How Much Does It Cost To Install A Pocket Door? (Updated 2023)

Pocket doors offer a practical and charming addition to any home. By sliding inside a wall, they enhance privacy in your home without taking up precious floor space. It’s an excellent idea to install one, but how much does it cost to install a pocket door?

On average, it costs $1,100 to install a pocket door. The price can vary dramatically from $800 to $10,000, but it’s usually on the lower end. Actual cost depends on several factors, including the door type, labor, and job size.

Here’s our detailed guide on pocket door installation costs. We’ll look at what you’ll pay, the factors that affect it, and some great alternatives. Read on to find out more!

What is a Pocket Door?

A pocket door is a unique door that opens up by sliding inside a wall, which is referred to as a pocket. People usually prefer this door for interior rooms without the space for a hinged door. Pocket doors are available in single, double, and French styles.

They also come in different sizes and are made of different materials. Your ideal option will depend on where you want to install it, your chosen style, and your budget.

Pocket Door Installation Costs

As mentioned, the cost of installing a pocket door varies significantly, depending on many factors. The most crucial factor is the additional work required. Expect to pay around $800 for a new door by itself. However, if demolition is involved, the cost can be as high as $10,000.

The higher end of that cost would be when you are installing a pocket door in a wall where there wasn’t previously a door. For example, you may want to create an entranceway between your dining area and your living room which wasn’t there before.

To do this, you’d first need to knock through the wall between the two living spaces. If there is nothing between the walls, then this demolition is usually straightforward, but this often isn’t the case.

Between your walls is likely to be pipes and wires. If so, these will need to be diverted by a plumber and an electrician, respectively. As you can imagine, the combined cost of demolition, a plumber, and an electrician can quickly add up.

However, many people will want a pocket door installed where there was previously a hinged door. In this scenario, no pipes/wires need to be diverted, and the hole for the doors to close is already there in place. Here, you wouldn’t need to pay much more than $1,000 to $2,000.

As you can see, this makes predicting the exact cost of your pocket door installation difficult. That’s why it’s always best to get a quote beforehand. Now let’s look at all the significant factors affecting pocket door installation cost.

Which Factors Affect Pocket Door Installation Cost?

Many factors impact the actual cost of installing a pocket door. These include new construction vs. existing wall, your pocket door materials, type, and size. Let’s break this down.

1. New Construction vs. Existing Wall Pocket Door

Installing a pocket door during the construction of a new home is relatively cheaper than during a remodel. As mentioned, an existing wall typically requires demolition, which also requires rearranging electrical and plumbing work.

However, if you install the door during a new build, it will be easy to plan the work around the door. In that case, the only high cost will be the door. Expect to pay $800 – $2,000 during a new home build.

On the other hand, you’ll most likely need to pay at least $2,000 to install a pocket door during a remodeling project. Even on basic projects, you still need to factor in labor costs and materials. Other expenses include junk removal services.

2. Pocket Door Materials

There are several materials to choose from, including glass, fiberglass, solid wood, hollow core, and aluminum. Each material has different costs.

For example, the price of a glass pocket door ranges from $450 to $2,000. Thus, installing this door type can cost anywhere from $900 to $2,500 during new home construction.

A solid wood pocket door costs between $450 and $1,900. The installation cost can go from $800 to $2,700 during the new build. However, the price can be as high as $2,200 for a retrofit installation.

3. Type of Pocket Door

Three main pocket door types include:

• Single Door – You need about $960 to $1,700 to install a single pocket door during a new home build and $1,400 to $4,000 during a remodeling project.

The cost of the door itself ranges from $400 to $700. In addition, the labor plus supplies will vary from $550 to $1,000 for new construction and between $1,000 and $3,300 for an existing wall.

• Double Door – A double door can cost double the price of a single pocket door. That’s because you’ll need to cater for the price of two doors and tracks.

One advantage of double pocket doors is that you can open one and leave the other closed. You can also open both simultaneously, as the doors operate individually. Buying the door set will cost you $800 to $1,450. The installation can run from $1,450 to $6,000, depending on the complexity of the work.

• French Doors – You can buy French pocket doors as a single or double. They typically feature glass panels, which allow natural light to pass through.

French pocket doors also provide a touch of openness between the two rooms. A single French door costs anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000, while double costs $2,250 to $4,000. Installing this door type is quite challenging due to the heaviness of the glass. Expect to pay $1,800 to $10,000.

4. Pocket Door Installation Cost by Size

Pocket doors come in a spectrum of sizes, ranging from 36 to 48 inches. The door and installation cost increases by size. For example, a 32-inch door costs from $400 to $1,500. Therefore, the overall installation price runs from $800 to $2,400. The cost of a 48-inch pocket door starts from $700 to $2,000. Expect to pay between $1,500 to $3,800 for the installation, depending on the size of the work.

How to Care For Your New Pocket Door

Like a conventional hinged door, pocket doors also need proper care and maintenance. There are simple things you need to do for the door to remain % functional and last to its lifespan.

• Regular cleaning – An aluminum or fiberglass door will need you to clean often. Allowing marks and scuffs to remain on the door ruins its aesthetics and reduces its lifespan. A wooded door will also need painting or stain removal occasionally throughout its life.
• Track system – Your door will require a smooth slide to function correctly. Oil the track from time to time. Don’t allow the track to sustain any damage because it’s not easy to fix. Debris can build up quickly and hinder its efficient rolling.

Pocket Door Alternatives

As you have realized, installing a pocket door can get extremely costly, particularly if you’re on a budget. You may not be prepared to invest up to $10,000 right now, but a barn door is a more affordable alternative.

Barn doors are another type of sliding door. They work the same way as pocket doors, except they are mounted on a track on the wall instead of sliding into it. This pocket-door alternative saves money while still having the convenience of a pocket door.

So, how much does it cost to install a barn door? Since you don’t need to demolish anything, you only need to buy a door and installation supplies. The door can cost $400 to $700, while the supplies can ask about $200 to $400. Labor costs range from $360 to $600 for a six-hour installation. That means you’ll pay anywhere from around $1,000 to $1,700.

While a good alternative, they aren’t quite as discreet, or aesthetically pleasing, and don’t slide as easily as pocket doors.

FAQs:

1. How difficult is it to install a pocket door?

Installing a pocket door is simple during a new house build. However, installing the door on an existing wall is challenging. The demolitions involved are time-consuming, strenuous, and expensive. Unless you’re extremely skilled in different trades, it shouldn’t be attempted as a DIY job.

2. What are some pocket door drawbacks?

Some drawbacks of pocket doors include the tedious and costly retrofit installation. Also, pocket doors don’t seal as tightly as conventional hinged doors, which can be an issue for some people who want to completely shut out light and noise.

3. Can a pocket door fail?

Pocket doors are reliable. They do need quality hardware, proper installation, and maintenance, and they will serve you for a lifetime. While they can slide off the tracks, this is usually a fairly easy problem to fix.

Conclusion

How much does it cost to install a pocket door? It can depend hugely depending on the factors that we’ve mentioned above, but it’s usually quite expensive. They can be a great addition to any home but make sure they fit in with your budget and get a quote before starting any of the work.