A pocket door can be a little noisier and more time-consuming to employ than a hinged door. And there are a few locations where one can't be installed.
Plumbing, electrical, and other mechanical equipment must be routed around a pocket door's location. And, because the pocket's structure is weaker than that of a conventional wall, it shouldn't be used as the structural support for cabinets.
Pocket doors are meant for new construction: for installation during house building or remodeling when walls are opened up. A door's rough opening must be wide enough for both the door and pocket.
A large header spans between the wall studs at both extremes of the opening. It is usually a little more costly to install a pocket door than than to hang a conventional door, but the cost may be well worth it for the space savings.
