A Step-by-Step Guide to a Smooth and Successful Installation
Bi-fold door installation can seem like a daunting task, but with the right tools and proper instructions, it’s a piece of cake…well, maybe not cake, but it’s definitely not as hard as rocket science. The first step in the process is to gather all necessary tools and materials, such as a drill, level, screwdriver, and the hardware that comes with the bi-fold doors.
Measure and Measure Again
In measuring the location for your bi-fold door installation, tracks are one of the most important steps in the installation process. It will determine whether or not your doors will function properly. A door that opens and closes like a drunk uncle at a wedding is not only inconvenient, but we don’t want to fight with them every time we try and use it. It makes for a less than pleasant experience and can be embarrassing when guests come over. Never mind, back to closet doors.
This is why it is important to take accurate measurements of the width and height of the opening, as well as the distance from the floor to the top. This will ensure that the tracks are installed in the correct location and that the doors will not hit the ceiling when they are opened. (Check out Home Repair Central. They have a chart to help you find the right sized doors!)
Once you have your measurements, it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty of bi-fold door installation. This includes marking the location of the tracks on the opening, drilling holes for the screws, and attaching the tracks to the opening using the provided hardware. It’s important to take your time and pay close attention to detail during this step, as any mistakes can affect the function of the doors. And remember, measure twice, drill once!
Get On Track
Alright, let’s get started on installing those tracks. (If you don’t have tracks yet, no problem, I’ve found some for you at Home Depot) First things first, we need to attach that top track to the top of the opening. Measure twice, mark once, and make sure that top track is level. Then secure it to the opening with the provided screws, because no one wants a wobbly door track. Once the top track is secure, it’s time to move on to the bottom track. It’s like building a house, first the foundation then the walls. But the foundation is on top… the walls are on the bottom… it’s bi-fold door installation, not a house… Never mind. Lets continue.
Time to tackle that bottom track, it’s like the cheese to our door pizza: it’s going to keep everything together. Just like the top track, measure the distance between the outer edges of the track, mark it on the bottom of the opening, and make sure it’s level. If not, your doors will be like riding a roller-coaster, not exactly a smooth experience. Once it’s secured with the screws, you can pat yourself on the back for laying a solid foundation for your bi-fold doors to glide on.
Pivot. PIVOT!
Time to add the cherry on top of our bi-fold door installation sundae, the pivot brackets. These little guys are the hinges that connect the doors to the tracks and make sure they open and close smoothly. Make sure to attach them to the inside edge of the doors, and ensure they are in the perfect position before sliding them into the tracks. Imagine it’s like putting together a jigsaw puzzle, but once you’re done, instead of a picture of a cat on a windowsill, you have doors that open and close without a hitch.
Like a Pro!
Finally, it’s time to put your doors to the test and see if they pass with flying colors (or open and close smoothly, in this case). Give them a few good swings, and if they’re not behaving like the well-oiled machine you were hoping for, don’t sweat it. Just make a few tweaks to the pivot brackets or tracks and voila! Your doors will be opening and closing like a yo-yo on steroids, just as nature intended.
Bi-fold door installation is a breeze, just remember the golden rule of carpentry, measure twice and screw once! With a steady hand and a dash of determination, you’ll have those doors hanging like a pro in no time. But, if the thought of power tools makes you break out in a cold sweat, don’t be shy to call in the experts. After all, we don’t want any accidents happening on our watch.
Even if you have the slightest glimmer of doubt, you can make an appointment with us here at Build and Move LLC.
Have a drink. Relax. We won’t judge.
