Pocket doors are not your ordinary sliding or swinging doors. It is a door that slides open and closed on a track. However, the pocket doors slide between the walls, saving lots of space. But, should these space-saving solutions be solid doors or hollow doors? We've also wondered if there is more to pocket doors than meets the eye -so check out our findings on the best type of pocket doors to install.
You can install either solid or hollow pocket doors. Choosing between the two depends on your preferences and the main purpose of using the pocket doors. In this case, you need to consider different aspects to compare these pocket door options:
- Material
- Durability
- Weight
- Installation
- Insulation
- Soundproofing
- Price
Keep reading to see the pros and cons of installing solid versus hollow pockets doors. Learn both of their perks and why you should proceed with any of them. Also, check out the other details on where you can use your pocket doors as well as the benefits of getting yourself this kind of door.
Solid Vs. Hollow: 7 Things to Consider Before Choosing Your Pocket Door Type
Whether you are choosing solid or hollow pocket doors, it’s not a super big deal because there are just a few things different from each other. Additionally, both of them still work well functionally, especially in saving lots of space for the area.
But first, let’s find out the main difference between the solid and hollow pocket doors. From their names, solid pocket doors have a full solid construction on the inside. On the other hand, hollow pocket doors have frames without any solid stuffing on the inside panel.
To learn more about their distinctive features, review the seven things you need to check:
1. Material
The construction materials used for solid pockets are usually a single piece of material. Some of them are wood, metal, or sometimes glass. This door also includes wood and composite filling, making them more solid on the inside.
Unlike solid pocket doors, hollow pocket doors have honeycomb interiors made from cardboard. Then, hollow pocket doors carry veneer or fiberboard on their exterior.
In comparing the two, they have different construction but using similar materials. However, if you prefer a more solid structure, pursue the solid pocket doors. Hollow doors, however, will serve the same purpose.
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2. Durability
Because solid pocket doors have solid cores, they are more durable. This durability means pocket doors are less likely to warp or bend. On the other hand, hollow pocket doors are less durable because they are not fully dense and compact on the inside. As a result, they would easily break compared to solid pocket doors.
3. Weight
Solid pocket doors are heavier because they have more stuffing on their core. It is heavier to move and to slide across the track. But then, hollow pocket doors move smoothly, easily opening and closing as it is very lightweight! It can even move faster without too much effort on your part for moving them back and forth.
4. Installation
Because solid pocket doors are typically more durable and heavier than hollow pocket doors, they are more difficult to install. Hollow pocket doors are lighter, so they are easier to install.
Door installers can effortlessly carry the hollow pocket doors and slide them smoothly on the track. One person can even complete the installation with a hollow pocket door!
Additionally, solid pocket doors also require more time adding handles, knobs, and locks. So it will take longer. While hollow pocket doors, you can quickly install these accessories without any worries.
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5. Insulation
Solid pocket doors have the capacity to prevent heat and cold from passing through the doors. It has better insulation, resulting in greater efficiency of energy. While pocket doors are good with insulation, hollow pocket doors are not 100% capable of insulating the room. Because they don't have a solid body, heat and cold particles can pass through easily.
6. Soundproofing
Still, solid pocket doors bring a greater soundproofing quality than hollow pocket doors. As a result, solid pocket doors can absorb the noise, helping to reduce the sound to get to the room. On the other hand, hollow pocket doors don’t have a similar capability as they might not be quite effective in sound reduction.
If you need a pocket door to prevent sound from the outside, solid pocket doors would be your best option.
7. Price
Solid pocket doors are much more expensive than hollow pocket doors. Due to the high quality, durability, and construction of solid pocket doors, they are most likely to range between $70 to $250. Conversely, hollow pocket doors are less expensive, ranging from $50 to $150.
If you are looking for a durable, heavyweight door that will be difficult to install, then a solid pocket door is the best option. If you are looking for a lightweight, easy-to-install door, then a hollow pocket door is the better choice.
Can you put a pocket door anywhere?
Pocket doors are perfect to be installed in any room in your house, but they are most commonly used in bedrooms, home offices, and nurseries. You can also install them in your bathrooms, cleaning corners, or even in your laundry area.
Pocket doors can also work as a divider to the room. For example, you can install one to have a door between your living room and kitchen area.
What’s more important is that there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to what rooms pocket doors can be used in. You can install pocket door rooms in any room where you need an extra bit of privacy or want to save space.
Can you use an existing door as a pocket door?
If you want to use an existing door as a pocket door, you will need to remove the door from its hinges. Then, you will need to install a track on the top of the opening and hang the door on the track. Be sure to measure the opening before you purchase a track because most tracks are only meant for doors that are a certain width.
Once you are done installing the track, you can then close the door, and it should slide open smoothly. If it doesn't work, you may need to adjust the position of the door or the track.
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Are pocket doors worth it?
Pocket doors are very popular due to their many benefits. First, they take up zero space when open! So, pocket doors are amazing for small rooms or tight spaces where every square inch matters. You don’t need to worry about how to swing them or how to slide them in the area.
Other than that, pocket doors are very stylish and can add a touch of luxury to any home. It brings a vintage style while it brings out a great look to the room. You can even add different colors and designs to the door as long as it will have a smooth movement along its track.
Finally, pocket doors are a great way to add privacy to your home. If you need a little more privacy than a standard door can provide, pocket doors are the perfect solution.
Final Words
Pocket doors are trending because they offer many benefits over traditional doors. They take up less space, so they're perfect for small homes or rooms. In this case, whether you prefer solid or hollow pocket doors, you can also install them in your home. Get professional advice on how you can do it, but you are free to have it as a DIY project.
To get more ideas on how to improve your homes, specifically your doors, check out the following tips and suggestions below:
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