How Much Does Barn Door Installation Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $1,350 - $5,000
New barn doors cost on average $1,800, making it one of the more expensive door types to install.
Barn door installation costs anywhere from $1,350 to $5,000, or an average of $1,800, depending on its size, design, and whether it's an indoor or outdoor barn door. You can also choose between a single-barn door or double-barn doors if you have a larger space. Let's take a look at all the small details that determine the cost of a barn door right for your home.
- Average
- $1,800
- Low end
- $200
- high end
- $6,250
Barn Door Installation Cost Breakdown
Barn doors have both a practical and highly stylistic purpose. They're the focal point of modern rustic homes and still act as the best bet for closing the large entryways for barns. You'll also now spot them on garages, sheds, and pool houses. Barn doors are a playful option when you're considering all your interior door ideas.
Location
Indoor barn doors cost anywhere from $200 to $2,500, or an average of $1,500. The price is less than the price of exterior barn doors because they don't need to be weatherproofed and are often smaller. You also have more flexibility when it comes to materials and the complexity of the travel and locking mechanisms. Keep in mind that you will pay more to install a barn pocket door, particularly if the opening in the wall—or the "pocket" —is not yet present.
Exterior barn doors, on the other hand, cost between $1,000 and $5,000, or an average of $2,700. The larger price accounts for extensive hardware and high-end materials such as wood and glass.
| Door Location | Barn Door Cost Range | Average Barn Door Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Interior | $200–$2,500 | $1,500 |
| Exterior | $1,000–$5,000 | $2,700 |
Materials
The materials used to build your barn door have the largest impact on your bottom line. Wood, metal, and vinyl barn doors are the most common, but a medium-density fiberboard (MDF) variety is available, as well. You'll pay more for high-quality wood barn doors, which range between $700 and $3,000 for materials alone. We'll break down each barn door cost by materials below.
Labor
Hiring a local door installer to hang your barn door will add between $300 and $2,000 to the cost of materials. Door installation accounts for between 30% to 50% of the final price, though you'll be happy you opted for the expense in this case. Barn door hardware can be complex to level and secure correctly, which is critical to the doors latching correctly.
Barn Door Size
All of our barn door cost estimates include single- and double-barn door styles. For materials alone, barn door panels cost between $200 and $2,000, depending on whether they're built for the inside or outside of your home. Add $200 to $500 per panel for labor, and the total comes to $200 and $2,500 per panel when you hire a pro.
Barn door prices also come down to the size of the doors themselves. Just like there are standard door sizes for traditional panel doors, barn doors come in regular measurements as well. Here's how they break down by size.
| Barn Door Size (inches) | Cost Range (Materials Only) |
|---|---|
| 18x80 | $200–$1,500 |
| 24x80 | $200–$2,000 |
| 30x80 | $200–$2,300 |
| 36x80 | $200–$2,500 |
| 36x84 | $300–$3,000 |
| 42x84 | $300–$3,300 |
Hardware
You'll pay between $50 and $500 for the set of hardware that matches your chosen barn door. However, you can also upgrade to smoother finishes or hardware with automated controls. Custom hardware can add $1,500 to the cost of door materials and labor.
Barn Door Installation Cost by Materials
Choosing barn door materials is not just about cost, but it's certainly a factor. Material type is always one of the largest factors in the cost to install a door, no matter the style. In addition to price, however, keep the weight of the door, its style, and how well it will hold up over time in mind as well.
Wood
Wooden barn doors are the go-to option for a classic look and long-term durability. There are many types of wood to choose from, including pine, oak, Ipe, teak, bamboo, and even plywood. Because of the wide range of wood options, you could pay anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 for the cost of a barn door, including installation.
Metal
Steel or aluminum barn doors cost between $800 and $2,600 on average, though each comes with unique perks. The cost of each type of metal varies depending on whether it's coated or treated to protect against rust and corrosion. In many cases, metal barn doors require very minimal maintenance and can last decades.
Vinyl
The cost of vinyl barn doors ranges from $700 to $1,500, making this the most budget-friendly option on our list. While they are not the most aesthetically pleasing compared to real wood, many styles will mimic natural materials. They are also lightweight and require minimal maintenance over time.
