Rough Opening for Bifold Doors [24 and Others]

Bi-fold doors are a popular choice for closets, pantries, and other small spaces where a traditional swinging door would take up too much space. These doors are hinged and can be folded in half to open, allowing for easy access to the space behind them while taking up less space than a swinging door.

When installing bi-fold doors, it is important to properly measure and prepare the rough opening to ensure that the doors will fit properly and function correctly. In this article, we will provide an overview of bi-fold doors, explain the necessary rough opening size for a pair of 24-inch bi-fold doors, and provide step-by-step instructions for installing bi-fold doors.

What is Rough Opening Size?

A rough opening is a framed opening in a wall where a door, window, or another opening will be installed. It is typically larger than the actual size of the door, window, or another opening to allow for proper installation and the use of jamb and trim material.

Why It’s Necessary?

There are several reasons why doors need a rough opening, including the following:

1. Proper installation: The rough opening provides enough space for the door to be properly installed, including the installation of the jamb and trim material. This ensures that the door will be properly aligned and sealed against the wall, providing a secure and functional opening.
2. Jamb and trim material: The rough opening allows for the use of jamb and trims material, which provides additional support and stability for the door, as well as a finished appearance. Jamb material is typically made of wood or composite material and is used to frame the door, while trim material is used to cover gaps and create a finished look around the door.
3. Adjustments: The rough opening allows for adjustments to be made to the door or opening during installation. For example, if the door is not properly aligned, the rough opening provides enough space for it to be adjusted and repositioned to ensure a proper fit.

Pros

• Proper installation: The rough opening provides enough space for the door to be properly installed, ensuring that it is properly aligned and sealed against the wall.
• Jamb and trim material: The rough opening allows for the use of jamb and trim material, which provides additional support and stability for the door, as well as a finished appearance.
• Adjustments: The rough opening allows for adjustments to be made to the door or opening during installation, ensuring a proper fit.

Cons

• Additional framing: The rough opening requires additional framing, which can be time-consuming and labor-intensive to install.
• Waste: The rough opening typically results in waste, as the opening is larger than the actual size of the door or window. This can be a concern for builders who are trying to minimize waste and reduce their environmental impact.
• Cost: The rough opening can increase the cost of a door or window installation, as it requires additional materials and labor to frame the opening.

Actual Size of a 24 Inch Bifold Door?

The actual size of a 24-inch bi-fold door will vary depending on the manufacturer and the specific model of the door. In general, the term “24-inch bi-fold door” refers to the finished size of the door, which is the size of the opening that the door will fit into.

The actual measurement of the molded bi-fold door is 23 3/4 inches by 79 inches. This means that the door is 23 3/4 inches wide and 79 inches tall, and it will fit into an opening that is that size. The rough opening, on the other hand, is the size of the opening that the door will be installed in, and it is typically larger than the finished size of the door to allow for proper installation and the use of jamb and trim material.

The rough opening is 24 1/4 inches by 80 1/2 inches. This means that the opening that the door will be installed in is 24 1/4 inches wide and 80 1/2 inches tall. The rough opening is larger than the finished size of the door to allow for the installation of the jamb and trim material, as well as any necessary adjustments during the installation process.

In summary, the actual size of a 24-inch bi-fold door will vary depending on the manufacturer and the specific model of the door. The finished size of the door is the size of the opening that the door will fit into, while the rough opening is the size of the opening that the door will be installed in. The rough opening is typically larger than the finished size of the door to allow for proper installation and the use of jamb and trim material.

How to Determine?

To determine the rough opening size for a pair of 24-inch bi-fold doors, you will need to take a few factors into account. First, you need to consider the width of the doors themselves. A pair of 24-inch bi-fold doors will typically have a combined width of 48 inches, so that is the minimum width your rough opening should be.

Thickness

You will need to account for the thickness of the jamb material and any trim that will be installed around the doors. The jamb is the frame that the doors will be installed in, and it is typically made of wood or composite material. The thickness of the jamb will vary depending on the type of material it is made from, but a typical jamb thickness is 3/4 inch.

