Exterior bifold doors are a great way to open up a room and maximise the natural light coming into the house, especially if they're installed leading onto a patio. You can even install exterior bifold doors in a corner of your house!
Of course, you might want to DIY and install the bifold doors yourself, but how feasible is it? How big of an undertaking is it to fit external bifold doors? While installing bifold doors is fairly easy, especially if you can follow instructions, it's still something for a slightly more experienced do-it-yourselfer.
To fit bifold doors, check the opening is level, square and supported by a sound lintel, assemble the frame, fix it plumb in the opening, fit the hinges and pivots, hang and adjust each panel, then fit the locks and seal around the frame. Fitting into a prepared opening usually takes a day, and you'll need at least one helper to lift the glazed panels safely.
What Should You Check Before Fitting Bifold Doors Yourself?
Before fitting bifold doors yourself, check whether you need planning permission or Building Regulations approval, confirm the opening is level and square, measure accurately, and make sure the lintel above can carry the load. If the opening needs widening, involve a structural engineer before you order.
Before you run out and buy new external bifold doors or other bifolding doors, there are a few things that you need to be aware of that might change your decision to fit external bifold doors yourself.
Do You Need Planning Permission for Bifold Doors?
Replacing an existing door with bifold doors in the same opening is usually permitted development and doesn't need planning permission, but widening an opening or creating a new one may, and listed buildings and conservation areas almost always need consent. New external doors must still meet Building Regulations for thermal performance and safety glazing.
This is the first thing to take into consideration when fitting your own external bifold doors. You should contact your local council to find out if you need planning permission depending on your specific circumstances. You should also find out what the building regulations are so that you can ensure you meet them when you self-install bifold doors.
If your external bifold doors are replacing an already existing door, you might not need planning permission. If you plan to widen an existing door opening to install the bifold doors, then you might need planning permission.
Now, if you have to create an entirely new opening to install your bifold doors, you'll most likely need planning permission. This is especially true if you live in a conservation area or listed building; you'll need planning permission to replace an external door.
Is Your Door Opening Suitable for Bifold Doors?
You must check the door opening and make sure that all the brickwork is level, especially if you're just using an existing opening. In this case, it's also important to make sure that the opening is able to support the weight of your new bifold doors.
If you need to increase, or perhaps decrease, the size of the opening, you'll need the help of a structural engineer to get that part done before you can get to installing your doors.
Take a look at the room and figure out how the doors are going to look or how you want them to look so you can get a better idea of the installation, and check there's enough space for the doors to open and stack properly.
How Accurate Do Your Measurements Need to Be?
You need to take exact measurements of your new bifold doors and the opening you're wanting to fit them into, while also allowing a small gap at the edge of the opening where required by the manufacturer. As a general rule, order doors around 10mm smaller than the smallest width and height you measure, leaving a fitting tolerance for packers and sealant.
When taking these measurements, you have to take the frame and number of panels you want to install into account.
Is the Lintel Strong Enough for Bifold Doors?
A lintel is a horizontal support beam across the top of a window or door. Lintels can be made out of concrete, stone, timber and steel.
You must check the lintels above your chosen opening and make sure that they are in good condition before moving forward. If you're unsure about their condition, it's advised to seek help from a structural engineer.
How Do You Fit Bifold Doors Step by Step?
Assemble the sill and frame, set the frame plumb and square in the opening on packers, fix it through the head, sill and jambs, fit the hinges and pivots, hang each panel and adjust it with an Allen key, then fit the handles and seal around the frame. The eight steps below explain each stage.
If you don't have to knock a hole into one of the walls in your house, this can be quite a simple installation to do yourself. If you have to create a bigger opening to fit the entire door, you might want to just consider getting the whole job done by professionals.
If you've read the previous section and still feel up to the task, then we have an easy guide for you to follow. Don't disregard the instructions that come with the doors!
What Tools Do You Need to Fit Bifold Doors?
You will need a few tools to help you successfully install your new bifold doors:
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A tape measure
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A drill
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A screwdriver
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A spirit level
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An Allen key
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A step ladder
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The hardware supplied with the doors, which you should check is complete before you start
Step 1: Prepare Your Tools and Check the Opening
So first, gather everything that you'll need to install bifold doors; have the tools ready, have your detailed fitting instructions in front of you and anything else you might need or that came with the doors, like screws and drill bits. Everything should be within reach for ease, and check that all components are present before you assemble anything.
Double-check that you have the right measurements, make sure the dimensions are correct and that the lintels are secure, and that the brickwork is all level.
Step 2: Assemble the Sill and Frame
If the door sill is not assembled, apply silicone sealant where necessary and push the two parts together. Then drill some pilot holes through the fixing holes on the underside of the newly assembled sill.
Now it's time to put the door frame together. Attach the head to the jambs with the provided screw type or sealant. Attach the sill to the jambs. Check the measurements of the frame to make sure that it's perfectly square.
