7 Reasons to Consider Live Edge Slab Barn Doors

One of the great things about barn doors is that they give you the chance to really embrace your own personal style and express a little creativity. From classic styles to modern options, there is a barn door to suit just about every taste, home, and preference. 

But there’s one style that’s starting to gain a ton of attention. Known as a live edge slab door, these barn doors are becoming more and more popular with every passing day. We’ll explain everything you need to know about these amazing doors and point out some of the key reasons we think you should consider one for your home below. 

Seven Reasons Homeowners Should Consider Live Edge Slab Barn Doors

Live edge slab barn doors certainly attract a lot of attention (particularly in our Houston-area showroom), but they offer a number of benefits that you may not consider at first glance. So, be sure to check out the following seven reasons that we think you should consider one for your home. 

1. They Are Unique

People tend to throw the word “unique” around, but it has a specific meaning: one-of-a-kind. And that is exactly what live edge slab doors are; no two are identical. 

And that not only goes for the grain pattern and coloration but also the very shape of the door. While barn doors made from glass, MDF, knotty alder, or birch all feature straight edges that are identical to each other, the long sides of live edge slab doors are curved in various ways, which gives each a slightly different character. 

2. They Offer an Organic Aesthetic

Speaking of the curved edges these doors possess, they also provide a different kind of aesthetic than other doors do. There’s certainly nothing wrong with straight edges on barn doors, but some homeowners have more natural, “organic” tastes, which live edge slabs satisfy perfectly. 

And because the edges of these doors reflect the inherent shape of the tree the wood was harvested from, they serve as a reminder that the doors were constructed from natural materials and blend perfectly with things like houseplants and other natural wood furniture. 

3. They Are Available at Two Price Points

Barndoorz live edge slab doors are available in one- and two-piece versions. This gives you the chance to choose between two different aesthetics; the grain pattern and coloration of one-piece doors will be cohesive, while the appearance of two-piece versions will exhibit a pronounced difference between the left and right sides that some people love. 

However, there is another difference between the two versions: price point. Because large slabs are rarer than smaller slabs, double-slab doors are priced slightly lower. This gives budget-minded buyers the chance to save a few bucks while still getting the door of their dreams. 

4. They Are Eco-Friendly

All of the doors offered by Barndoorz are eco-friendly, and that includes our live edge slab doors. These doors are made from the wood of rain trees (Albizia saman). A large tropical hardwood species that’s native to Central and South America, these trees are both abundant and sustainably managed. 

Unlike the mahogany or teak trees used to satisfy the lumber needs of some other door and furniture manufacturers, rain trees are not in any danger of extinction. 

5. They Are Heavy

Heft is often considered a negative trait for wood used to construct furniture, but in the case of doors, heavy wood offers several benefits. Most notably, heavy wood provides better insulation than light, airy wood. This can help you maintain different temperatures in different rooms of your home and reduce your overall energy bills. 

Additionally, heavy wood is also helpful for blocking noise. This means you’ll be able to enjoy more peace and quiet by installing some of these live-edge slab doors. 

6. They Don’t Require Stain

Most conventional barn doors are either stained or painted before they’re shipped (though some homeowners choose to finish doors themselves). These kinds of finishes not only increase the cost of the doors, but they may also require periodic touch ups to address areas that have become scratched or faded. 

But live edge slab doors are either sold with no finish at all or with only a clear coat. That alleviates the need to select and pay for a finish, and it also means that you won’t have to refinish the doors in the future.  

7. They Are GORGEOUS

Perhaps the best reason to consider live edge slab doors, their natural beauty is truly something to behold. The inherent grain pattern of these doors is very attractive, as is the multi-colored nature of the rain tree wood in general. 

And when combined with the aesthetic appeal the curved door edges provide, these doors are simply some of the most attractive options available anywhere. 

Live Edge Slab Doors: Things to Think About

While we think these are some of the most appealing doors available and more homeowners should consider them, there are a few important things you should think about before making your final choice. 

• They don’t come in matching sets. We characterized the unique nature of these doors as a selling point earlier, and that is true. However, this may not always be desirable. For example, if you were planning on installing several barn doors in a single room, you may want them to all look identical. That is simply not possible with these doors. 
• They must be mounted properly. All barn doors should be mounted properly using high-quality hardware to ensure they open and close smoothly. But because they’re heavier than some other options (such as barn doors made from knotty alder), extra care is necessary when mounting them to ensure they function properly. 
• They don’t suit all decorating styles. While there are no rules regarding things like décor and interior design, live edge slab doors may look out of place in some homes, such as those featuring lots of glass or metal furniture.  
• They may be difficult for small children to use. Live edge slabs certainly aren’t the only heavy barn doors around (MDF doors can also be quite heavy, as can some glass models). However, they’re among the heaviest options (particularly when ordered in very large sizes). So, they may be challenging for small children to open or close.  
• They aren’t ideal for all applications. Live-edge wood doors work fantastically in many situations, but they aren’t ideal for every place in your home. For example, they obviously aren’t a good choice for those places where you want to allow light to pass through the door. Additionally, they can be challenging to use in some creative applications, such as meet-in-the-middle, double-door set ups. 

Choose Barndoorz And Enjoy the Quality You Deserve

Whether you believe that live edge slab doors are ideal for your home or not, one thing is certain: It’s important that you always skip the low-quality, mass-produced options on the market and choose high-quality Barndoorz instead.

All Barndoorz are made in the USA, using time-tested construction techniques and only the finest materials available. Peruse the entire Barndoorz lineup here and start picking out the perfect barn doors for your home.