Sliding barn door or small bi-fold? Anyone have either?

[ErlingHaalandsManBun]

Just renovating our new home and I would love to put a barn style sliding door onto our kitchen diner. Mainly because the current door opens into the room and doesn't really quite work with the new space we are about to create.

I initially thought a small 'normal door sized' bi-fold would look nice but now think maybe a sliding barn door would be better.

DH seems to think it wouldn't work well as there would be a gap so the door wouldn't close properly IFYSWIM.

Would love to hear from anyone who has done either a barn door or added a small bi-fold and your opinions and feedback on whether you love or regret your decision.

Thanks

We had a small bi fold and it made the doorway smaller. We’ve now got a sliding barn door and it’s much better imo

Sliding barn door here. We have a pocket door but it's always needing repair as it slides off its rail. So have one that it is external if you can or you will spend your life messing up the wall.

Thank you. This is just the kind of info I needed. I did wonder if the bi-fold would make the door just feel so small because of how it folds. This is what drew me to a barn door. We have the right space for one of these and I really like the look of them. Is there a gap at the side once the door is 'closed'?

I did think about a pocket door but when I asked my builder he said he hates them as they are always malfunctioning. He was the one that advised a barn door as not only does it look nice but its space saving as the door won't be opening into the space into the room we are trying to create. My DH can't visualise it and thinks there will be a big gap at the side once the door is closed. Neither of us has had one of these before or even seen one up close, hence the thread. Thanks

We have a bi fold but wish I’d got sliding now.

Push hinged hidden door. Especially if you plan to have panelling one side.

It’s true that the door is not snug anywhere like a traditional door would be. Not sure about a big gap though. Depends on how straight your door way is I guess but I don’t think there’s any way of making it snug regardless. (ours is a bit wonky as old house) So for example if you’re cooking something smelly in the kitchen there’s no real way of trapping that smell in the room. Not a big deal for me though.

Thank you.

This doesn't bother me either and it wouldn't be an issue with releasing smells and stuff for either of us. I think my DH thinks it might just look a bit odd when it was closed. But I think they look nice and fit the solution to our current situation.