Timber barn doors are a type of sliding door that have been around since the turn of the century and commonly seen on rural barns. They’re usually made up of one or two panels that slide along a track mounted to the wall, and they’re often used in place of traditional swinging doors.
Recently, barn doors have become very popular in-home design, especially in modern, rustic, and industrial styles. They are popular for a few reasons. Firstly, they’re space-saving because they don’t take up any floor space like a swinging door would. They’re also versatile, because you can use them in a variety of spaces, from closets to bathrooms and living rooms. And you’ll be glad to know that barn doors can be easily installed using modern sliding mechanisms that come in a range of track styles that are quiet and make it easy to open and close.
Another reason that barn doors have become so popular is that they’re easy to DIY. There are installation guides and video tutorials available online, so even if you’re not super handy, you can still give it a shot. And because they’re so customisable, you can make them to fit any style or space.
In this article you’ll learn all you need to know about barn doors including:
- What timber materials barn doors are available.
- The advantages of installing barn doors.
- What styles of barn doors are available.
- Barn door customisation.
- What hardware – door furniture and tracking systems to choose from.
- How to maintain your barn door and tracking systems.
Barn Doors and Available Timber Species
Barwon Timber supply Barn Doors in a wide variety of timber species. When you are choosing a certain style of barn door you will also need to decide on whether you would like to choose a timber look, or you may choose to paint your barn door to suit the décor of your internal living space.
If you want to choose a solid timber barn door, we can work with you to provide one from our suppliers. Alternatively, we can arrange for a beautifully crafted custom-built solid timber door that can be cladded with the following species:
- Blackbutt
- Silvertop
- Messmate
- American Oak
- Tasmanian Oak
Our range of barn door suppliers include Hume Doors and Corinthian Doors, and each offer unique barn door styles in a wide variety of sizes. If you have a large double door opening, you can also choose double door options that come with the necessary double door tracking systems to suit.
Another option you can choose is to install a standard panel door. When choosing a barn door, you are not limited to only using a barn door style. Any standard panel door can be built to a custom barn door size to suit the door opening, tracking system and your décor, providing you with multiple design options to create a cohesive look.
Advantages of Installing Timber Barn Doors
There are several advantages of installing timber barn doors. Most people like the aesthetic style of a barn door, and in today’s modern homes, you don’t necessarily need to have a rustic-style home to install barn doors. In fact, you now have many different styles to choose from, so you are not just limited to a traditional farmhouse or rustic style. With a wide range of options available, you can choose a modern door that can be painted to suit a Hamptons style home or a timber look that can be installed in any industrial style decor.
If you have a modern style home or commercial property you can also choose a timber door (whether painted, solid timber or veneer) with glass panes for a modern sliding door option, where a cavity sliding door cannot be installed.
Other than the aesthetic appeal, additional advantages of installing barn doors include:
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Durability
Timber barn doors are sturdy and can withstand normal wear and tear of daily living. They are made from high-quality timber that can resist damage from insects, moisture, and rot. -
Noise reduction
Timber barn doors are thick and heavy, which makes them great at reducing noise. They can block out loud noises from other rooms and provide privacy. -
Easy to maintain
Timber barn doors are easy to clean and maintain. You can simply wipe them down with a damp cloth to keep them looking great. The tracking systems are also easy to maintain with standard non-oil-based lubricating products such as graphite or silicone spray. -
Versatility
Timber barn doors are available in a variety of styles and finishes, which makes them a versatile choice for any home or commercial property. You can choose from different sizes, designs, and colours to match your décor. -
Energy efficiency
Timber barn doors can help improve the energy efficiency of your internal living spaces. They can help to insulate the space and prevent heat loss during the winter months, which can save you money on energy bills.
Opting for a barn door to enhance your internal living or office space is an excellent choice, as it not only serves as a conversation starter but also remains a highly popular option among many.
Barn Door Styles
When you’re thinking about what barn door styles are available the best place to start is on deciding whether you need a solid timber door, a hollow core panel door or a custom-built panel door.
Due to today’s wide range of style and manufacturing options Barwon Timber has made it easy to choose the right barn door for your space. Our experienced Showroom team have expert knowledge on all styles of barn doors and will find a door to suit your needs. Cost will be a deciding factor as these vary between solid timber doors, custom sized doors, and standard hollow core doors.
Traditional Solid Timber Barn Doors
When most people think of barn doors, they imagine a solid timber door with a plank construction with 45 degree bracing style that is face mounted onto a wall with an overhead track running system. This style is predominantly of solid timber construction although you can purchase a semi solid hollow core or timber veneer construction. These barn doors can be stained or painted and are suitable for a variety of spaces including bathrooms, closets, and pantry doors.
Rustic Solid Timber Barn Doors
If you’re looking for a rustic style barn door you can’t go past Barwon Timber’s custom cladded doors that are available in a range of timber species and profiles, including:
- Plank style – vertical and horizontal
- Shiplap
- Euclad
Barwon Timber specialises in producing a diverse range of timber claddings and linings in our Geelong Mill. We can use these claddings and linings to create a custom, one-of-a-kind cladded door for you. Our timber claddings are available in different species, finishes, and profiles, giving you the opportunity to craft a unique barn door.
