Home improvement projects are a great way to breathe life back into your home and create a whole new interior look.

A bi-fold door is a popular addition for many homeowners. It makes your space appear bigger, better, and brighter.

If you wish to fit a bi-fold door in your home, we have created a step-by-step guide to make the process quick and easy.

Necessary Safety Precautions

Installing a bi-fold door involves tools and materials that may be hazardous if not handled carefully.

Before you dive into the process, you must wear PPE, such as safety goggles, ear protection, a dust mask, and gloves. This protects your skin and face from harmful chemicals or debris and prevents ear damage from loud power tools.

Ensure you work in a clutter-free zone and remove any objects or furniture that could cause accidents. Your tools and materials must be up to a high standard to prevent safety risks.

You must avoid working in wet areas to prevent electrical shocks.

Tools and Materials Needed

Tape Measure: To measure the door and doorway.
Level: Line components perfectly at horizontal or vertical positions.
Screwdriver Set: Flat-head and Phillips screwdrivers for various types of screws.
Electric Drill: For drilling holes into the wall and door frame.
Drill Bits: Various sizes for different screws and anchors.
Hammer: To secure nails and tap components into place.
Pencil: For marking measurements and drill points.
Utility Knife: For trimming and cutting materials such as insulation.
Chisel: To carve out areas of the door frame.
Adjustable Wrench: For tightening nuts and bolts.
Stud Finder: To locate wall studs for secure mounting.

Preparing the Doorway

A well-prepared doorway ensures a smooth installation process. Follow these steps to prepare the area:

Use a measuring tape to measure the doorway’s height, width, and depth.
Clean the surrounding area using a mop and vacuum to remove dirt and debris. If there’s an existing door, remove the screws from the hinges and old handles, strike plates, and tracks to make space for a new door.
Use a level to check that the floor and door frame are straight, using shims to correct it if not. Then, use wood filler to patch any holes and damage in the frame.
Use a pencil to mark where you wish to add the new drills. Then, use an electric drill with the appropriate-sized bit to pre-drill the holes.
Ensure there are no electrical wires or plumbing behind the drilling area. Use a stud finder to locate the studs in the wall for a more secure installation.

Installing the Track

Now that you have prepared the doorway for installation, it’s time to add the track. Follow these steps for an easy process:

Check the track’s length against the doorway’s width and use a hacksaw to make necessary adjustments. Then, place the track against the top of the door frame, lining it against the pencil markings.
Then, use a pencil to mark where the screws must go on the track, aligning them with the pre-drilled holes in the door frame or the wall studs.
Use a level to check that the track is perfectly horizontal, and begin to insert and tighten the screws.
Attach the pivot brackets at both ends of the track to hold the pins at the top of the door panel. Install any roller guides your track comes with, following the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Test the track with a small piece of wood to ensure it runs smoothly.

Hanging the Door Panels

Once the steps above have been completed, you are now ready for the final stage of installation. Follow the below instructions to hang your door panel efficiently:

Locate the pre-drilled hole at the bottom of the door, then insert the bottom pivot pin into the hole.
Carefully lift the first door panel, align the top pivot pin with the pivot bracket in the track, and then insert it in. Lower the door panel so that the bottom pivot pin sits in its corresponding bracket in the door frame.
If applicable, attach the guide roller to the guide bracket.
Once the door panel has been hung, use a level to check for alignment and hang any additional panels, following the above steps.

Adjusting and Testing

You now have a working bi-fold door that will give your house a fresh new look and years of style and efficiency.

To test your new structure, open and close the door several times to ensure it runs smoothly and nothing falls off. Make sure there are no large gaps between the door panels or the frame.

If your bi-fold door has a locking mechanism for the pivot pins, lock them in place once the door has been checked.
For more information or product enquiries, Contact us today. We offer a range of stunning, high-quality bi-fold doors ready to be delivered to your door.