Doors and Windows - Bi-fold doors and a problem with the closet!
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07-03-01, 07:41 PM
Hello
We are redecorating a new baby's room and have been working on it for several weeks now. We are almost done, except for one new problem (in a line of many already encountered).We have purchased 2 24" bi-fold closet doors for a 48 inch opening. They have been prepared and the hardware is hung. Upon trying to adjust them to fit properly, my husband discovered (after many puzzling attempts to adjust them) that the closet opening seems to be 48 inches at the top of the opening and 47 inches at the bottom. Therefore the doors will not shut properly (gap at the top, while no amount of adjustment seems to be able to correct the bottom interference (both will not close flush, one is always partially open.) HELP!!!!!!!!! NOW What!!!! I DO NOT want to get alternative doors, I would like to use these doors and have them shut properly. What can we do?????
Thanks in advance for your wisdom.
allbyourlonesomes
We are redecorating a new baby's room and have been working on it for several weeks now. We are almost done, except for one new problem (in a line of many already encountered).We have purchased 2 24" bi-fold closet doors for a 48 inch opening. They have been prepared and the hardware is hung. Upon trying to adjust them to fit properly, my husband discovered (after many puzzling attempts to adjust them) that the closet opening seems to be 48 inches at the top of the opening and 47 inches at the bottom. Therefore the doors will not shut properly (gap at the top, while no amount of adjustment seems to be able to correct the bottom interference (both will not close flush, one is always partially open.) HELP!!!!!!!!! NOW What!!!! I DO NOT want to get alternative doors, I would like to use these doors and have them shut properly. What can we do?????
Thanks in advance for your wisdom.
allbyourlonesomes
Mike Swearingen
07-04-01, 02:55 AM
I'm not a pro, but I have installed/adjusted bifold (and other) doors. About the only "wisdom" that you're going to get here will be from lefty, definitely not me.
However, if your door opening is not square, plumb and level, you will never be able to get them to look right or operate properly.
You have to get the opening right first.
Check the sides with a level.
Use a sledge hammer and a board to protect the woodwork, and bang the bottoms to try to get each side plumb. (Believe it or not, I have used this method for "attitude adjustment" before, and sometimes it will work.)
If it doesn't work, dismantle the trim and woodwork (carefully pry off or sink the finishing nails with a small-diameter punch the size of the nails and remove it), and do whatever you have to do to square up the framing.
Replace the wood work, putty the nail holes, and install your bifolds.
Say "hi" to the new baby!
Good Luck!
However, if your door opening is not square, plumb and level, you will never be able to get them to look right or operate properly.
You have to get the opening right first.
Check the sides with a level.
Use a sledge hammer and a board to protect the woodwork, and bang the bottoms to try to get each side plumb. (Believe it or not, I have used this method for "attitude adjustment" before, and sometimes it will work.)
If it doesn't work, dismantle the trim and woodwork (carefully pry off or sink the finishing nails with a small-diameter punch the size of the nails and remove it), and do whatever you have to do to square up the framing.
Replace the wood work, putty the nail holes, and install your bifolds.
Say "hi" to the new baby!
Good Luck!
lefty
07-04-01, 04:47 AM
Mike is right. As long as you have an inch difference in the width at the top and bottom, you aren't going to get the doors to hang and operate correctly unless you fix the opening or cut the doors compensate for it. A 4' level will tell you if you need to correct one side or both.
Tell us about the opening. Is it cased in wood, or finished with sheetrock? Also, describe the doors you will be using. Are they hollow core slabs (smooth surface), or do the have a frame with raised panels and/or louvers in them?
Once we know what we are dealing with, we can explain how to correct the problem and get the little one's room finished.
Tell us about the opening. Is it cased in wood, or finished with sheetrock? Also, describe the doors you will be using. Are they hollow core slabs (smooth surface), or do the have a frame with raised panels and/or louvers in them?
Once we know what we are dealing with, we can explain how to correct the problem and get the little one's room finished.