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Interior Doors

Replacing Bifold Door Hardware Pic1Replacing bifold door hardware is not difficult. You can purchase both individual parts and complete kits for bifold hardware. Try to isolate which part is bad and find a matching component.

Before you assume that you need to install new hardware, you should see if the door can be repaired. See the articles 'Repairing Bifold Doors' and 'Adjusting Bifold Doors' for information on getting an existing door working properly.

How the Hardware is Installed

The pins and rollers are press fit into the holes in the door panels. The tracks and base clips are screw attached to the door frame and floor. There are also hinges and alignment clips, these are screw attached.

New Bifold Hardware Cost

Replacing bifold door hardware begins with a new kit. You can get a complete hardware replacement kit for between $15 and $30, depends on the size of the door. Individual parts can be as little as a couple of dollars. Before you buy anything, try lubricating the parts. Step Five talks about this. Although it's a simple concept, if it moves, oil it.

Installing the New Hardware

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When you purchase parts, you will probably get some instructions. I hate to say this, but take a look at them and follow the steps. I consider myself fairly handy. I wish I could get an accurate count on how many times I have tried to install something, messed it up and humbly had to go back and check the instructions. Save time, take a look at them. The parts for a bifold are pretty straightforward, so I am not spending a lot of time on them. After you have installed the hardware, you can pat yourself on the back. You have completed an interior bifold door repair. Well Done!

 

Adjusting Bifold Door Height Pic1Adjusting bifold door height is accomplished by using the second adjustment feature of the bottom pivot pin. Two reasons that I can think of that would require you to adjust the height of the door.

Not sure if this is your problem? See the articles 'Troubleshooting Bifold Doors' and 'Solving Closet Door Problems' for a listing of all of the closet door topics.

Adjusting the Bifold Door Height

(1) You have a four panel dour and the margins are all parallel, but the two sets of panels don't line up. You can adjust the height until they do.

(2) The rollers are popping out of the track when you use the door. Raise the door until the rollers stay in place.

The bottom pin can adjust the height due to the fact that it is threaded. Just get a wrench and turn it turn clockwise to lower the door and counterclockwise to raise it. The design of the floor bracket should allow it to turn in place without disturbing the other alignment you may have done. Every thing working? Good job, you have been successful at adjusting bifold door height on your door.

Adjusting the Bifold Door Margins

Adjusting Bifold Doors Pic1

Adjusting bifold doors is part of the installation. There is a clip in the track that the top pivot fits into. This clip has a set screw that holds it in place. Assuming that the opening is square and plumb you want the margins around the door to be even. You loosen the set screw and move the door closer to the frame or father away. Is the door binding on the frame when you try and open it? It is too close to the frame and needs to be moved away. Is the door binding against the other door or the far side of the frame? In that case you want to move the pin closer to the frame.

The safest thing to do is take the door out when you adjust the clip. Lift the door up and tilt the bottom out of the opening. The problem with this is that you have to keep putting the door in and out to check the adjustments. With the door open you can hold onto the door (better yet, have someone else hold it), and loosen the set screw with the door in place. Adjust as needed and tighten the screw.

Depending on where the door is binding, you may have to also adjust the bottom pin. The idea is to have the door far enough away from the frame so that it opens without friction. The door should not be so far away that it binds with the other door or the far side of the frame. A quarter of an inch of gap is about right, although it could be wider.

A properly aligned door should have a consistent margin along the top, sides and if it is a four panel door, down the center. For a four panel door the tops of the two doors should be even with each other and the center gap should be even. It takes a little practice to get the sense of how the movement of the pins affects the overall alignment of the door. Be patient, once you get the idea you'll always have that understanding.

The bottom pivot pin works similarly to the top one. The difference is that this pin is set in a toothed clip. To adjust the margin on the door you pick the door up and move it toward or farther away from the frame. The same adjustment principles apply with both pivot pins. Remember also, that moving the pin in or out also affects the top margin. I know, sometimes it can be aggravating. Use a pry bar to lift the door and try to move it one notch at a time until you get it right. The notch system is a little less sensitive than sliding the top clip. You may need to make a minor adjustment on the top, once you have the bottom pin the way you like it.

Okay, I know, you're probably wondering why I didn't tell you to work on the bottom pin first. If it is clear that you will have to move both pins, then this is a good idea. Unfortunately, it is usually not that clear and sometimes you go back and forth between the two of them, or four if it is a four panel door. Right, wrong or indifferent, I always start with the top pin. So that's how I wrote the article.

Keep making adjustments until everything lines up and the doors operate freely. Adjusting bifold doors takes time, but it is worth effort to have a door that operates smoothly.

