Sliding Doors vs. Hinged Doors: Which Is Better for Your Project?

If you are about to embark on a new commercial project, consider the type of door you want to include to give the space the look and feel it deserves. While elegance, sophistication and luxury are vital elements, durability, longevity and practicality are all nonnegotiable.

Depending on the building infrastructure, it is important to weigh sliding doors versus hinged doors to determine which is a better fit. We compare the pros and cons of both options so you can make an informed decision.

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What Is a Hinged Door?

A hinged door is the most traditional door option. It is mounted on two or three hinges along one vertical frame edge, allowing the door to swing inward or outward. Based on room layouts, hinged doors can be configured as left-handed or right-handed. They are convenient because they offer full opening access. Choose from hollow, solid or fire-rated cores to make doors stronger or safer.

Hinged doors are preferred for their simplicity, reliability and cost-effectiveness. They are often more affordable to purchase and install than sliding doors.

What Is a Sliding Door?

A sliding door glides along a top track, bottom track or both instead of swinging open like hinged doors. This design makes sliding doors worthwhile in tight spaces where hinged models might block traffic or furniture. Choose from single or multi-panel systems for different configurations and applications.

Common sliding door types include:

• Pocket doors.
• Barn doors.
• Stacker doors.
• Closet or wardrobe doors.
• Commercial interior sliding doors.

There are also hinged sliding doors, a hybrid design that slides on a track but includes hinge hardware for stability or unique motion.

Pros and Cons of Sliding Doors

Sliding doors are convenient when you do not want to sacrifice space. The benefits of internal sliding doors include:

• Space-saving: Sliding doors move on a track and slide in a confined space. They are ideal for small areas with no swing clearance.
• Modern look: Choose from options with sleek lines or glass panels to give spaces a modern aesthetic.
• Natural light: Glass sliding doors allow natural light inside, brightening interior spaces.
• Flexible: Choose from pocket systems, barn doors and stackers. Sliding doors have a wide range of options for different layouts.

While they are sleek and versatile, sliding doors have some drawbacks:

• Maintenance needs: Tracks need cleaning and proper alignment to perform correctly.
• Privacy gaps: Sliding doors often let more sound transfer since they lack the seal of hinged options. Choose specialty seals to eliminate this issue.
• Higher cost: Hardware and installation can be more complex, which might raise project costs.

Pros and Cons of Hinged Doors

These traditional doors have been the selection of choice for many years. They are easily the most common type of door seen in residences and structures spanning many different industries, including offices, hospitals, apartment buildings and schools.

Hinged doors offer:

• Variety: You can choose from numerous door styles and materials, including fire-rated doors, plastic laminate doors, and flush and veneer door designs.
• Easy installation: Most hinged doors are easier to install than sliding doors.
• Cost-effectiveness: Hinged doors tend to offer great value and return on investment.
• Low maintenance: These doors have minimal maintenance requirements. If you ever need to replace the hinges or fix damage, you can get a representative from a professional door company to assist if the door is too big or heavy.
• Durability and safety: Hinged doors come in options with solid cores, fire ratings and various lock types depending on local codes and user preferences.
• Ease of use: The simple design of rotating hinges makes these doors easy to open and close.

Some drawbacks of hinged doors include:

• Space requirements: One downside is that they take up space inside a room when open, but most buildings take this into consideration when drafting plans.
• Limited design versatility: While there are color and design options, hinged doors are not as flexible for space configurations.

Hinged Door vs. Sliding Door Costs

Price is often one of the first considerations when choosing a door. The exact cost depends on material, core, finish, hardware and order volume. For distributors, the decision often comes down to project requirements and customer priorities.

Hinged doors are usually less expensive. Their simpler construction and installation make them faster to manufacture and install. They are a cost-effective choice for large projects that prioritize budget and lead time.

Sliding doors often cost more due to their track systems, additional hardware and more complex installation. They might also need additional planning during construction. For example, pocket doors require framing adjustments to fit inside. However, sliding systems can balance out this cost by saving square footage and improving the space’s design value.

Where Sliding Doors Work Best

Sliding doors are ideal in areas that need to save floor space. Their track design gives designers more flexibility in furniture placement, corridor flow and interior layouts. Install sliding doors in:

• Closets: Put sliding doors in apartment, hotel and residential unit closets with limited clearance.
• Modern homes: Barn doors are a popular door style for home interiors with modern farmhouse aesthetics.
• Small bathrooms: Install sliding doors to maximize bathroom space and protect sinks.
• Offices: Use sliding doors to divide conference rooms, waiting areas or open-plan offices.
• Flex spaces: Install stacker and pocket sliders to make spaces in schools, event halls and medical facilities more versatile.

Where to Install Hinged Doors

Hinged doors are a standard door option thanks to their reliability and durability. They are especially effective in spaces that need safety or sound control, including:

• Bedrooms: Hinged doors offer privacy and sound reduction in bedrooms and patient rooms in health care facilities.
• Classrooms: The full swing opening makes moving people, equipment or furniture in and out easier.
• Entries: These are better for heavier locks and security systems that entry doors might need.
• Sound-sensitive spaces: Solid-core hinged doors provide better insulation, which is essential for offices, study areas or hospitality suites.
• Code-required areas: Emergency exits often require side-swinging, hinged doors because of their predictable swing and wide opening.

Factors to Consider Before Buying an Interior Door

Along with weighing the pros and cons of sliding versus hinged doors, consider the following factors before you make your final decision:

• Visual appeal: Consider whether it meets the building’s requirements and enhances or takes away from the aesthetics.
• Increased value: Ask yourself whether a sliding or hinged door will add more overall value to the building.
• Value for money: Think about the value you are getting for the price you are paying when you compare the types of doors.
• Material: Since sliding and hinged doors are available in different materials and styles, choosing the right material is imperative to ensure it meets all applicable regulatory requirements.
• Hollow vs. solid-core doors: If you opt for hinged doors, research door cores and finishes for the best possible performance and quality.

Sliding and Hinge Door FAQs

Here are some answers to frequently asked door questions:

Contact Manhattan Door for Customized Commercial Interior Doors

Whether your commercial interior door project is a single apartment unit or an entire office floor, the Manhattan Door team has you covered. We provide everything from veneers to plastic laminate doors to flush wood doors, and we can also create custom doors to suit specialized requirements. No job is too big or small for us. We offer fast turnaround times and professional, expert services to all our clients.

If you are ready to discuss your project, call us at (718) 963-1111 or contact us online with your request.