Selfbuilder & Homemaker – July – August 2019

P

ocket doors are a great way to add a

modern, practical and stylish touch to

any property. Now a common feature

in many European homes, they have

become increasingly popular in UK interior

design due to their neat, slick appearance

and functionality.

CREATING SPACE

Whatever the requirement, pocket doors

can provide an innovative solution to

optimise floor space anywhere in the

home. Unlike traditional hinged doors,

pocket doors simply slide along a

horizontal track into a cavity in the wall,

mitigating the need to use extra space

around each doorway. They are a

particularly good solution for loft

conversions or ensuite bathrooms, where

space is often at a premium.

Pocket doors come in many variations

and styles, creating a sleek and

seamless look that cannot be achieved

with swing doors. While it is a much

simpler process for pocket doors to be

specified during a new build, they can

also be retrofitted in existing properties

as part of a renovation project.

By not swallowing up unnecessary

floor space with doors that open into a

room, properties can feel instantly larger.

The extra floor space created by the

doors can also improve accessibility for

wheelchair users or those who are blind

or sight impaired.

VERSATILITY

Pocket doors can provide homeowners

with all the benefits of open plan living

while also offering the flexibility of being

able to divide up a room, changing the

function of a space as need and occasion

dictates. The sense of flow between rooms

can also be improved and this investment

is returned with better value when

reselling a property.

For those living in compact studio

apartments, installing two single pocket

doors together as a double door system

can add a level of privacy and create

clear and distinct ‘zones’ for living,

eating and socialising. This option avoids

the problems of adding solid walls and

doors that can make a space feel smaller

and darker.

THE IMPORTANCE OF ACOUSTICS

Although there are countless benefits to

open plan living, a downside is that

sound travels more easily, meaning that

noise levels are often elevated. Using

pocket doors to divide areas dampens

the sound, providing a comfortable level

of privacy and solitude without closing

off rooms completely.

A soft closer can also be fitted to allow

the doors to open and close quietly while

reducing the risk of trapped fingers. This is

particularly valuable for cohabiters working

on different time schedules or for families

with young children.

LET THERE BE LIGHT

It is well known that exposure to natural

sunlight provides a whole host of health

benefits including boosting the immune

system, improving sleep quality and

boosting vitamins B and D. As a result,

glass pocket doors are an increasingly

popular choice for homeowners in order to

maximise light when building a home or

undertaking an extension or renovation.

As well as making a home lighter and

brighter, natural light also gives the illusion

of more space and softens the barrier

between the outside and inside of a

property. With the current focus on

emphasising the relationship between

humankind and nature, glass pocket doors

remove frame lines that could impair a

view of the garden and provide a seamless

blend with nature all year-round.

A STYLISH ADDITION TO THE HOME

While adding a level of practicality, sliding

doors do not have to be plain and can add

With homeowners increasingly looking for open

plan living and to maximise all available space,

David Saxby of IronmongeryDirect explains the

many benefits of installing pocket doors in self-

build homes, and how they can transform the

amount of light and space

OPEN TO NEW

POSSIBILITIES

HOME STYLING

14www.sbhonline.co.uk july/august 2019