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Home Repair Design Dilemma DIY

Can I turn mirror bi-fold doors into two swinging doors?

RoseMarie Mallon

3 years ago

I have moved into a townhouse full of bi-fold doors! I just hate how they fall off the tracks and don't open smoothly. I would like to make them into two narrow swinging doors. I think I can do this easily with the wooden doors. But I am a little stumped about how to do this to the metal bi-fold doors and even worse are the heavy mirror doors. The mirror bi-fold doors are the ones that have broken the track, of course. They are 90" tall, but only 18" wide. I'm not sure what kind of hinge I could add to the sides that will hold the weight and attach easily. Thanks for any help.

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Comments (4)

kudzu9
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Bi-fold doors are often installed with flimsy hardware, and the symptoms you are noticing are typical. You could have someone put in quality, heavier-duty bi-fold hardware, or you could make the changeover to swinging doors, but you would need someone competent with the right skills and tools.
millworkman
3 years ago
Not happening with metal bifold doors.
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PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
I can’t see that working with the mirrored doors but better hardware is really all you need. I have bifolds on my laundry and they are used a lot and with just good hardware they have stood up to 13 yrs of use
RoseMarie Mallon
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you for your answers. I think I need to find a good handyman for a lot of my projects.

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