Accordion doors: They were highly touted back in the day as a space-saving and room-hiding innovation. And, I think they most definitely can have their uses today, with the caveat that you want to look for a high-quality product, not one that’s flimsy. Looking back at a story on unusual accordian plastic window shades, I see that clever reader Joni tipped us to two places where you can get full-size accordian doors. I did even more research and tallied four to consider — including three that have been in business for decades. Above: Beautie-Vue’s vintage illustration of possible ways to use accordian doors.
Thanks so much to tipster Joni, who wrote:
Home Depot has a few acrylic accordion doors on their website–they’re kind of plain, but could be really cool with a textured window film on the acrylic panels. (Solyx has some nice window films at decorativefilm.com)
Woodfold.com has been in business for 50+ years and has woven wood, acrylic, and really cool perforated aluminum accordion shades.
#1 — Accordian folding doors from Panelfold:
Panelfold says: Panelfold is the first company in the world to invent, patent and commercialize folding doors incorporating flexible panel connector hinges.
Indeed, I count nine different series of doors. Lots of different design options — and materials — to choose from.
#2 — Accordian folding doors from Woodfold:
A company that’s been in business since 1957? You know that’s one of the top things that makes my heart go pitter-patter. Here’s what Woodfold says about their company on their website:
We’ve been crafting value for more than 50 years. Woodfold Mfg., Inc. was established in 1957 in Forest Grove, Oregon. Since then, we’ve grown into one of the nation’s leading suppliers of custom-crafted Accordion Doors, Roll-Up Doors, hardwood Shutters and Bookcase Doors for both residential and commercial installations. And even though times have changed, some things at Woodfold haven’t. At least, not the values that really make a difference to our customers.
According to their catalog, they have quite a few series, depending on your usage/needs. Finishes include natural hardwoods, woodgrain vinyls, solid vinyls, textured vinyls, custom paint finishes, custom stain finishes, high pressure decorative laminate finishes, aluminum — including perforated aluminum! — and applied murals.
#3 — Accordian folding doors from Spectrum and Marley, available via Home Depot:
Meanwhile, you can also head to Home Depot online to check out their selection of accordian folding doors from Spectrum. There are a handful of designs from a company called Marley, too. Home Depot categorizes these as closet doors. They run the spectrum in terms of cost, based on the materials they are made of. Some of them look to be basically PVC-framed. Others, much more expensive (like the one shown above) are laminate over MDF.
#4 Don’t forget New Old Stock Beauti-Vue accordian fold woven wood doors:
If you wanna make a big retro statement with your accordian door, get yer Beauti-Vue products before all their rolls of New Old Stock woven wood are gone! Yes, they can make them into accordian doors — see this story on that product line — LOTs of really great vintage photos to ogle, too.
- Beauti-Vue was one of our biggest discoveries ever on Retro Renovation. Right behind the now-defunct World of Tile. See all our stories about the products you can still get made from New Old Stock woven woods — while they last — by clicking here.
Poking around the google, I see there may be other brands as well. If you’re in the market and want to be super thorough, keep researching.
Merce says
We have a Pella accordion door in the doorway going into the bedroom wing of our 1957 custom built house. It has been super handy during covid-working from home to cut off that entire side when we’re in our bedroom office from the cats. 😉
It also matches our maple panels in the main house perfectly.
Huge props to the Silent Generation builders of our house, because these millennials appreciate it.
ChicagoB1GRed says
We haveoriginal pella full size solid wood accordion doors separating formal dining room from family room in a 1957 architect designed contemporary ranch. We’re in process of ripping our wall to wall carpeting and installing porcelain “travertine-look” tile. I guess even with the then super modern open floor plans pioneered back in the day, people still wanted some separation in the public spaces. I’d post pics but dont see where I can
Sue james says
I work for a school that was built in the late 50s. Can you tell me what the accordion doors would be made of? Very heavy and solid . Thanks (From The Stambaugh El. School, Iron River, Michigan) constructed in 1956
Pam Kueber says
Hi Sue, I am not an expert on this. Note, old materials can contain vintage nastiness Be Safe / Renovate Safe https://retrorenovation.com/renovate-safe/
Carla says
I bought a folding door from Woodfold more than 20 years ago! I owned a house in Forest Grove and the Woodfold door was the perfect solution for what to do with an awkward little room tacked onto the side of the house. Their doors are really nice looking and are sturdy too. I know, my two boys “quality tested” that door for quite a few years before we moved away from Forest Grove.
pam kueber says
Nice to know! Thanks, Carla!
Jean says
Folding doors are a feature of Richard Neutra’s Omega House, a Case Study House project that was never built (and my dream house!). Omega House is built around a series of outdoor courts, each with a different purpose. A small utility court is adjacent to the kitchen and a playroom; Neutra writes: “Deliveries come in here, laundry is dried, the smallest child plays in the sun or in the shade, right in view of the kitchen window. Its playroom– an enlargement of the bedroom which can be segregated by a fold away fabric door, to yield quieter afternoon naps– broadly and under a roof overhang opens out on Court Four.” Even though I can’t parse that last sentence for the life of me, I love this idea! Here’s a link to a drawing of this stylish idea in action:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/4c/14/57/4c145766e08bc1334fcbe6388e9d92f2.jpg
Kate Meleney says
I used Woodfold for the accordion door in my mini-cottage 1950’s redo back in 2011 and love it – it has held up beautifully and almost disappears when it’s open. Fits right in with with the 50’s decor.
pam kueber says
Nice to know!!
yellow says
Great finds! Something like this might work for the office next to our kitchen. We’d only considered installing a sliding door before.
Now I also know how to classify the mirrored doors on our master bedroom closet. They look to have been upgraded in the late 60’s or so. There are 2 panels on each side/or “door” which fold in half. Each of the four panels is framed with a 1/2″ of matte, light gold metal, and the panel doors were made much taller than the original closet doors, for a more prominent look. This article makes me appreciate the doors more, and realize how much openness they give.