors
Purchasing the best barn door on the market has numerous advantages. Unsurprisingly, they’re popular among homeowners, as they score points for their competitive barn door price, style, and functionality.
Here are some of the most significant advantages gained from purchasing barn doors for your home:
Unique
Barn doors are an excellent alternative to standard doors. Despite being more popular than ever before, they remain unique. By installing a barn door, you can increase the value of your home and give it a unique style that distinguishes it from other homes.
Space
Conventional doors require a substantial amount of space to open completely. In contrast, the best barn door opens by sliding parallel to the entryway against the wall, making it an ideal solution for smaller, narrow rooms.
Installation
Barn doors are comparatively simple to install. When installing barn doors, you do not need a door frame, and the measurements do not have to be exact. You do not have to consider drywall conditions or the sturdiness of the door, and the door can be any color or design you choose.
Customizable
Because there’s such a wide range of barn door alternatives available, you should have no problems finding a set perfect for your home in terms of space, color, and design. Barn doors are also comparatively easy to customize, and you can mix and match the door’s material, color, and hardware.
Types of Barn Doors
1. Plank Doors
The design of an interior barn door can be as basic as boards installed within a lock rail frame, as with plank doors. The panels of plank barn doors can move horizontally to provide a shorter, more compact shape or vertically to provide a sense of height to the room.
2. British Brace Doors
Inspired by the British flag, British brace barn door designs have ornate panels that form the Union Jack’s crisscross pattern when set side by side. The exterior frame of a British brace barn door is accentuated by two diagonal panels that merge in the middle to a third board called a lock rail that runs horizontally across the door’s center.
3. Z-brace Doors
A basic variation of the plank door, z-brace barn doors consist of a single diagonal panel extending from one top corner to the opposite bottom corner of the door. The door’s planks can be installed horizontally or vertically, while the diagonal cross panel is installed vertically.
Basic Barn Door Hardware Checklist
- Track – A door’s track is a metal bar positioned above the door opening. This will be used to hang your door.
- Rollers – These small wheels attached to the door’s track facilitate smooth movement. For a single standard-sized door, you will need at least two.
- Hangers – The door is attached to the rollers through hangers, which are little metal plates.
- Door Guides – These are floor-mounted metal plates resembling miniature walls that protect doors from slamming.
- Stops – Floor-mounted obstructions placed at both ends of the rail to prevent the door from sliding off the track.
- Jump blocks – These are round or square metal objects that are put on top of a door to prevent it from “jumping” off the track.
- Standoffs – Also known as spacers, they are tube-like components positioned behind the door track to prevent the door from slamming against the wall.
- Connectors – These are metal plates that join the tracks of especially lengthy doors.
- Bypass brackets – These are wall-mounted, L-shaped brackets that suspend a second track over the inner track. These are exclusively used for double-door designs with bypass.
Factors To Consider When Buying the Best Barn Door
1. Quality hardware is essential.
Your home’s barn door will be a focal point, so it must be aesthetically pleasing, operate smoothly, and withstand daily use. High-quality hardware is long-lasting, operates smoothly and quietly, and matches your interior design aesthetically. It may be a bit more expensive in the short term, but it will be worth it in the long run.
2. Sufficient space is required.
A sliding barn door can save space compared to a swinging door, but it requires adequate space to slide along its track. If you are mounting a single door, you need wall space on one side of the opening that is at least as wide as the door to allow it to glide open entirely. Each side of a doorway must have sufficient wall space to accommodate the width of a single door. Ensure that no light switches, plugs, windows, vents, doors, or artwork on the wall could obstruct the door’s opening.
3. The door must be larger than the opening.
The barn doors obscure the doorway while leaving space between the wall and the door on the sides. Ensure that the door is at least a few inches wider than the opening to prevent gaps and ensure complete coverage.
4. Support structure is required.
The track is often attached to a header secured to the wall studs above the doorway for stability. However, if you’re mounting on the wall studs, ensure that there is a stud or wood block at every interval along the track, including past the door opening. A 2 x 6 that is double the length of your track should suffice.
5. You will need a handle.
A handle or pull makes the door easy to open and close and looks amazing. This works on the exterior, but you’ll need to add a recessed pull on the interior so the door slides open without hitting the door jamb.
Conclusion
As you seek where to buy a barn door for your project, keep in mind that style, functionality, and longevity are the most important aspects to look for. Obviously, you want hardware that suits your new door and your property. Therefore, before making a purchase, take the time to read the barn door buying guide outlined above to assist you in making your decisions.
Spruce Up Your Home’s Interior With Alpine Door Hardware
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best barn door, but by following this barn door buying guide, you’ll be well on your way to choosing the best barn door for your home.
Then, when you have decided on a design and make, pay a visit to a trusted door hardware supplier like Alpine Door Hardware, the most reliable store that offers door hardware in Park City, UT. A professional and trusted door hardware center like Alpine Door Hardware will advise you on which locks, handles, and doorknobs best suit your barn doors, aesthetically and functionally. Visit the trusted professionals at Alpine Door Hardware for all your hardware needs.
