Replies

1. 
   jackplane | Jul 07, 2007 05:51am | #1

   Bifold doors are notorious for getting out of alignment and causing the user to curse a stream of profanity. If possible, I'd suggest 2 regular 2' wide doors, otherwise you'd want to reinforce the hardware and track as best you can.

   Expert since 10 am.

2. 
   RalphWicklund | Jul 07, 2007 06:28am | #2

   I just finished a job where I built a 5'0" 2-panel bi-fold using 2 2'6" hollow core doors with a 72" piano hinge and 2 3 1/2" butt hinges. One ball catch at the top, next to the piano hinge, of the trailing door and a nonoperating handle also on the trailing door next to the piano hinge.

   Bought a length of 3/4" aluminum C-channel for the guide and used a short length of 1/16"x 3/4" aluminum flat stock bent 90 degrees along the long axis and mounted a replacement shower door wheel at one end and screwed the flat stock to the back of the trailing door with the wheel running in the c-channel. The wheel sticks out past the end of the door about 3".

   The C-channel is attached to the head jamb in place of regular door stop and runs long to accomodate the wheel.

   What makes this work is the closet opening is L shaped. 60" long with a right angle turn of another 24". There's a standard 2'0" door covering that opening. If the customer wants they can open both sets of doors at the same time and walk into what would have been a tight squeeze to get to the shelves on the end of the closet. The full opening is 7'.

   I could have mounted the wheel on the top of the door like a regular bi-fold but that would make the doors look awkward as they are next to a matching set of ordinary opposed double doors. And I would have had to cut them down to standard bi-fold height.

   The wheel on the end of the flat stock extension also allows the door to open without dragging the trailing edge against the channel/stop.

   This could also work in a regular cased opening if the channel could be let into a small opening cut into the top of the side jamb so the channel could run long.

   It sure looked funny to see 5' of center hinged door swinging in the breeze before I attached the hardware but it moves easily without sag.

   Don't know anything about the hardware package you referenced but nothing says you have to use someones prepackaged, limited scope hardware.

   Sorry, no pics.

3. 
   xxPaulCPxx | Jul 07, 2007 08:49am | #3

   I just installed the 200FD series in the following setup:

   5' opening, 8'tall, 1 3/4" doors, each door weighed about 100 lbs. (mirrors and inset glass tiles on a previously 6 panel door).

   I have to say I'm delighted so far.  This setup not only clears a dresser that sits close to the door, but also provides a place for my wife to duck behind when her dork husband opens the door while she's dressing.

   For opening hardware, I used a towel rack with a dowel screw bent 90 degrees so it sits right in the center of the hinged area.  It opens smooth as silk.

   Hardware from Johnson was about $180.  Hardware from Hafele was about $1800 for the same setup.  No exageration.  I have Hafele pocket door hardware that I'm very happy with, but I can't justify putting a good used car in a closet.

   Only change I made was using 4" ball bearing hinges from HD instead of the 3" ones from Johnson that they said would work OK... bigger is better in this case.

   I'll post a pic later, my digi is in for repairs right now.

   Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA

   Also a CRX fanatic!

   Parenting has always been a mix of sage life advice and inexcusable laziness.

4. 
   calvin | Jul 07, 2007 01:10pm | #4

   View Image POCKET WALL MOUNT BI-FOLD MULTI-FOLD BYPASS MULTI-PASS   View Image

   1601 Bi-fold door Hardware bifold index MAX PANEL SIZE: 24" x 108" x 1-3/4" [610 x 2743 x 44mm] MAX PANEL WEIGHT: 30lbs. [14kg] EACH* The 1601 Hardware Series system provides 100% jamb-to-jamb access for bi-fold door applications. Door panels fold 180° and lay flat against the wall. This system does not use top track. Top-hung hardware system with adjustable 6063T6 extruded aluminum control arm. 14 – 16 gauge zinc dichromate plated steel parts. System includes 1605 non-mortise lift-off hinges and 1703 shock absorbing self-aligning hinges. *(Hinges can be replaced with customer supplied mortised butt hinges for heavier door applications. Consult hinge manufacturer for weight capacity.) 1601 TECHNICAL INFORMATION 1601 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FRONT REAR TOP VIEW FRONT VIEW SIDE VIEW 1601 EXCEPTIONAL FEATURES The 1601 Series is the only bi-fold hardware that allows the doors to fold completely out of the opening. 1601 COMPONENTS 1601 CONTROL ARM

   A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.

   Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   http://www.quittintime.com/

    

1. 
   duckport | Jul 07, 2007 07:21pm | #5

   Lots of good info so far.  Looks as if 1601 or the duty series from Johnston would both work, as well as the "custom" or site built doors.  Thanks to all