You’ve probably noticed: the sliding rail door, or even the barn door, is an element that is suitable for any type of layout, both indoors and outdoors. Among its strengths is the fact that it is very versatile, but also that it lends itself easily to customization. In addition, the sliding rail door or the barn door is an accessory that you can make yourself. Not to mention the fact that it slips smoothly even where other types of doors do not fit
Door on sliding rail or barn door, a practical solution for all interiors
As the name suggests, the barn door or sliding door on a rail is, at the base, a part of the facade of a storage building. In the past, it was precisely this type of door that made it possible to secure the spaces intended to house crops. As a result, the barn door and other similar solutions look quite simple, even rustic. Often made of wood, this door slides on a rail to close and open.
The following file will help you learn more about the sliding rail door and its materials of manufacture. It will also introduce you to some of the most popular uses for this type of door. Come and find out !
What characterizes the classic barn door ?
Basically, a barn door or sliding rail door is made with two opening elements. Sometimes it has an additional, smaller opening that makes it easier for users to pass through when the sliding rail door is closed..
The classic material for the manufacture of this type of sliding rail door is, of course, wood. Given the advantages of such doors, they are currently used in interior and exterior fittings. Their size can thus vary according to individual needs. In addition, the materials for manufacturing sliding doors have diversified a lot. This is also what you can see from our selection of images.
What are the sliding track door or barn door manufacturing materials ?
Currently, sliding doors are made from a variety of materials. These have different advantages to best suit modern needs. Let’s see what are the most common materials in sliding rail door manufacturing today !
Wood, a classic material for making barn doors
You guessed it, wood is probably the material most often associated with this type of sliding door. Prized for centuries, this material remains very popular even today. We particularly appreciate it for its warm and ecological aspect.
To this, we must also add the fact that wood is a very good thermal and acoustic insulator. On the negative side, we note that wood is a material that requires maintenance using specific products, depending on where the door is located. Today, you can choose between several types of wood for exterior or interior.
Aluminum, a designer surface for a modern sliding door on a rail
Aluminum is a trendy material that is becoming more and more popular in the manufacture of barn doors and sliding rail doors. Thanks to its design aspect, the aluminum door combines very nicely with other modern surfaces, such as stone and bricks, for example. Those who are concerned about protecting the planet will also appreciate the fact that aluminum is recyclable. Without neglecting the fact that it is perfectly resistant to corrosion and wear that occurs over time. On the other hand, this material is a more expensive alternative.
PVC, an economical alternative for a durable sliding door
The modern sliding rail door is also available in a PVC version. Often overlooked due to its artificial origin, PVC nevertheless has some interesting advantages. These might help you decide for or against this material. In order to make your choice, first know that the PVC sliding rail door is undoubtedly the cheapest option in terms of price. The material in question is nevertheless quite robust, including for outdoor use. Moreover, like aluminum, PVC is characterized by good resistance to oxidation, although it can discolor after a few years. In addition, the sliding rail door is very easy to maintain.
Glass, a trendy surface for interior or exterior barn doors
Glass, in its double or even triple glazing variant, is another possibility for a trendy barn door. One of the great advantages of glass of this type is its excellent insulating capacity. This feature covers both heat and cold protection and noise protection. This type of door is a great solution if you want a transparent separation. It allows you to divide the space, without creating an additional visual obstacle.
The barn door or door on a reclaimed or DIY sliding rail
It is also possible to make a sliding rail door from recycled materials. Such a DIY project may involve the use of pallets or some other type of leftover wood that is available at home. Another possible solution is to reuse an old barn door by reworking the wood using a decoration technique, such as aging, for example.
How to choose the ideal sliding rail door for your home ?
To find the ideal sliding rail door for your home, you will take several criteria into account. In addition to the price, we will also think about the type of space we are going to decorate. This will allow you to select the best construction material for your barn door..
As for the size of your door, take care to measure the space correctly. As a general rule, your door (purchased or homemade) should protrude slightly beyond the opening it is intended for. With this trick, you will enjoy more privacy and a door that perfectly matches its location.
