Hey everyone, my wife and I just bought our first home, and we have this giant doorway (79" tall and 94" wide) leading to a sun room added by the previous owner. The sun room is poorly insulated and lacks AC, which is causing our cooling system to struggle with the heat coming in. I've hung a thick curtain as a temporary fix, but I'm hoping to install a proper door to better separate the two spaces. My budget is under $500, and I'm looking for something that's easy to install myself. The traditional sliding barn door route isn't my style, as we're going for a more minimalist and modern look. The sliding panels would need to be about 48" wide, but I'm having a hard time finding something that suits that size and our aesthetic. Any alternative ideas? I'm a bit flexible on budget, but would love to stick to it as much as possible. Thanks in advance!
3 Answers
If you're just looking to cut down on the heat, consider putting some heat-reflective film on the sun room windows in addition to your curtain. It's pretty cheap on Amazon! You might also try visiting a local Habitat for Humanity ReStore for used supplies. If you don't find a door, you could create a partial separation with bookshelves and a smaller sliding door that matches your style. Just some ideas to play around with!
Check out any local used building material stores! You might find some double doors that are affordable, and shopping on FB Marketplace could yield some good options too. Installing a door is easier than it sounds, and you just need basic tools like a hammer, drill, and level. If you get a door that’s smaller than your opening, just frame the area to fit and finish it off with some drywall and paint. Lots of tutorials online can help too!
Have you thought about using French doors? They could look nice with a modern twist, but keep in mind that they probably won’t fit your budget since they can be pretty pricey. Worth a look, though!