Summary

Adjusting a bifold door involves some trial and error. However, after a few minutes, you should be able to get the door working again. If you have not done so already, you want to lubricate the hardware to keep things running smoothly. See the article, 'Lubricating Bifold Doors' for instructions.

Is the door too far gone or damaged? You may need to consider replacing it. See the article 'Replacing a Bifold Door' for more information.

Adjusting Bifold Hardware - Top Pivot Pic1Adjusting bifold closet door hardware is a needed periodically when the doors start to operate poorly. Most of the time it only takes a few minutes to adjust the door. It is easier when you have some help to hold the door.

For related topics, see the articles 'Troubleshooting Closet Door Problems' and 'Fixing Residential Doors' for a full listing of all the door topics.

Adjusting the Top Pivot Pin

The first step in adjusting bifold hardware is the top pivot. There is a clip in the track that the top pivot fits into, it will be near the jamb. This clip has a set screw, usually a Phillips tip, that holds it in place. Hopefully, the opening is square and plumb you want the margins around the door to be even.

 

You loosen the set screw to move the top of the door closer to the frame or father away. Does the door bind on the frame when you try and open it? It is too close to the frame and needs to be adjusted. Is the door binding against the other door or the far side of the frame? In that case you want to move the pin closer to the frame.

You should probably take the door out when you make these adjustments. Lift the door up and tilt the bottom out of the opening.See the articles 'Removing a Bifold Door' and 'How To Install a Bifold Door' for instructions on taking the door in and out.

The problem with this is that you have to keep putting the door in and out to check the adjustments. With the door open you can hold onto the door (better yet, have someone else hold it), and loosen the set screw with the door in place. Adjust as needed and tighten the screw.

A properly aligned door should have a consistent margin along the top, sides and if it is a four panel door, down the center. For a four panel door the tops of the two doors should be even with each other and the center gap should be even. It takes a little practice to get the sense of how the movement of the pins affects the overall alignment of the door. Be patient, once you get the idea you'll always have that understanding.

Adjusting the Bottom Pivot Pin

Adjusting Bifold Pivot Pins Pic1

Adjusting bifold pivot pins is a key element. The bottom pivot pin works similarly to the top one. The difference is that this pin is set in a toothed clip. To adjust the margin on the door you pick the door up and move it toward or farther away from the frame. The same adjustment principles apply with both pivot pins. Remember also, that moving the pin in or out also affects the top margin.

I know, sometimes it can be aggravating. Use a pry bar to lift the door and try to move it one notch at a time until you get it right. The notch system is a little less sensitive than sliding the top clip. You may need to make a minor adjustment on the top, once you have the bottom pin the way you like it.

Okay, I know, you're probably wondering why I didn't tell you to work on the bottom pin first. If it is clear that you will have to move both pins, then this is a good idea.

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Unfortunately, it is usually not that clear and sometimes you go back and forth between the two of them, or four if it is a four panel door. Right, wrong or indifferent, I always start with the top pin. So that's how I wrote the article.

Keep making adjustments until everything lines up and the doors operate freely. It works like you expect. That is good news, you can continue repairing your other interior bifold doors. Only one was bad? Then your done, move on to your next project.

Interior Bifold Doors Pic1Why would you need to make repairs on interior bifold doors? In the last four decades bifold doors have become very popular. They have replaced sliding doors in most closets. Bifold doors allow for access to the entire closet as opposed to just half with a sliding door. Always seems like what you want is on the side that is hidden with a slider.

Do you have another type of closet door? See, 'Troubleshooting Closet Doors' and 'Residential Door Repair' for listings of related articles.

Bifold doors are inexpensive and easy to install making them popular with builders. You may have several bifold doors in your home. With repeated use the doors can get out of alignment and hardware can wear out.

Each pair of bifold doors is fixed in the opening by two pivot pins. A roller in the top of the second leaf keeps the door aligned as you open and close it. The pivot pins can get out of adjustment. Repairing interior bifold doors is a doable job for just about all homeowners. Check the information below to determine if you want to tackle this home repair.

Repairing Interior Bifold Doors - Information

What Can You Save?

Adjusting a bifold door when you know how, is an easy job. A carpenter or serviceman can take care of that in a service call. Cost you $50 to $85 depending on who you deal with. New doors range in price from about $40 to $125. If you get talked into a new door it will be another $75 to $125. Low end you could save $50 for a fifteen minute job. A new door could run as much as $250, more for a better quality door.

How Hard Could It Be?

