RELIABILT Closet Doors
RELIABILT closet doors include bifold, sliding bypass, and mirrored options for reach-in and walk-in closets.
RELIABILT closet doors come in bifold, sliding bypass, and mirrored configurations priced from $40 to $200. Bifold doors are the most common, folding in half on a top track to open. Available in louvered, paneled, and flush styles. Sliding bypass doors use two panels on a track (one slides behind the other). Mirrored options add a full-length mirror on one or both panels.
Closet Door Styles
| Bifold | Folds in half. Available in 24", 30", 36" single and 48", 60", 72" double. $40 - $120. |
| Sliding Bypass | Two panels slide past each other. Good for wide openings. $80 - $150. |
| Mirrored Sliding | Framed mirror panels on bypass track. $100 - $200. |
| Louvered Bifold | Slatted panels allow airflow. Good for laundry closets. $50 - $100. |
How to Choose RELIABILT Closet Doors
Measure the finished opening width and height. Closet door sizes are based on the finished opening (after drywall and trim), not the rough opening. Standard closet opening widths are 24" (single bifold), 48" (double bifold), 60" (bypass), and 72" (bypass). Height is almost always 80". If your opening is non-standard, some bifold doors can be trimmed up to 1" on each side.
Bifold doors give the widest access to closet contents. When fully open, bifold doors expose about 80% of the opening width. Bypass doors only expose 50% at a time since one panel always overlaps the other. Choose bifold for reach-in closets where you need to see and access everything. Choose bypass for wide openings (60"+) where bifold panels would be awkwardly large.
Louvered panels provide ventilation. If the closet houses a water heater, HVAC air handler, or washer/dryer, louvered bifold doors allow airflow that prevents moisture buildup and provides necessary combustion air. Solid panel doors in these locations can trap humidity and heat.
Framed vs frameless mirrored doors: Framed mirrored bypass doors have a visible metal frame (usually silver, gold, or bronze anodized aluminum) around each panel. Frameless mirrors use a polished edge with no frame for a cleaner, more modern look but cost 20-30% more and are more prone to edge chipping during installation.
For a modern alternative to bifold doors, consider a sliding barn door that mounts on an exposed track above the opening. For spaces where no door swing or slide clearance exists, a pocket door slides into the wall entirely. Standard prehung interior doors also work for single-width closet openings if you prefer a traditional hinged door.
Closet Door Installation Tips
Install the top track first for bifold doors. Screw the track to the header of the opening. Most tracks are pre-drilled. If the opening is wider than the track, cut the track to fit with a hacksaw. The track should sit flush against the header with no gaps.
Set the bottom pivot bracket before hanging the door. Position the floor bracket directly below the end of the top track. The bottom pivot pin must align vertically with the top pivot socket. Offset by even 1/4" causes the door to bind when folding.
For bypass doors, install both top and bottom tracks. Bypass doors ride on a double-channel top track and are guided by a bottom track or guide. Ensure the top track channels are parallel and level. Hang both panels and adjust roller heights until the doors overlap evenly with 1/4" to 3/8" clearance between them.
Install the knob or pull 36" from the floor. Closet door knobs sit at the same standard height as regular door hardware. On bifold doors, the knob goes on the leading panel (the one that swings outward) approximately 2" from the fold edge. Use a small edge-mount knob, not a full-size passage knob, for proper clearance.
Adjust the bifold spring tension after installation. The top pivot uses a spring-loaded pin to keep tension on the door. If the door flops open loosely, increase the spring tension by turning the adjustment screw on the top pivot bracket clockwise. If the door is too stiff to open, back the screw off.
Common Closet Door Problems and Fixes
Bifold door jumps off the top track: The top pivot and roller guide are worn or the track is bent. Replace the top pivot bracket ($3-5) and inspect the track for dents. Straighten minor bends with pliers. If the door jumps off repeatedly, the opening may be out of square, causing the door to bind and pop free under pressure.
Bifold door does not fold flat when open: The bottom pivot pin is not centered in the floor bracket. Adjust the floor bracket position so the pin sits vertically plumb. Some brackets have a spring-loaded pin that slides laterally for fine adjustment. Ensure both panels are the same height; if one is shorter, the fold point will be misaligned.
Bypass doors overlap unevenly or rub: The roller height is uneven. Most bypass rollers have a height adjustment screw. Turn it to raise or lower each panel until they hang parallel and clear of each other by 1/4" to 3/8". Also check that the bottom guide is centered so neither panel tilts.
