We were deciding between barn and pocket as well. (I started the thread you referenced about noise)

Looking at photos the barn doors are mounted on one side of the wall as you know and it seems there's a lot of open spaces. To me it seems pockets doors are a bit more sealed off being they come from inside the wall and the track at the top is more concealed. BArn doors to me seem more of a visual concept it wouldn't do as well at muting noise. (could be wrong, however my GC did bring up same.

Another option we wanted to do (but it wouldn't work in our situation) were sliding doors where one door slides over a stationery door.

I can't find my photo right now : (

I much prefer the look of the barn doors, but agree with 2littlefishes that you may get a little more noise with barn doors. How big of a deal is noise transmission in this case?

The hardware fails if you buy the very inexpensive, closet door type. Where a single wheel rides in the "hook" of a "J" shaped track.

If you get the Johnson hardware, not only is it sturdier steel, the doors ride on parallel tracks, with a wheel in each track. Gravity isn't go to unhook the J. It also isn't a big old, unnecessary framing kit.

Barn doors, to me, are purely ornamental. Sure, they'll block a view, but noise? A little more? Ha. What's there to seal it?

That said, I love them. However, I'm the one with 15 pocket doors which I wouldn't trade for a finished kitchen. And that is saying a lot.

@cefreeman debating between barn door and pocket door for my tiny master bathroom - around 4x8. was thinking pocket but got nervous when someone brought up cleaning the pocket wall.. have you found that to be an issue? (how am i going to clean something is first thing i think of during reno)

I grew up in a house that had a pocket door to the kitchen. It had held up well for more than half a century when I lived there, and it didn't show any signs of failing. So I agree with the previous poster who said that when you build 'em right, they last.

thanks emckillip! what abt dirt/dust getting stuck?

We have a 5-foot wide pocket door between den and entry. The house was built in 1949. No problems with it in the 5 years we've lived here or the 40 years my parents lived here. It slides very easy. I don't understand the dirt/dust question. There is only clearance for maybe a few sheets of paper. I'm sure there's some dust in there but it never shows on the door nor does it impact the mechanism.

Thanks for ur input. I'm not sure abt the dirt/dust.. Someone mentioned on another post something abt bringing an air blower? Or something like that to blow out the dust? Lol sounds a little ridiculous

I don't even want to think what is in the crevices around my pocket door, as I've never thought to check it out! As funkycamper said, there is little room for that. Our house, built in 1952, has a pocket door between the kitchen and dining room. In our 37 years here, we've never had an issue with it. It sometimes groans and drags a bit on one side edge a bit when we pull it out, but then I would groan and drag too, if I were 64 years old! Honestly, I have closed it no more than thirty times during our life here. Our outlets and wall switch are on the opposite side of the pocket door, so maybe placement of those items could be a consideration. Best wishes.

veevs -- can't tell you about dirt or dust in the pocket door. I was a kid & teenager when I lived there, and the kitchen (including pocket door) wasn't on my chore list, so I paid no attention.

You know, it just occurred to me that I have a pocket door in my own house (my hall closet). I completely forgot! It works fine, and I wouldn't give it up. I haven't noticed that it gets any dustier or dirtier than anywhere else in the house (not that that's saying much -- I have dustbunnies the size of tumbleweeds).

Lol Flamingfish and swedepie. Thanks for all input will take all into consideration. Def leaning more towards pocket now..