Question for the Carpenters and Builders

[1990C4S]

I have a 95-1/2" wide closet with four (ugly) bifold doors. I could post a picture, but you probably all know exactly what this looks like.

I want to replace the bi-folds with four hollow core doors.

I need suggestions for adding a center column to support the two inner door hinges.

Or is there a way to hang four doors using full overlay hinges and make the center support hidden? I could use four 24" doors, and trim them all slightly.

[Zeke]

It's not too hard to hang the outer doors and then hang the 2 inner ones to the outer ones. Sure, that sounds like another bifold but the secret is to reverse the hinges on the inner to outer door so that the inner door folds flat to the outer.
For full access, swing the pair open on the hinges mounted on the overall jamb that surrounds the opening.

You will need a different style of hinge for the outer doors, one that will clear any moldings. Theses are known a parliament hinges. I think you could also use a full clearance hinge on the outer. You might have to narrow the inner doors to 23 1/2".

Anyway, I've done it successfully.

[1990C4S]

Thank-you for the idea, but after thinking a bit more, I'm leaning more to pivot hinges, sort of like the bi-folds. Nice and neat.

Gives me some time, since the floor is next.

https://www.amazon.com/Hinges-Degree-Stainless-Murphy-System/dp/B077MHDYPK/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=115EZFCQLK2Q7&dchild=1&keywords=pivot+hinge+heavy+duty&qid=1610217215&sprefix=pivot+hinge%2Caps%2C185&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyTFA3QzNZRlZXVzFIJ mVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUExMDI4NTk2RUxTWUJXRzVISzdaJmVuY3J 5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5MzU1NzEyWlg4QUtZVUdJRkRKJndpZGdld E5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm9 0TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

[look 171]

Just get two sets of pre-hung hollow core made to fit that hole and be done with it. They can make them pretty nice now. Its a closet. Those pivot hinges are cool, but maybe more of a pain to hung and get things lined up perfectly. It is only a closet.

[crb07]

Originally Posted by look 171

Just get two sets of pre-hung hollow core made to fit that hole and be done with it. They can make them pretty nice now. Its a closet. Those pivot hinges are cool, but maybe more of a pain to hung and get things lined up perfectly. It is only a closet.

Remove the bi-fold doors and if the opening is cased out with trim remove this as well. You should see the drywall cut flush with the wall studs. This is your ruff opening. If the doors are removed and the opening is wrapped with drywall you may have to remove the drywall covering the studs inside the door opening. Do not remove any of the drywall that is part of the wall at this point. Either way, take a picture and the exact opening dimensions to a door place and they will tell you what you can buy in a standard opening or have something custom made to the exact existing opening.

Search on Youtube for a bit and you will see some vids and be an expert in less than two beers.

But as stated above, pre-hung is the way to go.

[dad911]

The hardware is slightly more expensive, but you could do bypass barn doors.

Otherwise I concur with Look. Measure the opening, get the two largest pre-hung doors you can, and fill the center with studs and trim. I did something similar here:

[gregpark]

Another option. This is a small bath in my house with a 6' opening to a closet. Cheap hallow core sliders I covered with kinky decorative half inch wire, sides bent on a break then rattled canned bronze out doors. Three of these would fit your opening with minimal work required. Top and bottom tracks easy peasy. For the art deco looking trim at the top I ripped closet dowels on the table saw. Cheap and easy and adds texture to the room. My wife loves it and that's what matters.

[1990C4S]

I should have posted, I do not want sliders. I've had them before, I want hinges now.

I will look at the prehung. But I like a challenge so.....

Also, I don't have as many shopping options as most of you, I'm more remote.

[look 171]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Steves-Sons-48-in-x-80-in-2-Panel-Square-Shaker-White-Primed-Universal-SC-Wood-Double-Prehung-Interior-Door-with-Bronze-Hinges-W64M2NNNLEDRB/306164041

Put two of these things back on there and give your wife back YOUR closet. No sag, no binding with those cheap tracks. Many styles to match your home. Hurry, do it soon, you will get some.

[1990C4S]

Deleted.

