Nuline Windows & Doors, your bi-folding doors specialist.

Repairing Wooden Bifold Doors That Have Been Damaged By Top Rollers

category :

Bifolding Doors

If the timber around the top rollers in your wooden bifold doors were to become damaged, the doors would actually stop operating as they are supposed to because they cannot remain stable. When it comes to rectifying this damage, you should focus on either the roller or the bifold itself, depending on how extensive the damage is.

Step 1: Lift the bifold up and swing the bottom pin out of the floor bracket. Then, pull the door down and remove the top roller from its track. Set the panel aside and carefully inspect the damage.

Step 2: If the damaged area is quite extensive, you will probably be better off by purchasing a replacement bifold door. Measure the height and the width of the panels whilst they are open using a tape measure.

Step 3: If the damaged area is centralized around the top roller, you can instead choose to repair it. Unscrew and remove the roller and carefully wipe the timber down using a clean, damp rag.

Step 4: Apply some wood glue to the affected area, then place a small wooden shim between each jaw of a spring clamp; use them to clamp the door into place whilst it dries. The shims are to protect the timber.

Step 5: Remove the spring clamps for the bifold once the glue has dried and screw the roller back into place, using a hammer if necessary. If it has sustained extensive damage, however, you might like to replace it.

Step 6: Replace the bifold by locking the top roller back into the track and sliding the bottom pin back into the floor bracket. You might need to push down slightly on the roller so that it clicks back into the track.

As you can see, repairing wooden bifold doors that have sustained any amount of damage around the top rollers is actually quite a simple process, especially if you know what you’re looking for. Whilst it might just seem easier to replace the entire door, keep in mind that rectifying the problem can actually be a much cheaper and quicker option.

Posted by: Reinder

How To Stain Your Timber Bifold Doors

category :

Bifolding Doors

Are you sick of looking at old, unattractive doors that have been scratched to bits by your pets or children? Are you sick of looking at patchy colouring that makes the bifold look like something you picked up at a second hand store? One of the best ways to improve the appearance of your timber bifold doors is to strip them back and stain them in a completely new colour.

• Prepare the surface
  The first thing that you will need to do is ensure that the surface of your bifolds have been properly prepared for staining. To do this, remove the door from the frame and remove all of the hardware, setting it aside for later. Sand the timber thoroughly to remove any old paint or stain, and to even out the surface. Wipe down the whole thing with a clean cloth to remove any dust that has gathered.
• Stain the timber
  Make sure that you use the right brush when staining your bifolds, as this will ensure that you can get the job done as fast as possible. You should choose between a foam brush and a fine-haired one for the best results, as they are highly absorbent and are able to soak up plenty of the stain. Use the brush to lightly coat the door with the stain, following the grain of the timber; make sure that you get all sides.
• When you’re finished
  To remove the excess stain from the door, use a clean rag to carefully wipe it away. You can also wipe the stain down as soon as you’re finished if you want it to be lighter than what you have applied (the longer the stain is left on the timber, the darker it will be). Once you’re finished, apply a sealant to the bifold to ensure that the stain will be protected against dirt and grime.

By following the above steps when staining your timber bifold doors, you can ensure that they look brand new and that they are a perfect match for the décor of your home. Just make sure that you have chosen a stain that complements other timber in the room, otherwise the doors will stick out like a sore thumb and will need to be redone.

Posted by: Reinder

How To Fix Bifolding Doors That Won't Close

category :

Bifolding Doors

Are your bifolding doors refusing to close, no matter how much you push and shove them to do your bidding? The only way to adjust your doors so that they will meet in the middle once more is to identify what sort of problem they are experiencing. Use the following instructions to assist you in rectifying the issues that your bifolds are experiencing.

Step 1: Close the doors as far as they will go, being sure to watching carefully along the top and bottom tracks. There may be something lodged in the track obstructing the panels from moving any further.

Step 2: Try lubricating the hinges and tracks of the bifolds using a household lubricant (available at most supermarkets and hardware stores). Slide the panels back and forth a few times to work the lubricant in.

Step 3: Check that the bottom brackets are tight and re-secure the screws if you notice that any of them are loose. If the old screws are severely deteriorated, drill new ones into the floor to ensure that the bracket is secure.

Step 4: Loosen the setscrew in the top bracket. Then slide the bracket along the top track until the bifolding doors are parallel to the jamb. Finish by tightening the setscrew to secure the panels back in place.

If you are unable to rectify the problem after following the above steps, you may need to call in a professional to give your doors a look over. It may be something as simple as missing a tiny piece of debris or it may be something as major as the bifolding doors warping due to weathering. A professional should be able to give you the answers you need.

Posted by: Reinder

A Guide To Painting Timber Bifold Doors

category :

Bifolding Doors

Timber bifold doors are often a popular choice for homeowners because they are able to blend seamlessly with any décor, especially when they have been painted in a matching colour. No matter what style of door you have chosen for your home, it is possible to paint them yourself and ensure that they always suit your tastes and those of your family.

Step 1: Remove the doors from the frame by lifting them out of the bottom brackets and popping them out of the top ones. Lay them flat on an old tarp and remove all hardware, including hinges and handles.

Step 2: Give the bifolds a thorough clean with an ammonia-based solution; wipe it away using a clean rag. Any grime or oil that is left to sit on the timber can interfere with the paint’s adhesiveness.

Step 3: Sand the bifolds back using a medium grit sandpaper. Make sure that you apply a firm pressure and always sand with the grain. Use a damp rag to wipe away any dust that remains on the panels.

Step 4: Using a quality paintbrush, apply a primer to the doors. This will prevent any existing colour from bleeding through the new coat over time. Apply two coats of the primer, allowing each to dry before continuing.

Step 5: Paint the doors using a latex paint suitable for the application, either indoor or outdoor. A semi-gloss paint will allow the timber to be wiped free of fingerprints and dirt, whilst a higher gloss one will show every brush stroke.

Step 6: Reattach the handles and hinges, then hang the bifolds back up in their frames. Just make sure that you have returned each panel to its original position to ensure smooth opening.

Regardless of whether your timber bifold doors are on the external of your home (such as separating your alfresco dining area from the kitchen) or the internal (such as hiding away the clutter of your kid’s bedrooms), you are able to use the above instructions for painting them. Just make sure that you have chosen an appropriate type of paint and colour.

Posted by: Reinder

How To Repair Bifolding Door Systems That Refuse To Slide

category :

Bifolding Doors

There are many reasons that your bifolding door system could refuse to slide – perhaps the panels bind together or the hardware has begun to dry out and corrode. If you want to return your doors to their glory days, there are a number of ways that you can encourage them to slide smoothly once again; just follow these instructions. 

Step 1: Loosen the screw in the top bracket of the system, then hold onto the side of the door whilst you move the bracket back and forth along the track. Once the bifolds are level, stop moving the bracket and tighten the screw; it should now align with the frame.

Step 2: Lift the bottom of the panel up until the pivot on the bottom track releases from its bracket. Turn the pivot and raise or lower the door until it is level, then sit the pivot back into place.

Step 3: Take a silicone lubricant and spray it evenly over the top track. Wait a few minutes for the spray to completely dry before closing the door a few times (this will make sure that the lubricant is worked in).

Whilst your bifolding door system may only require one of the above steps to help it slide smoothly, it is recommended that you complete all three to ensure that you have all bases covered. This can also help to prevent additional problems from coming to the surface, meaning that your system will not need attention for some time to come.

Posted by: Reinder