MDF
Medium-density fiberboard, or MDF, costs between $1,000 and $2,100, but it offers the middle ground between wood and vinyl. Not only are MDF barn doors easy to paint and seal, but they last long and are easy to install.
| Material | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Wood | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Metal | $800–$2,600 |
| Vinyl | $700–$1,500 |
| MDF | $1,000–$2,100 |
Ongoing Barn Door Expenses
Barn door expenses include caring for the track hardware, as well as reapplying the finishes that have been exposed to the sun, wind, and rain. Keep in mind that your ongoing expenses will correlate to the type of material you choose.
Track Maintenance
Caring for your sliding door track shouldn't cost more than $25 and is easy to do on your own. Overall, it's important to keep an eye out for rust, corrosion, and debris that can derail the doors.
Weatherproofing
Pre-constructed barn doors will likely come with the appropriate hardware, insulation, and weather stripping. However, if you plan to build an exterior barn door from scratch, the cost to add weather stripping ranges from $1.45 to $25 per linear foot. You may need to replace the weather stripping every several years depending on your local climate.
Painting
The cost to paint a door, on average, ranges from $80 to $300 depending on if you hire professional exterior painters. Wooden barn doors will come with a coat of paint and protective seal, but you may need to re-stain them every two to three years. Interior doors will rarely need a new coat of paint unless you change up your home aesthetic.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Learning how to build a barn door is a DIYer's dream project, particularly for those with a passion for carpentry. Building one yourself will cost about $60 for the track kit plus the cost of materials, which range from $300 to $2,500 on average. A middle ground between DIY and professional installation is purchasing a pre-constructed barn door equipped with everything you need to hang it directly on your wall or barn.
All this being said, heavy materials or large doors hung overhead are best handled by a professional. Carrying these large doors will take several people and the height plus the weight of the project can make it a precarious one.
Common Barn Door Cost Add-Ons
Barn doors may be pretty straightforward, but there are some ways to make them your own. If you would like to add a special design to your barn doors, here are the estimated prices you can expect to pay.
Custom Design
You will get into the $5,000 range of barn door prices when you consider custom designs. You may choose an extra-wide, single-panel door to enclose a large entryway to your living room or dining room, for example. Barn doors can be made to look more industrial or rustic, depending on their pattern of battens and ledges—the style of wood layering on barn doors.
Automation
Imagine pressing a button and opening your barn door from across the field or the house. Automated barn door tracks cost anywhere from $300 to $7,000 on average, including the cost of the track hardware.
Removing the Old Door
Removing and disposing of an old door will add between $70 to $200 to the cost of installing a barn door. Some contractors will include this flat fee in their estimate, though it depends on the type of door previously in its place and related repairs to the wall and door frame.
How to Save Money on Barn Door Installation
There are plenty of fun ways to cut costs when installing new doors or making minor renovations. While you can opt for barn door materials that are less expensive—such as vinyl and MDF—here are a few more tricks to keep in mind:
Shop around for a used barn door or track that’s still in top condition.
Pair your door installation with other renovations to reduce overhead costs.
DIY small elements of the project, such as removing the previous door.
Speak with at least three contractors, and compare project estimates.
Skip the bells and whistles, and opt for a basic track and hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are a few reasons why barn doors are appealing to homebuyers: they’re unique and add a rustic charm to any home. While interior barn doors are a newer favorite of homeowners, when it comes to trendy renovations—like soaking tubs, farmhouse sinks, and barn doors—it’s best to wait to see if the trend withstands the test of time before making the investment.
Installing a barn door will usually take more time than installing a pre-hung door. A pro will need to spend extra time installing the track above the door frame so the barn door can be mounted and safely slide across the track. But, a pro can tackle this in just a few hours.
You will need to modify an existing door to use it as a barn door for a number of reasons. For example, a barn door sits on a track several inches off the ground. An existing panel door will hover above the ground. A door that is slightly wider than the door opening is also ideal for the barn style.
Choose a barn door with an extra two to three inches on either side of the frame. The width of the barn door will depend on the type and placement of your track, but in most cases, an additional inch or two will do the trick.