How to make a bifold door?

Philip
by Philip

I need to make a bifold door on a tight budget and I'd love to make a ' secret bookcase' door from my lounge into my home office. Existing doors are panelled glass unfortunately.

  3 answers
  • Jlnatty Jlnatty on Jun 21, 2019

    If you're handy use the existing door frames to create a bi-fold door. No expert here, just thinking about what I've seen people do with cabinets and doors, for instance, where inner panels are removed and are replaced with other materials, usually glass! So why not take out the glass and insert a panel of wood/plywood. Then cut the door in half lengthwise, finish the door in stain or paint, use piano hinges to join the two halves together, add your door hardware to open and close the door and rehang using the existing hinges on the door opening. You can find directions how to build your own bifold doors on the internet, here is one example: https://www.hunker.com/13401853/how-to-make-bifold-doors


    One example here of how to build your own bookcase secret door (looks complicated to me!): https://iliketomakestuff.com/secret-door-bookcase/ There are kits you can purchase to make this kind of door, too. They're not inexpensive.

    • Philip Philip on Jun 22, 2019

      Much appreciated. Unfortunately, the glass in my doors is right across. Nothing to cut! Thanks for replying.

  • Hi there. What about using two narrow bookshelves (like from Ikea) and joining them together to create the bifold bookcase door? Here's a larger one, but you could just use smaller bookshelves. Neat idea, btw! https://www.manmadediy.com/2982-how-to-make-a-folding-secret-door-bookcase

    • Philip Philip on Jun 22, 2019

      IKEA just opened near me in the UK. I will certainly look at that idea Thanks

  • William William on Jun 21, 2019

    Cheaper to buy a bifold door. Check out salvage shops, Habitat for Humanity restore, Homecenters sometimes have seconds.


    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/build/doors-windows/hidden-bookcase-door-492805


    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/furniture/invisidoor-hidden-bookcase-door-2492317


    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/build/shelves/want-a-secret-passageway-in-your-home-41983084


    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/furniture/diy-bookshelf-door-6463599