Bi-fold doors can provide easy access to closets, laundry rooms, and other spaces while taking up minimal floor space. 

Installing them is a fairly simple DIY project. Depending on the width of the opening, you may only need one or two pairs.


Tools and Materials Needed to Install

Tools:

  • Tape measure
  • Level
  • Drill
  • Screwdriver (electric or manual)
  • Pliers
  • Hammer
  • Chisel
  • Saw (if trimming doors to fit)
  • Pencil or marker
  • Safety glasses

Materials:

  • Bi-fold doors
  • Track kit
  • Pivot brackets
  • Screws
  • Wood filler (if needed)
  • Sandpaper (if needed)

Preparation

Before installing bi-fold doors, it is important to properly prepare the opening to ensure a successful installation. Here are some key steps to take:

  • Measure the door opening: Measure the width and height of the opening where you’re installing the bi-fold doors. Bi-fold doors come in standard sizes, so choose the size that best matches your opening. If your opening is not a standard size, you may need to trim the outer edges of the bifold doors slightly to fit the opening using a plane or circular saw with a fence. Sand any rough edges.
  • Remove the old door (if necessary): If you’re replacing an existing door with bi-fold doors, you will need to remove the old door and any hardware attached to it. Be sure to patch any holes left in the wall from the old hardware.
  • Check the opening for level and plumb: Use a level to ensure that the opening is both level (horizontal) and plumb (vertical). If the opening is not level or plumb, you may need to adjust it by shimming or trimming the opening.
  • Fill any gaps or holes in the opening: If there are any gaps or holes in the opening, fill them with wood shims or wood filler. This will ensure the bi-fold doors will be securely mounted in the opening. Be sure to let any filler dry completely before proceeding with the installation.

Installing the Track

After preparing the opening, the next step in installing bi-fold doors is to install the track. Here are the steps to follow:

  • Measure and mark the location of the track: Using a pencil or marker, mark the location where you will install the track. The track should be installed at the top of the opening, centered from left to right. Use your level to make sure the track will be level.
  • Drill holes for the track: Using a drill, create pilot holes for the screws that will secure the track. Be sure to use the correct size drill bit for the screws that came with your track kit.
  • Install the track: Line up the track with the pilot holes and screw it in place. Make sure the track is level and secure. The track should be positioned so that the doors can easily slide along it without binding or rubbing against the opening.

Once the track is installed, you are ready to move on to the next step of installing the bi-fold doors.


Installing the Doors

After installing the track, the next step in installing bi-fold doors is to hang the doors. Here are the steps to follow:

  • Attach the pivot brackets to the doors: Attach the pivot brackets to the top and bottom edges of each door using screws and a screwdriver. Make sure the pivot brackets are attached at the correct distance from the edge of the door, as specified in the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Hang the doors on the track: Lift the doors up and hook the pivot brackets onto the track. Make sure the doors are level and properly aligned with the track. The doors should slide smoothly along the track.
  • Adjust the doors for smooth operation: If the doors do not slide smoothly or rub against the opening, you may need to make some adjustments. Use the adjustment screws on the pivot brackets to move the doors up or down, left or right, or in or out as needed to ensure proper alignment. Test the doors by opening and closing them a few times to make sure they operate smoothly.
  • Attach the spring keeper: A bi-fold door spring keeper is a small metal clip or bracket that attaches to the jamb or header of a bi-fold door opening to hold the doors closed when they’re not in use. It’s typically installed on the same side of the opening as the pivot pins and can be adjusted to provide just the right amount of tension to keep the doors closed. 

Once you’ve installed your bi-fold doors, open and close them several times to make sure they operate smoothly and make any final adjustments as needed.

Watch the video above to find out more.


Further Reading

Editorial Contributors
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Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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