How to Install Bifold Closet Doors
Bifold Door Installation Made
Easy
By Mark J. Donovan
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One of the most common closet doors is the bifold door.
Recently I installed a couple of raised panel bifold closet doors and found the task
straightforward to do. The installation of bifold doors is something any Do It
Yourself homeowner can do. Described below are some how to tips on wood bifold door
installation.
Steps for installing Bifold Doors
First, the bifold closet door opening should be trimmed out prior
to installing the bifold doors. The trim usually consists of 1”x5” boards nailed
to the 2”x4”s and then trimmed our around the edges with some type of colonial
casing window or door trim.
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Measure and Purchase your Bifold Doors
Measure the bifold closet door finished opening (height and width)
and hold onto these dimensions.
Next visit your local home improvement store and purchase
the appropriate number of bifold doors you need for the closet. In many cases
you will need two doors. Select doors such that there combined width is 1 inch
less than the closet door opening. Also, select a door height that is 1-2”
shorter than the height of your closet door opening.
Install Metal Rail Assembly of Bifold Closet Door
Included in each bifold door package should be a long metal
rail assembly. Secure this rail to the top of the closet door opening using the
screws supplied. Note a screw gun, such as the
DEWALT DC520KA Heavy Duty 18-Volt Ni-Cad Cordless Drywall/Deck Screwdriver Kit , can come in handy when
installing bifold doors. It will dramatically speed up the installation and save
your wrist and elbow.
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The rail should be centered in the middle of the closet door
opening and one of its ends should butt up against one of the sidewalls of
the closet. Note that the side of the rail that mounts nearest the sidewall
should have an adjustable plate with a hole in it. This is where the closet
door will hinge on. |
Install Bifold Door Floor Bracket
Next install the floor bracket such that it rests up
against one of the sidewalls. Use the screws that came in the door packaging.
The floor bracket will have a saw toothed cut out that should rest on the floor.
Insert Dowels into the predrilled holes on the Bifold Closet Door
Insert the plastic dowels into the predrilled holes on the
Bifold closet Door. Note that there are three holes in the bifold door and that there
are specific dowels for each hole.
One of the plastic dowels should have a screw assembly that
can be turned. This dowel should be placed on the bottom of the bifold door to
the side nearest the wall. The screw will allow you to adjust the height of the
door.
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Another dowel will simply be a plastic rod of approximately
2 inches in length. This dowel should be mounted into the top of the bifold door
furthest from the hinged area.
Finally, there should be a dowel that has a spring assembly
in it. This dowel should mount in the top of the bifold door nearest the closet
sidewall.
Installing Bifold Door
With all the rails, brackets and dowels in place, install
the door into the rail and bracket assemblies. It works best if you insert the
top of the door into the rail assembly and then slide the bottom of the door
into the bracket assembly. Note that the spring-loaded dowel should be inserted
into the hole located in the plate assembly of the rail.
Adjust the Height and Location of the Bifold Closet Door
If the door needs to be raised or lowered, simply adjust
the bottom dowel with the screw assembly by turning the screw.
If two doors are required to enclose the closet door area,
then you may need to shift the doors horizontally. You can do this by adjusting
the plate assembly in the top rail and by shifting the bottom screwed dowel in
the bracket assembly.
Installing Bifold Closet Door Hardware
After the Doors have been installed and adjusted it is time
to add the doorknobs. If the doors do not come with the holes pre-marked or
drilled, then you will need to find the center point of the panel furthest from
the sidewall. Once the center point has been found and marked, drill an
appropriate hole to enable the doorknob screw to slide through. The doorknob
should screw onto the doorknob screw.
Note, that when finding the center point of the door,
you will have to measure the height and width of the door to calculate the
center point.
Install Bifold Door Guide Brackets
When installing two bifold closet doors, you may want to install
Bifold Door Guide Brackets. One bracket is installed on the inside of each door
such that when the doors close the to Guide brackets interlock with each other.
These guide brackets help ensure that the bifold closet doors stay flush when closed. The
brackets should be mounted about 1 foot off of the floor.
With the guide brackets in place you have completed your bifold door
installation project.
For information on
How to Install Interior Door Trim, see the
Installing Interior Door Trim Ebook from
HomeAdditionPlus.com. The Installing Interior Door Trim Ebook
provides easy to understand, step-by-step instructions, on how to install
interior door trim around an interior or exterior door. Pictures are included
for every key step in the process.
Additional Finish Carpentry and Bifold Door
Installation Resources
Finish Carpentry
Tools from Amazon.com for Installing Bifold Doors
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