How to Install Molding on Bifold Doors

Bifold doors are great for use when a regular swinging door or a pocket door won’t work or look right. A bifold door set is a two-piece door, with each piece folding upon itself at either side of the covered opening. Laundry alcoves and closets are the main uses for this type of door. Installation of molding on bifold doors is quite easy with the proper tools and information. Below you will find a shortlist of tools and materials required for installing molding around a set of bifold doors.

Measure the Vertical Side of the Opening

The typical molding for a door of this type is three inches wide as the doors normally sit approximately two inches below the door jamb. Measure from the floor up to one inch above the inside edge of the door jamb. Once you have this measurement, you will need to double it to determine how many lineal feet of molding you will need.

Cut the Vertical Molding Pieces

Once you have your measurements and you‘re confident they’re correct, you need to cut the molding pieces with the miter box. If your door jamb is seventy-four inches tall, you will need to mark the two vertical pieces at seventy-six inches. These measurements are for bifold doors six feet, or seventy-two inches, tall. Put the first piece of molding in the mitre box, with your measured mark at the 45-degree slot away from you and the molding face up. Cut this piece at a 45-degree angle. Now place your next vertical piece in the miter box with your measured mark at the 45-degree angle slot on the side of the miter box towards you and cut it.

Install the Vertical Side Moldings

With the two previously cut molding pieces face up, pick up the piece that is taller on the left. Place this piece on the left side of your bifold door opening with the left edge two inches outside of the door jamb. This will place the inside edge of the molding one inch beyond the jamb on the inside. Hammer in one finishing nail at the top of the molding.

Using the torpedo level, make sure the molding is plumb, or perfectly vertical. Hammer in a finishing nail one inch from the bottom of the molding. Repeat this process on the right side of the door jamb with the piece of molding that is taller on the right side, with the backside of the molding facing away from you. Make sure these pieces are perfectly level. Hammer in nails approximately every 12 inches. Use the nail setter or pointed punch to set the nails perfectly flush with the molding.

Measure the Horizontal Top Molding

Measure from vertical piece to vertical piece, measuring from the outside edge of each piece. For instance, if your door opening is sixty inches wide, your measurement will be 64 inches.

Cut the Top Piece

Make your marks on the next piece of molding and place it in the miter box with the far edge at the far 45-degree slot and cut to a 45 degree with the top edge being longest. Slide the molding to the left in the box until your other mark is at the right hand 45-degree slot farthest to the right and cut it at this angle.

Install the Top Piece

Place this newly cut top piece on top of the two vertical pieces and make sure it is level. Adjust as necessary and nail in every twelve inches. Set the nails with the setter.

Above you have been given a list of tools and materials and the required steps to install molding on a bifold door opening.