When investing in bifold doors for your home, it’s important to understand how to adjust them and why they may need adjusting. In this blog, we’ll explore everything you need to know about adjusting bifold doors.
Why do bifold doors need adjusting?
Like many household items, bifold doors can be subject to issues and general damage that may require them to be adjusted. Some reasons for needing to adjust bifold doors may include:
- General wear and tear – Pivot brackets, hinge bolts and tracking hardware can wear down over time, meaning regular maintenance checks and adjustments are essential.
- Changes in season – Changes in temperature can cause the external frame of the bifold doors to contract and expand, which could cause damage or require adjustments.
- Difficulties with locking the doors – If there are issues with locking your bifold doors, it could be due to misalignment.
How to adjust bifold doors
Adjusting bifold doors when they won’t fully open
- Open your doors as wide as possible in order to access the top and bottom pivots of the door.
- Make side-to-side adjustments by shifting the door to its correct position. Please ensure you follow the spacing guidelines designed for your specific bifold door type.
What to do if your doors are dragging?
When bifold doors are dragging, it’s likely that their height needs adjusting. You can do this by:
- Identifying where the intermediate carriers and pivots are on the doors.
- Use an Allen key or screwdriver to adjust the height. Twist clockwise to raise the door and anticlockwise to lower the door.
How to adjust your bifold door if you’re experiencing issues with locking
- The first thing you should do is check that it isn’t the lock itself that isn’t working, by trying to lock the door while it’s open.
- If the lock isn’t the issue, you should tweak the pivots to position the door relative to the lock jamb. You should aim for a gap between 4mm – 6mm.
How to adjust the bottom track and pin
If the bottom track needs readjusting, you may need to create a new hole. When doing this, you should use a spirit level to make sure it’s in the right position.
At Framemaster, we supply and fit both aluminium and uPVC bifold doors, designed for longevity and adding style to your home or business. Get in touch with us today to see which bifold doors may be best for you.
FAQs
How to adjust a bifold door’s height
To adjust the height of a bifold door, you should use an Allen key to turn the pivots clockwise in order to raise the door or anticlockwise to lower it.
Why is my bifold door hard to open?
This could be due to the hinges becoming loose over time. It’s recommended to tighten these with a screwdriver.
Another reason your bifold door may be difficult to open could be because they have been fitted near other surfaces such as carpets, that are causing friction or blockages when trying to open the door.
How long do bifold doors last?
This ultimately depends on the type of bifold door you have and the materials it’s made from. Typically, aluminum-framed bifold doors tend to last for roughly 40 years, whereas wooden or aluminium bifold doors are predicted to last around 20 years. However, it is important to note that this usually occurs when they’re well maintained.
