The average interior swinging door consumes more than six square feet of floor space and 17 square feet of wall space in a room. For some smaller rooms, that's a lot of real estate essentially wasted. Replacing traditional doors with bifold doors can help you reclaim this wasted space. As long as the door doesn't need to be locked, a bi-fold door can be both functional and stylish. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Measure the inside dimensions of the doorjamb. Purchase standard bifold doors using these measurements, or have a bifold door custom made for an odd-shaped opening.
2. Draw a line down the center of the top of the doorjamb for placement of the track. Find the corresponding center line down the length of the doorjamb on the side of the opening that you want the bifold door to "stack" against when opened. Mark this center point approximately three inches above the floor for placement of the L-shaped floor pivot bracket.
3. Install the track. Place the end of the track that contains the built-in pivot pin bracket on the same side of the door as the floor pivot bracket. The pin hole should be nearest the doorjamb. Screw the track into the top doorjamb using wood screws provided in the door kit and holes pre-drilled in the metal track.
4. Install the L-shaped floor pivot bracket. If the floor is made of a hard material that precludes installing a screw to hold the pivot in place, use a small amount of construction adhesive to help secure the bracket to the floor. Let the glue cure before continuing.
5. Lay the door down flat on a surface. Insert the "toothed" bottom pivot pin in the door. Insert the "springing" top pivot pin; this pin-hole will be located on the same side of the door as the bottom pivot pin. Insert the track roller guide pin in the top of the door, opposite the top pivot pin. Tap pins in lightly with a hammer.
6. Loosen the screw in the metal pivot pin bracket just enough so the bracket can slide a little in the track. Slide this bracket slightly away from the end of the track.
7. Stand the door upright. Insert the floor pivot pin into the slot provided in the L-shaped floor bracket. Tip the door slightly and insert the top pivot pin into the hole in the sliding bracket inside the track. Slide the door back towards the doorjamb until you can "pop" the roller pin into the track.
8. Adjust the floor pin up or down until the top pin and roller guide won't slip out of the track. Tighten the screw until the bracket can no longer slide in the track. Test the door for smooth operation. Adjust as needed.
9. Install the doorknob at "hand height" in the center of the door panel farthest from the "anchor" side of the unit. Drill the screw hole slowly; you don't want to cause the wood to splinter. Don't over-tighten the knob.
Tags: pivot bracket, floor pivot, floor pivot bracket, L-shaped floor, bifold door, bifold doors