Bifold vs. Pocket: When to Use Each of These Space-Saving Doors

Thinking about adding in a new door but have limited elbow room? In most homes, space is not endless—and so you need to be efficient in order to make the most of what you have. Two space-saving door options include bifold doors and pocket doors. Although they share many commonalities, there’s a time and a place for each.

The door that’s right for you will largely be determined by how much wall space you have, as well as how the door will be used on a day-to-day basis. Keep reading to determine the best instance to use a bifold door versus a pocket door. 

Bifold Doors

PRO: Bifold doors are fairly straightforward, and can be installed in a standard door frame. Plus, they do not require the wall space of a pocket door or barn door. A tried-and-true solution for small spaces, bifolds are often chosen for closets, laundry rooms, and utility areas.

Plus, some bifold doors feature louvered slats, which allow for ventilation—ideal for places like the laundry room where heat and moisture can build up. 

CON: Although they open neatly, bifolds require a bit of space for the panels to be folded open. If a completely seamless open-door look is what you seek, this may not be the right fit. 

WHEN TO USE BIFOLD DOORS: 

• Limited wall space: If you don't have enough wall depth to accommodate a pocket door. 
• Needing ventilation: When you want the doors to be closed, but airflow to still be possible. 
• Closet doors: For closets where you need to save space when the door is open, but don't need to completely hide the door.

Pocket Doors

PRO: As their name implies, pocket doors tuck neatly into the wall and require no “swing” space at all. Because they slide right into the wall crevice, they are a savvy solution for doorways and halls that are extremely limited on extra room. In addition to their minimal footprint, their functionality is tough to beat.

Personalizing a pocket door to suit your space has never been easier. With Door to Door’s Custom Fit Pocket Door Frame, you can customize your perfect fit by choosing your jamb size, width and height, closure options, and track capacity.

CON: Compared to hinged door options, pocket doors require more complex wall construction in order to create the cavity for the door to slide into. 

WHEN TO USE POCKET DOORS:

• Super slim spaces: Small rooms, bathrooms, or hallways where a swinging door would take up too much room or not be possible.
• Minimal design impact: When you want a door that disappears completely into the wall and doesn’t affect the room’s aesthetic. when open. 
• Flexible furniture placement: While a door’s swing can limit where you put armchairs, bathtubs, and beyond, pocket doors allow optimized furniture placement.

While they are both smart and stylish options, the main difference between bifold doors and pocket doors is the wall space required for installation and opening. Hopefully, this pro/con list has you feeling better prepared to make the decision about what is best suited to your needs. If you have specific questions about measuring and choosing the right door, don’t hesitate to contact us.