Folding Door Cost

• Typically used for closets or laundry areas, bi-fold doors (two hinged panels that fold together, often hung in pairs, with two folding panels on each side of the opening) start at about $25 -$150 for hollow core doors made of composite or plywood and veneer; it can cost $100 -$500 or more for a set of solid bi-fold doors depending on size and the type of wood; and it can be $500 -$1,000 or more for stylish bi-fold doors with distinctive accents and high-quality wood like mahogany, cherry or walnut. Bi-fold doors can be plain, raised panels, louvered, mirrored or French style (a wood frame surrounding one or multiple panels of clear, frosted or patterned glass. For example, the Lowe's store brand ReliaBilt 24" 6-Panel Hollow Molded Composite Interior Bifold Door costs about $36; at Home Depot the Wood Classics Plantation Style30"x80" Cherry Composite Louvered Bi-fold Door costs about $140; and InteriorDoorsDirect.com charges about $235 for the 30"x79" 1-3/8"-wide Poplar Raised 6-Panel Bifold Doors, and $612 for 30"x83" 1-3/4"-wide Walnut Standard 10-Panel Bi-Fold Doors.
• If not included, hinges and a lockset can cost $20 -$50. Installation by a handyman or contractor can add $50 -$500, depending on the complexity of the project, bringing total costs to $75 -$250 for simple hollow core bi-fold doors, or $600 -$1,500 or more for larger, high-end doors.
• Bi-fold doors combined in sections (by multiples of two) are sometimes referred to as multi-fold doors, with up to six hinged panels folding to each side of a long closet opening. These generally require heavy-duty hardware and are custom orders that typically include installation. Costs for this type of multi-fold doors will vary, and can easily be double or triple the cost of high-end bi-fold doors.
• Sometimes also called multi-fold doors, accordion folding doors (with multiple small folding sections that slide to the side) are another option for screening closets or laundry areas. Prices start at about $25 -$200 for basic accordion doors (typically 30"-36" wide and made of vinyl laminate or Plexiglas) at home improvement centers like Home Depot or Lowe's. Sturdier accordion closet doors can cost $200 -$1,000, or $500 -$2,500 or more for hardwood veneer instead of laminate, depending on size and style. For example, the Woodfold Series 220 Accordion Door with a mahogany laminate finish for a 66"x80" opening costs about $440 -$480 at FirstChoiceProducts.com. Installation is typically relatively easy, and could be done by a handyman or contractor for $100 -$300 or more depending on local rates and door size and weight.

• Uneven walls due to the house settling or rotten wood around the frame could require carpentry repairs before an existing door can be replaced. Costs will depend on the extent of the damage.

• Do-it-yourself installation is possible. ThisOldHouse.com provides instructions for installing bi-fold doors, estimating that this project takes 4-6 hours and costs $200 -$750, and is relatively easy to do unless the bi-fold doors are heavy or the existing opening isn't square.

• Folding doors can be used a number of different ways in a home; DoItYourself.com describes six ways to use bi-fold doors.
• Folding doors are available at local lumber yards; home improvement centers like Home Depot or Lowe's; or search for a local door and window dealer through the American Window and Door Institute.
• If hiring an installation contractor, verify that the company is properly insured, bonded and licensed; ask for and check references, and look for any complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau.

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