Bifold doors No track Help needed !!!!!

[pantotango]

I recently purchased a set of WRC Bifold doors from the auction without any tracking or framing . I have had a few prices from the hardware companies for the tracks but looking at up to $1700 alone for the tracks so unfortunatley we cannot afford to do them as planned. I still want to use them as they are a beautiful door which have the tinted glass. What Im wondering is if I could have two set up as side lights then with the remaining four have two each with double hinges so that they open out to each sidelight and then at least I can have a bigger door than using them as french doors. Hopefully I have explained it ok . We have 6 panels so 1 each end of the door hole then four in the middle but opening as french doors with double hinges so we can get two to go each way.
Any ideas if this can be done or any other ideas on what to do with them to make something work with them.
thanks

[workgoose]

You probably already know that bi-folds are usually hung from the top and therefore need a heavy lintel. The bottom track is only there for guidance.We got some these for our reno last year and I can tell you they went well into the five figures for 3 sets of three panels, including everything. I installed the custommade frames myself, but shied away from making the actual doors. I don't know what you paid for the doors, but $1700 for the hardware sounds pretty good to me, provided it's stainless hinges and handles with alu tracks. Having said all that, have you looked at DIY tracks and stuff at Bunnings and others? From memory though they might be too light for this application. Failing that, your idea with 2 fixed and 2 hinged in the centre sounds good, and a cheap way out. If you install a good heavy hardwood lintel now, you can always change the setup later when the budget is up to it. If you have 1 each end and 4 in the middle, you still end up with bifolds. You could also have 2 at each end and 2 hinged in the centre, which would still give you an 1800mm doorway, assuming the panels are about 900 wide.

[Barry_White]

Find yourself a Onesteel Store and have a look a Eltrack Sliding Door Furniture. You maybe able to make that work and it certainly wont cost you anywhere near that sort of money.

[elraco.com.au]

Or maybe Cowdroys. If nothing else the website has a lot of info www.cowdroy.com.au

[null & void]

Centor have lots of range for this:
http://www.centor.com.au/

If you're in Sandgate, QLD you might be in luck. [edit,m they have offices in most states]

I've been told from a builder that its cheaper to buy their gear from door wholesalers rather than directly.

[pantotango]

thanks so much for all the replys Ill have a look at those websites.
Also thanks for the advice on the lintel as I would like to be able to maybe change to tracking system at the end of the reno if there is anything left.
No doubt our great black hole would have sucked most of it by then.

[bcaso]

I have been given a set of bifolds, originally from doors plus. the tracks need cutting down. Has anyone done this?

[workgoose]

bcaso, when you say the tracks need cutting down, do you mean you're going to have less panels than they were originally intended for?

[bcaso]

yes, it was originally a 6 door unit and its missing a door and I have a need for a four door opening which does work but want to make sure that i do not stuff it up b4 i cut. Just wanted to see if some one has done the same?

[workgoose]

bcaso, the track should be something like a T-track at the top and a U-track at the bottom? If that's the case I can see no reason why you can't cut them to length. Obviously you need to change the actual timber frame, shorten it in your case.