Door to Door Blog

Pocket Doors vs. Barn Doors: Pros and Cons of Each

When it comes to sliding doors, choosing the right one can feel like a huge, overwhelming decision. Both pocket doors and barn doors are designed to be space-savers, and both are ideal for rooms like closets or dining rooms because they don’t swing out when opened. But which one is right for you? Consider these four things when making your choice:

Ease of Installation 

Of the two options, pocket doors are generally more difficult to install simply because they require a wall to be thick enough for things to be done properly. With a pocket door, you’re cutting into the actual wall to make room for the door. Conversely, a barn door pops on the outside of your wall and is comparatively easy to install. Your specific wall may answer this piece of the puzzle for you. 

Your Specific Space

Pocket doors do not take up any space or block furniture when they are open — and the same can’t be said about barn doors. Although they are almost flush with the wall, barn doors don’t disappear in the same way that pocket doors do. If you want a sitting chair and lamp tucked back in the corner, for example, a barn door may require you scoot them out further away from the wall so that they don’t get hit. In fact, you probably won’t want anything at all to block the door so that you can easily reach over to open and close it without hitting anything. Keep in mind your light switches, outlets and pictures that might conflict with a barn door when you assess your space. 

Consider Cost

When it comes to the actual doors, pocket doors and barn doors are in the same neighborhood price-wise. However, the installation process is where costs start to diverge. As previously mentioned, barn doors are relatively easy to install, and therefore the total costs stay low. A more involved, professionally installed pocket door that requires cutting into the wall can start to escalate the budget quickly. Your price will vary based on how much construction is required, but price is a factor to consider when choosing between the two.

Personal Style 

This is the component that no pro/con list on the internet can sort out for you! You have to decide what style suits you best. Designers often love a pocket door because of its clean lines and tidy, hidden feel, but a barn door can be a real knockout feature in a room. The decision ultimately comes down to your personal preference and what will work in your space.

Which Way Should French Doors Swing?

French doors can add a touch of elegance and a lot of light to a room, and so it comes as no surprise that they are so popular. But which way should your French doors swing? The answer is: Either way, but you need to choose one or the other. Although French doors can open in or out, you need to decide on a singular direction — inswing (opening in) versus outswing (opening out). Here are a few things to think about as you make your decision:

Do Look at Your Doorframe

If you’re replacing a door where one already exists, examine the current door and inspect the doorframe. To keep things simple, you’ll likely want to choose an option that works with your current doorframe so that you don’t have to replace that part too. Starting from scratch? There are still a few questions to ask yourself. 

Space, Please

Your space is the number one factor to consider when deciding whether you want inswing or outswing French doors. In fact, this one component may answer the question for you. You’ll need plenty of swingin’ space for the doors — that means no tight corners, walls, or furniture that will obstruct the door opening. 

If the doors are interior (say, for an office or music room), you want to make sure that opening the doors into the room won’t limit where you can place your sofa or desk. And if your French doors lead to an especially small balcony, it might make more sense to have them swing inward so they don’t take up too much space outside. 

Avoid Traffic Jams

You also need to consider other doors that might block traffic. For example, are your French doors leading into a home office right off the entryway? Will your front door get and the French doors collide? Or if the doors lead to a screened porch, will they fight a screen door leading to the deck? All of these considerations may seem like a lot, but they will save you a major headache down the road. 

Consider Your Climate

Weather is another factor to consider when choosing your French doors. It may seem minor, but if your doors lead to the outside, consider your climate! If you frequently have piles of snow building up, an outswing door is probably not a good fit! Although the gaskets on outswing doors make them less likely to let water leak in (and therefore suited to the outdoors), that won’t matter if you can’t open the doors for a large chunk of the season.

3 Benefits of Bifold Doors For Your Home

Streamlined in looks and practical in use, there’s a reason why bifold doors are so popular among homeowners. Bifold doors strike the right balance between style and sensibility, and they have the added benefit of fitting in just about any spot that needs a door. Ahead, we’re breaking down all of the best features of bifold doors — check it out:

Functionality First

Because they are so slim compared to alternative door types, bifold doors offer unmatched practicality — and especially in rooms where space comes at a premium. A compact solution, bifold doors are space-saving options that are perfect for hallways, pantries, closets, laundry rooms, and more. In fact, because the two panels stack into themselves when opened outwardly, bifold doors are a good choice in any funky room layout. 

Mega Low Maintenance

Bifold doors come in a range of colors, materials, and finishes, which all impacts how easy the upkeep will be. But generally speaking, bifold doors don’t have the multiple panes of, say, French doors — and that means you’ll spend less time with Windex in hand trying to keep everything clean! Plus, compared to hollow-core door options, bifold doors are usually quite affordable. We call that a win-win in our book!

Wide Variety of Options 

From louvered panels to mirrored, there are tons of options when it comes to bifold doors. Make a statement with a shiplap style door, make your doors blend seamlessly into your wall with a modern “Flush Birch” bifold, or go for a classic look with a smooth, sleek Carrara molded version. With so many options up for grabs, you’ll easily be able to find something that perfectly suits your home and decor. 

Whether you’re outfitting a farmhouse-style kitchen pantry, giving your bedroom closet a more polished look, or seeking a better way to hide away the washer and dryer, bifold doors might just be the right choice for your home. Shop our entire range of bifold doors now!

3 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Pantry Door

When you think of your pantry door, you likely imagine something plain and practical — but it doesn’t have to be that way. Transform your kitchen with a simple upgrade: Change out your pantry door! It’s an easy weekend project that will take your kitchen from boring to beautiful. 

Here are three reasons why you should consider upgrading your pantry door:

Reason #1: 

Instantly elevate your kitchen.  

