Bifold door sizes are limited, therefore, you will need to verify if the size you need is available. Bifold doors come in fewer sizes than other types of doors. In addition, you generally need a finished opening for a bifold. So taking out a conventional door and replacing it with a bifold will not always work. This article discusses the cost, difficulty, and possible problems with replacing or installing a bifold door.

Not sure if you need a new bifold door? See the articles 'Repairing Bifold Doors' and 'Adjusting Bifold Door Hardware'. Many times a malfunctioning bifold door can be asjusted to solve closing problems. Also see, 'Troubleshooting Closet Doors' for more information.

As a rule you only use bifold doors on closets. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, bifold doors are not made for heavy use, so they work well on closets. Second, they are designed to open from one side only. Bifold doors do not require wood jambs like other doors. Often the openings are just covered with drywall.

Before you select a bifold door size, you want to see if you are up for this project. Check out the article 'Installing Bifold Doors' for information. Installing a bifold door is a project that only takes a couple of hours, provided you have an opening that will work with available bifold door sizes.

Selecting Bifold Door Sizes Using Common Sense

Replacing a bifold door yourself can save you some money. It will probably run between $100 and $150 to have someone install a door. Assuming you have the correct opening, it could only be an hour of work. Not bad.

How Hard Could It Be?

Determining your bifold door size is not hard at all, a tape measure and a few minutes is all it takes.

• Difficulty Level of: Easy
• Skill Level of: Total Novice

Checking out an opening for a bifold door is pretty easy. You may just need to repair it, instead of replacing it. See the article 'Repairing Interior Bifold Doors' for more information.

Remember to hold the tape measure straight. Write the dimensions down, don't trust your memory. Height is important too, check it at the same time. The tolerance is around a quarter of an inch. Undersize is a problem, slightly oversize will be fine.

Bifold Door Options

Bifold door options include different styles and finishes. Some are pre-finished, others are pre-primed and ready for paint. You can also choose from flush or embossed patterns. Louvers are also an option with bifold doors. This may require a trip to the supply store to see what's available.

You are not locked into only considering bifold door options, just because it is a closet. Sliding doors are still available and may provide some relief on the opening size. Sliding doors do have the drawback of only allowing access to half the closet at a time.

The various bifold door options should be compared with your decor and available openings. See the article 'How Bifold Doors Are Sized' and 'Common Bifold Sizes' for information on the opening requirements. Pre-primed doors can be painted to match existing trim. However, matching existing stained or natural woodwork can be a problem. First you may have difficulty finding the same wood and then the staining and finishing may not match.

Swing door can also be used for closets. These do need a wood jamb to attach the hinges to. For smaller openings (less that 36"), you have more size choices with swinging doors. Swinging doors are available in two inch increments.

Replacing Bifold Doors

Replacing a bifold door is not a hard project, provided that the opening is close to what it needs to be for a standard bifold door size. Bifold doors are supported by a track on top and a pivot pin on the bottom. The sides and head do not need to have a wood jamb.

Many times you will find that closet openings are finished with drywall. Screws will need to be an appropriate length when going through drywall.

When replacing a bifold door, can the door panels be cut? The answer to that question is maybe. It depends on how much you need to cut it. Additionally, cutting doors requires some carpenter skills and the ability to work with power tools. Provided you have the skills and don't need to trim too much, it is possible. The finish on the door will also be a factor if you attempt to cut it.

For a discussion on replacing a bifold door you need to see the article 'Installing a Bifold Door'. This article has detailed information on how to install a bifold. In addition it will provide information on adjusting and trimming doors.

Summary

Where do you go from here? Now that you have your bifold door size issue behind you. Take a look at your list and see if anything sounds good. Check the main menu for other topics that you are in need of.