Vivid Doors If you’re looking for a unique way to save space in your home or create an impact, you might have discovered pocket doors. They slide away into a wall cavity, so you can have an open door that’s barely there.
This allows you to place furniture by the walls, hide your doors for an open plan feel and make use of the full width of your doorway. Sounds great, right? That’s why we’re so pleased to introduce them as part of our ever-expanding range. Let’s delve into the world of pocket doors to see if they are the right solution for you.
Why would you use a pocket door?
The main reason homeowners choose a pocket door is to save space. Unlike a hinged door, it doesn’t need space to swing open, making it ideal for smaller spaces. Pocket doors can be used all around the home just like a swinging door, but here are some of their most common uses.
Bathrooms
Small en suites and bathrooms often benefit from more floor space, and a pocket door kit can create this quickly, easily and cost-effectively.
Bedrooms
Making one room into two, closing off a dressing room or even creating space in a walk in wardrobe. There are so many ways to use pocket doors to get a more streamlined and functional bedroom.
Kitchens
Adding double pocket doors between the kitchen and living room can create a versatile living area that helps with the flow of your home. As the door disappears when it’s open, it’s easy to create an open plan feel. When you want to close off cooking sounds or smells you can do so with ease.
All Around the Home
In fact, pocket doors can be used anywhere to create more space or a better layout. You could get a more spacious laundry room, improve the décor in your dining room or create two separate rooms by installing a cavity wall door.
Advantages and Benefits
Installing pocket doors can have many benefits in your home. Here are the main advantages:
Space Saving
Compared to traditional hinged doors, there’s no need for swing space or wall space for a pocket door to operate. Pocket doors are space-savers, sliding into the wall to avoid occupying floor area, the perfect solution for small rooms.
Flexibility
Pocket door systems can give you a versatile living space. When they’re open, they create an open plan feel. Close them easily to separate rooms, making cosy spaces and shutting out noise or clutter.
Aesthetics
Clean lines, a minimalist look and smooth operation. Pocket doors can offer a sleek aesthetic that a normal swing door just doesn’t bring. Ideal for modern, minimalist design and home owners who want to bring something a little different to a certain room or their whole house.
Budget Friendly
On first glance, a pocket door and installation might seem costly. But if you compare this with a complete bathroom remodel, for example, it can be a much more cost effective option.
Single pocket doors can help to create more valuable space by simply removing the need to leave room for the door opening. It’s a simple yet effective solution.
How Practical are Pocket Doors?
Pocket doors are highly practical for maximising space, especially in tight quarters. They slide into the wall, eliminating the need for clearance to swing open, making them ideal for small homes, apartments, and studios. This space-saving design facilitates better furniture placement and opens up additional storage options.
What is the disadvantage of a sliding pocket door?
One of the main disadvantages of pocket doors is the possibility of encountering mechanical issues, such as coming off their tracks or difficult movement. Additionally, they can also produce noise when rolling. Their drawbacks also include a less airtight seal compared to traditional doors, potentially allowing for heat, sound and light leakage, and they may require more clearance under the door.
Why don’t we use pocket doors anymore?
Many homeowners do still use pocket doors. However, they are less common due to their complexity and reputation for maintenance issues. In the past, homeowners have experienced difficulties with hardware failure, which often necessitates invasive and expensive wall repairs. However, with advancements in hardware quality, today’s pocket doors offer both space-saving and aesthetic benefits when installed correctly.
Are pocket doors hard to maintain?
Pocket doors require moderate maintenance as they involve a hidden track system within the wall cavity. Installation demands precision, making it more complex than traditional doors. For repairs, accessibility can be challenging, as the mechanisms are encased in the wall, necessitating more effort for fixes compared to standard door types.
However, all our Eclisse systems feature a fully removable track to make things easy. Runners are also tested to 100,000 cycles which is around 25 years of average use, so you can expect a robust and durable system.
So, Are They a Good Idea?
In short, yes! If you’re looking to save space, enjoy flexibility and sleek looks, pocket doors are the perfect way to do so. Today’s systems are hassle free, long lasting and great quality so there’s no need to worry that the mechanics will let you down.
A sliding door isn’t for everyone though, and you’ll need enough space in your existing wall to accommodate a pocket door. It won’t be the right solution in every situation but if your layout would benefit and your budget allows it can be a wonderful addition to your home.
Choose a pocket door if space saving is your main goal, or if you’re looking for an innovative and versatile solution. You might need a little extra budget to get everything in place, but the results can be truly stunning.
