Need a large acoustical door for a sound stage, hanger, factory, warehouse or other application? Then call Barndoorhardware.com We have supplied elephant doors to all major studios, including Disney, Warner Brothers, Sony Studios, Manhattan Studios and Paramount studios. We can provide elephant doors in very large sizes (30′ to 40′ high). We can also assist in providing all necessary seals and closing mechanism.

Top 9 Benefits of an Elephant Door

Ever wonder what those big, monstrous doors on movie and production sets are called? It's known as an elephant door, but you might also hear it referred to as a soundproof door or stage door. Either way, these gigantic doors can block off large spaces while offering security and soundproofing for a variety applications.

Top 9 Benefits of an Elephant Door

1. Separation
2. Soundproofing
3. Security
4. Easy to Move and Open
5. Accommodates Large Spaces
6. No Hinge Needed
7. Weather Resistance
8. Multiple Sizes
9. Different Styles

Elephant doors aren't just for performing arts centers and Hollywood, although that's where these oversized doors originated. Elephant doors offer several benefits for different buildings and use, thanks to their soundproofing capabilities and their ability to block large openings. With an elephant door in place, you can separate a space with an unhinged door, saving indoor and outdoor space.

Because stage doors or soundproof doors aren't often used in homes, you may not have heard of them unless you work in a theatre, museum, or warehouse. However, these doors might be the perfect solution for your business's needs, depending on the kind of entrance or opening you need for a wall or main doorway.

What is an Elephant Door (Also Known as a Stage Door)?

A stage door or elephant door is an oversized door that attaches to sliding door hardware, allowing it to slide open and closed. The benefit of a sliding system is that the door doesn't need hinges, therefore it doesn’t take up much space when it opens and closes. Instead, it simply slides to the side, only taking space on an exterior wall.

When we say that these doors are large, we actually mean massive. It's not uncommon for an elephant door to reach heights of 20 feet or more.

Why would such a large door be necessary? They're most often used in production studios, where dance, musical theatre, film, play, opera, and actor and actress performances come to life. These sets often need to move a large item or set piece inside and outside, making it necessary for an opening in the building to accommodate it. That's why they're sometimes referred to as stage doors by those in the entertainment industry.

An additional benefit to production studios is that stage doors are soundproof. A soundproofing door makes it possible to prevent sound leak into or out of a production or recording studio by providing sound insulation when they're closed. As a result, a performer, singer, Broadway actor, dancer, or choreographer can stay focused on their performance without noise distractions.

However, production studios aren't the only ones to use elephant doors. They also come in handy for large office spaces that need separation and malls or storefronts with oversized openings. Buildings requiring massive openings, like car dealerships, hangars, a classic car collection garage, and warehouses, can also benefit from the installation of elephant doors.  

Why is it Called an Elephant Door?

Although this door is also called by several other names, like a stage door or soundproof door, the name "elephant door" sets it apart from the others. Stage doors and soundproof doors can be confused with other types of doors that are also made for soundproofing or an acoustic performance stage area. Therefore, an elephant door is the best term for this particular type of door—especially when you hear how it got its name.

According to a tweet by Sunset Studios, a film crew once decided to build an oversized opening in its production building to fit a real elephant inside for filming. Of course, they needed an exterior door system to close up the studio once the animal was inside. Therefore, the elephant door made its debut and has been in use ever since. Although not all production studios need to transport elephants, the doors still come in handy for moving large vehicles and set pieces in and out of the studio with ease.

Top 9 Benefits of a Stage Door

You don't need to own a film stage, production studio, or Vegas theater to buy large acoustical sliding doors. These doors are for a variety of uses to fit large openings with ease. The following benefits are some that you can expect from an elephant door.

1. Separation

A door is a door, and at the heart of a stage door is the ability to separate a space. These doors are used more often as exterior doors than internal doors, but they can also work in an interior to divide a huge room into two. You might see one as an interior door in warehouses, hangars, and open office spaces, for example.

As an exterior door, an elephant door works to keep noise out while separating the indoors from the outdoors. Believe it or not, these oversized doors shut as securely as any other, ensuring proper insulation without an air gap for precipitation to creep in.

2. Soundproofing

Most elephant doors are excellent sound proofers, hence sometimes being referred to as soundproof doors. However, because of their size, they shouldn't be confused with the smaller interior door that is often used to soundproof a recording studio.

