Errors will be corrected where discovered, and Lowe's reserves the right to revoke any stated offer and to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions including after an order has been submitted. Prepare to Install Bi-fold Doors Remove the old doors and hardware. Then measure the closet opening. Use this to check the size recommendations when buying new doors. Good to KnowFor smaller openings, consider using a single bi-fold door. Repair the door opening as needed, such as filling old screw holes and painting. To help position the new doors in the opening, lightly mark the centers of the closet. Use a level to mark plumb lines on the sides of the jambs. Install the Track and Brackets Bi-fold doors work with a track and brackets. Cut the track to leave a 1/16-inch gap on either end. Then install the track – centered on the top of the frame (header) – with the pivot bracket toward the jamb. Center the jamb bracket at the floor. Drill pilot holes and then fasten the bracket to the jamb with screws.
Before installing the hardware, paint the doors. It's easiest to paint them on sawhorses. When the doors are dry, use a hammer to lightly tap the pivots into the holes at the top and bottom. Install the doors by inserting the top pivots into the brackets. Then seat the bottom pivots. Insert the snugger guide (the plastic white round piece that's shown in the picture) into the track. Then squeeze the guide pivot on the top of the door, position it under the track, and release it, making sure the guide pivot is securely in the track. Check the door height. The doors shouldn’t rub on the floor or come in contact with the header jamb. To change the height, lift the door and rotate the bottom pivot. To make it plumb, lift the door and slide it into the desired position on the jamb bracket. Loosen the screw in the top pivot bracket and slide it until the door is plumb and then tighten. Some bi-fold doors include pulls, but you can also install decorative hardware to complement the other doors.
To install decorative pulls, mark a comfortable height on the face of the guide door – centered is usually best for ease of use. Hold the hardware in place, marking the holes. Then secure the hardware. Aligners help keep the doors closed. From inside the closet, loosely attach them on the back of the doors about 12 inches from the floor. Adjust in or out so the doors snap closed. Then tighten the screws. Make sure the doors are working properly and make adjustments if needed. Watch Our DIY Basic Videos What Is The Backset Of A Door?How Do I Drill A Pilot Hole?Shows you step-by-step how to install your Schweiss Bifold Door. A guide to servicing your door. How to set and adjust cables and limit switches, and more... Shows you where to place your safety decalsDoors & Windows > Open Up Your Closets with Bi-Fold Doors Sliding closet doors are a common installation in American homes, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best option. If you’re looking for a space-saving alternative, one that will enhance the look of your closets and provide easier access to their interior space, then consider installing bi-fold closet doors.
Bi-fold closet doors are easy to install and offer myriad options, including basic flat-panel looks, traditional six-panel designs, louver- or shutter-style panels, and contemporary mirrored panels, not to mention doors with glass inserts. All bi-fold closet doors are similar in construction, consisting of two symmetrical door panels that pull outward from a center pivot hinge. Mounted on the sides of a closet opening, these doors allow access to the entire closet—not one half of the closet at a time, as is the case with sliding doors. Also, because bi-fold doors do not swing, they take up less floor space than a conventional hinged door, making them ideal for installation in tight spaces like a hallway. Most large home improvement stores sell bi-fold closet doors in standard sizes to fit a typical opening; many also sell reasonably-priced kits that include the door panels, installation tracks, installation hardware, and door pulls or knobs. These kits come with diagrams that show how the hardware should be positioned on the door frame and on the door panels.
Following the diagram will ensure that the pieces are correctly installed and that the doors work properly. Related: 10 Chic New Ideas for Barn Doors Most retailers also offer custom-order bi-fold doors that can be sized to fit virtually any opening—wider openings may require several sets of doors. The first step when installing bi-fold closet doors is measuring the closet door opening and purchasing a kit in the correct size. The combined measurement of both doors should be about an inch less than the total width of the opening, and one to two inches less than the height of the door frame. This is to allow sufficient room for the hardware. Prior to installation, paint, stain, or finish the door panels as desired. Next, use screws to install the top rail, placing it so that the end of the rail touches the side of the door frame where you want the door panel to be seated when opened. Install the bottom rail in the same way, making sure the end of the rail touches the same side of the door frame.
(Note that some hardware kits feature a bottom pivot that mounts to the door jamb instead of the floor.) The next step is inserting dowels into pre-drilled holes in the tops of the door panels. Check the installation instructions to identify the different types of dowels included in your kit. Usually there are several different types of dowels, each of which serves a different function. One dowel should have an adjustment screw that allows you to adjust the height of the door; this dowel should be placed near the side wall on the bottom. Meanwhile, stationary dowels should be placed in the top and bottom of the door panel, on the side farthest away from the hinge. Finally, insert the dowel with spring assembly into the top of the door panel that is closest to the side wall. Once you have installed the dowels, set the door panels into the top and bottom rails and adjust the screws in order to center the doors. Make sure that the doors open and close properly. Once the doors are centered, tighten all hardware and install the door pulls or knobs.