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Monday, July 28, 2008

Bi-fold screen door


I designed and built a bi-fold screen door as a way to save floor space.

When we had the exterior door installed, I specified that it swing outward because otherwise it would gum up the traffic flow and take too much room. We also had a sliding screen on a spring roller installed on the inside of the door casing. It took up zero space, almost, but I never liked it. It was inconvenient to operate. Then one day the dog went through it on her way to chasing a cat or something. End of sliding screen.

The bi-fold door sticks out only about 16 inches when open, which isn't bad, and it operates very smoothly and effortlessly.

Bi-fold hardware is easily available and not difficult to install. The door frame is 2 1/2"-wide sycamore boards using half-lap joints and reinforced with wood pegs.

Vertical half-inch dowels at the bottom will whap any dog with bright ideas about chasing cats.

The aluminum screen panels are stapled, with the edges covered by 3/4" decorative wood strips.

The doodads with a heart-shaped motive at the panel corners and top rail serve no structural purpose and were installed with wire brads.



EDIT: Be sure to read the comment by Jim about hardware for bi-fold doors

1 comment:

Jim Lapic said...

Here's some hardware that we sell with our closet doors that might work as an alternative. This is from Johnson Hardware and you can buy it online or in many home centers.

This hardware will take the bi fold doors and swing them out parallel to the wall. That would be handy if you plan on bringing any wide objects through the door.

http://www.johnsonhardware.com/1601.htm