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Replacing bi-fold doors with regular doors...? (pic)

15 years ago

I want to replace two sets of bi-fold doors from closets in my entryway, but not sure where to begin.

The framing around the closet openings is metal w/ 1/2 sheetrock. The floor will be tile over concrete. I built the divider between the two closets w/ wood framing, and I installed bi-fold doors (from home center) temporarily.

However, now that I'm changing the floor I also want to replace the bi-fold doors with two side by side doors on each closet. I'm concerned that the framing is not stiff/sturdy enough to support the doors, and how to convert...

Can I just put wood trim around the inside of the openings and hinge from there? Or does the framing need to be reinforced....

Another problem I have is that I don't think I can get a set of prehung double doors into my apartment, unless I could take it apart first.

Thanks for the help!

picture of the closets:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WgZuC-HYDCQ/SaIOYH2ryCI/AAAAAAAAAGw/8p8zC8jJBWE/s1600-h/P1000443.JPG

Comments (4)

rjoh878646
15 years ago
You might want to look at double doors for the opening. You can purchase them prehung. I would go to a lumberyard or a big box store and look at what they can order in. I purchased Jeld-wen solid mdf doors to replace doors in my house. I like the quality. I special ordered them a home depot.

Here is a link that might be useful: double prehung doors
rchrd
Original Author
15 years ago
The problem is that I have a tight stair well that I don't think I can get a prehung set of double doors around, unless I could take it apart first. But, I don't know if that's possible. I guess I might as well build the jamb and assemble the door myself at that point.

Has anyone seen any good online step-by-step guides for assembling a door jamb and hanging doors, I can't find anything.

Thanks for your help rjoh87646!
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You can order much nicer bi-folds than what is on the sales floor at big box stores like Home Depot and at lumberyards. Ask at the millwork desk. You do not need to put bi-folds on a track - you can put them on regular hinges, which will also allow you to push the doors flat against the walls flanking the closet, so you have better access to the full width of the closet. This takes up less space than conventional doors. I did this for the master bathroom in my previous house because a swinging door would have wasted too much space and blocked a window. Large shutters can be hinged together to make bi-fold doors, and some shutter companies will do that for you for a small additional charge. Many small custom door manufacturers will make bifold doors to spec. Even if not backlit, a frosted or textured glass panel in a closet door can reduce the visual heaviness of a large set of closet doors.
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Thank you so much. That's it, although the color and shape are not exactly what I am looking for. It helps a lot.. Now, how do I take off the pin still stuck in the door. I don't know what in the world the previous homeowner could lose the disc which was attached to the pin so strongly. If the disc and and pin were missing together, it is much easier to just stick the pivot with the disc on the door. I just cannot believe that so many little things look awfully easy to fix at the first sight all turn out to be troublesome, according to my experience.
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Just wondering if you can do a pair of doors similar to those on an armoire I have. The solid doors are hinged top and bottom to close over the opening, then can slide back along the inside of the armoire along plastic 'guides'. Another idea: We have a woven-wood product instead of drapes at our Maui condo. They are attached at the top to run along a rail like draperies.. They stack to nothing. The have magnetic closures where the pair meet. (You could do one-way.) I remember seeing a similar product used as a closet doors in motels in the 1950's. These are easily vacuumed and can be wiped clean.
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sierraeast
15 years ago
Before deciding on the doors, you need to make sure the opening will accept a standard sized double pre-hung. You would be better off taking the pre-hungs apart rather than hanging and setting jambs/doors if you have never hung a door, especially doubles. Another avenue is to get a finish carpenter in to hang the doors. If you wanted to trim yourself, fine, but at least have a pro set them if you go the hang/set the door/jamb route.
rjoh878646
15 years ago
Like the last poster said make sure the opening is the proper width to fit a pre hung unit. Like he said prehung units that big are a lot easier to move with the doors removed. Mdf Doors wiegh a ton and 2 of them in the frame would be impossible to move. A frame can be jockeyed around a tight stairwell.

There is another route if the openings are a non standard size, bypass doors. All the closets in the bedrooms have them and I just ordered door blanks and installed them on new hardware. I recomend Johnson hardware for bypass doors.
It's cheaper to order from the company than have a big box order it in.

Here is a link that might be useful: johnson hardware

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