Mirror panel cracked or chipped: Mirrored closet door panels cannot be repaired. Order a replacement panel from Lowe's using the door model number. For safety, cover the cracked mirror with clear packing tape to hold fragments in place until the replacement arrives. Do not continue using a cracked mirrored door.
Louvered slats broken or cracked: Individual louver slats on bifold doors cannot be replaced easily since they are glued into the stile. For a single broken slat, glue the pieces with wood glue and clamp overnight. If multiple slats are damaged, replacing the entire door panel is more practical and costs $25-50 for a single bifold panel.
How to Maintain Your Closet Doors
Clean the track every 6 months. Dust and lint from clothing accumulate in the top track of both bifold and bypass doors. Vacuum the track with a crevice attachment, then wipe with a dry cloth. A dirty track is the leading cause of doors jumping off track or sliding roughly.
Lubricate pivot points and rollers annually. Apply silicone spray to the top roller, bottom pivot pin, and track. For bypass doors, spray the roller wheels inside the top track. Avoid petroleum-based lubricants that attract dust and create gummy buildup.
Tighten the knob or pull every 6 months. Closet doors get pulled open dozens of times per week. The knob screws loosen faster than on standard doors. Use a screwdriver to snug the mounting screws. If the screw hole is stripped, fill with a toothpick and wood glue before reinstalling.
Clean mirrored panels with glass cleaner monthly. Spray the cleaner onto a microfiber cloth rather than directly onto the mirror to prevent liquid from seeping behind the mirror backing. Over time, moisture behind the mirror causes black spots (desilvering) that cannot be reversed.
Repaint bifold doors every 5-8 years or when scuffs and fingerprints accumulate. Remove the door from the track, lay it flat, and apply two thin coats of interior latex paint with a foam roller for a smooth finish. Paint the edges and panel recesses with a small brush. Reinstall after the paint has fully cured (24-48 hours).
Vacuum inside louvered door slats every 3-6 months. The angled slats on louvered closet doors collect dust on the horizontal surfaces. Use a vacuum with a brush attachment or a microfiber duster to clean each slat. Neglected dust buildup on louvers is visible from across the room and makes the doors look dingy.
Replace worn bypass rollers every 5-7 years. Bypass door rollers have nylon or plastic wheels that flatten over time from the weight of the door panels. Flat-spotted rollers cause jerky sliding and make the doors hard to move. Replacement rollers cost $3-8 per pair and install in 5 minutes by lifting the panel off the track.
Closet Door Questions
Can I replace bifold doors with bypass sliding doors?
Yes, but the opening width must accommodate two overlapping panels. A 48" opening works for both double bifold and bypass configurations. You will need to remove the bifold track and pivot hardware, then install a bypass track and rollers. The header (top of the opening) needs to be straight and level since bypass tracks do not adjust for sag like bifold tracks can.
Are louvered closet doors good for bedrooms?
Louvered doors allow airflow, which is an advantage for utility closets but a drawback for bedroom closets. The slats let light and sound through, and you can see clothing colors through the gaps. For bedrooms, solid panel or flat panel bifold doors provide a cleaner look and block light from the hallway if the closet light is left on.
How do I measure for double bifold doors?
Measure the finished opening width (inside the side jambs) and height (from the finished floor to the header). Double bifold doors are sold as a pair sized to the full opening width. A 48" opening uses two 24" panels per side (four panels total). A 60" opening uses two 30" panels per side. Subtract 3/8" from the measured height for floor clearance.
Can I replace mirrored sliding doors with bifold doors?
Yes. Remove the mirrored bypass panels and top/bottom tracks. Install a bifold track in the header and bottom pivot brackets at the floor. Bifold doors give wider access to the closet interior (about 80% of the opening vs 50% for bypass), but they require 8-12 inches of clearance in front of the closet for the folding panels. Verify you have that floor space before switching.
For a modern alternative, consider a sliding barn door for larger closet openings. Bifold doors use specialized closet door hardware (top tracks, pivot pins, knobs). See installation tips for alignment guidance.
When replacing closet doors across multiple rooms, buy all doors in the same style for a consistent look. Mismatched closet doors (louvered in one room, paneled in another) make a home feel inconsistent. RELIABILT offers all closet door styles in matching white primed finishes.
For walk-in closets with wide openings (72"+), bypass sliding doors are the most practical choice since bifold doors would need to be very tall panels that are unwieldy. For utility closets housing a water heater or furnace, louvered doors are often required by building code to provide combustion air. Check your local requirements before choosing a solid panel style.