DIY Bifold Closet Door Installation: Complete Guide ($235, 2-3 Hours)
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Bifold closet doors cost around $220-250 per opening and take 2-3 hours to install with basic tools. They’re the best choice for small spaces where swing doors won’t fit and you want full closet access (unlike sliding doors that always block half the opening). This DIY-friendly project works for most standard closet openings and doesn’t require special skills.
We didn’t have the room for traditional swing doors, and sliding closet doors felt like a pain (been there, wrestled that track). So we landed on solid-core bifold doors from Masonite—sleek, sturdy, and exactly what our closets were crying out for.
If you’ve been around here for a while, you know that Horner Millwork and Masonite are longtime partners and, well, they’re just amazing to work with. Great product, the best customer service, and their delivery crew is top notch. Couldn’t ask for anything more!
Why Choose Bifold Closet Doors? (3 Key Benefits)
Not sure if bifold doors are your thing?
Picture this: accordion-style doors that fold in on themselves, giving you full access to your entire closet without hogging valuable floor space. They’re kind of like the yoga masters of the door world—flexible, low-profile, and surprisingly chic.
Bifold doors are best for:
- Small bedrooms where swing doors would hit the bed or furniture
- Reach-in closets (4-8 feet wide) that need complete access
- Rental properties or Airbnbs where you want a polished look without major renovation
We chose them because:
- They fit tight spaces perfectly (our room is barely 10×10)
- They’re easy to open and close—no more sliding doors getting stuck on the track
- The solid-core design feels substantial and blocks out cluttered closet views
- You can see your entire closet at once (game-changer for outfit planning)
Pro tip: Solid-core bifolds are heavier than hollow-core, which means they feel more expensive and don’t rattle when you close them. Worth the extra $50-80 per door if your budget allows.
Pictured above: This was the starting point—bare bones, begging for a makeover!
Here’s the closet above once we added new trim and painted the interior.
Here is the closet above once we added new trim and painted the interior of the closet.
What You Need: Complete Tool and Materials List
What you’ll need:
- Tape measure (seriously, measure twice)
- Pencil
- Cordless drill
- Hammer
- Level
- Masonite bifold door kit (ours included tracks, pivots, and knobs)
Trust me, having everything laid out ahead of time saves so much frustration mid-project.
How to Install Bifold Closet Doors in 5 Steps
1️⃣ Measure + Prep
First up, measure your closet opening. You want those numbers exact—width and height. Remove old doors and clean up any rough spots.
See image above: This is Jim double-checking the top of the closet (because perfectionists never skip this step!).
2️⃣ Install the Track
We secured the track inside the top of the door frame—leveling it out to make sure we weren’t setting ourselves up for a wonky door later.
Pic above: Screwing in the track like pros (or, you know, like semi-competent DIYers who Google everything first).
3️⃣ Prepare the Doors
We hammered in the door pivots at the top and bottom—these little guys are what make the magic happen. Think of them as the door’s elbows and knees: crucial for smooth folding.
Image: Close-up of the pivot going in. (Is it weirdly satisfying watching these come together? Asking for a friend.)
4️⃣ Pop in the Floor Guide
This step locks in the door’s movement—basically acting as the track’s dance partner.
See above: Installing the guide at the base of the closet frame.
5️⃣ Hang the Doors
Finally, the fun part! We popped the doors into place, making a few tweaks to get the alignment just right.
Photo: Jim easing the door onto the track. (Cue a happy dance when it all fit perfectly!)
Sliding Closet Doors Makeover vs. Bifold: Why We Chose Bifold
We did consider sliding doors—but:
- Sliding doors can derail (literally and figuratively).
- They cover half the closet at all times.
- We wanted full access, no barriers.
Bifold gave us all the benefits of a sleek look and total access. No regrets.
Should You Choose Mirrored Bifold Doors?
We debated going mirrored (because, hey, it makes small rooms feel bigger). But with young kids around for Airbnb and a high-traffic area, we passed on the mirror this time. Safety first and honestly, we love the clean look of these solid doors.
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Total Cost to Replace Closet Doors with Bifolds
Wondering about budget? Here’s the rough math:
- Masonite 2-panel solid-core bifold doors: ~\$220
- Hardware kit: included
- Miscellaneous (screws, etc.): ~\$15
TOTAL: Around \$235 for a huge style and function upgrade.
Here is a shot of the rest of the tiny room.
Alternative Closet Door Ideas
If bifold isn’t your jam, here are some other options to consider:
- Sliding barn doors
- Pocket doors
- Curtains (budget-friendly!)
- Accordion-style vinyl doors
Door Upgrade: The Before + After
In the adjacent bedroom, we installed another set of bifolds and the transformation (for such short money) is amazing.
Before image: Open closet with zero personality.
After image: Crisp white bifold doors perfectly trimmed out—adding style, function, and hiding alllll the clutter. Chef’s kiss.
Once we added the board and batten to the walls and painted the room Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace, the room was absolutely perfect.
Small Closet Door Ideas
This project proved you don’t need a massive renovation budget to make a closet look polished and purposeful. A bifold door makeover is the perfect sweet spot: minimal space, maximum impact.
If you’re eyeing your own DIY closet door makeover, don’t hesitate—this is one project that really pays off.
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Meet Jessica
What started as a hobby, Jessica’s blog now has millions of people visit yearly and while many of the projects and posts look and sound perfect, life hasn’t always been easy. Read Jessica’s story and how overcoming death, divorce and dementia was one of her biggest life lessons to date.
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