How to Build a Frame for Bifold Doors

exterior garage bifold doors
  • 2-10 hours
  • Intermediate
  • 75-500
What You'll Need
Drill
Screwdriver and screws
Hammer and nails
Pencil
Bifolding door tracks
Bifold doors
Saw
Wooden batons
What You'll Need
Drill
Screwdriver and screws
Hammer and nails
Pencil
Bifolding door tracks
Bifold doors
Saw
Wooden batons

Bifold doors are great for all sorts of applications, including wardrobes and doors in rooms. These types of doors are very popular because they collapse and take up much less space than standard doors. Fitting and building a frame for bifold doors is actually much easier than you might imagine as long as you have the right tools and materials available.

Step 1 - Measuring

First, measure both the width and the height of the door opening. The frame will probably not be perfectly square, so lots of measurements and write down the smallest measurements. This will allow the doors to open and slide properly, even if they are not square.

Step 2 - Buying the Doors

You will now need to choose and buy the doors. Different types of doors will require different tracks and frames for the door. Choose doors that are one inch smaller than the opening you have available.

Purchase bifold closet doors that have a combined width of one inch less than the width of the door opening and one to two inches shorter than the height of the doors.

Step 3 - Fixing the Batons

Cut the wooden batons to the right size and place them all around the door opening. These batons are important in some cases as they make it possible to fit smaller doors. Use screws to fix the batons to the walls so that they are securely fitted, just ensure that there are enough spaces in-between screws to attach the tracks.

Using batons is optional and you will only use this if you need to make the opening smaller. They are also perfect for wardrobe doors but not as suitable for doors in rooms.

Step 4 - Fixing the Track

Bifold sliding doors move by running along a track. These tracks are often included with the doors, although you can also purchase separate lengths of the track if required. Use a hacksaw to cut the tracks to size so that they fit properly in the open doorway.

Nail or screw the track onto the top and bottom of the door openings. Use a spirit level to ensure that the doors will open and close properly.

Step 5 - Fitting the Doors

Once the frame is fitted and complete, you then need to fit the doors. The doors will slide on pins that move around the track that you have just fitted. These pins are normally spring-loaded, which means they can be put into the tracks by pressing the pins down and then allowing them to spring into the track.

Looking for more bifold door advice? Here are some hints and additional info.