Would something like this work from Lowes...they have other sizes as well...much cheaper.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lowes Interior sliding doors

I would not limit yourself to metal doors. I don't think the originals were metal because of any functional reason, I think they were metal because they were inexpensive and it was fairly common at one time.

If you have a leak you are going to have bigger problems than damage to the doors. They don't touch the floor, so they will sustain less damage than the floor and surrounding millwork and drywall will.

I would just get plain, inexpensive, (but solid-core) slab doors and hang them with good, sturdy hardware, and put on an MCM-appropriate pull.

Nothing the matter with the original concept:
div>

[Midcentury Hall[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/midcentury-modern-hallway-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_743~s_2115) by Seattle Interior Designers & Decorators Kimberley Bryan

joanie, thanks for the link. Those are really nice and cheaper but our opening is a lot larger than those standard sizes -- it's 96 by 93, so we'll need three panels and they probably will have to be custom sized.

ineffable, I like those slab doors a lot, but my understanding is that a washer/dryer and hot water heaters need adequate ventilation. My contractor is strongly suggesting not putting wooden doors on this opening because he doesn't think they will get enough ventilation. The old metal doors had openings in the bottom for ventilation. One way around this is to drill holes in the bottom of the doors, but I can't envision how that would look (and louvered doors would not work for this style home).

I think that ventilation is desirable for a laundry - especially if you will be running the machines with the doors closed or want to leave something their to air dry.

The metal doors you showed don't provide ventilation and even though they may not be hurt by the trapped moisture, that doesn't help the materials inside the laundry closet including the walls and it can encourage mold growth.

When we wanted to have a door midway down a hallway for visual privacy but allowing air flow for our central heat and air, we put in a louvered door. We had too look on line to find good ones. I don't recall where we ended up finding them, but google should find some. This may be a case where function needs to trump form.

Another alternative is to get solid wood doors, cut out a portion and cover it with a screen. My husband did this for our pantry to let the heat from the freezer in it get out. The pantry has a pocket door and he was concerned that louvers could create a pinch hazard when opening. We used a 1' x 2' opening in the top and the bottom of the door covered with a black mesh so air can circulate.

Another alternative is to not have the doors go all the way up - just as high as the other room doors - it looks like now it is framed out for them to go all the way. They put a screened opening in the wall above the doors.

Like they used to cut in bathroom vanities (picture from Retrorenovation

I know you said no barn doors, but something like this could be hung as a regular slider...you could have it solid behind the slats to about eye level then leave the upper slats open between.

Of the ones you posted I prefer the last ones. I think they jive with the space the best.

I also like the look of olychics doors. They don't have to be the barn door style hinge. I guess I like the look of wood vs metal.

If you dropped a header to conventional door height that looked like the others you could have solid doors that slid on the header-mounted track and between the header and ceiling could be filled in with some sort of ventilated material. Some kind of linear or louvered vent would be nice, or pegboard would be period appropriate.

Here is a link that might be useful: slot vent

Louvers can be consistent with MCM. Look at these in a modern bathroom where the handle choice and a wider frame push them toward modern:

[Modern Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2105) by Saratoga General Contractors RemodelWest

Original louvered doors in MCM house:

olychick, I like those barn doors! Will have to investigate that option.

pal, I have those exact type of doors in our cottage ranch (built in the early 50s). I'm looking for something different because the doors for the utility closet need be sliders for not just utility reasons but for consistency with the rest of the house. I also prefer a more sleek look than louvered doors, although the ones that cloudswift posted are pretty nice!

ineffable, unfortunately we can't drop a header for a couple reasons, one being that there is cabinetry that we installed above the washer/dryer. Also down the road we plan on putting in front loading stackable W/D so we want to keep the space as open as possible.

Here are a couple more examples. They are both hinged here, and don't know if you'd consider that, but I think they look terrific. I would think they'd be easy to make into sliders and quite affordable.

{{!gwi}}

edited to add link; first pic refuses to appear

Here is a link that might be useful: slatted wardrobe doors

This post was edited by olychick on Sat, Dec 14, 13 at 0:59

if you'll find an answer anywhere it would be at retrorenovation.com have fun.

Something like this might work Pipdog. I'm not sure on the cost, but you can get a quote from them. The panels also come translucent.

Here is a link that might be useful: Redi-Screen by Crestview Doors

rockybird, I would love to hear what your architect says. I thought $2K was really high too. We went to IKEA to see if we could customize Pax doors this weekend and I think it's possible, but it was so crowded, couldn't find a sales associate that could help us and we were too hungry to deal with it. So we left. I usually can't deal with IKEA unless it's on a random Tuesday morning and no one is there.

justgotabeme, that site is awesome! I've bookmarked that for our exterior doors, when we change out. I love some of their designs!

We are going back and forth over the doors and the current plan is just to get plan birch panel doors (like the above photo ineffablespace posted), drop a similar header and just call it a day. That would run us about half of the price of those glass IKEA-esque doors, including labor/installation. And it would provide some warmth and wood tones in an otherwise very white hallway. The ventilation will be in the header.

Too many decisions, too many decisions. I still need to start my Christmas shopping!! :)

Isn't it though pipdog? I stop there for a visit every now and then just to look. And drool.