Pocket Door Installation Cost: Average Prices & Factors To Consider

Tired of doors eating up your precious living space? Pocket doors might be the solution! These smart space-savers tuck completely into your walls when open, giving you back about 10 square feet of floor space that traditional swing doors steal. 

For most American homes, professional pocket door installation costs between $500 and $712 in total, depending on several factors. The price varies based on whether you’re installing in new construction (cheaper) or retrofitting existing walls (pricier). Is it worth paying more than for a regular door? This guide compares costs and benefits side-by-side, breaking down when pocket doors make financial sense and when they don't. 

How much does it cost to install pocket doors?

Like for other handyman jobs out there, consider the material, location, and size of your pocket door. Moreover, installing a pocket door in an existing wall can be cheaper than replacing it completely. To help you better understand the cost of installing pocket doors, check out the table below: 

A newly installed white pocket door. (Source: iStock)

Types of pocket doors

Like regular doors, pocket doors can be made of different materials. Each material comes with its pros and cons and serves different purposes. Here are the different types of pocket doors commonly found in residential spaces:

Wood

Wooden pocket doors remain the first choice for many Australian homeowners wanting to use their space better. Made from solid timber or engineered wood, these doors last 20-30 years when properly cared for. While they cost more than regular front doors, wooden pocket doors are worth it because they last a long time and look great. 

In terms of aesthetics, you can get them in many types like oak, maple, or more budget-friendly pine, and they can be finished to match your existing front door. Wood also helps keep heat in (or out) between rooms, making these doors practical and good-looking at the same time.

Glass

This type of pocket door can be found in a lot of modern and contemporary homes. The great thing about glass pocket doors is that they can be customized based on the overall design of your home. They can be covered with frosted films for a more modern feel or be turned into traditional French doors. However, glass pocket doors are quite hard to install and maintain. Since they're fragile, they need to be handled with utmost care to prevent cracking. 

Aluminum

If you're looking for a more lightweight pocket door, aluminum doors are the way to go. They have a clean, modern appearance, which makes them a popular choice for a lot of contemporary homes. One of the downsides of aluminum pocket doors is that they tend to dent over time, making it difficult to slide in and out of a wall cavity. 

Double

Double pocket doors are installed across each other, creating a large entryway to any parts of your home. Each door can be opened individually and operated together. Since you're installing two doors to create a large doorway, expect the installation costs to increase dramatically. 

Hollow-core

If you have a tight budget, consider installing a hollow-core door. This type of pocket door uses lightweight materials ideal for smaller, more compact homes. Since hollow core doors are made of light fibreboard materials, they don't typically last long. 

Pocket doors vs. regular doors

One of the main differences between pocket and regular doors is their installation costs. Since you need to create a wall cavity for the door to slide out of and into, fees will be added to the overall cost of the service. Here are other major differences between pocket and regular doors: 

Insulation

Since regular doors fit more tightly than pocket doors, they can regulate the temperature inside a room better. Regular doors are better in terms of keeping outside noise from entering your home. 

Floor space

If you're looking to save space in your home, you're better off installing pocket doors. Since they don't take up any floor space, they are ideal for homes with smaller and limited spaces. On the other hand, regular doors need around 10 square feet of floor space to be swung open. 

Wall space

Installing a regular door will take up all the wall space behind it. Meanwhile, pocket doors don't require the removal of any wall to be installed. This again allows you to save a considerable amount of space in your home. 

A newly installed bathroom pocket door. (Source: iStock)

Post a task for pocket door installation

Installing a door takes real skill and the right tools. Cutting into walls without proper know-how can cost you much more in repairs than you’d save trying to do it yourself. There's a good reason why most homeowners say getting someone who really knows pocket doors to handle the job is money well spent.

For your door installation project, working with a Tasker makes everything simpler. Post what you need, including details like:

1. Door size
2. Location
3. Type of pocket door
4. Budget

Once you post the task, you'll be connected with qualified people near you who have done similar jobs before. Get your space-saving pocket door installed right the first time and start enjoying that extra room.