The Best Method For Removing Your Old Bifold Closet Doors

Chances are, if you have a home that was built in 1984 or before, somewhere you have a closet with bifold doors. Sometimes called accordion doors, many homes were constructed with builder-grade bifold doors because yes, they were inexpensive to install, but also because they closed off the closet using half the space a traditional swing door needs. Also in their favor is the fact they open up the closet space completely, giving you access to everything stored inside, even at the edges. They also have a track above, but not below, which allows someone using a walker or wheelchair barrier-free access.

However, the time may come when you want to remove, replace, or redesign these doors. If that's the case, this brief YouTube demonstration shows how to get the door off its track using a flat tool such as a screwdriver or a rasp. Another alternative for removal is to simply hug the door tightly, lift it up into the track, and then pull it down and outwards, as shown in this YouTube short. The door will come away from its track as you squeeze it.

Once the doors are removed, there are plenty of closet door alternatives that may better appeal to your sense of style. Options include panels that feature mesh or stained glass. There are shoji-like screens and room dividers, pleated curtains, plus sliding panels, barn doors, and French doors as well.

If you find that a bifold design is the only thing that fits or is the mechanism that works best for the space, the other option is to create accordion doors that measure up to your sense of style. And now, the possibilities are endless. With just a few DIY skills, you can give builder-grade bifold doors a stunning upgrade and make those doors match the design in your bedroom, laundry/linen closet, or pantry.

If the doors were flat, you can build them up in a geometric or slat-like pattern using plywood, hardwood, or MDF (medium density fiberboard), a composite of wood and resin. If you have panels of different depths, you may want to consider removing the excess wood or building them up so you end up with flat-paneled bifold doors. Then paint them so they match the surrounding wall for a sort of 'secret passage' look. Alternatively you could cover your doors with a complementary paint color or wallpaper, so they pop out visually and blend with your décor.

And now it's entirely possible we've created the idea that you want to replace an existing closet door with a bifold door in your house to take advantage of their space-saving and convenience factors. If that's the case, we also have ideas on the easiest way to install a bifold door, and we say if it works for your home, go for it.