Working on interior bifold doors is not that hard. With a little patience you can deal with most or all of the possible issues.

These repairs will have a Difficulty Range of: Very Easy to A Bit of Work
These repairs require a Skill Level Range of: Total Novice to Job Jar Specialist
 

Check the Simple Things!

Adjusting the bifold door is the simplest thing. Usually no parts involved, a screw driver, maybe a wrench and ten minutes. How simple is that? See Step One below for more information.

What Can Go Wrong?

Parts can break, screws can strip. You may damage something when you start working on it. If you do you will need to get a hardware kit. This could leave the door not working until you get the new parts installed. Is it the guest room? Are they coming tonight? Better go to the hardware store now.

Troubleshooting Bifold Door Problems

Bifold doors have become very popular in residential construction. These doors are inexpensive and easy to install, making them a first choice with builders. Adjustment are the main problem. Four panel bifold doors can be a little challenging to adjust. The door has to align in several directions.

The top of a bifold door has two important items that work with the track to held the door work properly. Equally important is the bottom pivot pin. The articles 'Adjusting the Bifold Doors' and 'Adjusting Bifold Door Hardware', cover all of the adjustments that can be made to the bifold doors.

Another option to repairing bifold doors is replacing the door hardware. There are kits that include a complete set of door hardware. When the door is old, this may be a good choice. See the article 'Replacing Bifold Door Hardware' for information on the options available.

'Lubricating a Bifold Door' as the title implies, covered oiling the door to free up the hardware. Hinges, rollers and pins can benefit from a little oil once in a while.

You may decide that a new bifold door is what you want. Perhaps the old door is tired looking. In addition, you found out that a new one is not that expensive. Can you install the door yourself? Is it hard? Find out what you are up against by following the link above. This is something you can do yourself and save the price of a carpenter.

Summary

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Most homes have several interior bifold doors in them. From time to time it is likely that they will need some attention. In this article there is useful knowledge and links to other resources that should have helped with your door issues. Usually it is just an adjustment that is needed.

Was repairing bifold doors a success for you? That's great if it was. You can move on to your next home repair. Don't feel like another repair project? Pick another easy one, it will inspire you.

Removing a Bifold Door Pic1Removing an old bifold closet door can require a little effort. Most doors are hollow core, so they do not weigh a great deal. There is a little bit of a trick to taking them out, with a little help, it only takes a couple of minutes.

Not sure if you need to remove the door? See the article 'Troubleshooting Bifold Doors' to find out what you need to do. See 'How To Fix Doors' for a listing of all the door topics.

Understanding how a bifold door works will help a lot when it comes to removing it.

How Bifold Closet Doors Work

The name bifold implies that the door folds, which it does. A bifold has two door leaves or slabs that are held together with hinges. The two slabs fold together to open the closet door.

The slab that is closest to the door jamb on the pivot side has a pin at the top and a pin at the bottom that the door turns on. The top pivot pin is spring loaded so that the door can be lifted up.

Removing a Bifold Safely

A 36" pair of doors may weigh around 30 to 40 lbs. They can be a little awkward, since they need to be lifted and then tipped out. So consider getting some help. Follow the steps below to remove the door.

(1) You can open the pair of doors or one of the two pairs if it is a double door. If you have help, try to get one person on each side of the door, one towards the closet and the other person in the room. Grab the pair of doors on the sides keeping them together.

(2) Lift up on the pair of doors. You will only be lifting them approximately three quarters of an inch, so don't expect to make a dramatic change in the location of the door. Once the door is lifted, you shouls be able to swing the bottom of the door toward the center of the closet.

(3) Tilt the door out of the opening. Be careful not to drag the bottom of the door across the floor. There is a metal pin in it and it will scratch the flooring or damaged the carpeting. Lay the door on a pair of saw horses or lean it against the wall. Best to set it on a piece of cardboard.

Yes, that's all there is to it, do you see why bifold doors are popular. For a four panel door take the other pair out the same way.

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At this point you will need to make a decision. The top track and brackets at the floor may be very similar to the new ones that you will be installing. Your choice, whether you want to leave the old ones in place. So removing an old bifold door does not need to include taking out the track.

You have gone to the trouble of installing bifold doors, so we will assume you are going with all new parts. Unscrew the top track and the bottom brackets and remove them. Discard the old door slabs and hardware.

Summary

So you can see that it is not that hard to remove a bifold door. Next you want to complete whatever tasks you needed to do and the set the door back in place. See the article 'Installing a Bifold Door' for instructions on getting it back in place and the article 'Adjusting a Bifold Door' for instructions on aligning it correctly.

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