Trims

In addition to the jamb, you will also need to account for any trim that will be installed around the doors. Trim is typically made of wood or composite material and is used to cover gaps and create a finished look around the doors. The thickness of the trim will vary depending on the type of material it is made from, but a typical trim thickness is 1/2 inch.

Rough Opening Size for a Pair of 24-inch Bi-fold Doors

Taking these factors into account, the necessary rough opening size for a pair of 24-inch bi-fold doors would be as follows:

• Width of doors: 48 inches
• Jamb thickness: 3/4 inch per side (1-1/2 inches total)
• Trim thickness: 1/2 inch per side (1 inch total)

Total rough opening width: 48 inches + 1-1/2 inches + 1 inch = 50-1/2 inches

Height

In addition to the width of the rough opening, you will also need to consider the height of the rough opening. The height of the rough opening should be equal to the height of the doors plus the thickness of the jamb and trim. For a pair of 24-inch bi-fold doors, the rough opening height would be as follows:

• Height of doors: 80 inches (standard height for interior doors)
• Jamb thickness: 3/4 inch per side (1-1/2 inches total)
• Trim thickness: 1/2 inch per side (1 inch total)

Total rough opening height: 80 inches + 1-1/2 inches + 1 inch = 82-1/2 inches

So, in summary, the necessary rough opening size for a pair of 24-inch bi-fold doors would be 50-1/2 inches by 82-1/2 inches. This rough opening size will allow for the proper installation of the doors and will provide enough space for the jamb and trim material.

Rough Opening Chart

Nomimal Door Opening Width	Door Panel Width	Number of Panels	Actual Finished Opening Width	Door Height	Opening Height
4’0″	24-1/8″	2	48″	6’8″	80-1/2″
5’0″	30-1/8″	2	60″	6’8″	80-1/2″
6’0″	36-1/8″	2	72″	6’8″	80-1/2″
8’0″	48-1/8″	2	96″	6’8″	80-1/2″
9’0″	36-1/8″	3	108″	6’8″	80-1/2″
12’0″	48-1/8″	3	144″	6’8″	80-1/2″
4’0″	24-1/8″	2	48″	7’0″	84″
5’0″	30-1/8″	2	60″	7’0″	84″
6’0″	36-1/8″	2	72″	7’0″	84″
8’0″	48-1/8″	2	96″	7’0″	84″
9’0″	36-1/8″	3	108″	7’0″	84″
12’0″	48-1/8″	3	144″	7’0″	84″
4’0″	24-1/8″	2	48″	8’0″	96″
5’0″	30-1/8″	2	60″	8’0″	96″
6’0″	36-1/8″	2	72″	8’0″	96″
8’0″	48-1/8″	2	96″	8’0″	96″
9’0″	36-1/8″	3	108″	8’0″	96″
12’0″	48-1/8″	3	144″	8’0″	96″

Step By Step Guide to Install a 24-Inch Bifold Door

To install a 24-inch bi-fold door, you will need to follow these steps:

Remove the old doors and hardware

Before you can install the new bi-fold doors, you will need to remove any old doors and hardware that are currently in place. This will typically involve removing any old door hinges, track hardware, and doorknobs. It is important to remove the old doors and hardware to ensure that the new doors will fit properly and function correctly.

Measure

Once the old doors and hardware have been removed, you will need to take accurate measurements of the opening where the new bi-fold doors will be installed. This will help you to determine the proper size of the new doors and ensure that they will fit properly in the opening. It is important to measure carefully and accurately to avoid any problems during the installation process.

Mount the door hinges

The next step in installing the bi-fold doors is to mount the door hinges. This will typically involve attaching the hinges to the edge of the door using screws or nails. It is important to mount the hinges securely to ensure that the doors will hang properly and function correctly.

Attach track hardware

Once the hinges have been mounted, you will need to attach the track hardware to the top and bottom of the doors. This will typically involve attaching brackets or clips to the doors that will hold the track in place. It is important to attach the track hardware securely to ensure that the doors will hang properly and function correctly.

