Barn Door FAQs

Barn doors remain a popular interior decorating option thanks to their incredible versatility and space-saving design. With decades of experience providing home repair and handyman services, we've rounded up the top barn door FAQs we receive. 

Learn more about these popular door choices and discover if they suit your home. Our service professionals provide barn door installation and repair services and are always here to help when you need it. If you have additional questions about barn doors, don't hesitate to reach out to the Mr. Handyman® team today.

How Do Barn Doors Work?

Barn doors work by suspending a door panel from a horizontal track. Wheels on the track, also known as rollers, enable the panel to glide effortlessly back and forth. Brackets and other fasteners help keep the barn door secure, while floor and wall guides prevent the door from swinging improperly. Most barn doors also have mounted handles for easy opening and closing.

Can You Lock a Barn Door?

Yes, you can lock a barn door. Different locking systems for barn doors allow you to add extra security and privacy to your home. The most common barn door locking systems include:

• Sliding bolt locks: A classic barrel bolt installed inside the door
• Hook and eye latch: A rustic hook and latch mounted on the door
• Latch and lock systems: A security latch that allows for padlock use
• Floor locks: A bolt that drops into a hole or bracket on the floor
• Barn door locking handles: Handles featuring integrated locks
• Keyed locking systems: Similar to a standard door lock with a key

Are Barn Doors Still in Style?

Yes, barn doors are still in style and a popular interior design option. While barn doors traditionally offer a rustic appeal, modern twists allow them to work in more contemporary settings. 

Barn doors help save space, making them perfect for tight areas where door clearance may not be possible. This is especially useful in the kitchen, where they provide easy access to closets and pantries.

What Are Barn Door Installation Costs?

Barn door installation costs vary based on several factors, including the cost of the door you select, the chosen hardware, the labor involved, and any other finishing touches. A typical barn door installation costs anywhere from $700 to $1,500, but custom-made, premium options can run over $4,000. 

Reach out to Mr. Handyman to learn more about the costs of installing a barn door in your home and explore options that fit your budget.

Do Barn Doors Block Sound and Noise?

Barn doors are typically less effective at blocking sounds than traditional doors. They aren’t the best option for making a room soundproof. However, selecting solid wood or composite door panels can enhance the door's noise-reduction capabilities. Solutions such as weatherstripping to reduce door gaps or using a track system that keeps the door close to the wall can also reduce noise.

What Size Barn Door Do I Need for My Home?

The barn door size you need for your home depends on the doorway or area you want to cover. Start by measuring the opening's width and height; the panel should be 2 to 4 inches wider than the doorway on each side. For example, if your door is 34 inches wide, you'll want to select a barn door that’s 38 to 42 inches wide. The track accompanying the door should be at least twice as long as your door's width.

How Thick Are Barn Doors?

Barn doors are available in varying thicknesses, but standard interior barn doors are anywhere from 1 to 2 inches thick. Factors that affect the thickness of your barn door include the material used, such as wood or metal, and the overall design. If you need a door with additional soundproofing, select a panel 2 to 3 inches thick.

Can You Hang Barn Doors From the Ceiling?

Yes, you can hang barn doors from the ceiling, but it’s not a standard installation technique. You may need custom-made hardware panels to meet your specific requirements. The good news is that the rollers and door hardware are the same, no matter where you mount it.

Can a Barn Door Work for the Bathroom?

Yes, you can install a barn door for the bathroom. Barn doors have a gap surrounding them and won't provide the same isolation from sound and odors as a traditional door. 

If you use a barn door for your bathroom, choose an option with enough overlap to minimize gaps and a built-in door lock to enhance privacy. Alternatively, a pocket door is a more private, space-saving option for your bathroom entryway.

Can Barn Doors Overlap?

Yes, a service professional can install barn doors that overlap, but a specific installation technique and barn door hardware are required. The installer must offset the doors from each other on the track or use an extra track. We recommend avoiding overlapping barn doors for more straightforward installation, operation, and maintenance. Additionally, overlapping barn door hardware and installation can increase your overall cost.

Do You Put Handles on Both Sides of Barn Doors?

While not always necessary, you can place handles on both sides of barn doors. A handle on the inside of the barn door makes it easier to open and close from the inside. As one side of a barn door sits flush against a wall, you’ll need to install a handle that sits flush with the door so it doesn’t hit the wall.

How Far Does a Barn Door Stick Out From the Wall?

How far a barn door will stick out from the wall depends on several factors, including door thickness, the track hardware, and the use of spacers. Usually, an interior barn door will sit 2 to 3 inches from the wall. 

If you're concerned about door thickness, choose a thinner door (around an inch thick) and track hardware that can sit close to the wall.

Can You Use Barn Doors for a Pantry?

Yes, barn doors are an excellent option for a functional and usable pantry. They save space and are versatile enough to fit many design styles. Barn doors for pantries can also be a more accessible home option, allowing for a wide opening that’s easy to reach inside.

Can You Use Hollow-Core Doors for Barn Doors?

While you can technically use a hollow-core door for a barn door installation, we don’t recommend it for several reasons:

• Hollow-core doors don’t have enough weight to keep the wheels on the track.
• The material is not robust enough for most barn door hardware.
• They’re typically not wide enough.

We always recommend using a barn door made specifically for its intended purpose.

Can You Use a Regular Door for a Barn Door?

Homeowners should use something other than regular door panels for barn doors; they are not the right size and were not constructed to hang from the top. You may use a solid wood door with barn door hardware, but you could better spend the time and energy it takes to retrofit it elsewhere. Save yourself time and headaches by using an actual barn door.

How Do You Stain a Barn Door?

You can stain a wood barn door like any other door of the same material. We recommend contacting a carpentry service professional to ensure the staining is done correctly. Staining a door yourself can lead to chemical exposure and poor results from improper stain application.

Do You Need a Header for a Barn Door?

You usually need a header to install a barn door track. If the barn door is light or small, you can secure the track directly to the studs. However, not all track hardware will be spaced evenly for your wall studs. Installing a barn door track on a header allows you to position the track exactly where you need it with the peace of mind that it’s not going anywhere—even when the kids decide to hang on it.

How Do You Hang a Barn Door at Home?

Hanging a barn door at home can be tricky, and we don't recommend it. Contact an experienced service professional like Mr. Handyman to have a barn door installed correctly in your home. 

Trying to DIY barn door installation can be dangerous due to the weight of heavy door panels. You also need precise skills to install the barn door in a leveled, accurate manner, or it may not operate as expected.

Trust Mr. Handyman With Barn Door Repair or Installation Services

Mr. Handyman has provided homeowners with home repair and handyperson services since 1996, serving over 1 million people. Our service professionals are fully insured with general liability and workers' compensation, providing you with a worry-free experience.

Plus, all work is backed by the Neighborly Done Right Promise®. Contact Mr. Handyman and discover why homeowners have trusted us for nearly three decades.

Find Barn Door Repair or Installation Services Near You

If you've read our barn door FAQ guide and still have questions, reach out to the Mr. Handyman team, and we'll be glad to address them. Once you're ready to start your project, our barn door repair and installation services will help bring your vision to life. 

Contact Mr. Handyman today to schedule service.