Q: I have a 47-1/2" opening. Each bi-fold door is 23-1/4 inch wide. This is already installed but faulty. The track is bent and one door has no jamb bracket on floor. I feel like this is what I need to get a new track and one jamb bracket. Should a regular handyman be able to do this? My husband and I have four thumbs! Who should I hire, a carpenter to "dig out" smashed track? Or should I try to straighten out the dent in the track and just install a jamb bracket on the side that is missing one? Many thanks from a desperate housewife!
A: This will be an easy installation and here is what I would like to know. What is the distance from the floor to the underside of the head (where the track is located) and second, what is the net height of the doors?
Q: The doors are 79 inches high. The distance from the floor to the UNDERSIDE of the track is a tad over 79 inches. The depth of the track that shows is a teensy bit less than 3/4 inch (11/16 or an inch). So the distance from the carpeted floor to the TOP of the track is 79-11/16 inches. Is this the information you needed to help me? I THINK I could straighten out the bend track with pliers. I have a feeling it got bent from someone struggling to get the left folding door to close properly -- but I think the reason it doesn't want to close (besides the bent track) is that it has NOTHING holding it at the bottom, as there's no jamb bracket on the left folding door. The right folding door, which HAS a jamb bracket screwed down right through the carpet into the wood floor underneath, opens and closes fine. I'm not an idiot but am not handy. I'm pretty sure, though, if you think all I need is a jamb on the left, that I could install that myself with the help of my cleaning lady, as she's handy and has tools. She could help me straighten out the bent track, too. Then if you think that would solve my problem, and it DIDN'T work, then I would get an entire replacement kit (I need you to make sure I order the right size). Now that I've measured it, I see where the track is simply screwed on from the inside of the track. Since they painted where the top of the track meets the wood molding, it had looked like I needed a carpenter as it looked like it was embedded into the wood. But now I think I could do it with my cleaning lady even if we had to replace the whole track. What tool would you suggest we need to cut the track to the right length? She might have it or perhaps we could borrow it from someone who has one once I know what we need! Thanks SO MUCH for helping me!!! I'm STILL a desperate housewife!
A: If you can repair the track, I would suggest you purchase the Knape & Vogt PB-BIF-20-4 parts bag
as seen here:
Click Here
However if you elect to change the track as well I would suggest you purchase the Knape & Vogt BIF-20S-2D-3 Bi-Fold 20 Lbs. Panels With Steel Track For 2 Doors For 36" Opening
as seen here:
Click Here
Q: But the one with the track (BIF-20S-2D-3) is for a 36-inch opening. My opening is 47-1/2 inches. Would that work?
A: We have a 5 foot length track kit with hardware for 4 - doors which is the Knape & Vogt BIF-20S-4D-5 Bi-Fold 20 Lbs. Panels With Steel Track For 4 Doors For 60" Opening
in stock as seen here:
Click Here
Q: Also, since I have two folding doors (4 panels, in other words, two of which are connected in the center, is that considered a four-door or a two-door?
A: This is considered a 4 - door system.
Q: You're the BOMB, as I kept looking for setups for 2 doors instead of 4 doors. I had a feeling once I looked at the contents for the two-door kit that what I had was indeed 4 doors. Many thanks. Me and my cleaning lady (grin) will tacked this project together. I'll get together with her and then I will place my order. Many many thanks. I wish you were my neighbor, as I'd just hire you to come over and fix this damn thing! Best regards, Michelle M. B
A: I will watch for the order and stand by to assist during your installation.