One of the focal points homebuyers look for today is larger closet space, and with that comes the many styles of interior closet doors. Homeowners can choose from a variety of types, including sliding, single solid panel, bi-fold and louvered. Each alternative has its own advantages, disadvantages and possible need of having a professional door installer to do the actual installation.

After living in her house for four years without interior doors on her bedroom or closet, Angie’s List member Annette Adams turned to Cincinnati door installer Ron Sauder of Sauder Home Improvements to help.

“He put in long hours to insure the job was completed in a timely fashion and even did a little extra trim work at no additional charge where I was missing some trim on the hall closet,” Adams says of her door installation.
If you’re looking for new closet doors, consider these four types:

Sliding doors: These are two doors that each fit into a metal track on top and bottom of the closet. This type takes up less space than swinging doors and could be used in a smaller bedroom. However, it is not uncommon to have these doors jam or come off the tracks.

Single panel: This type of closet doors is the typical open-and-close door that resembles a regular bedroom door. Although the most economic closet door, this kind takes up a lot of space as it swings open. This door might be difficult to install correctly and get everything exactly square. If this is your first time to install a closet door, you may employ the help of a door installation expert.

The greatest advantage of the single panel door is the fact that you can use the door as an important decorative or working surface. Adding a mirror lightens and brightens a smaller, dark room. This closet door can be wallpapered or fixed with antique hardware. Covering the single panel door with chalkboard paint is a great idea for an office or child's room. Frosted glass panels can be attached to create a design. You can even paint a stencil design on the door or apply temporary wall decals to upgrade the look of your room. This type of door will also be large enough to affix a fold-down ironing board.

Bi-fold door: If you had a closet that was 60 inches wide, the opening would be so large that a single panel door would be very inconvenient. However, putting on bi-fold doors that are each 30 inches wide but fold straight down the middle into four 15-inch wide panels solves your problem. Since the panels are hinged together lengthwise, the door opens right on the hinge, with the two panels folding together.

This door allows the homeowner to reach all points of the closet. Because bi-fold doors allow for a smaller outswing than single panel doors, they are great for medium-sized rooms. These doors also are adjustable and easier to install, though if you don't want to spend your whole weekend working on closet doors, you may still want to hire an experienced door installer.

Louvered door: This type resembles a shutter. Louvered doors allow air flow and light into the closet to keep the inside from molding. If you want more detail, you can order these doors with six decorative panels each. Wooden louvered closet doors add warmth to a room. They also can be maintained fairly easily with dusting spray or a dusting hand mop, though painting these doors can be a burden.

Though hiring a door installation expert may be beneficial for the installation, a professional can also help with your existing doors. Sally Sutherland called upon Dave Butler, a Charlotte door installer, to adjust her bedroom door, along with various other home projects.

“The service experience was excellent,” Sutherland says. “We are hiring him again for our kitchen project. When he would see something that needed done, he would just do it. He is capable and honest.”

Looking for a capable and honest door installer in your area? Check Angie’s List.