Yes, says the Council for Aluminium Building, backed up by aggregate data from four leading market research organisations.
The Pocket Door market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6% to reach $11.2 billion (USD) by 2027. It is predicted that aluminium framed pocket doors will reduce the current 50% market share of wooden pocket doors due to the extra benefits of using aluminium compared with wooden frames becoming more well known.
What are pocket doors?
Pocket doors are sliding doors that disappear into the wall (or their “pocket”) when fully open, which means there is no need to navigate around a hinged door. A single pocket door saves an average of 10 feet square of space in a room compared to a traditional hinged single door. Pocket doors facilitate the spacious benefits of an open floor plan but can quickly become a barrier when privacy is needed.
Once popular in Victorian architecture, pocket doors fell out of fashion in the mid-1920s when hinged doors became the norm. However, in recent years, a renewed interest in space-saving and design-forward solutions has brought pocket doors back into the limelight.
Single, double, or unilateral pocket doors are available. Currently single pocket doors account for just over 50% of the market, with 75% of all pocket doors installed in residential buildings. However, it is arguable that double pocket doors can look more stylish.
Aluminium’s versatility allows aluminium framed pocket doors to easily accommodate safe glazing options within bespoke designed coloured frames, in oversized, flat, or curved configurations which offer limitless creative potential. There is also a variety of hardware options to choose to finish the overall look.
Aluminium frames are a very low maintenance, they just need a wipe with a damp cloth to keep them looking as good as new.
The low weight to strength ratio of aluminium means the opening mechanism, even on the largest sliding doors are easy to operate and with less stress on the moving parts then other door materials such as wood or steel with their inherent issues of high maintenance, longevity as well as weight.
The added advantage of aluminium over other materials is that it is 100% recyclable. The end-of-life stage of aluminium products can be up to around 40 years. At that stage the aluminium in each product can be melted down ready for use again and put back into production with no loss of quality meaning there is no need for any end of use aluminium products to end up in landfill.
The adoption of pocket doors across office spaces, high rise living, residential care facilities and hospitality sectors is likely to support segment expansion in future years.
