Bifold Closet Door Disadvantages To Know About (And What To Try Instead)

Bifold closet doors — the kind that fold themselves in half when you open them, also called concertina doors — have their place, but they also present some disadvantages. From their difficult installation to potential maintenance issues to higher costs, bifold doors are not always the number one option for a closet. Luckily, you have multiple alternatives to this door type, ranging from a traditional sliding one to no door at all.

Bifold closet doors' disadvantages start before they're even hung. This style of door often commands a higher price than others. And, since installation requires getting the pivots, the track, and the hinges to be fitted correctly, it can be a tricky process beyond the skills of many DIYers. If consistency is something that concerns you, bifold closet doors need reinforced framing and are unlikely to be the same height as other doors in your home.

Once the doors are hung, all their moving parts translate into frequent maintenance issues. While you can fix a bifold door that's fallen off the track, it might also have its panels separate or stubbornly refuse to shut. These potential flaws increase your chances of getting injured by the door, and if your bifold doors' panels separate, it can cause a gap that lets anyone peek in at your belongings. Irritation stemming from the noise of the hinges is almost guaranteed, and unfortunately, bifold doors' joints and tracks typically get noisier as they age.

The disadvantages of bifold closet doors don't end with tricky installation and maintenance issues. Viewing your whole closet at once requires fully opening both bifold doors. And even though they're designed to save space, bifold closet doors still jut into the room when you've got them open; this can easily block a pathway. 

If you're not happy with all the drawbacks that come with bifold doors, you've got several closet door alternatives to consider. For one, you could go for sliding track doors. Or you could choose a pocket door instead — in this configuration, the door slides into a pocket in the wall when opened. You could even replace your bifold closet door with split-swing doors — in this case, you'd still have two closet doors that swing open but without the fold in the middle. French doors or a sliding barn door could add a touch of style to your interior design.

But why go for a defined door at all? After removing your old bifold closet doors, you could cover your closet with a curtain, a screen, or hanging beads. Or, if you're okay with your belongings out on the open, you could just keep the closet doorless.