Closet Door and Frame Decisions / Advice

Hello,

I'm remodeling a bedroom in our 1959 house to accomodate a new addition to our family. We had old sliding bypass doors on the closet that I took off years ago and never replaced. I want to put two sets of bi-fold closet doors on but there's a bit of an issue:

The 'finished' opening was 47". Bi-fold standard sizes seem to be 24". I figured I'd yank out the jambs and see that the rough area would be somewhere around 50". No luck...it's 49". Am I better off trying to cut 1/2" off each set of doors and using standard jambs again to keep it all at 47" or should I move a stud and bring it out to about 50" rough?

I'm not sure I'd get the cuts on the doors straight with my tool selection...meaning a circular saw. I'm sure I could clamp straightedges to them to get the cut pretty straight and just sand them down...I assume I'd do this on the 'frame' side of the door, which you won't really see the face of.

Thanks!
Mike

 

sikbrik,

Welcome to DoItYourself.com and the Door forum.

You'll probably be buying the doors at one of the big box stores, so go read what they say on the packaging about the needed finished opening size.

If they need a 48" wide finished opening and yours is only 47", then a long straight edge clamped to the doors and a NEW saw blade will work.

But rather than 1/2" off of just two sides, take 1/8" off each of the eight sides. That way you won't be cutting into the mortise and tenons that hold the doors together and they will look better -- all 8 stiles will be the same width.

 

Great, thanks Lefty!

I like the sound of 1/8" off each side and I'll spring for a new blade.

I'm curious though, and I'm sure this will be answered when I arrive at HD to buy the doors, but I've already yanked out the old jambs and the framing is 'true' or level or square or whatever I should be saying.

Do they make thinner 'jamb stock' that isn't 3/4" thick? If I used 1/2 jambs flush against the framing, I'd have my 48" finished opening (if that's what's required). That would work out to be the least amount of work AND the easiest to make 'pretty'.

Thanks again.
Mike

 

Hi Mike,

You could gain some space by just using drywall against the framing on the interior of the opening. You'd save a 1/2 inch with 1/2" drywall, little more with 3/8" drywall.

We had a question similar to this, not long ago. We all like wood jambs the best, but drywalled openings are common.

Maybe search the forum for pertinent threads will give you some more feedback.

Connie

 

Great feedback. Thanks, Connie. I think I'm going to try to use 1/2" plywood, based on your comments and a few other posts I've read. I can spring for some good quality ply with a nice finish face so I don't have as much sanding to do.

Thanks again! Mike

 

Sikbrik, I agree with your solution. You will need some edge ribbon to make a nice finish for the edge of the plywood. Good luck with your project.