Bifold Door Repair

Bifold doors are made of several panels hinged together that run on a top or bottom track and stack to one side. That design opens a whole wall to the garden, but it also means every panel has to stay in line with its neighbours. When one drops by a few millimetres, the whole set can catch, scrape or refuse to close. Sean Cardwell Windows carries out bifold door repair from our Weston-super-Mare base, focusing on adjustment, running gear, hinges and locks.

Bifold doors jammed or misaligned

Bifold doors jammed in the folded or closed position are usually suffering from misalignment rather than a broken part. Panels settle over time, hinges between panels wear and the running carriers lose their adjustment. You might notice a gap at the top on one side, a panel rubbing on the frame, or the lead door having to be lifted to latch. Most systems have adjustment points in the carriers and hinges that let a fitter bring the panels back into line, though doing this well needs the right tools and some patience.

Tracks, carriers and running gear

Depending on the system, the weight of the doors is carried either on a bottom track with rollers or hung from a top track. Debris in a bottom track is a common cause of stiff running and is worth clearing gently. Worn wheels, damaged guides or loose track fixings need repair. If the doors have been forced while stuck, the hinges or carriers may be bent and need replacing.

Locks and handles on bifolds

The lead door usually carries a multipoint lock similar to a front door, while the other panels use shoot bolts top and bottom. If the lock will not engage, the cause is often alignment, since the hooks no longer meet their keeps. Worn handles and failed shoot bolts can be replaced where parts are available for the system.

Looking after bifold doors

Bifold doors run best when the tracks are kept clean, especially a bottom track that collects garden grit and leaves. Open and fold the doors fully every so often, even in winter, so the hinges and carriers keep moving. If one panel begins to catch, deal with it early, because small misalignments put extra strain on the hinges and can spread across the set. Keep the drainage slots in the threshold clear so rainwater can escape.

Information that helps diagnose a fault

It helps to know how many panels the set has, which way they fold, whether the weight sits on the top or bottom track, and which panel is catching. Measuring the gap at the top and bottom of the lead door on both sides gives a quick picture of whether it has dropped. Note any noises, such as grinding or clicking, while the doors fold.

Repair or a new set of doors

Most bifold faults are fixable. If the frame itself has moved or the system is no longer supported, new doors may be the more reliable answer, and our Bifold Doors page covers that. For sliding doors with similar running problems, read patio door repairs. Photos of the gaps and the track help us understand the fault, so send them through the quote form.