Upgrading your existing closet doors by replacing them with something more practical or updated is a minor change that can breathe major life into a room. Whether you need to install a sliding door for a space-saving measure or you prefer a hinged-door design for an aesthetic upgrade, knowing how to replace a closet door is a fantastic way for a homeowner to make a big impact within a smaller closet space.

Tools Needed

Before getting started, you'll need the following to replace a door. Consult the manufacturer's instructions too to ensure you have everything you need specific to your door.

• Pencil
• Hammer
• Cordless drill with various bits
• Tape measure
• Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers
• Metal file
• Hacksaw (for bi-fold and sliding doors)
• Replacement doors
• Wood strips (only if replacing on carpet)
• A pry bar (if removing a hinged-door)
• Cardboard, to protect your flooring
• Specific brackets, pivots, and hinges for each type of door

Replacing a Closet Door

Step 1: Remove the Existing Closet Doors

The first step is to remove the existing doors. This process varies depending on the type of door you have in place. Bi-fold closet doors fold back into panels by sliding on an upper track, while sliding doors are twin doors that slide across one another on both an upper and lower track to create an opening. A hinged door refers to a door secured in place by upper and lower hinges.

How to Remove Sliding Doors

Step 1: Loosen the screws attaching the hinges to the upper track. This should create a bigger gap between the door and upper track, allowing more space for removing the door.
Step 2: Slide the front-rolling door so it's away from the edge of the door frame.
Step 3: Starting with the door on the outside (the one facing the room), carefully lift the door towards you, gently dislodging the hinges from the upper track.
Step 4: Repeat with the second door.
Step 5: Remove all tracks from the door opening.

How to Remove Bi-Fold Doors

Step 1: Fold the doors together.
Step 2: Locate the screws on the upper part of the door attaching the wheels to the track and loosen each screw.
Step 3: Carefully lift one of the doors towards you, gently dislodging the wheels from the upper track.
Step 4: Repeat with the second door.
Step 5: Completely remove the upper track and any debris from the door opening.

How to Remove Hinged Doors

Step 1: Close the door(s) and ensure it's latched.
Step 2: Remove the hinge pins by placing a nail underneath the pin and gently knocking the bottom of the nail with your hammer, until the hinge comes loose.
Step 3: You can remove the pins once they're out about an inch or so, simply use your fingers or a flat-head screwdriver (using a similar process you used with the nail and hammer).
Step 4: Grab the doorknob with one hand and place your other hand near the upper hinge. Carefully lift the door off the hinges and pull it towards you. Doors are heavy sometimes, so proceed with caution! You can place a pry bar underneath the door to absorb some of the weight.

Step 2: Install Your New Closet Door

How to Install Sliding Doors

Step 1: Use your tape measure to determine what size sliding doors you need. Measure both the height and width of the door opening, keep in mind each opening may not be equal. If you're replacing the same exact type of door, you can simply measure the old door.
Step 2: Even if you're replacing sliding doors with new sliding doors, you still need to install new tracks. Tracks are unique to the brand and type of sliding door, so prepare to install new ones.
Step 3: Use a hacksaw to cut the track to the height and width of the door opening, minus 1/8". Use a metal file to smooth out the edges of the track. Repeat for the lower tracks.
Step 4: Have someone hold the upper track in place while you mark the location and center it. Split the 1/8" difference on each side, so you have a 1/16" gap on either side. You can place the track either at the front of the door jamb (opening) or more towards the center.
Step 5: Once you find the right location for the track, pre-drill holes and screw the track into place.
Step 6: For sliding doors, install the lower track or door guides by screwing directly into the flooring. If you have carpet, you will need a piece of wood measuring 1/8" wide and equal to the length of the lower track to place on the floor and below for the tracks to screw into.
Step 7: Stand inside the closet and with someone's help, have them slightly tip the door towards you. Hook the wheels into the upper track. Swing the door inward and the wheels on bottom should snap into place into the lower track or door guide. Adjust and align as necessary.
Step 8: Repeat for the second door.

How to Install Bi-Fold Doors

Step 1: Measure the closet opening so you know what size bi-fold doors will fit within the space.
Step 2: Make sure all tracks from the previous doors have been removed, even if they are similar styles. You can also patch and fill in any holes.
Step 3: Mark the center of the upper opening, so you know where to place the upper track.
Step 4: Cut the upper track with your hacksaw to fit within the opening. You should leave a 1/16" gap on each end between the track and the door jamb.
Step 5: Install the track by screwing the pivot brackets in the upper door jamb, securing the track (either included in your bi-fold door installation kit or purchased separately).
Step 6: You can also install a jamb bracket at the bottom of the opening, one on each side, and aligned in the center of the side jamb. Fasten with screws.
Step 7: Bi-fold doors are pre-drilled with holes at both the top and bottom of each door. Using a hammer, tap the pivots into the holes at both the top and bottom of doors.
Step 8: Gently lift the door up and spring the top pivots into the pivot bracket, then insert the bottom pivot into the jamb bracket. Repeat for all pivots.
Step 9: If you need to, adjust the height of the door by lifting the bottom and rotating the bottom pivot until you get the desired height.

How to Install Hinged Doors

Step 1: The process for installing hinged-doors is similar to un-installing them. But first, you have to measure correctly to guarantee you have the right-sized doors and hinges for the closet opening. Measure the width and height of your door opening to find the right-size doors. Most standard doors measure 80" in height and 30" in width. Once you locate the right height and width, measure the thickness of the door too. You will need about a 1/4" gap between the doors and the opening so it will swing correctly. Generally, if a door measures 1 3/8" thick and 32" in width, you would purchase a 3 ½" hinge. If the door is thicker and wider (up to 36"), then you bump up to a 4" hinge. Anything larger may need up to a 5" hinge, to support the weight of the door. Use these measurements to find the right hinge size.
Step 2: Mark and measure the location of the hinges too. Typically one hinge is installed about 5" below the upper door jamb, while installing the second hinge 10" from the bottom of the door.
Step 3: Place the door in the opening and use your pencil to mark where the hinges should be attached both in the door jamb and on the door. Return the door to your work area after marking.
Step 4: Using a screwdriver and screws, secure the hinges to the door once you've determined the right placement. Once secured, carefully align the door to the correct placement within the opening (you can use a wedge to help hold the door in place). Now you can attach the other part of the hinge to the opening, starting with the upper hinge first.
Step 5: Screw the hinges in tightly in the door jamb and your door should swing nicely back and forth.

Replacing a closet door is something you can do yourself and is an ideal project for giving your closet an instant update or even some extra space. Check out Wayfair's huge selection of interior doors, and get ready to update your closet!

Article by Sara Coleman.