How can we adjust the height of the rough opening to accommodate the bifold doors without having to redo the trim?
Asked by Yatan Anand 
2 months ago
Last Updated: October 27, 2024
Hey everyone, quick question. We’ve got this closet all framed and good to go, but we’ve run into a little snag. The width is fine for bifold doors, but the rough opening is 2.5 inches too tall. We’d rather not have to redo all the trim if possible. Any suggestions on how to make it work or maybe consider a different door option altogether?
Are the doors too tall or do they hang off the floor?
I was actually thinking the same thing.
The rough opening seems a bit too tall.
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Adjust the doors to fit by trimming a bit off the top and bottom
It’s a bit more complex, they are actually hollow core doors.
Typically, they feature sturdy borders on all sides for adjustment
The ‘borders’ serve as support and reinforcement, not for slicing and they are just 1-1/4″.
The bottom of the door is hollow, so you can make an insert board that fits the hole and glue it in. You won’t see it anyway.
The opening is too tall!
I tried to trim the doors three times, but they were still too short!
What is the height
Consider raising the floor.
Check out bifold barn doors. There is a kit available that could assist you.
If the doors are too tall, you can trim them down. If the opening is too tall, you can also place a small block on the floor next to the trim for the Bifold hardware.
If the doors are too small, you can place a 1×4 or two below the casing trim header to help lower them slightly. It’s fine to have a gap at the bottom. If the doors are too tall, you can trim them down if they’re solid; you probably can’t if they’re hollow.
What is too tall, the doors or the opening? If it’s the doors, remember that you cannot trim them down by 2-1/2 inches.
Those are Masonite hardboard doors. You have the option to undercut them if you’re familiar with the process. Make sure to reposition the bottom rail in the door cavity. It might be better to consider getting solid wood doors and undercutting them.
Is the door opening height of 2.5 inches (82.5 inches) too tall or are the doors 2.5 inches too tall for the opening?
You can add a piece at the top and place a trim piece across to conceal it behind the opening. Usually, they are trimmed on all three sides to cover any gaps, with a 3/4 square on the sides and whatever is needed to cover the top.
Can you make the doors?
Thank you all for the responses! My apologies for the mix-up, the rough opening is a bit too tall, but I believe ‘ suggestion is the most promising!
Removing and reinstalling the trim is a simple task, nothing really changes except you just have to trim the excess from the bottom! It’s a minor adjustment, no problem at all!
How about considering a bifold barn door?
You can opt for kick plates to cover the bottom of the door and avoid losing height. If cutting is necessary, it will conceal the hollow core hole. It also adds sturdiness to the door and comes in Brass, Chrome, or Antique Brass.
Consider getting a door stretcher 😄
Put a board on the top first, then you can attach a front piece of molding
Chuck Compton
How tall is the doorway?
Put up a curtain
Consider skipping bifold doors altogether and opt for two 24” double doors with a ball catch for a French door look. I did this for my living room closet when I expanded the opening from 24” to 48”.
Create custom doors for a more polished look. I built these using 2×3 wood, shiplap, and thin particle board.
You could purchase a door that is two inches taller
Isn’t the ‘slide bracket’ on the top of the bi-fold doors supposed to take up around an inch to an inch and a half?