Bifold Doors to French Doors - Easy Update for Under $175!

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This post is all about converting bifold doors to french doors.

easy bifold doors to french doors update

Do you have bifolding doors in your home? If you are like me, I just absolutely despise bifold doors. I seriously hate everything about them. They typically look cheap, they fall off the track, don’t line up properly, or don’t close properly, and frankly, they just look bad. So, if you share my disgust for bifold doors, then you’ll want to see how I updated my bifold doors for under $200.

I really debated if I would just convert my existing bifold doors to french doors, or if I should just remove them completely and start over. I’ve seem some really well done bifold door makeovers, that looked really easy to do. However, after pricing out buying the wood I would need and all the work involved, I decided to just buy new doors. I was also concerned because I knew you would always be able to notice that the bifold doors had been converted on the inside of the doors, and I figured for the minimal extra cost, I may as well just get new.

This post is all about the easy process to convert bifold doors to french doors.

Bifold Doors to French Doors – Supplies List

If you are ready to ditch your bifolding doors, and upgrade to a more affordable and modern french doors, then here are the supplies that you are going to need.

Bifold Doors to French Doors Supplies List

Qty 6 – 3 1/2″ Door Hinges – I used matte black
Qty 2 – Double Roller Cabinet Catches. You could also use magnetic clatches if you prefer.
Qty 2 – Interior Door slabs – Sized to fit your opening. Mine were 24″ x 80″ doors. Buy at Menards
Qty 2 – Door handles

Here are some before photos of the bifold doors that we are upgrading to French doors.

Step 1: Remove Bifold Doors

The best feeling is removing those old bifold doors! As you can imagine (since they fall apart so easily), taking the bifold doors out, is a cinch. There are different types of bifold door tracks and hardware, but it is pretty straight forward. You’ll need to remove the doors from the track first. Typically you just fold the door, and then press up up or down to release the door from the track. With the doors removed, you just remove the metal track on the top, and the hardware that was installed on the bottom.

Step 2: Buy Supplies

Doors

There are tons of different styles of interior slab doors, so just pick one that matches the look you are going for. I found some at Menards that were exactly what I wanted, and was so excited when I saw they were only $72! Here are the doors that I used: 1-Panel Interior Door. One thing to note is that these doors do not have knob holes, or edge stile for hinges. I did not want doors that had knob holes, since I will be adding my own cabinet handles to these doors. You will have to route the doors for the hinges, so if you don’t already have a hinge jig, you may want to purchase one.

Door Hinges

If you purchase doors that already have hinges routed, be sure you buy the correct size of hinge for your door. I purchased these 3 1/2″ matte black hinges that were $15 for 6 hinges.

Rounded Door Hinges 3-1/2″ x 3.5 inch, 5/8 Radius, Matte Black 3 ½ Inch 6 Pack

Door hinges Black Matte 3.5 inch with 5/8 rounded corners and 6 holes for front door,cabinet,wooden box.Safe black door hinges 3.5″ Includes 36 free screws for quick and easy installation.Mat black door hinges can be rotated 270 degrees.The extra long screws will come in handy specially when replacing existing hardware using the same hole pattern.
Security House door hinges 3.5 inch suitable for drawer,dresser,wardrobe. Shower,bathroom,bedroom,living room door hinges matte black 3.5.Smooth operating plain bearing hinge.Strong sturdy design make these interior door hinges a long lasting.These door hinges are made of high-quality iron, solid,thick. The Removable Riveted Pin also provides additional convenience.
Full Mortise black matte door hinges 3.5 inch security perfect for apartment, hotel, office, hospital, old school,dorm,dormitory,hostel,living quarters,company,kindergarten,nurser school,company,police office/station,shop,factory,class room,library,gym,gymnasium,fitness centre, palaestra,log cabin,blockhouse,frame house,restaurants,galley,kitchen,cook house,etc.
TDCHINGES Stronger, Hard,solid stable consolidus and sturdy 3.5 door hinges Matte Black suitable for college,university,schoolroom,classroom,stable,racecourse,natatorium.12 + 18 =30 Pack,6 +24 = 30 Packs You can buy matte black door knobs/heavy duty door lever lock/privacy door lever/interior door handles with hinges to decorate your doors.
The plain bearing hinges size is 3.5 inch x 3.5 inch Door Hinges, hinges for doors interior black.These hinges could be mounted on shed windows, shed hardware, shutters, skylights, vents, flower boxes, etc. for all kinds of outdoor buildings such as dog house,cowshed,byre,cattle/vegetables sheds,castle,playhouses,animal shelters and more.

