Pocket doors vs hinged doors

In modern life we are used to established and long-standing items around the home being superseded by new technology. Hardly anybody uses a landline telephone anymore, while a kettle we used to boil on a gas stove has been replaced almost exclusively by an electric kettle. Meanwhile, even a relatively modern development such as a microwave is starting to be replaced by the air fryer. The motivation for these changes is often convenience and affordability, but justification can sometimes be multi-faceted, and that is the case when it comes to pocket doors. You might think that a basic, functional feature such as a traditional hinged door could never be replaced, but the pocket door is starting to do that, and there are many reasons for it.

The benefits of the hinged door

The main benefit of the hinged door is that it is a traditional design that we are very familiar with. It essentially does its job, is easy to install and is widely available. If questioned, many people would have no issue at all with a hinged door, mainly because it is an accepted design solution that causes no great issues and is consistent and reliable too. It is only when you start to study an alternative such as the pocket door, that you begin to understand the limitations of the hinged door, and appreciate the opportunities a different solution can provide.

The benefits of the pocket door

Here we have listed the main benefits of the pocket door, which illustrate the flexibility it offers and the practical solutions it provides when looking to design the perfect home.

• Space-saving – This is the headline benefit of the pocket door when compared to the hinged door. The pocket door disappears along an overhead rail and into a wall cavity (the ‘pocket’) when opened, instead of swinging into a room like a hinged door. This instantly opens up around ten square feet of space immediately in front of the door, which otherwise couldn’t have been used as the door would obstruct it.
• New rooms – As well as creating space as above for something like storage or putting up shelves, the pocket door now enables you to create new rooms with the extra space created. So a large room can be divided into two small rooms, or you can create a new room in a small un-used space, such as a downstairs toilet, or make a room multi-purpose, such as combining a home office with a guest bedroom. The pocket door enables you to use the space in a home more efficiently, so every spare inch is fully utilised and nothing is wasted.
• Flexible spaces – In an open plan space, such as a large commercial office or a ground floor living space, pocket doors can be used to open and close space so you can use areas for different purposes. You can create large, communal spaces and small, intimate spaces as and when you need them, both at home and at work.
• Light – A hinged door that is left open can be a barrier to light, where as a pocket door that is open completely disappears from view. This enables natural light to flow around the home or workplace creating a much fresher and more appealing ambience.
• Aesthetics – Pocket doors are a modern design with clean lines and a sleek appearance. The way they disappear from view is also very aesthetically pleasing. You can also install pocket door systems with no architrave, which means they sit flush to a wall for the epitome of flawless elegance.
• Low maintenance – Pocket doors are robust and very cleverly designed. They can withstand years of constant use with very little maintenance required. Occasional oiling and cleaning of the overhead rail and rollers is all that is required.
• Flow – You can use pocket doors to link a kitchen and dining room, or a dining room and living room, to create a natural flow to a living space. This is great for entertaining and for large family gatherings and means people aren’t isolated in individual rooms. This can then be changed when you want a more private and secluded space. Hinged doors are a barrier to this. The same is true if a number of hinged doors open out on to a hallway or landing, these can become awkward and a nuisance, even dangerous, while pocket doors completely eliminate this issue.
• Accessibility – Pocket doors are much easier to use for people with mobility issues. You can approach a pocket door very closely to open it and can even install a self-closing accessory so that it shuts behind you with no manual intervention. With a hinged door someone would need to move out of the way of the door to open or close it, depending on which direction the hinges were working.
• Customisable – It is very easy to customise a pocket door with accessories such as anti-slam features, self-closing features, a touch latch system or with double-door co-ordination. This enables you to upgrade your pocket door to make it even more practical for your own specific needs.

Order your pocket door from the Pocket Door Shop today

At the Pocket Door Shop we have a wide range of pocket door systems to suit different needs in the home or workplace, and to provide a wealth of benefits compared to the hinged door. You can check out our range and order online today.