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Interior sliding doors & noise/heatloss

18 replies

lightupthelamps · 18/10/2025 12:56

Does anyone have any experience with interior sliding doors like attached image?
I'm wondering if it's just a silly idea for interior doors because of sound and insulation but maybe there's a solution I'm not seeing? Can anyone help?!

Interior sliding doors & noise/heatloss
OP posts:
EducatingArti · 18/10/2025 13:00

I don't have any practical experience but from a physics point of view, anything that reduces the gap to significantly below 1m will reduce noise from human voices though obviously the more sealed the space is the better the noise insulation.

I think you also need to consider what the bottom of the door runs on. Is there a channel for it to run on or does it just rely on wheels/rollers. If the latter then how well will they roll on your flooring without sticking?

EducatingArti · 18/10/2025 13:03

The best sort of sliding doors are "pocket" doors where they slide back into a pocket within the wall. They are less likely to come off their tracks or get stuck and also you can still have pictures/ furniture against the wall without the door running into it. They are more difficult and more pricey to install though.

Crazymadchickenlady · 18/10/2025 13:04

We have pocket doors in the kitchen and they work really well.

lightupthelamps · 18/10/2025 13:08

@EducatingArti well as far as I can see, they slide along the top and nothing at the bottom. Maybe it just depends how accurate my measurements are when cutting to fit! Can that be right? So it just sort of skims the floor? Still not sure about the sides and gaps.

OP posts:
lightupthelamps · 18/10/2025 13:10

@Crazymadchickenlady thank you, off to Google pocket doors....

OP posts:
EducatingArti · 18/10/2025 13:16

I think if they don't have anything to run along at the bottom they won't be that stable/may easily come off the top rails?

Chasingsquirrels · 18/10/2025 13:17

I've got pocket doors between the living room & playroom - the whole internal wall was part of an extension and I couldn't decide which way I wanted to doors to hinge and then came across pocket doors.

They've been in 15+ years, no issues with heat or sound.

The playroom is no longer used for that purpose as the kids are now young adults.

You can see them v slightly open in this picture, but they slide fully back into the wall.

Edit: top runners are concealed in the wall, there aren't any bottom runners.

Interior sliding doors & noise/heatloss
lightupthelamps · 18/10/2025 13:28

@EducatingArti maybe. Odd that in the image, the wheel things seem to be sitting quite proud but surely they must be sunken or something into the rail bit? I guess if I can't find anyone with any experience I should just try one.
@Chasingsquirrels thank you! I was trying very hard to keep potential costs down and be able to do more myself and definitely fitting pocket doors looks beyond my capabilities!

OP posts:
Chasingsquirrels · 18/10/2025 13:30

No problem, pocket doors are definitely something requiring a level of building work as they go inside the walls.

canklesmctacotits · 18/10/2025 13:34

You can buy barn doors (the photo in the OP) on Amazon, they’re that ubiquitous and easy to install. I’d never have one in my house as they’re unstable, don’t block noise or heat, are prone to coming off their tracks (if cheap) and only provide partial privacy. But, they’re a cheap and easy option.

What do you want to achieve, OP?

lightupthelamps · 18/10/2025 13:44

@canklesmctacotits Essentially I'm trying to create more space in multiple areas on a limited budget.
From what you've all said, I guess the only space that this style door might work is utility/pantry doorway. I'll create a new thread soon with a floorplan and see if anyone has any ideas.

OP posts:
FuzzyPuffling · 18/10/2025 13:45

I have the original Edwardian pocket doors between my two sitting rooms. They are heavy solid panelled wood with metal runners, but work very well and have been there for over 120 years. So far...!

canklesmctacotits · 18/10/2025 14:07

lightupthelamps · 18/10/2025 13:44

@canklesmctacotits Essentially I'm trying to create more space in multiple areas on a limited budget.
From what you've all said, I guess the only space that this style door might work is utility/pantry doorway. I'll create a new thread soon with a floorplan and see if anyone has any ideas.

How do you mean, create more space? Do you mean you want to build an extension? Or do you mean to create separate rooms, by dividing up the floor space you have? This could be a good option for that, depending on the spaces you want. This is a good option for a pantry. But remember you need a blank wall for the door to slide over, not something you tend to have a lot of in a kitchen. And don’t forget about lighting / windows. This definitely wouldn’t work if you want to make a TV room: it’s not much different from just having an open space. I’ve even seen these as bathroom doors: beyond gross!

FuzzyPuffling · 18/10/2025 15:13

These are mine.

Interior sliding doors & noise/heatloss
SeagullSam2027 · 18/10/2025 15:53

We have two pocket doors. I'm not keen on the rail in your image and these give a much neater finish. Noise and insulation will depend on the style of of door and how well fitting it is, etc.

PigletJohn · 18/10/2025 15:56

It's an ornamental derivative of a barn door. It will be noisy and draughty. Is that OK for you?

calebmurphy · 25/10/2025 08:36

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FuzzyPuffling · 25/10/2025 08:38

Bot alert above!

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