How to Install Bifold Doors: Standard, Barn, and Frameless Doors

Are you tired of looking at your old, squeaky, outdated closet doors? Are you ready to take on a challenge and replace those doors by yourself? If you’re looking to upgrade your home, give it a practical makeover that also elevates its interior; it’s time to think about installing a bifold door. 

Considering you might not need more than a day to install it, and hiring installers can cost anywhere from $100 to $450, if you do your research thoroughly, this is a perfect DIY project. You will not need any special tools: a screwdriver, a drill, and maybe a saw. This project requires a beginner-to-intermediate skill level, but if you follow our instructions on how to install bifold doors, you’ll have your new doors installed in no time. 

Tools and Materials You'll Need for Installation

Before you start drilling or cutting, check out the tools and materials you’ll need. Once you have everything ready, we'll guide you through the next steps. 

Tools:

Drill - for pilot holes and to secure the track. 

Level - to ensure the track is level. 

Tape measure - for precise placement of the hardware and to ensure the opening is correctly measured. 

Screwdriver - for installing hinges and brackets.

Saw - in case anything needs to be trimmed.

Pencil - for marking after measuring. 

Materials:

Panels -  slab doors, the number depends on how many you will install. 

Pivot brackets - top and bottom brackets that allow door rotation. 

Hinges - to connect the panels. 

Snugger - to hold the door shut.

Top guide - ensures aligned movement. 

Bottom pivot bracket - to secure the door to the floor.  

Top track - holds the door assembly in place. 

Wood shims - for adjusting the frame level. 

Please note that most bifold door kits include complete hardware necessary for installation. 

How to Measure for Bifold Doors

Before you purchase the panels and the kit, measure the wall opening where you plan to install the new doors. 

Two important terms to have in mind when measuring for bifold doors are rough opening and actual door size. Rough opening is the label that identifies a door; it helps categorize doors into different size brackets. The actual size represents the dimensions of the bifold door. Keep in mind that the actual size is always a bit smaller than the nominal size. The difference between the actual and nominal size is there for installation components, like hinges and tracks. 

When you’re measuring the rough opening, you have to do it in three different places, both for width and height, and you will need to record the smallest numbers. For width, measure the top, middle, and bottom of the opening; and for height, measure the left and right sides, and the center. The rough opening size is usually half an inch wider and 1 to 2 inches taller than the door size. 

Standard bifold door sizes range from 80 to 96 inches in height, and from 24 to 72 inches in width. 

How to Prepare the Opening

After you’ve measured the opening, it’s crucial to prepare it so everything fits properly. 

• Check that the opening is square - use a level and a framing square to make sure you have a perfect square opening; measure diagonally from corner to corner, the two measurements should be identical. 

• Sand or patch any rough edges - use sandpaper to remove any loose debris or apply a high-quality filler to patch up any imperfections. 

• If you’re replacing an old bifold door, make sure to remove the complete hardware from the opening. First, lift the door off the track, then use a pry bar or a putty knife to remove any trims or stops. Next, remove the top track from the door jamb. If needed, use a drill or a hacksaw to remove any damaged hardware. 

• If you’ve purchased slab doors that aren’t pre-finished, and they require priming or painting, it’s highly recommended that you do so before installing the door. Make sure the slabs are completely dry before putting them on. 

How to Install Bifold Doors (Standard Method)

Now that you have the required materials and tools and have made sure the door opening is set to install a brand new door, please follow these steps. 

Install the Top Track

The first part of the hardware to install is the top track. Once again, before you start cutting or drilling anything, measure the top opening width, then cut the top track so that it fits snugly. Make sure you position it roughly 3/4-inch to 1 inch back from the front edge of the header. Pre-drill the holes, then screw the track into the header. 

Install the Bottom Bracket

The next part to install is the bottom pivot bracket, either on the floor or on the side jamb. Make sure the bracket is perfectly aligned below the top track pivot point.

Attach the Pivot Hardware to the Door

Before adding the doors to the top track, attach the top and bottom pivot brackets to the panels. First, drill the holes in the doors, then use a mallet to tap them into place. 

Hang the Door

After the pivot pins are in place, it’s time to hang the doors. Insert the top pivot bracket into the top track. Then, lift the door, and carefully click the bottom pin into the bottom bracket. 

Attach the Snugger

The snugger, also called a snubber, is a bifold door component with a spring and needs to be installed in the top track to keep the door closed and aligned. Its main purpose is to stabilize the door and prevent it from opening, bouncing back, or getting misaligned over time. 

Test the Swing

Just like with every installation, after you’re done, test if everything is functioning properly. Make sure you open and close the doors a couple of times to ensure it’s folding and unfolding without catching onto anything. 

How to Install Bifold Doors Without a Bottom Track

The bifold doors with hardware that includes a bottom track are ideal for closets or pantries. However, if you choose to install a bifold door as a statement piece to divide rooms, it’s recommended you opt for a configuration without a bottom track. This bifold door type is perfect for connecting or separating living and dining rooms, or dining rooms and kitchens, because it provides a cleaner aesthetic and an open concept design. 

The main difference between bifold doors with and without a bottom track is the components and the type of top track the hardware has. As the name suggests, bifold doors installed without a bottom track only have a bottom pivot bracket attached to the floor at one point, so there is no full-width track. Because there is no full-width track at the bottom, the top track is a heavy-duty one that needs to support the weight of the door. 

