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You may not know it, but your closet door is the most important element in your bedroom. It's what tells you where to go, and keeps you organized. But there are so many types of doors! Which one should you choose? Here are different options.
Pocket Doors
Pocket Doors are doors that slide into a pocket in the wall rather than opening outward. They can be installed in an existing wall, so you don't have to worry about having enough space for a traditional door.
They are also good for small bathrooms and hallways. To open them completely, all you need to do is pull them out from the wall a few feet.
Closing the doors will just require sliding them back in place. Pocket Doors are inexpensive, and can be installed by an amateur carpenter. If you have enough space for a large closet, these might be a good option for you.
They also aren't very visible when closed so they're great if you need a door that takes up less visual space.
Active Closet Doors
These are doors that can open and close on their own, with the help of an electric motor. They're popular in larger closets or pantries, where you'd need easy access to your belongings instead of just having them handy. If you have a small closet where this wouldn't work well, then you might want to consider a different option.
Active doors are probably the most expensive of these options, but they're also one of the most useful. You can open and close them at any time, and you never have to worry about forgetting or losing your keys. It's a very attractive option for anyone who has small children, since this makes it easier for them to get into their closet and get dressed on their own.
They're also excellent for people who have mobility issues, since you can open and close them with the touch of a button. This is far more convenient than having to fumble around with sliding doors or fumbling for keys before you can enter your closet.
Swinging Doors
These are the doors you're probably most familiar with. They open outward from the wall, and swing back when they're closed. You'll find them everywhere, from closets to bathrooms to hallways in houses around the world. It's how Hollywood portrays all closet doors, but they're also the most versatile option.
The main benefit of a swinging door is that it takes up the least amount of space in your room. A standard sized closet is 7 feet tall, which usually isn't enough for a rolling door. And if you have an 8 foot ceiling, a pocket door may still not be high enough to use comfortably.
Bypass Closet Doors
These are a hybrid between sliding and swinging doors. They get their name because they consist of two pieces that "bypass" each other when the door is closed. In some ways they're similar to pocket doors, since you can move them out of the way when not in use.
But the main difference is that both parts are identical, whereas pocket doors have a panel on one side and a regular door on the other. This makes bypass doors versatile, since you can mount them in any room where you'd need full access to both sides of the closet.
This is also one of the most affordable options we discussed, since they don't require as many materials or installation work. Because it's a two-piece door it can be shorter, which means there are no extra tracks needed for the bottom of the doors.
They can also be used in hallways and other areas where you don't need a full 8 foot height. The hardware is fairly inexpensive as well, since there aren't any extra parts to buy.
Sliding Barn Doors
These doors consist of a heavy piece of wood that slides across on tracks. They're excellent for closets because they make the most of your available space, since the door can be as large as possible.
And if you choose some oversized barn doors, they can really impress guests with their unique design and style. And beyond just being an attractive option, they also add value to your home.
Barn doors are made from wood and other high-quality materials so that they're durable and built to last. Installing a set of them will instantly give the room a rustic or antique look. The metal hardware is strong and heavy duty, so it can support the weight of these large doors.
Pocket Doors
These doors consist of a panel that slides into place next to the wall. They're very similar to bypassing closet doors in many ways, but they have one important difference: you can't see through them! While this may be an appealing option for some people, it does limit your design options when you choose these over other types of closet doors.
But they also have some advantages over bypass doors. For one, they allow more privacy than a regular swinging door. And secondly, they're far less expensive to install and maintain than wood or metal sliding doors. They can be used in almost any room, since you don't need to worry about the size of the doorway like with other options.
Their main disadvantage is the cost. They're more expensive than other options because they have special parts and materials that can't be used anywhere else. Because of this, we don't recommend them for most homes. However, if you have a lot of extra space and money to spend on your closet doors, you should definitely consider getting some pocket doors.
