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How to Install an Accordion Folding Door (DIY Guide with Pictures & Video)

Accordion style folding doors are a great, low cost door option for closets, pantries, etc. Although these doors are not ideal for high use applications, they are a good, cost-effective option for many storage and privacy needs. 

To install an accordion folding door, start my measuring the door opening and then trimming the accordion folding door down to size with a hack saw. Next, install the accordion folding door top track (with one screw located in the center) to the underside of the door opening. Install the glide rings, glide rail clips, and door handle and then slide the glide rail clips into the groove in the top track. Finish securing the top track with screws and then screw the anchor panel to the wall on the non-opening side of the door. Finally, install the magnetic latch plate to ensure that the accordion folding door stays in place when closed.

This article will outline every step in the accordion folding door installation process so that you can successfully install your own. If you are more of a visual learner, a complete DIY installation video is linked at the end of this article.

Let’s begin the accordion folding door installation.

1. Measure the Door Opening

Measure the Accordion Folding Door Rough Opening
Measure the Accordion Folding Door Rough Opening

Before installing your accordion folding door, double check your door’s rough opening. To do this, measure the width and height of your opening and compare it to the accordion folding door you plan to install. Typically, accordion folding doors are 80” in height and come in various widths. Ensure that your door opening is no taller that 80” and that the width is less than that listed for your accordion folding door. If your opening height is a few inches less than the accordion door’s listed height (likely 80”), that is not a problem – you can easily trim the door down to accommodate your smaller opening. Additionally, if your door width is slightly less than the accordion folding door you purchased, that is also OK – your door will simply not be fully extended when the door is closed. 

2. Trim the Accordion Folding Door as Needed

For my accordion folding door installation, my rough opening was approximately 70” in height and 34” in width. For this opening, I purchased a 80” H x 36” W accordion folding door from LTL Home Products off of Amazon. In order to trim down the accordion folding door to accommodate the shorter opening height, start by marking the approximate cut location on the door. Stack the door panels together and secure them with masking tape at the bottom of the door (the bottom is the end without holes).

Tape the Accordion Folding Door panels together before trimming
Tape the Accordion Folding Door panels together before trimming

Next mark, your cut line by measuring the opening height from the top of the door. For example, for a 70” opening, measure 70” from the top of the door, leaving 10” to be cut off. However, the top track and track guides will increase the overall height of your door. Measure the additional height introduced by the top track and track glides (in my case, this was about 1-1/4”) and subtract that measurement from your initial cut line. I also recommend that you subtract an additional ¼” to allow for the door to open and close freely without hitting the floor.

Account for the extra length introduced by the top track and glide brackets
Account for the extra length introduced by the top track and glide brackets

Therefore, to accommodate my 70” opening, I marked my cut line 68.5” from the top of the accordion folding door. 

Mark your cut line on the accordion folding door
Mark your cut line on the accordion folding door

Use a hacksaw and cut along your marked cut line. Be sure that you have properly secured all panels of the door together with masking tape on your cut line. 

Use a hacksaw and cut along your marked cut line.
Use a hacksaw and cut along your marked cut line

After cutting the accordion folding door to length, you will also need to cut the top track to fit the opening. Cut the top track 1/8” shorter than the opening width in order to ensure that it will fit in place without interference. 

Trim the accordion folding door top track to length
Trim the accordion folding door top track to length

3. Install the Accordion Folding Door Top Track

After trimming your top track to size (if needed), position your top track in place so that it is straight, even, and centered along the top of the opening.

Use a tape measure to position the top track in place
Use a tape measure to position the top track in place

After establishing where the top track will be installed, drive a ¾” track screw through the mounting hole that is most near the center of the door opening. Do not fully tighten this screw. Consider using tape to hold the top track in place while you install the first top track screw. 

4. Install the Top Glide Rings and Top Glides

After installing the top track, install the circular top glide rings at the top of the accordion folding door by snapping them into place. To do this, position the top glide rings over the center holes on top of each full width panel. Next, snap the top glide rings into place, ensuring that they are secure. There should be an audible “snap” when the glide rings are secured. 

Snap the glide rings into place
Snap the glide rings into place

After installing the top glide rings, install the top glides by snapping them into place within each top glide ring. 

Install top glide brackets
Install top glide brackets

Finally, install the “T” glide bracket on the end panel using the provided hardware.

Install "T" glide bracket on the end panel using the provided hardware
Install “T” glide bracket on the end panel using the provided hardware

5. Install the Accordion folding door handle

At this stage of the accordion folding door installation, install the door handle by inserting the door handle attachment pins into one side of the door handle. Next, insert the door handle attachment pins through the accordion folding door and then insert the pins into the other side of the door handle. Use even, firm pressure to push the two sides of the door handle together, fully hiding the door handle attachment pins. 

Install the Accordion Folding Door Handle using the attachment pins and even pressure
Install the Accordion Folding Door Handle using the attachment pins and even pressure

6. Install the Accordion Door Panels

After installing the top track, top glide rings, top glides, and door handle, it’s time to install the accordion door panels within the opening. To do this, rotate the top track (using the loose track screw as a hinge) so that it is perpendicular to the opening. Next, apply track lubricant to each top glide (if provided). 

Slide top glides into the top track
Slide top glides into the top track

Slide the top glides into the top track, one by one, until each glide has been installed within the top track. Stack the accordion folding door panels at the center of the top track near the mounting screw. Then, rotate the top track back to it’s original position within the opening. Once the top track is positioned properly along the opening, secure the top track to the top of the opening using ¾” track screws through all remaining track holes.

Secure the remaining top track screws once the panels have been installed
Secure the remaining top track screws once the panels have been installed

7. Install the Anchor Panel

Once the top track has been fully secured to the top of the opening, secure the anchor panel to non-opening side of the doorway using the provided screws. The anchor panel should include 4-6 mounting holes for the screws to be placed. 

secure the anchor panel to non-opening side of the doorway using the provided screws
Secure the anchor panel to non-opening side of the doorway using the provided screws

8. Install the Magnetic Latch Strike Plate

Use tape to hold the magnetic striker plate in place and secure it to the wall
Use tape to hold the magnetic striker plate in place and secure it to the wall

Once the anchor panel has been secured to the non opening side of the door jamb, close the accordion folding door so that it contacts the other side of the opening. Mark the location where the door latch contacts the side of the door opening jamb. Next, install the magnetic striker plate on the marked location using the provided screws. 

Test the Accordion Folding Door Placement by closing the door
Test the Accordion Folding Door Placement by closing the door

The Magnetic Latch striker plate will help to ensure that the accordion folding door closes securely and stays in place. 

9. Test the Accordion folding door to ensure smooth operation 

At this stage, your accordion folding door installation is nearly complete. Take some time to open and close the accordion folding door to ensure that it operates smoothly with no issues. Additionally, check to make sure that the magnetic latch strike plate is positioned appropriately. After ensuring the accordion folding door is operating as designed, your accordion folding door installation is complete. 

If you need additional clarification on any of the above steps, check out my accordion folding door installation video below:


Thanks so much for checking out ATImprovements! If you learned something from this project, you might also like these other DIY Projects:

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How to Install the Schluter Kerdi Shower System: Schluter Kerdi Shower Kit Installation (Everything you Need to Know) – AT Improvements

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Thanks!

DISCLAIMER: This is a reference guide only. Links included in this article might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting ATimprovements so I can continue to provide you with free content each week

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