Non-glass sliding door? Sealing a barn door?

Due to space limitations, it would be advantageous for me to install sliding doors in my studio. That's the only way I can have double doors. Problem is - I don't really want the glass patio-style doors that are often used. They're more expensive than a regular slab door. I don't want or need glass in the doors (there's nothing for me to see on either side). And aesthetically, I prefer something more trendy/rustic, like a barn door: The problem with a barn door (or a pocket door) is that I don't know how you would seal them. In fact, poor sealing seems to be one of the big drawbacks of barn doors in any venue. So, does anybody have any pointers on where to find sliding doors that aren't glass? Or where to find barn door hardware that seals? Or something else that I should be looking at?

The problem with a barn door (or a pocket door) is that I don't know how you would seal them. In fact, poor sealing seems to be one of the big drawbacks of barn doors in any venue.

Yup! You nailed it! That is, indeed, the problem... Which is why nobody seems to use them, in serious studios... :) Is there any reason why you can't have an ordinary hinged door that looks like a barn door? Or you could buy sliding glass doors take the glass out, put thick heavy wood in place of the glass, and make those look like barn doors. - Stuart -

Soundman2020 wrote:

Is there any reason why you can't have an ordinary hinged door that looks like a barn door?

Space. In the places where the entrances to the CR are to be located, it'll be difficult to have doors that swing in both directions. But maybe I can figure something out...

Or you could buy sliding glass doors take the glass out, put thick heavy wood in place of the glass, and make those look like barn doors.

Yeah, I think I'll pass on that. No sense in buying a new door just to rip it apart. :P

You would have to come up with an articulated slide/roller that would allow you to push the door into the opening designed to seal once you had it into position.

FLZapped wrote:

You would have to come up with an articulated slide/roller that would allow you to push the door into the opening designed to seal once you had it into position.

Why? Please provide some support for your questionable claims. - Stuart -

I did come across a company that has some degree of acoustic sealing on barn doors. They are extremely expensive (over $3k) and I have no idea how effective they are, but maybe it's a starting point to get more info on how it can be done? http://www.specadsystems.com/ If that's not in the budget, some sort of DIY solution may be it. I've been searching for something similar for the same reasons (space for opening). It's probably more effective to do a pocket door, though a barn door may be easier to install. Depending on your acoustic needs, a barn door is either not sufficient or you'll have to rig up some sort of combo of mechanism to pull the door flush to the wall and some kind of weather stripping or other seal, and live with a little bit of bleed (which may be totally acceptable in your circumstances, if say the next room is already quiet and you just need a privacy door).