How To Install Bifold Closet Doors

Bifold doors come to the rescue in places where a conventional door would be in the way. When open, they fit neatly against the door jambs; when closed, they provide a warm and interesting break in a wall. Bifold doors are available in louvered, paneled, or flush styles. These doors are sometimes installed for closets and interior entryways.

Bifold doors are easily installed in an existing door frame. They come in different widths for pairing together. Use two pairs for wider openings. If the doors do not fit the opening exactly, you can narrow all the doors an equal amount by trimming them at the sides or building up the sides of the opening to create a narrower space.

Hardware includes an overhead track, a bottom pivot for each pair of doors, a slide guide, and an adjustable bolt that goes in the bottom corner of each pivot door. The hardware is available separately or as a part of a complete package that usually includes four tracks.

1. Install the track. Cut the overhead track to fit inside the opening. Insert the rubber or spring-cushioned bumper into the track, locating it where the slide guides attached to the top of the doors will hit it. Slip the pivot guides into each end of the track and screw the track into the center of the head jamb.

2. Installing brackets. Position the bottom brackets on the floor by dropping a plumb bob from each pivot guide in the top rack. Screw the bottom brackets to the side jambs, leaving all adjustment screws loose for later adjustment. If you plan to install carpet later, allow for the carpet by placing plywood shims under the floor brackets before attaching.

3. Installing the doors. Measure the opening carefully and trim the doors equally to allow a total clearance of 1/4 to 1/2 inch, depending on the number of hinges and doors. Install the hinges that join each pair of doors. Then install the top and bottom pivots and the slide guide necessary for each pair.

4. Adjusting the guides. When the door is back to the jamb and in a plumb position, tighten the top and bottom adjusting screws. Open the door to test it for clearance. If it binds on the top track or is too low, adjust the height by turning the adjusting nut located on the bottom pivot of the door. Repeat the same process for the second pair of doors.