Check the corners to be sure and make sure that the frame seems sturdy and stable. This is the time to pull out your spirit level to be sure that it's all square and straight. Secure your head track to the frame head.
Step 3: Position the Frame in the Opening
Insert the door frame into the opening, with the sill facing outwards, and ensure that the frame is sitting plumb against the opening. Use packing to hold the door frame in place while you align it and prepare to fix the frame permanently.
Step 4: Fix the Frame to the Lintel, Sill and Jambs
Once you have the doors lined up, drill into the lintel using the prepared holes in the top track to guide you. Insert the fixing bolts or screws into the holes and tighten them enough to make sure it's secure, using outer fixings where the manufacturer specifies them. Do the same for the sill and use your level as you go to make sure that the head and sill don't warp in any way.
Drill holes into the opening structure through the prepared holes in the door jambs. Insert the fixing bolts or screws into the holes, using a masonry plug first if you're fixing into masonry, and tighten them enough to make sure it's secure. If supplied, fit tie plates as you fix the frame to help stabilise it.
Step 5: Fit the Hinges and Pivots
Now you'll need to attach the hinges to the frame if they're not already attached. Where the hinges go depends on the set of bifold doors that you purchased, so consult the instructions on your specific hinges and check any other supplied hardware is positioned as shown.
Ideally, the carrier hinges and pivots go in the top track. The order they need to be put in should be in the instructions that come for the hinges. If the door set includes a slide component, fit it at this stage as directed. The top and bottom of the pivot hinges should be placed in a way that allows the adjustment screws to be accessible after the bifold doors have been put up.
Step 6: Hang and Adjust the Door Panels
Now it's time to install the actual bifold doors! First, make sure your pivot hinges are fitted to the bi-folding doors using the pre-drilled pilot holes (the same basic method also applies to many internal bifold doors, although this guide focuses on external sets).
You might need assistance with this part; you'll need to lift your bifold door onto the bottom pivot and then adjust it so that it straightens and can be attached to the top pivot. Repeat the steps to install the rest of the bifold doors.
Remember to make sure that your previously installed bifold door is vertical by adjusting the top and bottom pivot before moving on and attempting to hang the next bifold door; this is also how to adjust bifold doors if they are slightly out of line during fitting. Use the Allen key to adjust the doors as necessary. Small tweaks may also be needed later after frequent use to keep them in perfect working condition.
Step 7: Fit the Locks and Handles
Fit your locks and door handles according to your instructions.
Step 8: Seal the Frame
Finish the installation by running a weatherproof silicone seal around the outside of the frame and head, then fit internal trims to cover any gaps.
Which Aluminium Bifold Doors Can You Fit Yourself?
Our made-to-measure aluminium bifold doors are supplied ready to fit, in 2 to 7 panel configurations, so a confident DIYer can install them using the steps above. Design your set in our online door designer to choose the size, colour, glazing and handles.
Our range of aluminium bifold doors will make your home look great while still keeping you safe and secure, with options suitable for an internal bifold setup as well as external use!
Our customisable aluminium bifold doors come in four bespoke colours, with the option to have dual colours. There are optional extras like integrated blinds as well as a great variety of door handles to complement your style.
You can get a set up of 3-panel bifold doors up to a 7-panel bifold door set-up that can be up to 3m tall, with each panel measuring up to 1200mm wide!
Our bifold doors have U values of 1.4 (tripled glazed) and 1.6 (doubled glazed) and come with a 10-year warranty. All of our bifold doors come with a built-in 3-star diamond locking system and are up to PAS 24 standards for your security and peace of mind.
Choose us and customise the perfect bifold doors for your home with just a few clicks. Our aluminium doors are high-quality, made to measure and ready to ship across the UK in 3 - 5 weeks!
Fitting Bifold Doors FAQs
How long does it take to fit bifold doors?
A competent DIYer with a helper can usually fit a set of bifold doors into a prepared opening in a day. Larger 5 to 7 panel sets, or jobs that involve removing an old door, altering the opening or making good plaster and render, can take two to three days.
How much does it cost to have bifold doors fitted?
Fitting costs depend on the size of the set, whether the opening needs structural work and local labour rates. Our bifold door cost guide breaks down supply and installation prices so you can compare DIY fitting with a professional install.
Can you fit bifold doors without a bottom track?
External bifold doors need a bottom track or sill to guide the panels and keep water out, although a low-threshold track can sit almost flush with the floor for level access. On top-hung systems the weight is carried by the head track, so the lintel above must be strong and level.
Do bifold doors need adjusting after fitting?
Yes, it's normal to fine-tune the panels once the frame has settled. If the doors catch, drop or don't lock smoothly, follow our bifold door hinge adjustment guide, and see our guide to common bifold door problems for track and lock faults.
