Everything You Want to Know About Pocket Doors, Hardware & Sliding Door Kits

Pocket doors, hardware, and sliding door kits open up new possibilities. Maximize your space in a whole new way. Professional designers and detailers, as well as DIY-heads, must understand how the optimal hardware is critical for flawless function. This comprehensive guide removes the mystery from pocket doors, from hardware colors to sliding door options and more.

Sugatsune America is one of the top brands of precision-engineered door hardware. We'll discuss durability and everything you need to know for a sleek, space-conscious finish on your next project.

Table of Contents

1. Pocket Doors 101
2. Pocket Door Aesthetics
3. Making Dollars and Sense with Pocket Doors
4. Making Your Final Decision

Pocket Doors 101

Why aren’t pocket doors more popular?

Pocket doors are currently resurging in popularity, primarily for the space they save. This is especially true of modern and minimalist design. Some reasons why they aren't as universal as hinged door types include:

• Cost and Complexity of Installing Pocket Doors: These doors require more labor and cost to install, especially as retrofits. Installation might call for opening the entire wall and/or major modifications.
• Repairs and Maintenance: Since the track and rollers are concealed, a jammed door or a failed piece of hardware can be hard to reach and repair.
• Wall Limitations: The section of the wall where the door slides must be open. No switches, outlets, plumbing, shelving, or other options. This limits flexibility in design.
• Acoustic and Privacy Drawbacks: Pocket doors don't seal as tightly as hinged doors usually. They're less effective at blocking noise or light.

Some types of pocket doors have been prone to warping. Others struggled to stay on the track. There's a lingering perception that pocket doors are not dependable.

What hardware do I need for a pocket door?

No matter the type of pocket door, you'll need these components: a set of tracks along which the door slides, and a handle or pull to slide the door open or closed.

The quality of the hardware is essential for performance and durability. Choose Sugatsune America, one of the top brands of door hardware, for superior results.

What is the disadvantage of a pocket door?

Another potential deficiency is the perception of sturdiness (or lack thereof). In standard 2x4-framed walls, the section of the wall housing the door lacks the solid vertical studs found elsewhere. This can make that portion of the wall feel less sturdy or "wobbly."

What type of door is best for a pocket door?

Customarily, the most recommended door type for a pocket door installation is a solid-core option (especially when paired with the best door hardware brands). Solid-core doors are better equipped for hardware, providing superior sliding door options. The added weight helps the door slide better.

Where can you not put a pocket door?

Here's where we wouldn't advise the installation of a pocket door:

• Walls with Obstructions: Pipes, ductwork, wiring, and fireplace structures obstruct the space needed to accommodate the door.
• Load-bearing Walls: Vertical studs support superimposed and self-loads. The space needed for a pocket door may exceed the maximum stud opening for a load-bearing wall.
• Short Walls (Lengthwise): The wall's length must be at least twice the nominal width of the door. A 36-inch wide door, for example, requires at least 72 inches (6 feet) of wall length! Too little length and there's no room to slide.

Pocket doors also lack a tight seal. These sliding doors wouldn't be the best option for rooms where moisture control or privacy are vital to building use.

Pocket Door Aesthetics

What color door increases home value?

It's important to note that door color (and hardware color) will also depend on other factors. Primary ones include the interior design of a room or a building's architectural style. Intended use is also a factor. Consider these hues:

• Black (including charcoal or off-black): Commonly exudes elegance and pairs well with so many other shades
• Navy Blue: Associated with trustworthiness and stability; think of how sharp specific uniforms look in this color
• Slate Blue (or chalky blue-gray): Similar to navy blue; Also projects an atmosphere of confidence and calmness
• Natural Wood Tone (various hues of brown): Conveys warmth, craftsmanship, quality, and hominess

Whites and off-whites offer a neutral and clinical look. This is preferred for specific commercial and industrial spaces. Be careful with bright and bold shades. Also, account for hardware color (handles and pulls) when selecting pocket doors.

Do pocket doors require thicker walls?

