Anyone have a good feel for how much you can cut down a masonite bifold door? From the top or bottom, or both?
I have a potential client that needs all the doors to his closets replaced, and he spec’d primed and painted masonite units. The house has non-standard door openings, so some of the doors need to be cut down anywhere from 1/2 to 1 3/4″. The 1/2″ is probably more doable than the 1 3/4″, but thought someone might have firsthand knowledge by how much you can cut these things down .
Thanks.
I never met a tool I didn’t like!
Replies
Why can't you shorten them to the desired height you want then insert a new piece of wood in the bottom to replace the support piece you cut out?
Nick
Just did some on my house and you cant cut much more than the 1/2" that you suggested. If you cut anymore than that you will have to do like CAG said and replace the piece of wood that was in there, there is a hole as you know, that has to be in the right location, other than that you can cut them down as much as you need.
Doug
If you have holes pre-drilled you can take off the top and bottom and use a filler piece on both to make sure the hole stays where it needs to be.View ImageGo Jayhawks..............Next Year and daaa. Blues View Image
Nick-
The rails on the Masonite doors are getting thinner all the time- only 3/4-1" on the ones I put in my house recently. Also, even if you only take 1/2" off, the pins that sit in the holes will get loose, since there's only a 1/4" for them to rest in. I did that on one of mine, and my daughter slammed the door too hard and ripped the pin right thru the bottom rail (and she's only 2...lol).
I cut out the remaining piece, and slipped in a new piece of 5/4 x 2 stock. It fit nice and snug with a little glue and gentle persuasion. You just need to drill it out for the pin afterward (using the old piece as a reference for the location).
Bob
Manufacturers are also slipping in MDF instead of real wood as rails and stiles. A little hard use and they start to give way, especially if you've cut the doors down a little.
Just read about an aftermarket repair product that might be a good idea to install before repairs are needed. It's called "The Bracket" and is just a pivot reinforcment plate that is attached with a single screw to the top or bottom of the door over the hole before the pivot pin is hammered home. Don't know who makes it but the contact number is 800-343-3275.
Thanks for the replys; I figured it would be like cutting down hollow-core doors, but wanted to make sure. Guess if I cut them down at all, I'll replace the rails as suggested.
Thanks again.
Ancient post but this is one of the top hits when googling 'trimming a bi-fold door'.
The updated answer is that both the top and bottom rails of Masonite bi-fold doors (specifically, I have the 6 panel version from HD) are mdf that are ~1-1/2" deep. You can check yourself by peeking in through the holes for the pivots. I stuck a nail in head first and the nail head catches on the lip of the hole on the inside. Marking the nail with your finger, take the nail out and measure to the bottom of the nail head. Voila.
Still probably a good idea to do any trimming for height by splitting the trim between the top and bottom rails so the pivots have an equal amount to hold on to.
The stiles you can see (from the top or bottom) are 13/16" thick.