Install the track

The next step is to install the track that the doors will slide on. This will typically involve mounting the track to the top and bottom of the opening using screws or nails. It is important to install the track securely to ensure that the doors will slide smoothly and function properly.

Place the floor brackets

Once the track has been installed, you will need to place the floor brackets at the bottom of the opening. These brackets will support the bottom of the doors and help to keep them level. It is important to position the floor brackets correctly to ensure that the doors will hang properly and function correctly.

Place the doors

Once the floor brackets are in place, you can place the doors in the opening. This will typically involve hanging the doors on the hinges and sliding them onto the track. It is important to position the doors correctly and ensure that they are level and aligned properly.

Attach the floor bracket and door aligner

The next step is to attach the floor bracket and door aligner to the bottom of the doors. This will help to keep the level of the door aligned properly as they are opened and closed. It is important to attach the floor bracket and door aligner securely to ensure that the doors will function properly.

Install the doorknob

The final step in installing the bi-fold doors is to install the doorknob. This will typically involve attaching the doorknob to the door using screws or nails. It is important to install the doorknob securely to ensure that the doors will be easy to open and close.

In summary, the proper steps for installing a 24-inch bi-fold door are to remove the old doors and hardware, measure the opening, mount the door hinges, attach track hardware, install the track, place the floor brackets, place the doors, attach the floor bracket and door aligner, and install the doorknob. By following these steps carefully and accurately, you can ensure that your bi-fold doors will be properly installed and function correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a bi-fold door?

A bi-fold door is a type of door that is hinged and can be folded in half to open. Fitting a door is crucial. Bi-fold doors are commonly used for closet and pantry doors, as they allow for easy access to the space behind them while taking up less space than a traditional swinging door. A properly installed door won’t make a noise like windows.

What is a rough opening?

A rough opening is a framed opening in a wall where a door, window, or another opening will be installed. It is typically larger than the actual size of the door, window, or another opening to allow for proper installation and the use of jamb and trim material.

What is the necessary rough opening size for a pair of 24-inch bi-fold doors?

To determine the rough opening size for a pair of 24-inch bi-fold doors, you will need to take a few factors into account. First, you need to consider the width of the doors themselves.

A pair of 24-inch bi-fold doors will typically have a combined width of 48 inches, so that is the minimum width your rough opening should be. Next, you will need to account for the thickness of the jamb material and any trim that will be installed around the doors.

The jamb is the frame that the doors will be installed in, and it is typically made of wood or composite material. The thickness of the jamb will vary depending on the type of material it is made from, but a typical jamb thickness is 3/4 inch.

In addition to the jamb, you will also need to account for any trim that will be installed around the doors. Trim is typically made of wood or composite material and is used to cover gaps and create a finished look around the doors. Some people also like to install lights like closet doors.

The thickness of the trim will vary depending on the type of material it is made from, but a typical trim thickness is 1/2 inch.

Taking these factors into account, the necessary rough opening size for a pair of 24-inch bi-fold doors would be as follows:

Width of doors: 48 inches Jamb thickness: 3/4 inch per side (1-1/2 inches total)

Trim thickness: 1/2 inch per side (1 inch total)

Total rough opening width: 48 inches + 1-1/2 inches + 1 inch = 50-1/2 inches

How do you install a 24-inch bi-fold door?

To install a 24-inch bi-fold door, you will need to follow these steps: Remove the old doors and hardware, measure the opening, mount the door hinges, attach track hardware, install the track, place the floor brackets, place the doors, attach the floor bracket and door aligner, and install the doorknob.

By following these steps carefully and accurately, you can ensure that your bi-fold doors will be properly installed and function correctly.

Final Words

Bi-fold doors are a convenient and space-saving option for closets, pantries, and other small spaces. When installing bi-fold doors, it is important to properly measure and prepare the rough opening to ensure that the doors will fit properly and function correctly.

By following the proper steps and taking accurate measurements, you can ensure that your bi-fold doors are installed properly and will provide many years of reliable service.

Note: This article is generated using AI but checked and edited. The data was taken from professional forums.