Sliding vs. Hinged Doors: Which Is Better for Your Project?

Post by manhattandoor on August 4th, 2023

If you are about to embark on a new commercial project, consider the type of door you want to include to give the space the look and feel it deserves. While elegance, sophistication and luxury are vital elements, durability, longevity and practicality are all nonnegotiable.

Depending on the building infrastructure, it is important to weigh sliding doors vs. hinged doors to determine which is a better fit. This article compares the pros and cons of sliding doors and hinged doors so you can make an informed decision.

Safety Factors for Sliding vs. Hinged Doors

Many people start by asking whether hinged or sliding doors are safer when deciding on a design. Generally speaking, hinged doors are considered safer because they have fewer moving parts. Hinged doors are stable and built with security in mind, and they are easier to lock, open and close than sliding variants, though they do offer less light and visibility.

When choosing between the two, you must consider the practical applications of the door. Sliding doors do not occupy any space in a room, but they are wider and therefore require more wall space.

Ultimately, the choice as to whether you should opt for sliding doors or hinged doors comes down to a few factors, including price, preference, style and building requirements. Consider the following to gain more insight.

Pros and Cons of Sliding Doors

Sliding doors come in various forms. They are versatile and can be used in different ways, both internally and externally. They are characterized by their lack of swinging inward or outward, as they are instead held firmly in place in a track that enables them to slide horizontally. Sliding door types include bi-folding, patio, pocket, stacker and barn doors that all work similarly but differ in style and functionality.

There are a few advantages and disadvantages of sliding doors that could impact your decision on which door option you should choose. Here are a few pros and cons of interior, barn and closet sliding doors for your consideration:

• Space-savers: Sliding doors are beneficial for saving space because they stay in one place and slide in a rail instead of opening inward or outward.
• Enhances natural light: Glass interior doors allow natural light to highlight a room, making it feel larger and brighter.
• Maintenance: Sliding doors need regular maintenance to ensure they stay in their tracks. Dust and debris can accumulate indoors, so regular cleaning is required to keep the mechanism working properly. Additionally, glass doors may need frequent cleaning to keep them in good condition and maintain visibility.
• Increased risk of injury: It is possible for someone to collide with a clear sliding door if they are not paying close attention — especially if the glass is kept very clean. There is also a chance of tripping over the tracks.

Pros and Cons of Sliding Barn Doors

A sliding barn door provides a distinct aesthetic that makes it feel like you are bringing the outdoors inside. With its exposed roller mechanism at the top, it stands out from other doors you might come across. A few pros and cons of these doors include:

• Uniqueness: You will not often find this door in a commercial facility, but the style works well for a quaint guesthouse, restaurant or B&B with a more rustic aesthetic.
• Versatility: If you want to remove the entire door for more space, a sliding barn door makes it possible.
• Loud: The weight of the door hanging on the top mechanism may cause it to make sound when it is opened and closed. If the door is used frequently, this may become annoying.
• Not soundproof: In most cases, barn doors are used as dividers between rooms. One disadvantage is that the gap between the frame and the door itself leaves space that allows sound to travel and compromises privacy.
• Costly and heavy: One clear disadvantage of wooden sliding doors is the cost, which may be significant depending on the type of wood used. They also tend to be heavy to keep them more secure when sliding.

Pros and Cons of Sliding Closet Doors

As the name suggests, closet or wardrobe sliding doors, also called accordion-style doors, are used in homes and hotels with the intention of saving space and offering a one-dimensional open closet view. The main advantages and disadvantages of these are:

• Track stability: These doors can be hooked into rollers at the top and bottom so they easily and securely glide across the tracks.
• Unhinging tracks: If the rollers leave the tracks, these doors become challenging to operate and may require disassembly to repair.

Pros and Cons of Hinged Doors

These traditional doors have been the selection of choice for many years and are easily the most common type of door seen in residences and structures spanning many different industries, including offices, hospitals, apartment buildings and schools.

This style of door is attached to the frame using two or three hinges. Depending on their position, they may open inward or outward using a push or pull handle.

As with sliding doors, hinged doors also have pros and cons that must be considered:

• A large variety of door styles: There are numerous door styles and materials you can choose from, including fire-rated doors, plastic laminate doors, and flush and veneer door designs.
• Easy installation: Most hinged doors are easier to install than sliding doors.
• Cost-effective: Hinged doors tend to offer great value and return on investment.
• Endless door handle styles: You can change the look of a door by simply replacing the door handles — and you can find countless styles to choose from.
• Low maintenance: There is almost no maintenance required with hinged doors. If you ever need to replace the hinges or fix damage, you can get a representative from a professional door company to assist if the door is too big or heavy.
• Less risk of injury: Hinged doors require no tracks or other obstacles on the floor, so they tend to be safer than sliding doors.
• Increased safety and security: Hinged doors are compatible with numerous types of locks that can be replaced easily.
• Long life span: Since they tend to be made with durable, lasting materials, hinged doors have a long service life.
• Easy to use: The simple design of rotating hinges makes these doors easy to open and close.
• Take more space: One drawback of hinged doors is that they take up space inside a room when open, but most buildings take this into consideration when drafting plans.

Factors to Consider Before Buying an Interior Door

Along with weighing the pros and cons of sliding vs. hinged doors, there are some factors to consider before you make your final decision:

• Visual appeal: Consider whether it meets the requirements of the building and enhances or takes away from the aesthetics.
• Increased value: Ask yourself whether a sliding or hinged door will add more overall value to the building.
• Value for money: Think about the value you are getting for the price you are paying when you compare the types of doors.
• Material: Since sliding and hinged doors are available in different materials and styles, choosing the right material is imperative to ensure it meets all applicable regulatory requirements.
• Hollow vs. solid core doors: If you opt for hinged doors, research door cores and finishes for the best possible performance and quality.

Contact Manhattan Door for Customized Commercial Interior Doors

Whether your commercial interior door project is a single apartment unit or an entire office floor, the Manhattan Door team has you covered. We offer everything from veneers to plastic laminate doors to flush wood doors, and we can also create custom doors to suit specialized requirements. No job is too big or small for us. Our turnaround times are among the quickest in the industry, and our service and professionalism are unparalleled.

If you are ready to discuss your project, call us at (718) 963-1111 or contact us online with your request.