What‘s the Real Cost to Install a Barn Door? An In-Depth Guide for You

Hey there! If you‘re thinking about installing a beautiful new barn door in your home, you‘ve come to the right place. As an expert in home renovations with over 10 years of experience, I‘ve helped install countless barn doors for clients. So I want to give you all the details on what to expect in terms of costs so your project goes smoothly. Let‘s dive in!

The Average Total Cost of a Barn Door Installation

The total cost to install a basic barn door generally ranges from $500 to $2,000 on average. This includes:

• The door itself ($150-$800)
• Hardware like tracks and hangers ($150-$500)
• Any delivery fees or taxes ($50-$300)
• Professional installation if not DIYing ($200-$800)

According to HomeAdvisor data, most homeowners spend around $1,300 to install a barn door. But costs can vary a lot based on size, materials, features, location, and other factors. We‘ll break it all down for you shortly!

Size Matters! How Width Impacts Barn Door Costs

One of the biggest factors determining your total barn door cost is the size of the door itself.

For standard interior door widths of 30-36 inches, you‘ll be looking at lower costs in the range of $500-$1,000. But once you go wider, costs rise incrementally.

See the table below for average price differences based on barn door width:

Barn Door Width	Avg. Cost Range
30-36 inches	$500 – $1,000
36-42 inches	$800 – $1,200
42-48 inches	$1,000 – $1,500
48-60 inches	$1,200 – $2,000
60-72 inches	$1,800 – $2,500
72-84 inches	$2,200 – $3,500
84-96 inches	$2,800 – $4,500

As you can see, once you get above 6 feet in width, costs start to rise dramatically due to more materials, custom work, and specialty hardware needed.

If you‘re looking at an extra wide door, get multiple quotes to find the best value installer. I‘d also recommend considering multiple smaller doors rather than one huge door when possible for the most cost-effective solution.

How Door Materials Affect the Price Tag

The specific material you choose for your barn door also greatly impacts the budget. Let‘s compare options:

Wood – Beautiful but Pricey

Wood barn doors are gorgeous, but also the most expensive option, generally ranging from $300 to $1,500. The exact price depends on the wood species. For instance, knotty alder doors cost less than say, premium oak or mahogany. Custom woodwork also boosts the price significantly.

Steel/Metal – Affordable & Industrial

Steel and other metal doors provide that cool industrial vibe at a budget-friendly price point. You can find pre-fabricated steel barn doors from about $150 to $400 for a standard size. Or get a custom metal door fabricated for $300 to $800 on average.

Glass – Unique & Modern

Glass barn doors make such a stylish statement, allowing light to flow through beautifully. The cost for a tempered glass door starts around $800 on the low end, ranging up to $2,500 or more for specialty stained or textured glass.

Fiberglass – Durable & Realistic

If you want the look of real wood without the cost, fiberglass is a great option. These doors cost $350 to $850 on average. And they hold up better to moisture than real wood.

Vinyl/PVC – Affordable & Humidity-Resistant

Vinyl is the most budget-friendly barn door material at just $150 to $400 for pre-fab. Keep in mind the look is not quite as nice, but vinyl works great in humid environments like bathrooms.

Barn Door Material Cost Comparison Chart

Material	Avg. Cost Range
Wood	$300 – $1,500
Steel/Metal	$150 – $800
Glass	$800 – $2,500
Fiberglass	$350 – $850
Vinyl/PVC	$150 – $400

As you can see, wood and glass are the priciest options, while metal and vinyl doors tend to be most affordable.

Factor in at Least $200 to $700 for Hardware

In addition to the door itself, you‘ll need hardware like tracks, guides, and hangers for sliding barn doors. Hardware costs range from about $150 for a basic DIY kit up to $700 or more for heavy-duty, high-end hardware.

Some of the main factors affecting hardware costs include:

• Track length – longer tracks over 8 ft. cost more.
• Weight capacity – heavy custom doors need heavy-duty hardware.
• Features – soft-close, smart tech features increase price.
• Finish – raw steel vs. wood laminate vs. custom colors.

I‘d recommend spending at least $300 to $500 on hardware for a quality slide system that will last. Don‘t skimp here or you‘ll risk sagging and other issues down the road.

For hinged barn doors, factor in about $50 to $200 for heavy-duty hinges able to hold the door‘s weight.

Installation Location Matters Too

Where you plan to install your barn door also affects the total price:

• Second floors – Stair access for tools and hardware increases labor time and fees.

• Bathrooms – The confined space makes installation more challenging.

• Exterior walls – Additional framing and finishing work may be required.

• Difficult access – Like heights or corners requiring scaffolding or lifts.

• Metro areas – Labor average $10-$20 more per hour in big cities like NYC or San Francisco.

For easier, main floor standard room installations, you‘ll pay the base rate for labor. But unique situations like the above often warrant premium installation pricing.

Hiring a Pro vs. DIY Installation

Installing a barn door takes some carpentry skills. You can either hire a professional or take on the project yourself.

The average hourly rate for a skilled carpenter is $60 per hour, with basic barn door installation taking 2 to 5 hours. Some pros include:

• Perfect installation – Experienced carpenters get it right the first time.

