How Much Does It Cost to Install a Pocket Door?

Pocket Door Costs by Size

While the most common size for a pocket door is 36 inches, pocket doors are available in a range of sizes, up to 48 inches. The larger the door, the higher installation costs will be, with prices rising even higher for retrofitting the pocket door into an existing construction.

Pocket Door Costs by Material

Pocket doors are made in many different materials, such as solid wood, aluminum, and fiberglass. Each has its pros and cons, and different price points for materials and installation. 

Hollow Core

Hollow core doors cost between $400 to $600 each, with installation around $500 to $800 in a new construction. For a retrofit installation, expect to pay $900 to $1,500 more. This material is lightweight and affordable, making doors easier to slide in and out of the wall, but without an interior core, they are not considered the most durable option.

Glass

Glass pocket doors run $450 to $2,000 each. The total cost with installation in a new construction can be $550 to $2,200, with the costs jumping $900 to $1,800 more for a retrofit. Glass doors, due to their weight, require a stronger frame than other materials, making them more difficult to work into a retrofit installation.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass doors are durable and low-maintenance, and they can be painted to look like wood grain. They cost between $500 and $800, with the total price, including installation, running between $600 and $1,000 in a new construction. Expect to pay $900 to $1,800 more for a retrofit. 

Solid Wood

A popular option, solid wood doors are strong, long-lasting, and come in a variety of grains to suit your home’s style. Expect to spend $500 to $2,000 on a solid wood pocket door, and pay $600 to $2,200 for installation in a new construction. The price will jump $900 to $1,800 more for a retrofit. 

Aluminum

Aluminum pocket doors, which are usually chosen for their clean, contemporary look, cost between $500 and $2,000. Installation in a new construction averages $600 to $2,200, with the costs jumping by $900 to $2,000 if installed in a retrofit. 

Pocket Door Installation Costs by Type

Depending on your aesthetic preference and the door frame you’re working with, you might opt for a single, double, or French pocket door.

Single

Installing a single pocket door in a new construction will be $900 to $1,900 less than installing one in a retrofit; the wider you want the door to be, the more expensive the track (and installation) will be. Typically, single pocket doors are no wider than 60 inches. Once you hit the 64-inch point, it is advisable to install a double door. 

• Single pocket door: $400–$2,000

• Installation: $500–$2,500 (new construction)

• Installation: $1,400–$4,300 (retrofit)

Double

Expect to pay roughly double the price if you want double pocket doors instead of a single. Double pocket doors pull in together like an elevator when closed, but you can open one, both, or none; the doors operate individually. The higher cost is to accommodate the fact that you must purchase two doors as well as two tracks.

• Set of double pocket doors: $800–$4,000

• Installation: $1,000–$5,000 (new construction)

• Installation: $3,000–$11,000 (retrofit)

French

French pocket doors are available as single or double doors, and traditionally have glass panes instead of solid wood ones, allowing for lots of natural light to pass through and a sense of openness between the two rooms. The glass in the doors is heavy, and thus more difficult to install than other kinds of doors, which can raise the cost of installation.

• Single French pocket door: $1,000–$2,000

• Double French pocket doors: $2,000–$4,000

• Installation: $1,200–$5,000 (new construction)

• Installation: $2,100–$7,200 (retrofit)

Exterior

There are currently no manufacturers producing pocket doors intended for exterior use. Custom-built units can be constructed with costs proportionate to craftsmanship, installation and the complexity of the design.

Check out our guide on the cost to install sliding doors for more information.

Beyond the custom designing and construction of the door and pocket, the installation and issues faced are similar to the cost of adding an exterior door, falling towards the top of the scale, near $2,500 or beyond.

Unlike interior units, outdoor pocket styles may need a frame and seal, like the style and cost of sliding patio doors, to keep water out and air-conditioning or heat in.

Pocket Door Installation Labor Costs

It is cheaper to install boxed roller doors in a new construction than as a remodel. You can expect to pay about $500 to $1,000 per door when constructing a new home. This is a wide range because of the many variations in doors and hardware available.

As an example, a hollow core 24-by 80-inch door—the narrowest standard size—will weigh 20 to 25 pounds. A 36-by-96-inch solid core door, one of the largest available, will weigh in excess of 90 pounds.

As the size and weight of the door to be supported increases, it will require greater framing strength and sturdier hardware. This results in greater costs.

Pocket Door Cost Factors

A standard, hinged, interior door costs anywhere from $60 to $1,000 depending on the type and features. The cost of a pocket door is not much different since it is simply a slab rather than a pre-fitted interior door with a cut handle hole.

The major difference between the two is the price of having them installed. It will cost you between $1,000 and $3,500 to have a pocket door installed in an existing wall. The rate charged by a professional to hang a standard model is $150 to $200. If the old frame is in poor condition, an extra $100 to $150 may be added to the cost of having a pre-hung unit installed, depending on your location.

Ease of Installation

It is much easier to install a hinged door than a pocket door. Boxed roller doors require special framing built into the wall to form their compartment. Regular doors may need some minor inletting for the hinges and latch. These are minor operations when compared with the work of rebuilding a wall involved when hanging a pocket door.

