How to adjust external bifold doors and common issues
Author: John Collins - Managing Director
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Bifold doors add elegance and functionality to any home. However, to ensure their smooth operation and longevity, you may need to make some minor adjustments from time to time.
This guide will help you understand when and how to adjust your bifold patio doors, including some easy steps to follow and common issues you might encounter.
In this guide:
Read the common reasons why your bifold door may need adjusting.
Read our tips on adjusting your bifolding doors.
Read some common problems with bifold doors and how to fix them.
We answer some queries on adjusting external bifold doors.
Why do bifold doors need adjusting?
Bifold patio doors are a versatile addition, but like all doors, they can face common problems that necessitate adjustments. Understanding these issues can help you maintain your doors effectively.
Wear and tear
Just like any mechanical component, folding doors experience wear and tear. Components such as hinge bolts, pivot brackets, and tracking hardware can wear out over time. Regular checks and minor adjustments can help prevent significant issues.
Change in season
Extreme weather conditions may affect bifold doors, particularly if they made from materials such as uPVC alone. Fluctuations in temperature can cause the external door frame to expand or contract, which may necessitate some adjustment.
Locking difficulties
If you encounter issues with locking your bifold doors, it may be due to misalignment with the locking keeps. Check the lock and adjust the external doors accordingly to ensure proper alignment. Read our full guide to bifold door security here.
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When and how to adjust your bifold doors (for doors with adjustable hinges)
The doors don’t open fully
If your bifold doors don’t open fully, it might be due to side-to-side misalignment. Here’s a step-by-step adjustment process:
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1. Open your doors as far as possible to access the top and bottom pivots.
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2. Using the right tools, such as a Phillips screwdriver, make side-to-side adjustments by shifting the door to the correct position. Follow the spacing guidelines based on your door type.
Dragging doors
If your bifold doors are dragging, the height needs to be adjusted. Follow these steps for a smooth transition:
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3. Identify the intermediate carriers and top pivots.
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4. Use an Allen key or screwdriver to adjust the height. Turn clockwise to raise and anti-clockwise to lower the doors.
Locking issues
Locking problems can usually be resolved with a few necessary adjustments:
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5. Ensure the lock itself is not the issue by testing it with the door open.
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6. Adjust the position of the bifold doors relative to the lock jamb by tweaking the pivots. Aim for a gap of about 4mm to 6mm.
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7. Make additional minor adjustments as needed until the lock functions properly.
Adjusting the bottom track and pin
If the bottom pin or track requires adjustment:
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8. Check if the bottom track or bottom pin needs realignment.
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9. If you need to create a new hole or reposition the track, use a spirit level to ensure it's in the correct position.
Common bifold door problems and solutions
Some common bifold door problems include difficulty in opening or closing, uneven gaps, and misalignment. Address these issues by:
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Making minor adjustments to the hinge bolts or pivot bracket.
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Ensuring the door frame is properly aligned and the tracking hardware is functioning correctly.
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Verifying that the doors are in the correct position relative to each other for a seamless transition.
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Frequently asked questions
Why do bifold doors need adjusting?
Bifold doors may require adjustment due to several factors. Over time, components such as hinges, pivot brackets, and tracking hardware experience wear and tear. Changes in temperature or humidity can cause the external door frames or materials to expand or contract. Additionally, frequent use can lead to misalignment, causing the doors to function improperly. Regular adjustments ensure smooth operation and prevent issues like difficulty in opening or closing, uneven gaps, and locking difficulties.
Why are my bifold doors uneven?
Uneven external bi fold doors are often the result of misalignment in the patio door frame, pivot brackets, or tracking hardware. This can occur due to the settling of the building, wear and tear on the hardware, or incorrect initial installation. To correct this, you may need to make minor adjustments to the height and side-to-side alignment using the right tools. Checking and realigning the bottom track and bottom pin can also help resolve unevenness.
Why won’t my external bifold doors close?
If your external bifold doors won’t close, it may be due to a misalignment with the locking keeps or issues with the door’s hinges and pivots. The doors might have shifted out of their correct position, preventing a proper fit within the door frame. Check the alignment and adjust the hinge bolts and pivot brackets as needed. Additionally, ensure that the bottom track and bottom pin are properly aligned and free from obstructions.
Why is my bi folding door hard to open?
A bi fold door that is hard to open can be caused by several issues, including dragging on the bottom track, misalignment of the pivot brackets, or buildup of debris in the tracking hardware. To address this, you may need to adjust the height of the door by turning the Allen key or screwdriver in the pivot brackets. Regular cleaning of the tracks and ensuring that the door is correctly aligned can also improve ease of operation.
What are common problems with bifold doors?
Common problems with bifold doors include:
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Uneven operation: Due to misalignment of the door frame, pivot brackets, or tracking hardware.
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Dragging or sticking: Often caused by issues with the bottom track or height adjustments.
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Locking difficulties: Typically related to misalignment with the locking keeps.
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Difficulty in opening or closing: Caused by buildup of debris, misalignment, or wear on the hardware.
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Damaged components: Due to incorrect operation when opening and closing.
How are bifold doors designed to be suitable for property improvements?
Bifold doors are designed to provide a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces, maximising natural light and creating a wide opening. Their design includes components like tracking hardware, hinge bolts, and pivot brackets that allow for smooth operation and flexible configurations. They can be customised in various materials, such as aluminium, timber, or uPVC, to suit different property styles and improvement needs.
Which bifold door material is best for exterior living spaces?
The ideal option for you depends on your preferred aesthetic and your priorities when choosing a bifold door. Aluminium bifold doors offer exceptional durability, are a low maintenance option, and are resistant to weather conditions.
Engineered hardwood bifold doors also offer excellent durability and can offer a rustic, more traditional appearance. They are also available in a range of different colours and finishes. Both aluminium and timber offer excellent thermal efficiency, with aluminium doors often including thermal breaks and exceptional glazing options. Timber is naturally thermally efficient, and these doors are often available with double and triple glazing options. Read our guide to bifold door materials here.
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About John Collins
John has built Vufold into a unique online door and window company and has spent 20 years bringing innovative products and designs to fruition, recognising niches in the market and placing them in the likes of Wickes and Travis Perkins, he started Vufold in order to sell them directly. John founded Vufold and has amassed a wealth of experience in product design and development, and in particular timber-based products
Read more about John Collins