Rolling Doors
These are mounted on a track above your head, and roll from side to side when you open them. They tend to be used for closets in the garage or basement where there isn't room for a swinging door. The main benefit of rolling doors is their size: they can open up much wider than a swinging door, making them easier to use.
Rolling doors can also be used in your bedroom for an impressive effect: you can install one along the top of your closet and have it open like a curtain. Of course, this type of door isn't appropriate for every room, but if you're planning on doing this, be sure to measure carefully!
Quarter-Turn Closet Doors
These are one of the most common types of closet doors, and they're very easy to install and use. They have metal tracks that a wheel is attached to, which runs along them when the door opens. This makes it possible for you to open or close the door quickly and easily.
The main drawback of these doors is that they're not as attractive as some other options, while bypass doors are more versatile and pocket doors can provide you with better privacy. But if you need a quick way to get into your closet without spending too much money, this is probably the best option for you.
Roller Shutter Doors
These doors are a little more advanced, and not appropriate for everyone. They consist of a regular swinging door mounted on top of a rolling door. In this way they combine the flexibility of a swinging door with the height of a sliding door. This is great if you don't have enough space for two separate doors. You can just open the shutter door when you need it, and close it when you don't.
Another advantage to these doors is their privacy: they're both tall enough that your clothing will be completely hidden from view, yet they give you the option of having an unobstructed view into your closet when open.
You can also choose some fabric with a pattern on one side, which will show through the open part of the door. This pattern can change depending on your mood, or it can be a constant source of inspiration for you.
Bifold Closet Doors
These are a great option for people who need more than just basic storage space. Bifold doors can be mounted on either the inside or outside of the closet, so they're one of the most flexible options we've discussed. They consist of two panels and a hinge - all three pieces have to be installed properly before you can use them.
They're very easy to install, and they can be used in any closet. However, you have to make sure that your doorway is wide enough so both doors have clearance when they're opened all the way. If this isn't possible in your home, then you probably need an even wider type of door instead.
These doors are usually fairly straightforward, since they're often installed a lot like regular doors. However, you need to make sure that the hinges match up properly for them to work well - if not, then they can easily be damaged or even broken off. If this happens, you'll have to call in a professional repairman and spend more money than necessary on your closet doors.
This is a more expensive option than most of the others we've described, but it's also one of the most useful and durable. It's an excellent choice for people who have small children or pets that could damage their closet doors. It's much more secure than sliding doors or accordion doors, and it allows you to use your closet for far more than just storage.
FAQs
-How much does a typical pair of closet doors cost?
Unfortunately, the exact price can vary quite a bit from one type to another. It depends on the materials that were used and whether you need someone else to install your new door. On average, you should expect to spend $250 or more per pair of doors. We recommend that you go with active closet doors, since they're the most expensive.
Bifold doors are usually a bit less than this, while basic sliding doors are quite a bit less. Pocket Doors can cost well over $1000 per pair, so it depends on what you want and need from your new door. In any case, it's not a bad idea to have a few different types of doors to compare prices, since this will help you get the best deal possible.
-What is the best type of door to use if I want to keep my clothes looking good?
Sliding doors offer better protection against dust and dirt than any other option we've discussed, so they're a great choice for people who have allergies or asthma. They don't let in as much air as bifold and sliding doors do, so they can keep your clothes from going stale. They're good for people who want to be able to get into their closet quickly, since you won't have to slide them apart or use a key.
Bifold doors are also great if you want speed and convenience over security, while pocket doors provide the best privacy of any option we've mentioned. If you want to put your clothes away in the morning without disturbing others who are sleeping, this is the best option for you.
Conclusion
You now know a lot more about closet doors, so you should be able to choose the best one for your needs. If you want it to add value to your home, then we recommend that you go with an option like a bifold door or pocket door. These are expensive and durable, so they can easily last 20 years or longer. If you want to save money, then consider a basic sliding door instead. These are usually the least expensive option, and they're easy to install.
