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Q: Reverse Bifold doors: push in to open, pull out to close, where to get handles?

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Q: Reverse Bifold doors: push in to open, pull out to close, where to get handles? Jason Harrison 09-13-2007
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Posted by Jason Harrison on September 13, 2007, 8:07 pm
Hi,

After having pantry shelves installed, our existing hollow-core
interior door for our pantry would no longer close (or open) so we
would like to install a reverse bifold door to our pantry. A normal
bifold door would stick out into our small kitchen and since the door
would normally be open it would be in the way.

Questions:
1. should we use/install the typical no-mortise hinges or is their a
better hinge to use for "reverse operation"?

2. what kind of handle/pull is available? If we simply install the
typical knob on the inside fold of the door, it will hit the other
folding surface and eventually this will lead to breaking the door.
If we install a handle further from the fold it will be mounted on the
hollow part of the door, so no strength. If we install a handle on
the outside frame we will have to pull very hard to close the door.

Ideally the handle would be like a leather strap that is flat,
flexible and strong that we pull to close the door.

Any other alternatives, experiences or suggestions would be
appreciated.


Posted by Oren on September 13, 2007, 8:19 pm
On Thu, 13 Sep 2007 17:07:01 -0700, Jason Harrison

>Hi,
>
>After having pantry shelves installed, our existing hollow-core
>interior door for our pantry would no longer close (or open) so we
>would like to install a reverse bifold door to our pantry. A normal
>bifold door would stick out into our small kitchen and since the door
>would normally be open it would be in the way.
>
>Questions:
>1. should we use/install the typical no-mortise hinges or is their a
>better hinge to use for "reverse operation"?
>
>2. what kind of handle/pull is available? If we simply install the
>typical knob on the inside fold of the door, it will hit the other
>folding surface and eventually this will lead to breaking the door.
>If we install a handle further from the fold it will be mounted on the
>hollow part of the door, so no strength. If we install a handle on
>the outside frame we will have to pull very hard to close the door.
>
>Ideally the handle would be like a leather strap that is flat,
>flexible and strong that we pull to close the door.
>
>Any other alternatives, experiences or suggestions would be
>appreciated.

Pocket door?


--
Oren

"The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!"

Posted by dadiOH on September 14, 2007, 9:13 am
Jason Harrison wrote:
> Hi,
>
> After having pantry shelves installed, our existing hollow-core
> interior door for our pantry would no longer close (or open) so we
> would like to install a reverse bifold door to our pantry. A normal
> bifold door would stick out into our small kitchen and since the
> door would normally be open it would be in the way.
>
> Questions:
> 1. should we use/install the typical no-mortise hinges or is their a
> better hinge to use for "reverse operation"?

Take off the ones that come on it and move them to the outside.
_______________

> 2. what kind of handle/pull is available? If we simply install the
> typical knob on the inside fold of the door, it will hit the other
> folding surface and eventually this will lead to breaking the door.
> If we install a handle further from the fold it will be mounted on
> the hollow part of the door, so no strength. If we install a
> handle on the outside frame we will have to pull very hard to close
> the door.

Same answer
_______________

> Any other alternatives, experiences or suggestions would be
> appreciated.

Now, instead of sticking out into the kitchen, the door(s) will stick
into the pantry hindering(?) access to the new shelves. I'd use
swinging doors...doors that mount on pivot hinges and swing 180
degrees either in or out.

--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
...a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico




Posted by Jason Harrison on September 14, 2007, 7:17 pm

> Now, instead of sticking out into the kitchen, the door(s) will stick
> into the pantry hindering(?) access to the new shelves. I'd use
> swinging doors...doors that mount on pivot hinges and swing 180
> degrees either in or out.

The original pantry swung to the left and stayed against the wall.
The pantry is like a hallway that opens to the right. So the shelves
start about mid doorway line and continue to the right. Unfortunately
due to alarm box, telecom box, water shut offs, etc, the shelves ended
up too far to the left for the original door to open.

Swinging doors will create an obstacle to entering the pantry and
turning right immediately. That is why we want the bifold door: to
open to the left like the original door, and to avoid blocking
movement to the right inside the pantry.

Thanks for everyone's help -- now I just need to find a recessed
handle.

-Jason


Posted by DT on September 14, 2007, 12:27 pm

>2. what kind of handle/pull is available?

Well, you could use a recessed handle, either plain or with a flip-up pull
ring. But when the door is open, the two door surfaces fit flat against each
other, so you can't get at the handle no matter what it is to start closing.
After you shut the door partway by grabbing the door panel itself, you could
reach a recessed handle to pull it fully closed.

I think the suggestion of double swinging doors is much better. Or use
accordian doors, they fold against one jam and only stick out a couple of
inches when open.

--
Dennis


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