Jim The Bathroom Guy

Welcome to Jimmy’s guide to bathroom sliding doors . I will break down the pros and cons of sliding barn doors in your bathroom including why you should not have one for your bathroom altogether.

Popular over the last few years bathroom sliding doors are probably the second most requested renovation item we get for small bathrooms. So why are bathroom sliders so popular, well it really comes down to two reasons.

One they look pretty awesome, the second is we are all looking to get space from our bathroom spaces so the idea of taking a hinge-swinging bathroom door and putting in a bathroom slider is so much more appealing. Below we will cover some pros and cons of bathroom barn door sliders as well as answer some of your frequently asked questions.

All of the barn doors slider setups in this article are what I call the most common type of bathroom sliders we do.

Pros of Bathroom Barn Door Sliders

Stunning – Bathroom sliding doors especially barn doors fit into any décor from traditional to contemporary, they’re a wonderful detail and people love them.

Great For Small Bathrooms – Most people hate the hinged bathroom door especially when they have a small bathroom as they often clash with the shower screen door.

Room feeling bigger – Barn doors are a massive space saver they will make a bathroom feel bigger just by having them so they free up floor space that would otherwise be needed for conventional hinged doors

Cons of Bathroom Sliding Doors

Cost – Barn door bathroom sliders will most likely cost you somewhere between $800 to $2000 to supply and install depending on what style you get which is not cheap!.

Smell – As they do not completely seal the entrance to the room you will get smells come through good or bad. If you have a smelly partner it is not always recommended to have this type of door.

Noise – Again like the smell, sliding bathroom doors do not stop the wonderful noises that can come from bathrooms and ensuites.

Wall Space – Often when installing barn doors will also require wall space on either side of the opening to be free of obstructions; you are effectively doubling the length of wall needed. You can’t hang pictures or have light switches on those walls.

Privacy – So with barn door sliders they often cannot be locked unless you install something that can be latched on the sides which is visually appealing or practical in a lot of ways.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bathroom Barn Doors

Below are the most frequently asked questions about sliding barn doors in bathrooms and ensuite renovations to help the best guide you.

What are the main benefits of a barn door?

In reality, the main benefits of barn door sliders are just to create a feeling of space in a bathroom mainly designed for ensuite renovations. They make small bathrooms feel bigger as you don’t have the hinged section going into the bathroom area.

These sliding barn doors are also incredibly stylish and can create an instant focal point in an otherwise what can be a boring room.

Can I Use a Barn Door for a Bathroom?

Yes! You can use a barn door for a bathroom as long as you install it on a rail or slider set-up.

This is due to their large size as most of them are over 1m wide and most door frame setups are only 800mm so you will have to have a rail set up to use a barn door for your bathroom.

What Makes Cavity Sliding Doors Ideal for Your Bathroom Design

So I would say that unless you have the walls pre-built for a cavity slider door which refers to the cavity pocket (including the track and carriages) installed within wall framing that allows a door to slide inside the wall.

Then you will really struggle to get a cavity sliding door in your next bathroom remodel or renovation.

They can be added for a bathroom renovation but are incredibly difficult to install if you have a brick-and-tile home and don’t want to build a false wall which can be a really expensive process.

I also personally have had a lot of issues with the cavity doors as I feel they are often places where items get trapped or really create a problem space but that is just me. 

CAN BARN DOORS BE FITTED ON ANY STYLE OF HOUSE?

Barn door bathroom sliders are not just for country or traditional home interiors, they can be used on all bathroom remodels or bathroom renovations.

They serve really as two functions as mentioned above one being for space and the other for being a feature so as long as your style suits the door then go for broke.

Most of the tracks are easily found in a chrome, brushed metal finish, matte black, and slowly we are getting the brushed brass in which is extremely popular but very hard to find at the moment as brushed brass is so popular, especially for ensuite renovations.

Bonus tips for Sliding Barn Doors In Your Bathroom

Spend The Extra – If you can always spend extra for heavy-duty hardware. Barn door slider kits generally come with inexpensive hardware. Upgrade to heavy-duty rails when you can. Also, spend extra on solid doors which are much more durable especially if you have heavy hands using it.

Do Not Put Art On Your Walls. If you install bathroom sliding doors, be extremely careful when hanging art or attaching wall fasteners. If you inadvertently install a wall hanger into the barn doors path it will go flying do not even risk the idea you won’t swing it all the way.

Trust me after a few drinks I have been that person flinging it open too wide and waking my wife from her falling artwork….

Pay Someone To Install It: You can always pay someone to install these barn door bathroom sliders.

They are not easy to install as often your walls can be uneven or the track they come with can be a little flimsy. My advice is to try not to DIY if you can but I do know they are not the cheapest items to install.

Barn door bathroom sliders will be popular and are popular for a reason. They look beautiful and always seem like a good idea at the time. What I will say is they lack privacy and do not keep out smell or noise. Beyond that bathroom, sliders are great for small bathroom renovations or small bathroom remodels.

Bathroom sliding doors are worth the money if they complement your bathroom renovation so take the plunge but always get a professional to install them when you can or if you can afford them.

Hopefully, with this article covering the pros and cons of sliding barn doors you will make the decision on whether it is right for your next bathroom to remodel.

POCKET DOORS – Looking to install one in your next renovation or a cavity slider check out our breakdown HERE or below.

LOOKING FOR MORE CONTENT –

Check out all our socials below and give us a follow for more awesome ideas and inspiration. 2024 Bathroom Renovation Trends and 2024 Bathroom Remodelling Trends

We love feedback or any ideas you have

So if you are worried about what you are putting in your next bathroom renovation or just looking to calm your nerves never hesitate to throw a comment below or our social media pages I will always get back you about it.