Add a little bit of polish to your pantry door! Our Pantry Door features decorative etched glass that makes a pantry feel less like a necessary household holding cabinet and more like a luxury kitchen. Plus, something about a glass door makes a room feel more open and airy — and nobody will say no to a bigger-feeling kitchen!

Reason #2: 

Add a little character and charm to your space.

Whether you live in an old fixer-upper or a new build, a customized pantry door adds a special touch to any space. Our Pantry Doors are made with unfinished pine, and are ready to be painted with any oil-based finish that suits your decor. That way, you can get exactly what you want! For more information on how to paint and finish this type of door, click here.

Reason #3: 

Enjoy smoother functionality.

Say goodbye to creaks and squeaks every time you need to reach for a box of cereal — our doors are solidly built. With its veneered engineered solid core pine wood, you can feel confident in this Pantry Door’s durability and staying power for daily use. Plus, the inner core is made of hardwood in a cross grain pattern that’s bonded together under heat, pressure and glue. The result is a stronger product that limits cracking and splitting of the wood material (because the last thing you want to deal with when you’re making dinner is a pantry door that’s falling apart!).

If you’re looking for ways to spruce up your kitchen without breaking the bank, a new pantry door may be just the ticket. Learn more about our unique Pantry Door and start shopping now!

Upgrade your pantry door.

5 Timeless Perks of French Doors

Looking to add instant elegance to your home? Better yet, what about elegance that actually serves a purpose? Enter: the French door.

French doors have been popular for generations, but have recently had a major moment of popularity — and with good reason. There’s a lot to love about these doors, and we’re hitting the top five reasons. Here’s what makes French doors so great:

1. Let the Sunshine In

First and foremost, glassed French doors are a solution for adding instant natural light to a room. With a French door, you’re basically adding extra windows to a room. With more and more people wanting to blur that line between indoor and outdoor living, adding these doors to your space becomes invaluable. 

2. Lower Your Heating Bill

As mentioned above, French doors allow light to flood into a room. Not only does this add to a room’s airiness, but it can actually help keep a room heated during colder months. Additionally, French doors can be quickly opened and closed (compared to their sliding door counterparts), which results in a reduced amount of escaped air. Those two factors coupled together equal a lowered heating bill at the end of the month — score!

3. Go For Functionality

Not only are they pretty, but French doors are actually super practical! They allow for spacious, inviting entryways — ideal for entertaining, family gatherings, and even moving big pieces of furniture into a room. As an access point, French doors are pretty tough to beat.

4. Definite Durability

Many people incorrectly assume that when a French door is glass, it’s less secure than a solid wood door in the same spot. This couldn’t be more wrong! French doors can have security locks easily added in. And, Door to Door French doors feature tempered glass, which is a toughened type of safety glass for added strength.

5. Easily Customizable

French doors are universally elegant and timeless, but that doesn’t mean you can’t customize them to get exactly what you want! From single glass panes to multi-pane to frosted glass (and so much more in between!), choose from a wide range of French doors and find the perfect fit for your home. 

Discover our entire range of French doors now!

6 Easy Ways to Increase Energy Efficiency in Your Home

Did you know that of the total energy consumed in the United States, about 40% is used to generate electricity? This means electricity is a big part of each person’s environmental footprint — and it also means your electricity use is one aspect of the Earth’s overall health that YOU can control.

On this Earth Day (and every day!) we’re thinking about ways we can keep this awesome planet green and clean. Ahead, we’re discussing six relatively easy switches you can make at home to increase energy efficiency, decrease your carbon footprint, and save a little money while you’re at it.

1. Close the refrigerator door!

We’ve all been there: You open the refrigerator door, stare for a bit, and close it. Then, about five seconds later, you reopen it, hoping its contents have magically changed. Avoid hanging out in front of the fridge or leaving the door open as you cook — energy just pours out of it when you do. 

When you’re leaving for the day, turn up the AC in the summer; turn down the heat in the winter. There’s no reason to freeze yourself out of your own home, but a little thoughtfulness goes a long way. If you’re heading out to work for the day, tap the thermostat up a few degrees in the summer. Better yet, keep your blinds closed if you’re not home — that’ll help keep the place cool. 

3. Turn off the lights! 

There’s a reason why Dad always scolded us for forgetting to flip the light off when we left a room! Lighting is generally about 12% of energy use in a home — don’t let it light an empty room.

4. Change to LED bulbs.

Speaking of lights… it’s time to switch out those lightbulbs for the more energy-efficient LED bulbs. For an even bigger impact on the environment, consider adding solar panels to your home or utilizing energy from a solar farm in your region. Call your energy company to learn more about your options — they’ll point you in the right direction. 

5. Replace your windows.

Live in a charming old house? While it may have tons of character, it may also be allowing energy (and money) to be thrown out the window, so to speak. Older, single-pane windows should be replaced with better insulated, more energy efficient windows. If that’s not an option for you right now, at least consider adding solar shades or tinting film.

6. Don’t forget your doors.

Air leaks are a huge zap on energy. Without you noticing, air (heated or cooled air that you’ve paid for, mind you!) can leach out of doorways if they are not sealed correctly. This often happens to older doors from the wear and tear of daily use, and even newer doors and doorframes that haven’t been well maintained. Air leaks are an especially common problem at the door between the home and the garage, because these aren’t usually sealed as well as exterior doors.

Sealing cracks and gaps and adding insulation can save up to 10% on your home energy bill. Your solution may be as simple as buying and installing new weather stripping, or it might be time to upgrade to an all-new door. 

Ready to upgrade your doors in the name of energy efficiency?

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