Pocket doors are not a new type of door. They are ancient and different from regular ones. If you don’t have enough space in your house, mounting a pocket door is ideal. Installing a pocket door is a bit difficult. They require lots of preparation and technicality because they can be challenging to operate when not properly installed. If you are wondering how much does a pocket door cost, here is your answer

Pocket door costs are determined by the material, style, size, and labor fee. Installing a pocket door will cost you between $800 and $2,500. Pocket doors were regarded as ancient doors, now they have become modern doors with better designs and styles.

How Much Does A Pocket Door Cost

The cost of a pocket door depends on several factors, such as the door material, type, and size. However, on average, a pocket door can cost you around $800 to $2500. There might be slight price difference due to your vendor and location.

Cost Of Pocket Doors By Materials

Hollow Core Material

Hollow-core materials are less expensive and light and will be used mostly for interior doors, requiring less maintenance. Although hollow-core doors are susceptible to decay and rot, it is the most preferred interior pocket door by house owners because it slides easily. The cost of hollow-core pocket door material will be between $400 – $600. 

Solid Wood Material

Homeowners will prefer solid wood doors due to their durability and sturdy look. Solid wood pocket doors can be difficult to glide, and installing them is more costly than hollow-core doors. The average cost of solid-wood pocket doors ranges from $500 to $2,000.

Chalkboard

It will cost you between $400 to $2,000 for a chalkboard pocket door material. Chalkboard materials have a surface that enables you to draw on them using chalk; it is wipable. You can get chalkboard material in vinyl or paint.

Glass

House owners who have a taste for fancy and the appearance of their house will prefer glass pocket doors. You will pay between $450 to $2,000 to buy a glass pocket door. Glass pocket doors are similar to french doors; they require proper installation to prevent the glass from cracking and stronger frames. It costs more to install a glass pocket door.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass pocket doors are long-lasting and require less maintenance. They cost between $500 and $800. Fiberglass doors have less weight than wood and are simple to glide. They cost less to install and can be repainted if they peel.

Aluminum

Aluminum pocket doors are modern material for doors; homeowners who have a taste for appearance and the easy operation of pocket doors install aluminum pocket doors. Aluminum pocket doors average between $500 and $2,000. They easily get damaged, causing them to be difficult to glide. However, you can paint your aluminum pocket doors if you desire. 

Cost Of Pocket Doors By Type

You can mount your pocket door as a single, double, or french door. Double pocket doors are more expensive than the single style, while the french doors are the most costly. Installing a double or french pocket door implies that you are mounting more than one door in a large space. 

Below are the costs for each type of door.

Single Pocket Door

Installing a single-pocket door will cost you between $400 and $2000. Single pocket doors can be broad or narrow. Installing a single pocket door is cheap but installing broader single doors cost more. If the single door is too broad (more than 64” opening), I advise that you go for a double door instead for easy maintenance. 

Double Pocket Door

A pair of double-pocket doors average between $800 and $4,000. You will pay twice the amount of a single door to install a double pocket door. Double doors work individually, one on the left and the other on the right. You can open both or open one and close the other. 

French Doors 

French pocket doors can be single or double. Single french door averages between $1,000 and $2,000 while double will be between $2,000 and $4,000. Installing a french door requires technicality and special hardware, causing a high installation cost. 

Cost Of Pocket Doors By Size

Pocket doors have various sizes; the wider the door, the more expensive it gets. The standard size for a pocket door is 36 inches which offers a comfortable pass, but if you need a wider space, you can get the size to your choice.  

Below is a table showing the sizes of pocket doors and their average cost.

Door Size (inches)	Average Cost
60 inches	$800 – $3,300
48 inches	$700 – $2,800
46 inches	$600 – $1,900
36 inches	$550 – $1,850
34 inches	$500 – $1,600
32 inches	$450 – $1,500

What Is A Pocket Door?

Pocket doors are gliding doors that glide into the wall (pocket) when you open them. Pocket doors sit on rollers; the rollers enable them to slide into their pockets. Pockets doors do not have hinges like common doors. They are mostly used in houses with no space for swinging a regular door. 

Although you can fix pocket doors in an existing structure, it is best for new structures, so the frame that will pocket the door when you open it will be constructed. 

Pocket doors were previously used in Victorian homes to separate the living and dining rooms. You get them in various styles, colors, and materials. Today, pocket doors are used in offices, bedrooms, kitchens, pantries, and laundry rooms. 

Is It Difficult To Install A Pocket Door?

Pocket doors are most suitable for houses with little space for hinged doors, and installing them is different from installing a regular door. It is more complex to install, and you may need a professional hand; however, you can still try it yourself. 

How To Install A Pocket Door

Before you begin the installation, you need the following tools:

• Tape 
• Pocket door kit
• Nails 
• Timber
• Screwdriver
• Crowbar
• Reciprocating saw
• Wood
• If you don’t intend to use the part you removed, drywall paneling.
• Dust covers

Follow the steps below to install your pocket door:

Step 1: Examine The Wall

Check the wall to ensure it is suitable for installing a pocket door. Some walls may have pipes, electric wire, or studs that may hinder the pocket wall – you have to ensure that nothing will obstruct the pocket wall. If there are wires in your wall, you may need the services of an electrician, but if there are pipes, you need to rethink your decision.

