What size door frame do I need?

[jake26]

Hi Gang!

Another question from the ignorant. I am making a small closet in my garage with a Bi-Fold door. I assumed sizes for the door frame size would be listed in the instructions but unfortunately, there were not so I need a little help figuring it out.

The door is hinged in the middle and is 35.5" x 79" with guide hardware that is 1/2" tall. I plan on drywalling the vertical frame and use 1" board along the top for attaching the hardware so what would my finished opening need to be?

Thanks for any help

 

[little d]

jake, you frame a bi-fold the same as a hindged door. As you have said, your track is 1/2", door is 79" and you have a pivit at the bottom that should be a 1/2" so that totals 80", rough frame at 81", take out 3/4" for the jam and ya got a 1/4" to play with to adjust with door jamb shims. The same goes for the sides, 35.5" door, 1/4" clearence on both sides equals 36" total. Rough frame at 38", take out 3/4" off of both sides for the jamb and ya got 1/4" on both sides to shim plumb. Most ppl don't but, I nail on a door stop on the strike plate side, cut to length, close the door, gently put it against the door and nail in place. With out the door stop if ya bump the door the botom of the door will give, with the door stop, it's a lot more ridget.

 

[jake26]

jake, you frame a bi-fold the same as a hindged door. As you have said, your track is 1/2", door is 79" and you have a pivit at the bottom that should be a 1/2" so that totals 80", rough frame at 81", take out 3/4" for the jam and ya got a 1/4" to play with to adjust with door jamb shims. The same goes for the sides, 35.5" door, 1/4" clearence on both sides equals 36" total. Rough frame at 38", take out 3/4" off of both sides for the jamb and ya got 1/4" on both sides to shim plumb. Most ppl don't but, I nail on a door stop on the strike plate side, cut to length, close the door, gently put it against the door and nail in place. With out the door stop if ya bump the door the botom of the door will give, with the door stop, it's a lot more ridget.

Sorry if I am a little dense but ... should my rough frame then be 81" x 37.75" (I am allowing 5/8" for the drywall and corner bead sides instead of wooden jams). That would make my finished opening (after drywall and top jam) 80.25" x 36.5".

Thanks!!

 

[little d]

You only need a 1/4" total 1/8" per side. It is easyer, imho to shim a 1 by but you can shim sheet rock. I'd use more shims though, like every 12" or so.

 

[BD1]

Hi, just wondering, would a pocket door work better ?? Not sure of your wall design . They are great for certain applications.