Edit, I misread the size. That might work but my concern is the OD is 49 1/2, double that and I'm at 99". I would be doing some stud relocation I think. But maybe I should.

[masraum]

Star Trek doors, complete with the noise!

Or maybe opaque force fields.

I too dislike most bi-fold closet doors. I'm also not a fan of the sliding barn door thing that's such a fad these days. Maybe if they were recessed into the wall, but they stand proud of the wall.

[1990C4S]

^^ I will never have sliding doors. They are not for me...

[look 171]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

Deleted.

Edit, I misread the size. That might work but my concern is the OD is 49 1/2, double that and I'm at 99". I would be doing some stud relocation I think. But maybe I should.

Perfect, only one of them is needed. A set of pre-hung 48" (24' each) door will fit jsut fine.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

^^ I will never have sliding doors. They are not for me...

Any sliding or only the barn-style?

I like pocket doors. Often, doors open in ways that are inconvenient (into small bathrooms, in a way that limits where you can put furniture, etc...) and pocket doors can/do solve a lot of those issues.

I think the remaining downsides to pocket doors are that retrofitting is probably a pain and if there is plumbing or wiring in the walls, then that could be a pain.

I'd happily have most doors converted to pocket doors if I could wrinkle my nose like Samantha in Bewitched on wiggle my wand at it like Harry Potter.

Duh, I completely forgot about this sort of sliding door (below) which is what our old home had. I like them better than the bifold and much more than the barn-sliding doors. They can be a pain since they limit you to only part of the opening at a time.

Originally Posted by gregpark

Another option. This is a small bath in my house with a 6' opening to a closet. Cheap hallow core sliders I covered with kinky decorative half inch wire, sides bent on a break then rattled canned bronze out doors. Three of these would fit your opening with minimal work required. Top and bottom tracks easy peasy. For the art deco looking trim at the top I ripped closet dowels on the table saw. Cheap and easy and adds texture to the room. My wife loves it and that's what matters.

Very cool, and creative with both the mesh and the half dowel molding at the top.

[gregpark]

^ thanks. Besides being cheap I'm big on outside the box ideas. Here's a better pic of the decorative mesh. You won't find this hardware cloth at home depot only a specialty wire manufacturer. I've used it and similar for see through cabinet doors (wine glasses, crystal display, etc) for customers. 4x8 sheet form. It can cost from $160 to several hundred per sheet depending on weave and material. These doors are 3'x6' I use the extra on stuff like this matching shelf I bent and cut with pliers and snips

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by look 171

Perfect, only one of them is needed. A set of pre-hung 48" (24' each) door will fit jsut fine.

No, I misread the size of the item you posted, I would need two of them.

I will look for two LH and two RH prehung, then combine them. Sort of a DIY pre-hung solution.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by masraum

Any sliding or only the barn-style?

No sliding, no pocket for me. Anyway, the right side of my closet is up against a wall...

[look 171]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

No, I misread the size of the item you posted, I would need two of them.

I will look for two LH and two RH prehung, then combine them. Sort of a DIY pre-hung solution.

I pair of 24" door within a single frame. Two doors that open outward for full access to entire closet.

49 1/2" is the rough opening? If so, a 4' pre-hung unit will be perfect.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by look 171

I pair of 24" door within a single frame. Two doors that open outward for full access to entire closet.

49 1/2" is the rough opening? If so, a 4' pre-hung unit will be perfect.

Lol, no, I'm confusing everyone.

It's a 95-1/2" opening. So two sets of double (i.e. French) doors, each door is ~24". I would need two of what you posted from Home Depot. But I can't buy what you posted, it's not sold here.

So I will buy the four doors, the four vertical door jams and the two O/H jams, then build it all up to fit. And then use a power planer to trim the doors to width.

The center jambs will rest on the subfloor, then I can wrap the jambs in hardwood when I install the floor.

I think....

[look 171]

It can't be ordered and delivered? I have never checked, Amazon?

Yep, that's exactly what needs to be done. If there's space, install a stick of lumber between the center of the two door jambs for better anchoring for the actual jambs. If that makes sense?