Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Any advice on partitioning a 91"Hx32"W opening between a kitchen and dining room?
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11-30-05, 11:00 PM
Hi, I'm trying to build my own folding (accordion) door. It's going to be used to partition the kitchen (smells) from the rest of the house. The opening is 91" height X 32" width. There will be no top frame, the track will be fixed on the ceiling.
I've looked at folding doors at lowes and home depot and have some starting ideas I just need some expert advice and suggestions.
The store's doors use pvc, vinyl, or some other light material for their panels. I would like to use wood, but what kind is light?
The store's doors use rubber (kind of like weather stripping material) between the panels so that when the folding door is flat and closed it can still be opened. I was thinking of actually using weather stripping material but they aren't really that durable and their design doesn't necessarily work for this build. What ideas does anybody have for tackling this part of the project? I'm truly stumped. I have a bifolding door, and the wood panels touch each other when closed, there is nothing in between, and I see how one needs to put force on the handle to open the door, but for an accordion door?
I'm thinking of using bifolding door track and materials, though I haven't actually looked if they are readily available. I assume they are because bifolding doors are pretty popular, so I would assume they would have replacement parts in the stores. I've seen accordion doors at the stores but definitely no door track and materials too--those would have to be ordered.
I hope to put in duraglass inserts (or some other shatter proof glass) so that all is still visible between the kitchen and rest of the house. I've seen duraglass at home depot and lowes and they're not bad, though, they tend to scratch easily.
Thanks in advance for any advices, tips, suggestions anyone might have.
I've looked at folding doors at lowes and home depot and have some starting ideas I just need some expert advice and suggestions.
The store's doors use pvc, vinyl, or some other light material for their panels. I would like to use wood, but what kind is light?
The store's doors use rubber (kind of like weather stripping material) between the panels so that when the folding door is flat and closed it can still be opened. I was thinking of actually using weather stripping material but they aren't really that durable and their design doesn't necessarily work for this build. What ideas does anybody have for tackling this part of the project? I'm truly stumped. I have a bifolding door, and the wood panels touch each other when closed, there is nothing in between, and I see how one needs to put force on the handle to open the door, but for an accordion door?
I'm thinking of using bifolding door track and materials, though I haven't actually looked if they are readily available. I assume they are because bifolding doors are pretty popular, so I would assume they would have replacement parts in the stores. I've seen accordion doors at the stores but definitely no door track and materials too--those would have to be ordered.
I hope to put in duraglass inserts (or some other shatter proof glass) so that all is still visible between the kitchen and rest of the house. I've seen duraglass at home depot and lowes and they're not bad, though, they tend to scratch easily.
Thanks in advance for any advices, tips, suggestions anyone might have.
pgtek
12-27-05, 10:47 AM
hi
you could used 1x2 for the frame ain make a grove in the middle of the 1 in
used piano hinges to hold them in place
the byfold door track can be used to hold them yp to the top and at bottom.
good luck
you could used 1x2 for the frame ain make a grove in the middle of the 1 in
used piano hinges to hold them in place
the byfold door track can be used to hold them yp to the top and at bottom.
good luck
chandler
01-01-06, 07:08 AM
Remember when making an accordian type door, that it will not and must not ever flatten out to the door frame. It should remain in multiple "v" patterns. Otherwise you will not be able to open it without bending each v. Since your door frame opening is generally 4 1/2" wide, I would suggest using 1x6 poplar for the vertical pieces put together with alternating piano hinges. Inserting glass would be no problem if you can cut holes in the 1x6, and frame out the place where you want the glass to go.
You say you are attaching it directly to the ceiling, make sure you have a supporting member substantial enough to hold this door. If you use a bifold door track system (which are readily available at big boxes), remember each leading edge of every vertical slat will have to have a guide roller installed. Don't install the roller in the middle, as this will cause the door to close flat, and we already discussed that. By putting it on the leading edge, it will keep it cantered so you can open it by putting presure on the lead board. Of course the hinge side will have to be fixed with the top and bottom pivots normally associated with bifold systems.
Now, my question - why not just go with a nice paneled bifold door? Less cracks to let "smells" out, and a whole lot simpler to install. But I guess when you get an itch, you have to scratch it, huh?
Well, good luck with it, and if you need further help, or if I muddied up the water too much for you, repost, and I'll take a second strike swing at it.
You say you are attaching it directly to the ceiling, make sure you have a supporting member substantial enough to hold this door. If you use a bifold door track system (which are readily available at big boxes), remember each leading edge of every vertical slat will have to have a guide roller installed. Don't install the roller in the middle, as this will cause the door to close flat, and we already discussed that. By putting it on the leading edge, it will keep it cantered so you can open it by putting presure on the lead board. Of course the hinge side will have to be fixed with the top and bottom pivots normally associated with bifold systems.
Now, my question - why not just go with a nice paneled bifold door? Less cracks to let "smells" out, and a whole lot simpler to install. But I guess when you get an itch, you have to scratch it, huh?
Well, good luck with it, and if you need further help, or if I muddied up the water too much for you, repost, and I'll take a second strike swing at it.