Barn Doors vs Conventional Doors: Which Ones Last Longer?

In a perfect world, everything you buy would last forever. But that’s just not how it goes. Most items eventually wear out and require replacement — especially things that get a lot of use, like your doors. 

Fortunately, well-built doors usually last quite a while. But many people wonder which kind of door lasts longer: barn doors or conventional, swinging doors.  

We’ll dive into this question and share some of the reasons for the answer below. 

Do Barn Doors Last Longer than Conventional Doors?

Every door, doorway, and home are different, so it is hard to make sweeping generalizations. 

Nevertheless, barn doors do often outlast conventional, swinging doors — especially the hollow-core doors that are in most homes. High-quality barn doors often last for up to 40 years, while their hollow counterparts often wear out in as little as 30 years (and sometimes, they require replacement in as few as 10). 

Given that you’ll not only have to purchase new doors when the existing ones wear out but also install the new ones, it makes sense to prioritize durability when picking out doors for your home. 

Reasons Barn Doors Often Outlast Conventional Doors

There are a few reasons why barn doors typically outlast conventional, hollow-core doors. But some of the most important factors responsible for this difference include:

• Materials: Interior, hollow-core doors are often made from fiberboard, hardboard, or laminated wood, while barn doors are made from more durable materials, such as solid wood or MDF. 

• Craftsmanship: High-quality barn doors are usually made by professionals, who have considerable skill and take pride in their work. Meanwhile, low-quality swinging doors are often manufactured in assembly-line fashion by relatively unskilled workers.

• Reduced Friction: Swinging doors experience friction every time the door slides into or out of the door frame (as do the latch bolt, strike plate, and hinges). But the only parts of a barn door that experiences friction are the track and rollers — two things that are specifically designed to not only withstand friction but reduce it as well.   

• Simpler Hardware: Aside from the rollers, none of the other hardware components of a barn door move, so they don’t wear out very quickly. By contrast, conventional doors feature a ton of moving parts, from the handle to the lock to the hinges. And as almost always the case, moving parts wear out faster than non-moving parts.

• Superior Finishes: Barn doors usually feature higher-quality finishes than low-cost, hollow-core doors. These premium finishes help to protect the wood, which keeps them looking better and helps protect against scratches and nicks. 

It’s also worth pointing out that people simply tend to be gentler with sliding doors than swinging doors. 

People often slam swinging doors shut. Even if it is done inadvertently, slamming doors still causes damage. They also end up causing damage to door handles when trying to open them while carrying other things. 

On the other hand, people don’t usually “slam” barn doors (it’s not even really possible to do so), and barn doors are super easy to open when your hands are full.   

Things That’ll Help Your Barn Doors Last Longer

Even though barn doors often outlast traditional doors, there are still things you can do to extend their lifespan as much as possible. Some of the most helpful steps you can take include:

• Install the doors properly. Proper installation will help ensure your doors function properly, which will help extend their lifespan. This means doing things like using a level when installing the track, properly tightening all screws, and ensuring that the rollers are properly seated on the track. 

• Check and tighten hardware periodically. While proper installation will help ensure your barn doors function properly, the screws can loosen over time. So, break out the screwdriver every once in a while and tighten down all of the mounting screws (including those in the door itself, as well as the screws used to connect the track to your wall).

• Use soft-close kits. Soft-close kits are primarily used to make barn doors even quieter than they normally are when opened or closed. However, because they slow down the door’s movement across the track, they also help to reduce some of the friction the tracks and rollers experience. This helps the door and hardware last even longer. 

• Install a floor guide. While they’re not strictly necessary, floor guides can help extend the lifespan of your new barn doors. Essentially a U-shaped metal bracket that you install on the floor, a floor guide helps to keep the door sliding smoothly and prevent it from swinging into or away from the wall. 

• Clean and lubricate the tracks and rollers regularly. Dirt and grime can cause barn door rollers to work poorly. In some cases, they may even prevent the rollers from spinning at all. Fortunately, this is easy to avoid by simply wiping down the tracks and rollers with a damp cloth periodically and applying a suitable lubricant (such as a dry silicone spray).   

• Try to prevent drastic temperature or humidity fluctuations. Drastic temperature or humidity swings can cause wooden doors to physically shrink or swell, leading to cracks and warping. So, try to prevent the humidity level or temperature from fluctuating wildly. This means keeping your thermostat at a relatively consistent setting and not leaving doors or windows open unnecessarily. 

• Maintain the door’s finish. Your door’s finish helps to protect the wood, prevent damage, and keep it looking its best. So, by taking care of the finish, you can help take better care of your door. Start by wiping it down with a damp cloth periodically and addressing any problems with the finish when you notice them. 

Barndoorz Are Built to Last!

While barn doors generally last longer than conventional, hollow-core doors, it’s important to note that not all barn doors are created equal. Some — like the ones offered by Barndoorz — are made in the USA by skilled craftsmen with access to the highest-quality materials available, while others are made overseas using the cheapest materials possible. 

If you’re looking for new doors that are built to last, check out our complete line of premium barn doors. Whether your tastes lean toward the modern or rustic, we have doors you’re sure to love!