Instead, elephant doors are much larger, yet they offer the same soundproofing benefits where noise reduction is key, like a performing studio, live theater, or an art museum. The door can prevent sounds from the inside escaping or distractions from the outside moving in.

The soundproof level of a stage door largely depends on its material, but many of them are built with this feature in mind. Commonly, stage doors come in concrete, reclaimed metal, or solid wood, and may infuse an acoustic panel, acoustic foam, or another type of soundproofing blanket material to keep them soundproof.

3. Security

Elephant doors might not seem as secure as other doors because of how large they are. However, many of them don't use your typical barn door lock that's common on interior doors or barn doors. Because of their wide usage in commercial applications, these doors are often fitted with security locks and other security features to keep them closed off from burglars or unauthorized individuals.

When you contact BarnDoorHardware.com for your new elephant door, you can let us know about your company's needs and the intended use for the door. From there, we can offer suggestions for securing your door appropriately for your needs, whether it's an exterior or interior door.

4. Easy to Move and Open

Despite its massive size, a stage door isn't difficult to open. These doors are heavier than a typical entrance door or interior door, but the tracking system and large door handle make them easy to maneuver. In fact, several different tracks allow these doors to move, accommodating any size door.

Most elephant doors move on an overhead track, but there are also systems for a concealed floor track to help your doors move with ease. Consult with a BarnDoorHardware.com installer if you aren’t sure which system will work best for your needs. We can tell you which track system is needed to ensure durability and smooth operation.  

5. Accommodates Large Spaces

Oversized exterior and interior entrances need oversized doors to accommodate them, and elephant doors do the job. These doors are available in various sizes, and BarnDoorHardware.com can custom design the size you need to fit your space.

In fact, we can design doors as tall as 30 to 40 feet and virtually as wide as you need to close off an opening. Because stage doors often work with two panels that slide open and shut together, they create the perfect way to give easy access to a large space while keeping it closed off and soundproof when necessary.

6. No Hinge Needed

Unlike other types of doors that require hinges to swing open and shut, a stage door comes on a track, usually attached to the top, bottom, or both the top and bottom of the door frame. The doors sit on a straight track rather than a curved track that runs across the door frame, making them perfect for a large exterior or interior wall.

Because these soundproof doors are so large, not having a swinging hinged door eliminates the need for free floor space around the door when it opens and shuts. Instead, it slides back and forth along the wall without taking up space in or out of the room.

7. Weather Resistance

A soundproof stage door can be a hefty investment because of its size, custom design, and the special hardware used to secure it. Undoubtedly, you want to make sure your door lasts as long as possible. Fortunately, exterior stage doors are made with durability in mind. Weatherproof materials prevent weatherstripping over time and lengthen the door’s lifespan—ensuring your door can withstand any rainy day to come.

Similarly, an interior elephant door can also be weatherproof to resist humidity, and everyday wear and tear. Elephant doors are designed around a strong core, too, preventing warping that tends to happen in areas of high heat, especially with oversized doors. Regardless of whether you have a wood or steel metal door, quality stage door crafters ensure a solid door construction and door assembly to keep it in top shape for years to come.

8. Multiple Sizes

Because companies and production sets use an elephant door for various applications, they are available in several sizes. While it's common to see stage doors 20 feet or taller, they can range as tall as 40 feet or more. Their widths can also vary significantly, and they can easily be wider than they are tall. Add two stage door panels to your opening instead of one, and you have an ultra-wide door that accommodates any massive space you need to cover.

The range of sizes makes these doors one of the most convenient to custom order. When you place an order with BarnDoorHardware.com, just let us know the measurements of your opening, and we can come up with the right size door for your space.

9. Different Styles

Like the furniture you purchase to fill up a room, you expect your door to fit in well with your decor. Although you might not think a gigantic elephant door can do the trick, it certainly can. Custom ordered stage doors are much like a custom barn door that you can order in different styles and finishes to match the surrounding aesthetic. There's even soundproof paint to add an extra layer of soundproofing to your recording studio door or audition room if needed.

Get Soundproof Doors with a Stage Door

As you can see, a soundproof door is entirely possible to add to an exterior entrance or interior opening when you choose a stage door. At BarnDoorHardware.com, we provide custom-built elephant doors to fit your opening and usage needs. A designer can work with you to create a door that's the perfect size and design for your space and needs.

Additionally, we'll provide the closures and security features you need for your door, depending on where and how you'll use it. Call us or fill out our online form to get started with your custom order.