How to Size Bifold Doors

Bifold closet doors are used to cover larger areas than just a simple closet door. To prevent sliding doors from coming off of track choose heavier doors. These doors should be considered for the amount of area that the doors will need to cover.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Paper

Sizing Bifold Doors

1. Measure the length of the door opening at the top of the door frame. Measure the length of the door frame at the bottom. The two numbers might be different.

2. Take the smaller of the two numbers. For example say that the top is 50 inches wide, and the bottom is 52 inches wide. Choose the 50 inches wide and subtract 13/16 of an inch. This will give you a solution of 49 3/16 of an inch. Divide this number in half. For instance, using the 49 3/16, once divided it would be 24 19/32 of an inch. Each door should measure out 24 19/32 of an inch, but remember this is an example. The door that is going in your house will have a different length.

3. Measure the height of the door on both sides of the frame. Take the smaller of the two numbers again. For example, one side is 80 inches and the other side is 78 inches. Subtract 2 7/8 of an inch from the smaller number. For example, take 78 inches and subtract 2 7/8 of an inch to equal 75 1/8 of an inch. This measurement of the door height is just an example.

4. Go to your local hardware store or outlet, and see if they have doors to fit the measurements. If they do not then, order them from the hardware store or ask if they can be cut to size.

References

• Home Addition; Sizing a Rough Opening for a Bifold Door; Mark J. Donovan
• Home Addition Plus; Sizing a Rough Opening for a Bifold Door
• Lowe's; Installing Folding and Sliding Doors