Bifold Closet Doors

Bifold closet doors are probably the most commonly seen doors in the United States for reach in closets, laundry closets, and often pantries.

These doors consist of two panels each, attached to a top rail. When you open them, they two panels stick out, folding together at their hinges.

They are easy to operate and install, and they are very inexpensive, which is probably why they are so popular. It is also easier to see into the contents of a closet with bifold doors than it is with one that has sliding doors.

These days, bifold doors are available in much more than the slatted variety we see in newly built homes.

You can get them in heavy wood with different finishes and hardware, to lend a unique look to any room. Installed properly, they glide beautifully and are a true asset.

The first step is to measure the opening of your closet to determine what size bifold closet doors you need. Purchase a kit based on this measurement and on the look and style of your room. Specialists at the home improvement center can help you with this choice.

The kit should come with detailed instructions, but they should all be somewhat similar. First, you must remove the old doors from the opening, including any track that might be there.

Attach the sections of the bi-fold doors together with the hinges that are included, and screw on the hardware that will allow it to hang from the track.

Next, install the track at the top of the opening. Drill shallow pilot holes to keep the wood on the door frame from splintering, and tighten the track securely. Make sure the screw heads are flush with the track, or the doors will not glide properly.

Now, install the floor brackets. These keep the doors from swinging out of place. Hang the bifold closet doors on the track, and attach them to the floor brackets and any aligning hardware that was included.

Test them to make sure they glide well, and finish the project by attaching the handles to the doors.