The top track needs to be properly secured to fully support the door, while the bottom pivot bracket is screwed into the floor or the side jamb. 

Please note that not all bifold door kits can support this type of installation. It’s important to check before buying what type of kit you need and what the kit you’re looking into has.  

How to Install Bifold Doors with a Frame

An interior bifold door with a frame features a full jamb system - head, sill, and side jambs that provide structural stability and support. The frame is, in most cases, wooden. The main difference between a bifold door with a frame and one without is that, with the frameless option, the top track is mounted directly to the header or ceiling. 

To ensure the door is plumb, the frame needs to be plumb. You can accomplish this by adding wooden shims to cover the gap between the studs and the jamb. This will ensure the frame is perfectly vertical. Before attaching the door panels, make sure the jamb is secured to the studs. Use the correct size wood screws to attach the jambs through the shims into the studs. 

After ensuring the frame is plumb, it’s time to attach the doors. Just as for the frameless bifold doors, attach the top pivot bracket to the top track. Then slide the bottom pin into the bottom pivot bracket, which is installed on the floor or the side jamb. 

Bifold doors with a frame are a great option for new-build installations where the door openings aren’t finished yet. They are also a great choice for basements and garages. 

Adjusting Bifold Doors After Installation

Once you’ve finished the installation and tested the doors, you may need certain adjustments to ensure they operate smoothly. The three most common adjustments include: height, alignment, and tension/snugger adjustment. 

When it comes to vertical, or height, adjustment, make sure the door clears the floor or carpet and that it sits level. You will ensure this by locating the bottom pivot pin and then raising or lowering the door by turning the pin. 

To ensure the doors are horizontally adjusted, you will need to loosen the screw on the top pivot bracket. After that, slide the bracket in the track until the doors are perfectly aligned, and then re-tighten the screw. By adjusting the alignment, you will straighten any gap between the panels. 

If the door swings open on its own, or it won’t stay folded, you will need to adjust the tension or the snugger. The snugger is located in the top track, usually towards the jamb. If the door swings open or it’s not staying closed, slide the snugger closer to the door pin to hold it more firmly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistakes can happen, and it’s ok if they do. We’ve compiled a list of the most common mistakes, and avoiding them will make this project much less stressful. 

• Skipping the ‘check the square’ step - it’s crucial to measure everything correctly and ensure you have a perfect square before you start the installation. This will prevent misalignment and hardware malfunction. 

• Over-tightening screws on the track - any kind of over-tightening can cause damage to the hardware or the screws themselves. In this case, if the screws on the top track are over-tightened, the track can warp, which will further cause door misalignment. 

• Installing the bottom bracket off-center - since the bottom bracket is the main pivot point for the doors, it’s crucial that it’s placed at the correct position. Otherwise, the door will get misaligned, which can affect operation and damage the floor or carpet, and even the hardware and the panels themselves. 

• Buying doors without checking the rough opening size first - as mentioned above, bifold interior door sizes involve two key measurements: rough opening size and actual door size. If you haven’t made sure you have the correct rough opening size, you might have to deal with doors being too tight or too loose. Remember that the rough opening size should be ½-inch wide and 1 to 2 inches higher than the actual door size. 

• Forgetting to paint/finish the door before hanging it - keep in mind that it will be much easier to manipulate the panels before attaching them. By painting or applying the finish to an unattached door, you can access all sides and angles much more easily and ensure every inch is coated.  

• Using the wrong screw length for the header material - it’s a general rule to use the correct screws for specific locations. The header and the top track have to be properly secured because they carry the weight of the door. Incorrect screws can cause misalignment or even complete collapse of the track.  

Conclusion

While this installation involves a bit more measuring, it’s not overly complicated. Once you start upgrading your home by doing different DIY projects, you might even consider installing bifold or bypass doors in every room you have. It’s budget-friendly, and it adds a special touch to your home. Don’t forget, measure everything, follow the instructions, make sure you purchase the correct hardware, and you’ll have your new doors installed in no time. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How to install bifold doors over carpet?

To ensure your new bifold doors don’t catch onto the carpet, you must provide enough clearance by either adjusting the bottom pivot upward or by trimming the doors. You can secure the bottom bracket by screwing it directly through the carpet or by securing it to the side jamb. 

Where to install knobs on bifold doors?

When it comes to bifold doors, knobs are placed on the center-stile of the non-pivoting panel. The knob is usually installed 36 inches from the floor. 

How to install hinges on bifold doors?

The best and easiest way to install hinges on bifold doors is to do it before attaching the panels to the jamb. Lay the panels flat, align the hinges, and then secure them. Make sure the knuckles are flush with the edge. 

What are the common problems with bifold doors?

The most common problems with bifold doors are misalignment, panels that stick, drag, or fall off tracks, or doors that simply don’t stay closed. After finishing the installation, check if the panels are properly aligned and gliding along the track as they should. Make sure the track is clean and that everything is screwed in correctly. 

What goes on the bottom of a bifold door?

At the very bottom of a bifold door, you can find a pivot assembly that acts as the main rotation point, and it can adjust the height of the door. Some hardware systems also include a bottom guide to keep the door aligned in the tracks as it opens. 

Should bifold doors be flush with the floor?

Whether a bifold door is flush with the floor depends on desired functionality, hardware, and personal preference. There are flush or ‘low threshold’ systems that provide better sound and energy insulation and a fully flush look.