For best results, opt for solid wood or solid-core, rather than hollow-core, bifold doors. If you have a small opening, you may only need a single bi-fold door. For larger openings, opt for a pair of bi-fold doors. If you want to stain, paint, or finish your door panels, make sure to do so prior to installation.
If you’re hanging 2 sets of bifold doors in an opening, you’d have tracks flush against both the left and right sides of the frame on both the top and bottom so you can install a bi-fold door on either side. Keep the screws loose to make it easier to hang the bifold doors later.
The pivot plates are the thin, rectangular metal parts that connect to the track and floor bracket, while the locking arms are the hooks that connect to the doors and slide along the track. Each pair of doors should have pivot plates and locking arms on both the top and bottom of the jamb-side and leading doors, respectively. Some bifold doors have bottom pivots that attach to the door jamb—the vertical part of the frame that the door is secured to—rather than the floor. Regardless, always attach according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Repeat this process with the top and middle hinges.
After aligning the hinge plates on the leading door, screw in the plates with the provided screws. Press the top and sides of both doors into a corner of your home to align them evenly before attaching the hinges.
Now, draw a corner-to-corner line in the other diagonal direction on the rail to create an “x,” which marks the center of the rail. Repeat the process for each leading door.
Be sure to screw on the door pulls as tightly as possible and give them a firm pull to make sure they’re connected properly.
If your dowel has an adjustment screw, put it near the side-wall on the bottom of the panel. For stationary dowels without adjustment screws, place them on the bottom and top of the door panel on the side that is farthest away from the hinge. Attach dowels with spring assemblies into the top of the door panel at the point closest to the side of the installation location’s perimeter—the exact distance from the side of the perimeter is noted in the manual.
Be sure the pin is completely in the socket before locking the pin in place. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions throughout the process to determine the procedure specific to your kit.
If the door isn’t sliding smoothly, pull up the lever on the socket side and make sure the pin is in place. Afterward, press down again on the lever to lock it.
Check that the track hanger opens and closes properly. If it doesn’t, twist the arm counterclockwise and make sure the pin is in place.
Connect the aligners to the doors with the provided screws, then check the alignment from the outside. If the alignment is off, adjust the track hardware so the doors open and close smoothly.
