Many older homes have bypass closet doors, which limit your access to half the closet at a time. To make closets more accessible, consider removing bypass closet doors and replacing them with bifold doors or two hinged doors.

Carefully measure the existing closet opening before buying new doors. Bifold doors usually include an overhead track and mounting hardware for the doors.

To hang traditional doors on a closet, you will need to cut mortises for the hinges into both the door case and door edge, then use magnetic catches to hold the doors closed.

Watch the video above to find out more.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

Danny Lipford: People with older homes often ask how to get more usable storage from their closets, especially those with bypass doors.

Removing the bypass doors is usually best. But rather than leave the closet open, you can replace them with either bifold doors or two traditional doors. In either case it’s important to carefully measure the opening before buying new doors.

The bifold doors usually come with the hardware necessary to mount them. That consists of the track, which must be mounted to the header of the closet opening, and the pivot points on the floor at either side.

With traditional doors, the biggest challenge is adding a stop and mortising the hinges into the casing on each side of the opening.

Rather than a latch at the knob, you’ll need to use a magnetic catch on the header to secure the doors. In either case, you’ll have much better access to your closet.


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Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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