Step 2: Get A Pocket Door Kit

If the wall is suitable for the pocket door, proceed to get a pocket door kit. You can choose to purchase the kit with or without the door, but buying with the door makes installation easy. Ensure that you get the right tool to avoid complications after installation.

Step Three: Prep The Site

Before you start, put on clothes that protect you from dust and dirt because a lot of dust will come out as you work.

Step 4: Take Out The Old Door And Frame

Take down the old by unscrewing its hinges. Take out the old door frame as well.

Step 5: Make The Hole For The Door

To create a pocket for the door, cut the part of the wall where you want the pocket to be and ensure that the pocket will fit. Afterward, measure the pocket size and take it out with a reciprocating saw. Let the space you be two times wider than the door to allow the door to slide properly. 

Step 6: Take out Studs And Headers

If the wall has studs, you can only access it after you have removed the drywall. You have to remove studs and header so that door can smoothly slide. Use a reciprocating saw to remove the stud. If you have a load-bearing wall, I advise that you seek professional help. 

Step 7: Build The New Frame

After taking out the old door, frame, and studs, you can start building the new frame. The frame header should extend more than the previous one; the new door should glide along it. Then, put new studs to keep the header and its outer in place. 

Step 8: Mount The Pocket Door Kit

Follow the instructions on the pocket door kit to install it. Mount the track, place the split studs into the bottom ground brackets and use nails to fix the top studs to the header. Nail the floor brackets to the floor or soleplate as well. 

If you are using the old door, you can go ahead to fix the components in the kit. Then, proceed to hang the door. You will have an assistant to do this.

Step 9: Put Back The Drywall

After hanging the door, you need to test it to ensure it has been adequately fixed and will slide rightly. Proceed to put back the drywall if you fixed the door correctly. If you had cut the drywall properly, you’d be able to use it again. If not, you need to install a new one. 

Step 10: Finalize The Work

After mounting the drywall, finish the work by applying paint, and you are done with the installation procedure. Leave the paint to dry. 

Helpful Tip: if you are using your previous door, you must take out the handle, or the door will not properly glide into the pocket. 

The spot where you removed the knob will not be pleasing to the eyes, so what do you do? 

You can quickly fix the spot by mixing sawdust and wood putty to apply to the area. You can paint it afterward. 

How Much Does It Cost To Install A Pocket Door?

You will pay between $800 to $2,500 to install a pocket door. Pocket door installation cost is determined by the door size, type, materials, and labor fee. The table below summarizes the average costs of pocket door installation by the factors affecting it.

Door material	Cost	Door Type	Cost	Door size	Cost
Hollow-core	$500 – $600	Single	$500 – $2,500	60”	$800 – $3,300
Solid wood	$600 – 2,200	Double	$1,000 – $5,000	48”	$$700 – 2,800
Fiberglass	$600 – $1,000	French	$1,200 – $5,000	46”	$600 – $1,900
Aluminum	$600 – $2,200			36”	$550 – $1,850
Glass	$550 – 2,200			34”	$500 – $1,600
Chalkboard	$500 – $2,200			32”	$450 – $1,500

The price of labor, location, and whether it is a new installation or an installation into an old wall also determines the installation cost of pocket doors. Labor costs for a new installation of pocket door is between $100 and $500, while for an old wall is between $1,000 and $2,500.  

Why Does A Pocket Door Cost More Than A Regular Door?

Pocket doors are costlier to repair because a wall needs to be opened for the pocket. Installing a pocket door in an old structure is more expensive than installing it in a new structure because the new structure already has an opening. In contrast, the old one will require you to create a wall opening. 

Regular doors do not cost much, especially if you are replacing them without the frame. The average cost of installing a standard door is between $350 – $1,100, while a pocket door averages between $800 – $2,500.

Pocket Door Vs. Regular Door Cost

Pocket doors are similar to regular ones because they are made with the same materials and styles. However, they share many differences, which are listed below. 

Pocket Doors	Regular Doors
Suitable for houses with little or no space.	Requires space to open and close.
The door is invisible when you open it because it slides into its pocket.	The door is visible when you open it. You see it at the back or front corner of the door
Pocket doors are ideal for the elderly and people who have mobility challenges.	It is not so suitable for the elderly and physically challenged people.
Pocket doors are complex and technical, making them expensive to install.	Regular doors are less expensive to install. They are simple and not as complex as a pocket door.
They are mounted inside a wall.	Regular doors are attached to the door frame with hinges.
They slide when you open.	They swing when you open.
Pocket doors require more maintenance.	They require less maintenance.

Pocket doors are no longer archaic doors; they are taking over traditional doors as most homeowners are going modern. This article has mentioned how much does a pocket door cost by factors such as materials, types, and sizes and how to install a pocket door.