When you’re planning a wardrobe, one of the big decisions that you need to make is: sliding doors or hinged (swing) doors? Both have their own pros and cons. But cost is often one of the deciding factors. Below, we look at the different aspects of cost — not just the sticker price, but what you’ll pay in materials, installation, maintenance, and how your space affects what’s “worth it.”
1. What are hinged vs sliding doors?
- Hinged (swing) doors are the traditional doors that open outward on hinges.
- Sliding doors glide sideways on tracks (top & bottom) and don’t swing out.
Because sliding doors require tracks, rollers, and careful alignment, their costs often differ from hinged designs.
2. Basic cost components to compare
Here are the elements that affect cost in both types:
| Cost component | Hinged doors | Sliding doors |
| Door panel material (wood, laminate, glass, etc.) | Very similar cost per sq ft or per panel | Same material cost, but panels may be larger / heavier |
| Hardware (hinges, handles) | Standard hinges are inexpensive and simple | Requires elaborate hardware – Tracks, rollers, top & bottom channels that add to the cost |
| Installation / labor | Easier to install; fewer alignment challenges | More complex to align tracks, ensure smooth sliding. Thus, labor cost will be more |
| Maintenance / repair | Hinges are easier to fix or replace | Requires regular Track cleaning. Might need roller replacement and alignment |
| Waste / extra support | Less extra structure required | Might need stronger frame, track support, careful leveling |
Because sliding systems have more “moving parts,” their hardware & precision requirements push up costs.
3. Material & hardware cost differences
- For hinged doors, hinges are commonly available and generally low cost.
- Sliding doors require good-quality track systems and rollers. Cheap rails or rollers will wear out faster or misalign.
- Sliding systems often need top and bottom tracks, which adds material and labor.
- Because sliding panels tend to be heavier (glass, mirrors, wide panels), the supporting structure and strength must be better, which may add to cost.
So even if the door materials are the same, sliding doors will generally cost more because of the extra hardware and precision required.
4. Installation & labor cost differences
- Installation of Hinged doors is straightforward. The carpenter aligns hinges, fits handles, adjusts. Less need for perfect leveling.
- Sliding doors must be precisely level, with aligned tracks, smooth operation, correct clearance top & bottom. Any misalignment causes jamming or derailing.
- More skilled labor is needed for sliding door installation; more time is likely required.
- If the floor or ceiling is uneven, sliding systems may need additional adjustments which adds labor cost.
Thus, sliding door installation tends to cost more in labor and time.
5. Space & design constraints affecting cost
- Hinged doors require clearance space in front of the wardrobe to swing open. In tight rooms, you may end up with very little walking space once the hinged doors of your wardrobe is fully open.
- Sliding doors save that clearance space, which is a design advantage especially in small or narrow rooms.
- But sliding doors also require minimum widths to be practical. According to one source, a sliding-door wardrobe often works best when the total width is at least 7 feet, so you can have two sliding panels that each are about 3.5 feet.
- If your space is too narrow, sliding doors may require narrower panels and more hardware, which will lead to increase in your unit cost.
6. Maintenance & long-term cost
- Hinged doors are simpler to maintain. If a hinge loosens or squeaks, you can tighten or oil it. Hinges are cheap and easy to replace.
- Sliding doors require regular cleaning of tracks (top and bottom) and occasional lubrication of rollers. Dust or debris can lead to jamming or derailment.
- Over time, sliding doors may go off track, sag, or need re-alignment, all of which adds up to the servicing cost.
- Hinged systems generally have fewer “moving parts,” so fewer things to break.
So over the years, sliding doors can incur more maintenance cost than hinged doors.
7. Cost trade-off: which is more expensive?
Putting it all together:
- For an identical wardrobe in the same material (wood, laminate, glass), sliding doors will almost always cost more than hinged doors, because of extra hardware (tracks, rollers), precision in installation, stronger supports, and future maintenance.
- The amount of extra cost depends on the size of the wardrobe that you are considering. For a small wardrobe, the extra may be modest, but for a large floor-to-ceiling wardrobe with multiple sliding panels, the cost difference can be significant.
- However, sliding doors may “pay off” by saving space, making the room more usable, and offering a sleeker look. In cramped rooms, that saved space may justify the extra cost.
8. When might sliding not be worth it?
- If your wardrobe is small or you don’t need very wide panels, the extra hardware cost might not be justified.
- If your room is large enough that hinged doors don’t block anything, you may prefer the simpler hinged option.
- If you prefer low maintenance and minimal servicing, hinged doors are safer.
- If your material is standard and you don’t choose premium glass or mirrors, the relative difference in cost may tilt you toward hinged.
9. How to decide between sliding vs hinged wardrobe?
- First, measure your room precisely, see if hinged doors can swing without obstruction.
- Then choose the material and finish (wood, laminate, glass) you want — both types share that cost.
- Get quotes for both options locally (with good hardware) and compare the extra cost for sliding.
- Consider long-term: sliding doors may need more maintenance..
- If space is premium (small rooms, no swing room), sliding might be worth the extra cost.
If you value full access and simpler upkeep, hinged doors may be better.