December 4, 2024

Sliding Barn Door: Ideal For An Entrance Door

A sliding barn door has been used for many centuries, particularly in agricultural settings where it is a practical way to separate different areas of a barn, such as:

    • Stalls
    • Storage areas

The sliding mechanism of a sliding barn door allows easy access and convenience. The door can easily slide open and close quickly without taking up extra space in the barn. These early sliding barn doors were not made with traditional door rails and stiles as it is very expensive and time-consuming. The real need for sliding barn doors became a necessity but grew to be a need and a want for many custom barn door styles that took the market by storm.

The design and idea of the sliding barn door are not only traditional-inspired, but it has a blend of uniqueness and sophistication that many huge residential properties ask to have.

Sliding barn door versus swinging door

The sliding barn door is different from the swinging door. It never requires hinges and a door jamb to function. The barn doors lay flat against the wall with two rollers attached to the top, which roll along the track. The track is not directly attached to the barn door but rather installed on the wall for which the door functions. The basic parts of the barn door are:

  • Top and bottom rails
  • Side stiles
  • Middle slats or barn door panel

The barn door stays realistic and does not bow or warp; it must be built with engineered lumber for the rails and stiles. Engineered lumber is also known by its other term manufactured lumber. Although engineered lumber is used to describe various materials, most are described as structural components with fabrication. The engineered wood is manufactured by bonding for the different materials, such as:

  • Wood strands
  • Veneers
  • Lumber
  • Other forms of wood fiber

These can produce a larger and integral composite unit, which is stronger and stiffer than the other parts. There are several benefits when using an engineered lunger on the barn door’s frame, it creates a barn door that is resistant to bowing and warping, including:

  • ease of installation
  • dimensional stability
  • structural integrity

Engineered wood products enhance multiple of the inherent structural advantages of wood.

Barn doors that are not made of engineered or manufactured lumber have a 90% chance of warping or bowing. After the barn door is warped or bowed, it can’t slide along the barn door hardware track and doesn’t function properly.