Replies

1. 
   JPGrout | Jun 15, 2003 04:55am | #1

   Are you using 3/8" sticking?

   Basic standards would be a 8-9" bottom rail, 4 1/2" -5" top rail

   and the middle rails are the same face width as the stiles or the top rail so add the width of the sticking to both sides

   BTW a 3 panel door is not very standard and if you build as you have suggested the center of the doors closed is going appear to have a 4" -4 3/4" wide stile when closed

   It is sort of backwards in design.

   Joe

1. 
   garth | Jun 15, 2003 07:24am | #2

   Thank you for your reply, and yes I have 3/8" sticking. I had not thought about the stiles would appear with the doors closed, I was thinking maybe a square panel at top with the other 2 panels being of equal height. This would make them apx 27" with a 8" bottom rail, 4" top rail and the 2 center rails 2 3/8". Think I will draw this up on graph paper and see how this looks. Thanks again for the reply.

   Scott T.

1. 
   Steinmetz | Jun 15, 2003 03:40pm | #3

   Scott, I think you mean you're planning to build a pair of bi-folds with each door consisting of three panels two cross rails plus top and bottom rails.

               I sat here and drew about 10 configurations and they all look too 'busy'

   The previous poster suggested that the stiles,(When together,) will look too wide''

    I agree with him too.

   I also think he assumed you were planning three doors 

    Bi fold doors and accordian doors are mostly made of even numbered doors (The pivots and glides must all locate on all non-hinged stiles)

   Two panels, one cross rail. slender meeting stiles

   (where both widths total end stile's width.

   Equal top,end and cross rail's widths. 

   Bottom rail 7" to 9"

   I always prefered the top panel larger and the pulls centered on the cross rail

   Plan on a slender facia, so there's not a wide gap above (revealing the hardware.)  Stein.

1. 
   garth | Jun 15, 2003 06:47pm | #4

   Thank you for your help and suggestion, I too am going to draw these up on graph paper to get an idea of how they may look. Will try both the two and three panels and the smaller stiles. May put one together out of MDF to see how it will look once the LOML like the look of one on paper.

   Scott T.

1. 
   BG | Jun 17, 2003 12:28pm | #5

   Scott,

   I've been scratching my head trying to remember....about a year ago someone posted some raised panel byfold doors or shutters that were drop-dead beautiful.  The key characteristic that I remember that contributed to their beautifulness was the slope on the panel edges....maybe 45 degree...it gave the doors a very special look.   

2. 
   YesMaam27577 | Jun 18, 2003 02:44am | #6

   Your idea for three-panel bifold doors is a sound idea -- when paired and closed, they will look like a classic 6 panel door.

   But (as mentioned by the previous posters) you will need to be careful about the width of the "middle" stiles.

   If there is a big box store (orange or blue) near you, you should take a tape measure and a pad with you. Get your dimensions from the pukey-vinyl ones that they have. Then go back to the shop and make a pair out of some awesome looking hardwood.

   Post pictures when you're done -- we love pictures!

   Vast projects should not be founded on half vast ideas.