Good Quality Bi-Fold Door Hardware
#1
04-29-01, 08:24 PM
Any ideas where to purchase good quality bi-fold door hardware?? (the type with the extended door suspended by rollers)
Some background:
I purchased two sets of 48" bi-fold doors (with hardware included) at the local Home Depot. I shortened these doors and used them as cuddy cabin doors on a houseboat.
The Problem:
The hardware that came with the doors is cheaply made, and doesn't hold up (pops out of the track easily) to the abuse suffered as a bedroom door. It would probably hold up as a closet door, but on a boat we have a lot of guest with little kids and for some reason..... the doors provide more recreation than the boating experience!!! The hardware is the type with a small track and "pins" in the door that slide in the track serving as a guide. The doors are essentially cantilevered, i.e. fixed only next to the wall by a piece of hardware that's easily "popped" loose.
Solution:
The bi-fold doors that we have in our house have a "beefier" track with the extended part of the door suspended by rollers. If I could purcahse this hardware I would be all set. I tried the local Home Depot, but they basically sell the same hardware that I already have. (I thought about stealing the hardware from the house to put in the boat... but that would send me to the legal advice forum because my wife would devorce me)
Any tips will be appreciated.
Some background:
I purchased two sets of 48" bi-fold doors (with hardware included) at the local Home Depot. I shortened these doors and used them as cuddy cabin doors on a houseboat.
The Problem:
The hardware that came with the doors is cheaply made, and doesn't hold up (pops out of the track easily) to the abuse suffered as a bedroom door. It would probably hold up as a closet door, but on a boat we have a lot of guest with little kids and for some reason..... the doors provide more recreation than the boating experience!!! The hardware is the type with a small track and "pins" in the door that slide in the track serving as a guide. The doors are essentially cantilevered, i.e. fixed only next to the wall by a piece of hardware that's easily "popped" loose.
Solution:
The bi-fold doors that we have in our house have a "beefier" track with the extended part of the door suspended by rollers. If I could purcahse this hardware I would be all set. I tried the local Home Depot, but they basically sell the same hardware that I already have. (I thought about stealing the hardware from the house to put in the boat... but that would send me to the legal advice forum because my wife would devorce me)
Any tips will be appreciated.
#2
04-30-01, 11:16 AM
Use the adjustment on the bottom pin to raise the door to get the cheap hardware sitting more firmly into the top track.
Find out who sells the best quality bifold doors in your area and pay a visit to see if the hardware is any better. If the lumber yard sells the door then chances are they can get just the hardware.
I have noticed that even the expensive Bifolds I purchase have the same type of hardware as the HD doors though it seems a little more heavy duty.
If all else fails, you better ask IAAL if your wife will be able to collect punitive on top of compensatory.
Find out who sells the best quality bifold doors in your area and pay a visit to see if the hardware is any better. If the lumber yard sells the door then chances are they can get just the hardware.
I have noticed that even the expensive Bifolds I purchase have the same type of hardware as the HD doors though it seems a little more heavy duty.
If all else fails, you better ask IAAL if your wife will be able to collect punitive on top of compensatory.
#3
04-30-01, 08:06 PM
Thanks for the tip....
The problem I've experienced is with the hardware that attaches the door on the "fixed" end. If you tighten the retainer screw too much it expands the track and the door falls out. If you don't tighten the screw enough.... then the door also falls out. I was looking for the roller type hardware to better support the doors weight and have better anchoring at the fixed.
You're probably right... I should make the rounds to the local lumber yards, etc. I was being lazy and hoping someone out there would steer me toward a web site.
Thanks again.
The problem I've experienced is with the hardware that attaches the door on the "fixed" end. If you tighten the retainer screw too much it expands the track and the door falls out. If you don't tighten the screw enough.... then the door also falls out. I was looking for the roller type hardware to better support the doors weight and have better anchoring at the fixed.
You're probably right... I should make the rounds to the local lumber yards, etc. I was being lazy and hoping someone out there would steer me toward a web site.
Thanks again.
#4
05-01-01, 09:00 AM
Lock it with a screw
If I understand correctly, Your saying that when you tighten the upper bracket inside the track, it expands the track and the door pops and by the same token the it slides if you do not tighten it enough. If true then snug it and run a 2" deck screw through the track 1 3/4" abutting the holder so it locks it in place. It's good practice on by folds so if the top holder lets go, the doors do not fall on someone.
