I want my bifold closet doors to open on the other side. Can I move the brackets and reuse the existing bifold doors? -C.J.

Hi C.J.,

Since bifold doors come predrilled at the bottom and top on both sides, it’s easy to rehang existing bifold doors so they open on the other side of the door casing.

Here’s how to go about rehanging bifold doors:

• Take the bifold doors down by pulling up on the doors. Slip the bottom hinge bolt off the bottom bracket, then pull down and out to remove the top hinge pin from the top bracket.
• Remove the bottom insert and pivot hinge bolt by pulling on the bolt with a pair of pliers to remove both the pin and bolt from the hole.
• Unscrew the bottom pin bolt from the insert, tap the bottom insert into the hole in the bottom of the other bifold door with a hammer, and screw the bottom pivot hinge bolt back into the insert.
• If the two top pivot pins are different, remove the top pins with a pair of pliers and reverse them in the top door holes.
• Unscrew the bottom hinge bracket from the door casing, and reattach it to the door casing on the other side of the opening.
• Loosen the top hinge bracket in the bifold door track, and reattach it at the other end of the track.
• Place the top pivot hinge pin in the hole in the top hinge bracket and the top door track pin in the track.
• Push up on the bifold doors and seat the bottom pivot hinge bolt on the bracket, so the side of the door is the proper distance from the door casing.
• Loosen the screw on the top hinge bracket, and adjust it so the side of the bifold door is the proper distance from the door casing.
• Open and close the bifold doors to make sure the edge of the door has enough clearance and the bifold doors open and close easily.

Good luck with your project,

Further Information

• How to Hang Bifold Closet Doors (video)
• How to Install Pocket Doors (article)

Tags: , doors, hinges