• No tools needed – The pro brings all required tools and materials.

• Saves time – A few hours vs. a full weekend for DIY.

• Handles problems – Pros can troubleshoot any installation issues.

However, if you‘re fairly handy and have help, DIY barn door installation may save you $200 to $500 in labor fees. Just make sure you know what you‘re doing!

Other Costs to Factor In

Aside from the barn door components and install, you may need to budget for additional costs like:

• Framing – $200-$600 to frame around the door if non-loadbearing wall.

• Trim – $50-$150 for perimeter trim work.

• Modifications – Electrical, drywall, lighting, etc if needed.

• Finishing – $50-$150 for staining, sealing, and painting.

• Shipping – $50-$300 for specialty doors.

Leave an extra $500 or so in your total budget for these incidental expenses that can pop up.

Tips for Scoring Bargains on Barn Doors

If you‘re really looking to save on your barn door installation, here are my insider tips:

🔹 Buy clearance doors and hardware at home improvement stores – you can often find great discounted open box items or specials.

🔹 Check Habitat for Humanity and salvage stores for cheap or free reclaimed wood. Old barn siding is perfect for this.

🔹 Use hollow core flush doors and add trim vs. solid wood doors.

🔹 Paint over interior grade plywood to create a rustic custom look for less.

🔹 Shop for scratch & dent specials online – minor imperfections lead to big savings!

🔹 Buy door blanks and hardware packages – often cheaper to install yourself than pre-hung.

With some savvy shopping and creativity, you can absolutely install a beautiful barn door on a budget.

Interior vs. Exterior Barn Doors: What‘s the Cost Difference?

Barn doors make a gorgeous addition to homes, but what if you need one for outside? Here‘s how exterior barn door costs compare:

On average, installing an exterior barn door costs $500 to $1,500 more than an interior door of the same size. Here are some of the factors driving up the price:

• Weatherproof materials like steel and fiberglass cost more than interior wood or hollow doors.

• Insulation needs to be added to exterior doors.

• Hardware must be galvanized or stainless steel to avoid rusting. This costs about $100+ more than interior hardware.

• Framing often has to be added to the interior and exterior side, which takes extra labor.

• Labor tends to be more for exterior installs due to the complexities of weatherproofing and dealing with outdoor conditions.

Now, you can install an exterior door for less if you use an affordable steel door and DIY the install. But in most cases, going beyond an exterior wall bumps up the total project cost significantly.

If you‘re set on an exterior barn door, get multiple installer quotes to find the best value. And make sure they have exterior experience specifically.

Sliding vs Hinged Barn Doors: Cost Comparison

Another choice is whether you want a sliding or hinged barn door. What‘s the difference in cost?

Sliding barn doors need hardware like a track system and hangers, while hinged doors require large sturdy hinges.

Hardware costs – Sliding door hardware often costs $200 to $500 more than hinges for a hinged door.

Framing – Hinged doors usually require full door jambs. Sliding doors just need studs to attach to.

Labor time – Attaching hinges is faster than installing a full sliding system.

Other factors – Sliding doors take up less floor space when open. Hinged doors may require trimming for clearance.

So while sliding hardware is pricier, the labor time is often faster for hinged doors. It‘s about a wash in total installation costs, so choose whichever style you prefer aesthetically and functionally.

Extra Installation Costs to Plan For

Aside from the door itself, expect to pay extra installation fees for:

• Framing – $200 to $600 to frame around the door opening if non-loadbearing wall.

• Trim – At least $75 for simple pine trim boards to finish edges.

• Lighting – $50 to $200+ to add sconces or recessed lighting around the door.

• Flooring – $100+ if new flooring needed to match both sides.

• Drywall – $150+ if walls need to be built out for pocket installation.

I‘d recommend budgeting an extra $500 to $1,000 on top of door and hardware costs to cover incidentals. Better to plan for more and come under budget.

Can You Score Quality Barn Doors on a Budget?

Absolutely! While wood and glass doors carry higher price tags, you have affordable options too.

Here are my favorite ways to save:

• Hollow core flush doors – Just $75-$150 and add trim
• Salvaged wood – Check reuse stores for old siding or beams
• Fiberglass – Has wood‘s look for less cost
• Paint-grade pine – Affordable raw wood to paint yourself
• Steel pre-fabs – Budget metal doors $150-$300

With a little creativity, you can build a beautiful custom barn door for a fraction of the cost. And don‘t forget to bargain shop for clearance items online and at home improvement stores.

There are definitely ways to work within almost any budget.

Bottom Line on Barn Door Installation Costs

Well, there you have it – a complete breakdown of everything to factor in when budgeting for your barn door installation.

The total cost can vary quite a bit based on the size and type of door, hardware, custom work needed, and who does the installation.

Average costs range from:

• $500 to $1,000 – for 3 foot DIY interior install with simple door
• $1,500 to $3,000 – for larger custom wood door installed by a pro

Now that you know what to expect in terms of costs, you can start shopping around for the perfect barn door for your space.

As always, I‘m happy to answer any other questions you have! Feel free to reach out. And best of luck with your exciting new barn door project!