Door Catches

You can either use double roller catches (like used in cabinets) or magnetic door catches. Either option will work just fine! I went with the roller catches, and they were only $5 for two.

Roller Catches

2 Pack Cabinet Latch Double Roller Catch for Cupboard Closet Cabinet Door Latches and Catches, Bronze

Package Includes: 2 x double roller catch with mounting screws
Durable construction: rolled stamped steel roll, copper finish, easy to install and easy to use.
Features double ball roller catch,the head can sway the built-in spring, open and close freely.
Versatile Applications:This Double Roller Catch is an ideal pick for various furniture types, including kitchen cabinets, bathroom cabinets, wardrobes, cupboard doors, and many other furniture doors
Service Guarantee: If you encounter any problems after using our products, please contact us and we will immediately provide assistance。

Magnetic Catches

Double Door Cabinet/Furniture / 2 Door/Magnetic Catch – 8#s of Pull per Magnets / 1 Double Magnetic Catch and 2 Plates/All Hardware Included by E.H.C.

Works to close and keep closed your Cabinet Double Doors. 8 Pounds of pull per magnet.
4 screws for easy install.
No need to run to the big box store, choose your size and color. Hassle free purchase and installation.
Packed by E.H.C. E-Hardware Connection we have you connected.
1 Double Catch and 2 Plates with hardware per pack

Door Handles

If you chose to get new doors that do not have predrilled knob or other hardware holes, then you can choose any door handles you want! If your new doors have predrilled holes, just be sure you select a new door handle with the correct hole spacing to fit your door. I had such a hard time choosing the handles, because there are just so many gorgeous handles to choose from. I ended up going with a simple gold 5″ handle that cost about $2.89 each.

Ravinte 10 Pack Solid 5 Inch Kitchen Square Cabinet Handles Brushed Brass Drawer Pulls Kitchen Cabinet Hardware Handles

365-Day Evaluation: We’re confident you’ll appreciate the Ravinte handle. We invite you to use it for a full year, and if it doesn’t meet your expectations, we’re here to assist
If you’re replacing your handle, measure and ensure the center to center hole spacing of the current handle is 5 inches(128mm) Installing new cabinet handles, drill two holes with center to center spacing of 5 inches(128mm)
STURDY & STRONG: The solid and sturdy 10 bar pulls are made of Zinc, finished with classic Brushed Brass, coordinates well with other appliances and accessoriess
Simple look: The Brass cabinet handles have a wide appeal across a range of kitchen cabinet doors and drawers The Brushed Brass handles have a clean and timeless look that works with farmhouse, vintage, traditional and transitional styles
Size of cabinet hardware: Screw-hole center: 5 inch; Overall Length: 5-3/8 inch; Width: 15/32 inch;Thickness:3/10 inch;Projection: 1 inch

Step 3: Prepare Doors and Frame and Paint

Now you are ready to get your brand new doors ready for installation.

Prepare Doors and Door Frame

If you did not purchase doors that already have hinges routed, then you will need to route your doors for the hinges. You will also need to measure and precisely place your door hinges on your door frame. Be sure you have this all perfectly lined up.

You can also go ahead and install your door handles at this time.

Paint

If you didn’t buy pre-finished doors, then you will need to paint your doors in the color of your choice. I also plan to paint my door frame white, as that was part of my vision for my new closet!

Here is a photo of the doors painted black. Paint is still wet 😊*Note – there are three doors (actually four) because I converted two sets of bifold doors at the same time!

Step 4: Install New French Doors

This is the easy part. Attach all the hinges to the door frame and the doors. Once the doors are in place you can mark and attach the door catches that you are using (roller ball or magnetic). That’s it. You should now have easily upgraded your bifold doors to beautiful French doors that are more functional!

Bifold Doors to French Doors Conversion

What do you think? Do you like how my new doors look? I couldn’t be happier with the end result, and have already converted another set of bifolding doors in my house. I mean for under $175 per closet, I just think it is so worth it! You may also notice I upgraded my flooring too. Yes, it was a busy busy couple of weeks, but totally worth it. If you are interested in all the details about my flooring upgrade, see that post here: Coretec Cairo Oak Flooring Review and Experience