What To Know Before Installing Accordion Doors During Your Home Renovation
Do you feel overwhelmed by all the different types of doors to choose from when renovating your home's interior? One quirky and cute option to consider is the accordion style; instead of turning a knob to pull the door out to open it as you would with a more traditional door, accordion doors open by someone pulling them to the side, so they fold, like an accordion instrument, unveiling the space behind the unique door structure.
Accordion doors are ideal solutions that save precious space if you want to close off a section in a not-so-roomy area of your home. Plus, while you can typically expect to spend between $360 and $1,212 to install a more classic door in your home, you can purchase accordion doors for under $100 at popular home product retailers Wayfair and Bed Bath & Beyond. So, accordion doors are great for compact spaces in your home, considering the look and prices.
The downsides of accordion doors
While accordion doors have their advantages, that quirky style isn't without its cons. For instance, although the threshold-free design might seem convenient, the more free-spirited style can lead to potential water damage, as moisture can travel more due to the no-threshold build.
Meanwhile, do you have curious, active pets? The accordion doors might be fun for those furry friends but ultimately inconvenience you. If your clever cat constantly pulls on the door and eventually figures out how to slide it open, that cuteness could get too distracting if the door leads to a home office when you work from home, or frustrating if the door is for a bathroom. If the door leads to a space that wouldn't be safe for your pet, you should avoid the accordion style for that area altogether.
Furthermore, the non-traditional door structure can be more prone to breakage and wear and tear than a classic, sturdy door, requiring patience from the homeowner. If the idea of tears, splits, or rips in the door that you will have to repair is off-putting to you, then you likely should opt for more traditional, durable door options.
Think about using bifold or glass folding doors as alternative options
Do you like the idea of an accordion door but don't know if it would be practical for your larger doorway? Instead of accordion doors, consider bifold doors. Bifold doors have significantly wider panels than the accordion style for a more striking appearance and a more pragmatic solution for larger spaces. Many bifold doors only have two panels — hence the name bifold — which can be a chic alternative to accordion doors for tight spaces.
However, bifold doors tend to be more expensive than accordion options, as installation will likely cost between $350 and $725. Meanwhile, a more glamorous option — great for showing off your home's view — is the glass folding door style. But that chic look comes with a higher price tag, as the glass look will likely cost between $500 and $1,500. So, you should know about bifold, glass folding, and accordion doors and weigh the pros and cons of each before committing to the accordion look, but remember that accordion doors are typically great for smaller spaces and lower budgets.