How Much Does it Cost Install an Interior Sliding Barn Door?

When you're looking to make a statement with your décor, or simply want to lend a rural flavor to your urban environment, interior sliding barn doors fit the bill. As with a pocket door, they slide along a track, so they stay out of the way when the door is open. However, unlike a pocket door, they sit flush against the wall rather than requiring a cavity (hence the name "pocket" door).

Styles range from authentic-looking barn doors to contemporary designs featuring windows and other decorative items, meaning there's an option for every type of décor. Sizes also vary considerably, in both length and width. You can also install double sliding barn doors, which move in opposite directions along the track.

Pricing for Interior Sliding Barn Doors

Costs vary widely depending on size, the work needed to prepare the area for installation, manufacturer, materials, and whether you want a custom door. The weight of the door also plays a role, as it dictates the number of tracks required to support it. Typically, the cost of a sliding barn door is more than a pocket door but less than that of a traditional sliding door.

• A lightweight door, about the size of a standard interior door, ranges between $100 and $250.
• A door similar to an actual barn door in size and weight ranges between $300 and $700.
• A door with glass inserts averages around $500.
• All-wood and custom models average around $750.
• A basic sliding barn door with track hardware starts at around $300 and goes up to around $1,000.
• Rustic-style models, including track hardware, range between $500 and $2,500.

The Cost to Install an Interior Barn Door

The typical installation requires an aluminum track set over the door. The top of the door includes rollers that attach to the track and allow the door to slide back and forth easily. The bottom of the door may also include a guide to help prevent rocking.

Installation costs vary a great deal, depending on where you live (labor rates are highly dependent on local market standards) and the size of the door. A larger door, obviously, requires more labor and time to install, and typically needs at least two people to do it properly.

Typical installation takes around three or four hours, with an average price between $200 and $300 for lighter weight doors. However, custom-built models usually come with a higher cost for installation, up to around $500. Be sure to ask your vendor about installation costs before purchasing your new barn door.

Additional Cost Considerations

If your goal is installing an authentic barn door (at least in term of aesthetics), expect to pay more for both the door and the installation. Contemporary models typically fit a standard doorway, but oversized barn doors rarely do. If your door includes glass, you also pay a bit more. Expect to pay at least $500 for an oversized barn door, and up to $700 if it includes glass.

Heavier doors, particularly those made of walnut, mahogany, or maple, also cost more than the standard door, especially when custom made. You'll pay anywhere from $500 to $1,000 for one of these models.

None of these prices include the hardware required, i.e. the aluminum track on which the door slides. For a door weighing 125 or less, this track system averages around $150. If the door weighs more than this, you need multiple tracks. That means that a traditional barn door could run you as much as $800 due to its weight.

If you install double barn-style doors, you need to double the number of tracks you'd need for a single door. That means that, even if each door weighs less than 125 pounds, you'll pay an average of $300 for the aluminum track hardware.

Finally, decorative tracks and door hardware carry an additional cost. Prices here range from a low $300 all the way to $2,000 or more, depending on the type of material used and the number of tracks your door requires.

Comparing Costs and Vendors

As always, obtain quotes from at least three different vendors or manufacturers to help ensure you get the best price. If you're looking for a custom-made door, this is especially important, as you want to ensure you get the best, most reliable workmanship from your provider. Ultimately, you want the best product for the best price. Do not, however, automatically choose the cheapest option. Look carefully at the proposal and ask questions. One may include installation or hardware where another doesn’t, so make sure you're comparing apples to apples when reviewing quotes. Finally, don't forget to look online for company reviews, where you'll learn about the customer service, how well the company handled any issues, and how happy their former customers are with their product.

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