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Rolling Barn Doors FAQs

Why choose a barn door hardware kit?

Why choose sliding barn door kits from the Library Ladder Company?

Switching your boring old standard doors for sliding barn doors will not only transform the feel and functionality of any room, but also adds a surprising amount of extra space. Bi-folding and sliding barn doors are a much more fun and stylish choice compared to regular swing or pocket doors, injecting the cool factor for both contemporary and traditional design schemes.

Not only are these kinds of barn doors useful space-savers in a more efficiency-led period of interior design, but they also add character to a setting that may be crying out for something quirkier. Sliding barn door kits secure a sense of novelty and stand out amongst modern, rustic, and conventional interior schemes, making them an extremely versatile option.

There are so many places where sliding barn doors are the perfect solution; whether it’s an en-suite door, larder cupboard, utility, or playroom, we’re sure that these barn door hardware kits will transform any room your new doors are located in.

Contact the Library Ladder Company today

Would you like to find out more about sliding barn door kits from the Library Ladder Company? If so, our team would love to hear from you.

You can get in touch with any enquiries by emailing info@thelibraryladdercompany.co.uk or by filling out the contact form. We will always aim to respond to your enquiry as soon as possible.

How do rolling barn doors work?

As the name suggests, this style of door was originally an exterior rolling door for barns and other such outhouses on farms. Now this design has made its way into the world of interior design, since they’re simple to use and take up less space than swinging doors.

With sliding barn door kits, the door slab hangs from rollers on a mounted rail above the doorway, which allows the door to slide left or right along the rail to open or close. A wall-mounted or floor-mounted door guide prevents the door from swinging in or out when it rolls along the track. Stops on both ends prevent the door from coming off the rail, no matter how hard you push or pull it.

The most common type is a single sliding barn door, which is just one slab that moves left and right. Another option for larger doorways or smaller spaces where there isn’t enough wall for a single door to slide over is bi-folding barn doors. In this case, the door folds up when you push it to the side of the opening and is ‘stored’ this way until you pull it across again to close it.

What are the benefits of rolling barn doors?

The most obvious benefit of rolling barn door kits in the home is that they don’t take up as much space around them as a swinging door does. All you need is enough empty wall space on one side for the width and length of the door, and bi-folding barn doors don’t even require wall space at all. This makes them ideal for smaller rooms, giving you more space to add furniture and styling touches.

This style of door slides open or closed so smoothly and quietly and with such little effort that they’re an extremely accessible option for those with walking aids or wheelchairs. They’re easy to open without having to put down whatever you’re carrying, which is incredibly useful for areas such as laundry rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms.

Barn doors are also very stylish, and suitable for a variety of aesthetic tastes. Whether you like clean white minimalism or the rustic ‘shabby chic’ look, these doors come in a variety of styles that you can adapt as you choose. They create a unique focal point in any room and can even add to your home’s resale value, so they’re definitely worth the investment.

Of course, another primary benefit of sliding barn doors is their versatility. Their relative simplicity allows you to install them pretty much anywhere, in a variety of rooms and for a range of purposes. Find out more about how you can use rolling barn doors in your home below!

Where can I use rolling barn doors in my home?

There are so many possibilities when it comes to installing sliding barn doors, but here are just a few to give you some ideas:

Bedrooms– Separate your bedroom from the rest of the home with a fashionable sliding door that’s solid enough to guarantee privacy.

Bathrooms– Divide ensuite bathrooms from bedrooms with a simple sliding door – they’re great for young children’s rooms.

Living rooms– Allow yourself to open up your living room to the rest of the house for social gatherings or close it off when you want to keep TV noise in.

Kitchens– Create a stylish pantry or make your laundry room or dining area more accessible from your kitchen with an easy-opening barn door.

Closets– If you have a walk-in closet, a barn door allows you to instantly disguise messy clothes and take a look at your whole wardrobe whenever you need to.

Entryways– Many homes have a small entryway or enclosed front porch when you first come in the front door, and a barn door is a great way to separate it from the main house.

Windows– Should you be fortunate enough to have French doors or floor-to-ceiling windows, barn doors can operate as interior sliding shutters.

Recesses– Some rooms are strangely shaped with recessed areas. If you use such an area to store a bookcase or television stand, a sliding door can make the room feel tidier by hiding them when they’re not in use.

Sheds– Whether it’s a man cave, home office, or children’s playhouse, adding a sliding door to your shed instantly improves its appearance and utility.

There are also plenty of business and commercial applications for barn door hardware, as it’s a great option for making a statement in offices and break rooms.

Can you add handles or locks to rolling barn doors?

Most sliding doors don’t require handles, as it’s easy to simply slide them open or closed. Some doors may feature a handle on the inside for extra accessibility. However, it’s impractical to try to add a handle to the back, as it will prevent the door from opening and closing properly unless it’s small enough to avoid hitting the wall or door frame.

Similarly, barn doors don’t usually require locks, but it’s understandable that you would want the security of a lockable door in spaces such as bathrooms and bedrooms. A simple hook and clasp or flip latch on the interior of the door will prevent it being opened from the other side.

When it comes to sheds or entryways where you need to be able to lock the door from the outside, a single cylinder rim lock with a key will do the job. Again, you need to be sure that locks won’t interfere with the door’s ability to open and close before you install them.

How do I measure for rolling barn doors?

Our barn doors come in several fixed sizes, so it’s wise to measure your doorways and the areas around them before committing to a purchase to ensure the door will fit. The door should overlap the opening by 1-2 inches on each side, including the top, and there should be at least 6-8 inches clear either side to make room for the hardware. This means no light switches, sconces, or hanging wall art should be in the way.

You will need to measure the width and height of your door opening, including any casing or frame, as well as the distance from the top of the opening to the ceiling. You’ll also need to measure the wall space on at least one side of the opening to ensure there’s enough clearance for the door to slide open in that direction.