Industrial Barn Door Styles
The industrial décor style is popular in newer inner-city warehouse living spaces that are designed with open floor plans. Barn doors are a great fit for this type of décor since many of these buildings have solid double brick walls. Industrial design is also used in converted warehouse office spaces, where an industrial-style barn door can seamlessly blend in with the original design.
An industrial style sliding barn door has similarities to rustic or farmhouse styles. For a modern industrial look, you can choose from timber, timber/glass combination, or painted options to match your décor. Adding industrial-style door hardware, like handles and overhead tracking systems, can transform a regular barn door into an industrial sliding door.
Similar to rustic and traditional styles of barn doors, the decision you make before purchasing will depend on the manufacturing style, such as whether it’s a solid or hollow core construction or a custom-sized door. If you are still undecided on the style you want, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly showroom team for more information.
Custom Barn Door Options
If you’re looking for something unique to match your own taste and style, or you have a door opening that is larger than a standard sized door, Barwon Timber provides custom styles, sizes, and custom finished barn doors.
The process of customising any door to suit a barn door is to make sure the door is fitted with a 100mm top rail on the top of the door and a channel to the bottom of the door so the door can slide along the channel without moving away from the door space.
Many of our doors on display in Barwon Timber’s showroom can be converted into beautiful living room, pantry, bathroom, or closet style barn doors.
If you would like to see our range of custom barn doors on offer you can either visit our showroom or contact one of our friendly Showroom team members for their expert advice.
Barn Door Hardware
Barn doors are generally mounted on high quality steel track systems with nylon rollers. These tracks and rollers are an essential component of barn doors, as they provide a smooth and effortless sliding motion.
Barn door hardware is commonly referred to as a Barn Door Tracking System. Other barn door hardware to consider are handles for opening and closing. Barn door hardware is available in a range of materials, styles, sizes, and colours. Whether you have single barn door or you are installing and double barn door there is a tracking system that caters for different size combinations.
Barwon Timber has everything you need to give your home that classic or modern barn door look. We stock the Lockwood Outland Black Sliding Door Track System, which is easy to install and offers a beautiful, sleek design with exposed steel straps and nylon bearings for effortless sliding along the flatbar track.
Barn Door Handles
When it comes to choosing a handle for your barn door there is a wide range of options. The most common option is a pull handle on both sides of the door. Pull handles are available in many styles and colours. Because barn door styles are predominantly Traditional, Rustic or Industrial you will want to choose a barn door handle that matches the style. If you haven’t decided on what type of handle to choose you may want to consider the following:
- Pull handles – metal or timber.
- Recessed pull handles – commonly seen on sliding cavity doors.
When installing a door handle you will need to consider the placement of the inner side of the door so the door can fully close with enough clearance for your hand to comfortably open the door.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Barn Door Tracking System
There are many factors to consider especially if your barn door is in a high traffic area and the door is being opened and closed on a regular basis. The Lockwood Outland Sliding Door Track System provides the best option for quiet operation and ease of opening and closing.
For your convenience, the Lockwood Outland Sliding Door Track System gives you a smooth and quiet solution for regularly used barn doors. Plus, it even has a soft close feature to ensure the door doesn’t slam shut or open too quickly – so no more worries about excessive noise in high traffic areas.
When selecting the right barn door, it’s important to account for weight and thickness as well as what materials will be suitable for the tracking system. For example, the Lockwood Outland Sliding Door System has a maximum recommended load bearing capacity of 80kg- so you will need to make sure that the installation structure is able to support the total installation weight.
For more information about the Lockwood Outland Sliding Door Tracking System, you can download the installation instructions here. If you would like see how the Lockwood Outland Tracking System operates, we have a barn door installed on display in our showroom.
How to Maintain Your Barn Door and Tracking Systems
To ensure your barn door tracking system is quiet and in good working order it’s essential to remove dust to ensure that they function smoothly. Because the Lockwood Outland Track has nylon wheels there is little maintenance other than removal of any dust that may settle over time. The nylon wheels have enclosed bearing that are long lasting and maintenance free. If the tracks become dirty, simply clean them with a vacuum, soft brush, or a mild cleaning solution.
Barn Doors and Sustainability
Timber doors provide a winning combination of sustainability and style. Not only will you reduce your carbon footprint with these renewable resources, but they bring long-term energy efficiency to the table. Additionally, timber barn doors can be re-purposed or recycled for many decades after installation, making them an investment that lasts far beyond their initial use.
When it comes to timber door finishes there are many environmentally sustainable coatings available that are non-toxic and biodegradable, such as Livos Australia’s natural products. The biodegradable nature and long lifespan of timber doors means you will enjoy beautiful functionality while reducing your environmental impact.
Final Thoughts
By now, you should have an appreciation of the range of materials, styles, and customisation options available for timber barn doors, as well as the advantages of installing them in your home.
Overall, choosing a barn door is a smart choice for both to accessibility and style. With a high-quality tracking system and sustainable timber options, you can rest assured that you are installing a practical and impressive solution for any space.
If you need any more information around selecting the perfect barn door, visit our Geelong showroom where one of our knowledgeable team members will answer all your questions and guide you through each step of the selection process. Contact our experienced Showroom team today!