We all have those days when nothing seems to go right. You are running tight on time to make it to work, you go to the closet, attempt to slide the bypass door and it falls off the track for the third time this week. Solve this problem with new bifold doors and a few hours on a Saturday afternoon. You can install bifold doors that add to the aesthetics of a room with hardwood floors, and see everything in your closet when the doors are open. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Remove the existing doors from the closet, including the track and floor supports, using a screwdriver. Measure the height and width of the opening with a tape measure. If the new doors are slightly too wide or high, they are easily trimmed to size with a plane. Solid core or solid doors are easier to trim to fit. Openings up to 36 inches will require a single set of bifold doors; wider openings will require additional sets. All related hardware to install the doors will be included with the doors.
2. Paint or stain the bifold doors, using a paintbrush, and allow to dry.
3. Center the top track at the top of the closet along the header. Mark the pre-drilled screw holes in the track. Drill pilot holes with a drill bit that is one size smaller than the screws you will be using. Screw the track to the header with a screwdriver.
4. Slide the pivot brackets into place, following the manufacturer's instructions. The brackets will be set ¼ inch from the frame of the door.
5. Hang a plumb bob from the bottom of the top pivot bracket. Set the bottom pivot bracket directly in line with the top bracket. Drill pilot holes for the bottom bracket and screw into the hardwood floor.
6. Insert the nylon guides that are included with the bifold doors into the predrilled holes at the top of the door. Tap with a hammer until they are flush with the top of the door. Insert the adjustable pivots into the bottom of the door and tap gently into place.
7. Fold the bifold doors in half and lift up to fit the guide pin into the upper track. Lift upward on the door to engage the pivots at the bottom of the door. If the doors are heavy, it is easier with two people. Adjust the pivots at the top of the door until the doors align properly with the framework around the doors.
8. Drill holes into the doors to attach the door pulls or knobs. Insert the screw for the pulls through the door from the backside. Attach the knob to the screw and turn to tighten. When using four-section bifold doors, attach alignment brackets to the backside of the doors 18 inches from the floor to keep the doors aligned when closed.
Tags: bifold doors, bottom door, bottom pivot, bottom pivot bracket, doors attach, Drill pilot