How do I adjust bi-fold doors?
Discussion
Afternoon all.
Our kitchen bi-fold door has become very difficult to lock - you have to heave on the handle to close the door enough to allow you to activate the locking lever. And in the very hot weather we have even had to resort to one of us going outside to lean on the door because it has expanded in the heat and become even more difficult - or impossible for Mrs B - to lock.
The hinges look like standard hinges only they have 4 allen countersink head bolts in them and a single self tapping screw right in the middle of all the allen bolts.
I can't see any obvious way to adjust the doors. There are small self adhesive plastic strip pieces between the hinge and the frame but I'm not sure if they are there as a water seal, anti corrosion or for adjustment so I'm reluctant to start pulling them off.
Do we have any geniuses on here who know about such things?
Our kitchen bi-fold door has become very difficult to lock - you have to heave on the handle to close the door enough to allow you to activate the locking lever. And in the very hot weather we have even had to resort to one of us going outside to lean on the door because it has expanded in the heat and become even more difficult - or impossible for Mrs B - to lock.
The hinges look like standard hinges only they have 4 allen countersink head bolts in them and a single self tapping screw right in the middle of all the allen bolts.
I can't see any obvious way to adjust the doors. There are small self adhesive plastic strip pieces between the hinge and the frame but I'm not sure if they are there as a water seal, anti corrosion or for adjustment so I'm reluctant to start pulling them off.
Do we have any geniuses on here who know about such things?
Thanks for the comments everyone.
I’ll get some photos of the hinges in the daylight tomorrow.
I’ve checked the shoot bolt but can’t see how it might adjust, and my concern about adjusting the bots would mean the doors aren’t pulled in tight, which they need to be because I’ve been surprised how they flex in the wind.
I’ve also cleaned the tracks, but the problem isn’t them sticking, the doors just seem too big for the space. The bloody things have grown !!
The doors are aluminium if it helps.
I’ll get some photos of the hinges in the daylight tomorrow.
I’ve checked the shoot bolt but can’t see how it might adjust, and my concern about adjusting the bots would mean the doors aren’t pulled in tight, which they need to be because I’ve been surprised how they flex in the wind.
I’ve also cleaned the tracks, but the problem isn’t them sticking, the doors just seem too big for the space. The bloody things have grown !!
The doors are aluminium if it helps.
Alucidnation said:
J114rvy said:
You can't you need to toe and heel the glass in the door which will take the weight of the closing edge and adjust keep to suit.
This.J114rvy said:
You can't you need to toe and heel the glass in the door which will take the weight of the closing edge and adjust keep to suit.
You can. Mine were a shambles when fitted but the supplier came out and with the builder, adjustments were made and how they open and close beautifully.ETA - doesn't look like something a homeowner should do. They had the glass out and all sorts!
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They look very similar to the alu bifolds that I have fitted for customers over the last few years. As you say the hinges aren’t really adjustable - during installation you can reposition them to get everything nice n straight, but once finally fixed that’s that.
There is up and down adjustment in the bottom roller hinge, but it’s most likely that the issues you’re experiencing can be rectified by repacking the glass.
Or in the case of “my” doors they have adjustable glazing shims: in the top corner of the door, there is a screw that presses down onto a special packer - get a hex key out and you can tweak the alignment of the doors without removing the glass. (It is advisable to remove the wedge gaskets though to relieve pressure)
The proviso is though - if you don’t know what you’re doing, get someone in who does. You could cause sone expensive damage!
Alu bifolds we’ll installed are generally very good and stable. It’s very important that the frame is well installed - plumb and the bottom track exactly level and straight. If this isn’t the case you’ll be fighting alignment issues forever however much glazing alignment you do...
There is up and down adjustment in the bottom roller hinge, but it’s most likely that the issues you’re experiencing can be rectified by repacking the glass.
Or in the case of “my” doors they have adjustable glazing shims: in the top corner of the door, there is a screw that presses down onto a special packer - get a hex key out and you can tweak the alignment of the doors without removing the glass. (It is advisable to remove the wedge gaskets though to relieve pressure)
The proviso is though - if you don’t know what you’re doing, get someone in who does. You could cause sone expensive damage!
Alu bifolds we’ll installed are generally very good and stable. It’s very important that the frame is well installed - plumb and the bottom track exactly level and straight. If this isn’t the case you’ll be fighting alignment issues forever however much glazing alignment you do...
I know that this was a post from many years ago but I have just managed to fix the same issue on my AluK bifolds so thought I would post this if anyone else reads this thread.
The doors open and closed fine but very difficult to lock. After a long time researching and looking at hinge adjustment without luck I noticed that the strike plate to the latch knib near the handle was adjustable. The screws holding the strike plate were loose so the plate got pushed around when the door was closed. I tightened the two screws and it now locks perfectly.
Worth a look for anyone with this issue.
The doors open and closed fine but very difficult to lock. After a long time researching and looking at hinge adjustment without luck I noticed that the strike plate to the latch knib near the handle was adjustable. The screws holding the strike plate were loose so the plate got pushed around when the door was closed. I tightened the two screws and it now locks perfectly.
Worth a look for anyone with this issue.
JamesR36 said:
I know that this was a post from many years ago but I have just managed to fix the same issue on my AluK bifolds so thought I would post this if anyone else reads this thread.
The doors open and closed fine but very difficult to lock. After a long time researching and looking at hinge adjustment without luck I noticed that the strike plate to the latch knib near the handle was adjustable. The screws holding the strike plate were loose so the plate got pushed around when the door was closed. I tightened the two screws and it now locks perfectly.
Worth a look for anyone with this issue.
Same here, have to do this at least once a year.The doors open and closed fine but very difficult to lock. After a long time researching and looking at hinge adjustment without luck I noticed that the strike plate to the latch knib near the handle was adjustable. The screws holding the strike plate were loose so the plate got pushed around when the door was closed. I tightened the two screws and it now locks perfectly.
Worth a look for anyone with this issue.
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