Accordion doors have many applications in both the commercial and residential markets. One function is to act as a standard door creating a closure. An example would be for a closet or room. A second function is to create a temporary room divider or dividers of a large space, possibly for meetings.

Accordion doors may be solid, opaque or translucent in addition they may be hand operated or motorized especially in the case of large room dividers.

The materials that could be used to make an accordion door are many and some may be used concurrently together. Wood is aesthetically pleasing and gives a rich look, with some sound control. Wood can be a solid piece or used as a veneer.

Vinyl may be a thin door for quick closure or heavy duty and may also be in a variety of colors, textures and in addition may be laminated on top of other materials. Steel doors may be for aesthetics or for security. Aluminum is also utilized as steel. Glass or polycarbonates are usually used with steel or aluminum doors to allow vision or light only to pass through the door.

Hardware is also varied in that simple hardware is a track attached to a frame above and the door has devices to slip into the track and slid manually along the track. This application is usually for light usage. Heavily used doors would have a more substantial top track or a top and bottom track or possibly pivot points on the bottom of the door.