Material of Choice

Some materials, such as solid hardwood, are priced more expensively than others, such as hollow-core. In addition, the cost to install certain doors, like glass French doors, will be more expensive as they are heavier and more delicate.

Wall Demolition

One of the major expenses involved in inserting a boxed roller door into an existing wall is the cost of demolishing or deconstructing the wall where it will be placed. This type of project will fall in the $1,300 to $5,000 price range. Provided there is no asbestos or another hazardous issue present, the cost should be toward the lower end.

Automation

If you’d like your pocket door to be fully accessible, you might wish for automatic door sensors, which connect to the door’s track and cost an average of $500 per door.

Mold Remediation

If, upon demolishing a wall to install the pocket door, your contractor discovers mold, asbestos, or other hazardous material, you will need to have it removed. This can cost $500 or more.

Old Door Disposal

To have your old door removed and hauled away, expect to spend around $100.

DIY Installation vs. Hiring Pro

Installing a sliding pocket model as a DIY project will run between $235 and $1,650.

First, you'll need to make sure that the wall you'd like to use is not load-bearing, that it is large enough to house the pocket and that you do not damage any plumbing or electrical work during demo or reconstruction. “You can install a pocket door on a load-bearing wall, but it requires the help of a structural engineer,” says Bob Tschudi. “The engineer can specify what type of support above the door is needed.”

Next, you will need the right tools for the job. If you don't want to buy, you may be able to rent them. This will run $70 to $175.

Other expenses include the:

• Door: $60–$1,000

• Building materials: $100–$250

• Hardware kit: $65–$350

• Miscellaneous supplies: $10–$20

If you do not have the technical expertise required, find a local door installer who can safely complete the install. Tearing into a load-bearing wall jeopardizes the structural integrity of your home. Improperly leveling the tracks will cause the door to roll into the lower position until fixed. For these and many other reasons, the price of hiring a professional is more than justified.

FAQs

What is a pocket door?

A pocket door is a sliding door that disappears into the wall when open. They use no floor or wall space and add an architectural flair to a home.

Are pocket doors more expensive than standard prehung interior doors?

Installing a pocket door is two to five times more expensive than installing a standard, pre-hung interior style. However, maintenance cost is virtually identical to its standard hinged counterpart. Long term, they pay for themselves in increased equity, adding 13% to a home's resale value.

How much does it cost to remove a pocket door, and can you DIY it?

Removing a boxed roller door will range from $950 to $2,750. It is equivalent to the cost of building a new wall. Experienced DIYers can remove a pocket door as a DIY project, but it should be approached with caution. It requires demolition, construction, and finishing skills that are generally reserved for licensed contractors.

What is the standard size or opening of the pocket door?

Slab doors come in sizes to fit most standard door openings. Their height will be either 78 or 80 inches. The chart below will help you determine the proper width for your home.

How do you frame or retrofit a pocket door?

Framing and adding a pocket door framing is not a task for an inexperienced homeowner. Below is an outline of the basic steps that your hired professional will perform for the installation.

1. Demolition and rewiring of plumbing, electrical, and ductwork to make a space in the wall

2. Frame the opening. If it's in a load-bearing wall, consult a structural engineer to ensure the correct header is installed.

3. Insert new frame and shim

4. Attach hardware

5. Hang door

6. Rebuild exterior wall

7. Complete trim and finish

Can you use any door for a pocket door?

Yes, standard doors can be converted into pocket doors as long as the measurements work; the wall must be thick enough to fit the door’s width, with about two inches to spare.

How much space do you need for a pocket door?

Your pocket door must have enough space to slide into the wall. For a standard 32-inch wide door, you will need 66 inches of linear wall space (32 inches for the door, the rest to house the door). Existing walls must be thicker than four inches, as a standard pocket door is two inches thick. 

Can you add a pocket door in an existing wall?

Installing a pocket door in an existing wall is more involved, and might require significant construction. For instance, the wall might not be thick enough for the door, or there may be wires that need to be moved to accommodate the door. A professional might recommend that you remove the wall entirely and reframe it so it is wide enough for the pocket door, which is why the labor costs are much higher to retrofit a pocket door vs. installing one in a new construction.

How much does it cost to replace a pocket door?

There is rarely a reason to replace a pocket door, but the cost could run close to a new installation, between $1,000 and $3,500. Replacement doors themselves are the same as new ones priced from $60 to $1,000 or more for custom, hand-carved models.

If your door develops hardware problems, it can become expensive. Complete hardware kits run $65 to $350, not including labor costs.

Replacing the top rollers on most doors is a straightforward procedure for handy homeowners. However, if you damage a track to the point that it needs replacing, that could require reopening the wall.

What is the ROI on installing a pocket door?

Although ROI data is insufficient for pocket doors, similar doors, such as barn doors, have been known to help homes sell more quickly. Sliding styles give your home more character and convenience which can help improve its sale when installed correctly. 

“We’ve found that barn doors have the same benefits that pocket doors do, but at a fraction of the cost,” says Bob Tschudi, a Raleigh, NC-based GC. “We just did a barn door for a pantry in a very tight urban space and it not only looks good, but there is no wasted space.”