Most pocket door types do not require thicker walls. Standard interior walls with 2x4 framing will suffice for most pocket door installations.

You may need a thicker wall when:

• You specify doors of nonstandard thickness.
• The wall must support heavy objects, such as mirrors or bookshelves, next to the pocket door.
• It contains conduits or wires within the "pocket" section of the wall.

What pocket door hardware is timeless?

The timelessness of door hardware is less about a specific style than about the enduring qualities of its design. It's more about selecting clean and classic hardware colors and finishes that transcend trends:

• Simple Rectangular Flush Pull: Blends into the door for an almost invisible look
• Round or Oval Flush Pull: Classic architectural element that never goes out of style
• Mid-Century/Transitional Set: Rectangular plate mortised into the door that combines the main flush pull with a thumb-turn lock and a retractable edge pull

Sugatsune America is one of the top door hardware brands, delivering high-performance with classic style.

What is the most timeless hardware color?

The most timeless color/finish for pocket door hardware can be broken down into two main enduring choices.

Satin or brushed nickel is the enduring classic. Its soft, muted finish is versatile, complementing cool and warm palettes. It provides a seamless contribution to any type of interior. Satin/brushed nickel is also easy to maintain.

Oil-rubbed bronze adds warmth and richness, particularly to traditional and farmhouse interiors. Its old-world feel is always in style. Develops a patina from years of touching for a lived-in feel.

Making Dollars and Sense With Pocket Doors

Do pocket doors increase home value?

Pocket doors may not dramatically increase your home's appraised value. They boost your home's appeal and functionality to potential shoppers. That can mean more competitive offers and a faster sale.

Their value is less about a dollar-for-dollar return and more about improving the quality of life and usable space in the home.

Here's why pocket doors may be a net positive for your residence:

• Maximized Usable Space: Eliminate the swing arc of a typical door to free up valuable floor and wall space. This is a huge selling point for small rooms, hallways, bathrooms, and closets. 
• Enhanced Design: Pocket doors = flexible interior design. Slide closed for privacy. Hide them completely for an open-plan flow between spaces.
• Improved Accessibility: Pocket doors promote universal access. They are offering sliding door options over swinging doors; great for wheelchair users and others with limited mobility.

Well-installed doors and thoughtfully selected hardware colors convey a high level of attention to detail.

Which is better, a pocket door or a barn door?

Your preference between a pocket door and a barn door will be dictated by your priorities for space and privacy. There's no single "better" option between the two, as they usually accomplish different goals.

Barn doors are often easier to install. This may be more cost-effective. Pocket door installations require opening a wall to hide the door frame and track. This can be much more difficult for an existing home.

Pocket doors are more minimalistic. Barn door options contribute a rustic appeal that can sometimes clash with contemporary or sleek interiors.

How much does it cost to install a pocket door?

The cost to install a pocket door hinges on whether you are doing new construction or retrofitting an existing wall. The national average cost for a pocket door installation ranges from $800 to $2,500.

Expect to fork over more for complex remodels and high-end materials. Using less common hardware colors or finishes can also increase overall costs.

The required labor for pocket door installation is the most crucial factor for your bottom line:

Existing remodeling: This process requires significant work beyond door hanging. There's demolition and structural framing to accommodate the pocket. Relocation of plumbing and wiring will increase costs. If the wall in question is load-bearing, additional fees may be incurred for structural changes or for consulting a licensed architect or engineer.

New construction: There's less work as the walls should already be open to accommodate any type of pocket door. The contractor can easily install the frame and hidden rails.

Making Your Final Decision

The decision to use a pocket door depends on your need for a sleek, space-prioritizing design. The bonus of a door that completely disappears into the wall is premium, especially when small spaces and unobstructed walls are critical. Keep in mind that longevity and smooth operation call for quality pocket doors, hardware, and sliding door kits.

Ready to move forward with a custom door solution for your next primary residential or commercial job? Contact a sales expert at Sugatsune America, your top brand for precision-engineered door hardware.