Choosing Closet Doors: Expert Tips

Published: October 01, 2020

By the Estate Millwork Design Team | Craftsmen since 1997

Determining the best type of door when it comes to your closet, all depends on the size of the closet and amount of space in the room. No matter what style of door you go with you want a closet door that gives you ease of access to the inside of your closet. For a full overview of your options, see our guide to the different types of closet doors.

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Traditional Hinged Closet Door

This is the most often seen type of closet door out there. It's is just your typical 3-hinged door with a handle that swings open into the room. These doors are tried and true as well as easy to install and can usually be swapped out without much work involved if something were to happen to the existing door. These doors allow for additional storage on the back of the door but can also means you can't have anything in the larger swing path of the door.

Sliding Closet Doors

If you have a larger closet and available wall space sliding closet doors maybe the best option for you. These doors don't create any traffic flow issues as they slide along a track parallel with the closet they are affixed to. The biggest drawback to sliding doors is that they only permit access to one side of the closet at a time.

There are several types of sliding doors, those that slide within the door frame, sliding barn doors that slide along a track outside the frame, and pocket doors which are similar to a normal sliding door with the exception that they slide past the frame and into the wall giving full access to the closet.

Bi-Fold Closet Doors

Bi-Fold doors fold back on one or both sides depending on the size of the opening, and unlike a typical sliding door they allow for full access to your closet all while only taking up about half of the width of a normal door and significantly smaller "swing" path. These doors do require more hardware than their counterparts which means there is a greater possibility of the doors binding or falling off of the tracks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What wood species work best for interior doors?

Poplar is the most popular choice for painted interior doors due to its smooth grain and affordability. For stained doors, Red Oak, Maple, Cherry, and Walnut each offer distinctive grain patterns and color tones. The best species depends on whether you plan to paint or stain.

How are custom wood doors different from big-box store doors?

Custom wood doors are built to your exact dimensions using solid hardwood and traditional joinery methods like mortise and tenon. Big-box store doors are typically hollow-core or use engineered materials. Custom doors offer superior sound insulation, durability, and a solid feel that mass-produced doors cannot match.

Can I order a custom door in a non-standard size?

Yes. Estate Millwork builds every door to your specified width and height. Whether you need a narrow pantry door, an oversized entry door, or a door to fit a historic opening with non-standard dimensions, we can accommodate your requirements.

What door styles does Estate Millwork offer?

We offer louvered, raised panel, flat panel, French, barn, arched, and mission style doors. Each style is available in multiple wood species and can be ordered painted or unfinished. Our online designer lets you configure every detail and see an instant price quote.

Design Considerations for Custom Wood Doors

Measure the rough opening, not the existing door, when ordering a replacement. Include the width, height, and wall thickness so the door and jamb fit correctly.
For high-traffic areas like kitchens and hallways, choose a harder wood species like White Oak or Maple that resists dents and wear better than softer species.
Louvered doors are an excellent choice for closets, laundry rooms, and utility spaces because the slats promote air circulation, reducing moisture buildup and musty odors.
When matching new doors to existing trim, bring a sample of your current wood or finish to compare. Estate Millwork offers the same species and can match stain colors for a cohesive look.