Cavity Sliding Doors vs Hinged Doors in Australia:
Space, Noise, Cost & Best Room Choices

If you’re planning a renovation or new build in Australia, choosing between cavity sliding doors and traditional hinged doors directly affects
your space, privacy, and layout flexibility. This guide compares both options in terms of space saving, noise control, installation, cost, and best room-by-room choices so you can make a confident decision.

Quick definitions

What is a cavity sliding door?

A cavity sliding door (often called a pocket door) is a door that slides into a framed pocket inside the wall. When open, the door disappears into the wall cavity, leaving a clean, minimalist opening.

What is a hinged door?

A hinged door is the standard swing door that opens on hinges, requiring clearance for the door arc (“door swing”). It is the most common option in Australian homes because of its simplicity and strong sealing.

Space: the #1 difference

If you’re choosing doors for small rooms, tight hallways, ensuites, laundries, or open-plan layouts, this is where cavity sliders often win. A hinged door needs a swing zone, which can steal usable floor area and limit furniture placement.

• Hinged doors need clearance to open — this affects walkways, layouts, and furniture.
• Cavity sliding doors free up space — ideal for compact or highly-functional rooms.

In small Australian apartments, townhouses and narrow bathrooms, a hinged door can make a room feel cramped — while a cavity slider can make the same room feel noticeably larger.

Noise & Privacy: Which Door Is Better for Sound Control?

In most Australian homes, a well-installed hinged door usually provides better sound insulation than a standard cavity sliding door.
However, modern cavity sliding systems can achieve good acoustic performance when designed and installed correctly.

Why hinged doors usually win on sound control

A hinged door can close tighter, and it’s easier to add perimeter seals and threshold solutions.
This often results in better privacy, better noise reduction, and improved control of light and odours.

Why cavity sliders are typically less sound-isolating (and how to improve them)

Most cavity sliders have small perimeter gaps and don’t “compress” into seals the same way hinged doors do.
As a result, a typical cavity slider often provides less sound reduction than a comparable hinged door.

This does NOT mean cavity sliders are “bad” — it simply means they are better suited for space efficiency rather than maximum acoustic isolation.

Installation & renovation considerations

When hinged doors are easiest

• Quick door replacements
• Finished homes where you don’t want to open walls
• Walls that contain services (wiring/plumbing)

When cavity sliders make the most sense

• New builds
• Major renovations
• Tight or compact layouts

Can you retrofit a cavity slider into an existing wall?
Sometimes — depending on wall type, available cavity space, and whether services are inside the wall.
Many retrofits require opening the wall and installing a cavity frame.

For best results, cavity sliders should ideally be planned at the design stage with your architect or builder.

Best choice room-by-room

The right door choice depends on how you actually use each room in your home.
Below is a practical guide for typical Australian layouts.

Bathrooms & ensuites

• Cavity slider: great for tight spaces.
• Hinged: better if you want maximum sealing and privacy.

Bedrooms

• Hinged: usually best for noise control.
• Cavity slider: useful for wardrobes or tight layouts.

Wardrobes & laundries

• Cavity slider: excellent for space efficiency.
• Hinged: works but can block access in narrow rooms.

Home office / flexible rooms

• Cavity slider: ideal for zoning.
• Hinged: better if acoustic privacy is critical.

Kitchen–living (open-plan)

• Cavity slider: ideal for occasional separation.
• Hinged: less common due to swing space.

Final recommendation

If space, modern design, and flexibility are your priorities — choose a cavity sliding door.
If noise control, privacy, and sealing are your priorities — choose a hinged door.
In many homes, a smart mix of both delivers the best result.