Another criterion to be taken into consideration: the acoustic and thermal characteristics. Will you need a door for your interior or for your exterior? Are you going to use your door to demarcate two rooms or for some other purpose? These are the kind of questions to ask yourself to find your ideal !
What are the average prices of a barn door or sliding rail door ?
The selling prices of a barn door or sliding rail door vary according to the materials of manufacture, the size and the spaces to which it can be adapted.
Thus, you would need to budget around 150 euros for a sliding rail door intended for the interior; for a high-end exterior barn door, consider a budget of 1,500 euros or more.
What are the different uses of a sliding rail door ?
The barn door or sliding rail door can perform several functions. Its versatility is one of the reasons for its popularity. Opting for a door of this type is offering yourself an interesting decorative accessory that could even play the role of a decorative accent in an interior space. And, given that it takes very little space, the barn door stands out as an ideal solution for most interior spaces. Here are some of the most interesting uses of this type of door.
The sliding rail door replaces the classic door
To begin with, know that currently the sliding rail door can work very well as an alternative to the traditional door. This idea will appeal to those who have an interior space of unusual shape and who need a solution to bring more privacy to a room..
As such, the sliding rail door is ideal even for sloping spaces and for small rooms in the house. Small hallways and entryways are some of the areas where the barn door has proven to be a space-saving accessory.
Thus, sliding doors are preferred in the arrangement of small toilets and in the separation of bathroom and bedroom. Take advantage also if you have a hallway-type kitchen that you want to delimit discreetly !
Use the barn door as a room divider
The barn door saves space in small houses. As we have seen, it can work very well as a classic door, even in cases where the room is characterized by its original shape. But, in addition, this type of door can also play the role of a room divider.
A room divider with a sliding rail door? Eh yes ! This is a great idea, especially if you live in an apartment with an open plan. With such a door, you could organize the room for more privacy. A great idea for setting up a studio or a loft, for example !
Small homes aren’t the only ones to benefit from a modern barn door. Apartments and houses with one or two very large rooms could also change the atmosphere thanks to this type of door. So, for example, you could take advantage of a corner of your living room to create a working or reading space !
Make your home more organized with a sliding rail door
The sliding rail door is a versatile accessory; This is what has allowed designers and interior design enthusiasts to find plenty of original uses for this type of door. Among these, there are ways to give your living space more organized.
The barn door is a nice solution for those who dream of making their homes more organized. So, if you have an empty niche, you could take the opportunity to set up a closet using simple wooden shelves. Use it to create a bar in a corner of your living room, for example. To keep this part of your interior out of sight, just complete it with a sliding rail door !
We all love modern libraries. But besides shelves full of beautiful books, we all need a space to organize these files. Invoices, payment slips, various documents … unfortunately, all of these files do not look very nice. To keep your papers in order without showing them off in plain sight, hide part of your bookcase behind a sliding rail door !
In the kitchen, too, there are plenty of various objects that you want to keep out of sight. Cleaning products, various foods, kitchen tools … If you lack space in your closet, set up a storage system with open shelves and a sliding door. The best part is that this solution is really practical even for the smallest spaces !
Arrange your walk-in closet with a sliding rail door
Among the ways to use a sliding rail door that we really like, there is also that of fitting out a walk-in closet. We know: the walk-in closet is an essential space for a stress-free daily life. Unfortunately, not all houses have special rooms for dressing a walk-in closet. And then, the storage systems offered by furniture stores can be quite expensive..
To remedy this problem, we can now play the barn door card. Do you have a rather spacious bedroom? Consider the possibility of dividing the room in half with such a door. Then use this corner of the bedroom to create your dream dressing room !
Have you decided to invest in an open walk-in storage system? Very well ! Now you just have to imagine a way to enclose your storage. For this, you have the choice between barn doors installed in front of your cupboards or the only door of this kind at the entrance to the dressing room.
For even more design ideas with a sliding rail door, take a look at the photos below !
