Sliding interior doors

Modern designers offer various ways to divide living space. Sliding interior doors - one of the most stylish and practical options.

Recently, along with swinging doors, sliding models are very popular. Despite the visual lightness, they fully perform their functions and have a lot of advantages:

• Space saving. Movable structures not only visually, but also actually increase the space due to technical features. First of all, it is valuable for owners of small apartments.
• Application in non-standard situations. For apartments with doorways of non-standard sizes, this option will be the ideal solution. After all, to find a classic door leaf of suitable dimensions is sometimes simply impossible.
• Style. Doors in this design look original and modern.They are able to decorate any interior, becoming either a harmonious addition, or a stylish highlight.
• A variety of models. A wide range of materials, textures, colors and design variations allows you to choose the right option for the classic living room, and for the romantic bedroom, and for the kitchen in the style of Provence. Futuristic models will suit the high-tech room. And some options can create an atmosphere in the apartment, sustained in the Japanese tradition.
• Convenience. Sliding models are ergonomic and easy to use. Mechanisms of movement of the door leaf work almost silently. And the ease of management makes it easy to open them even to people with disabilities.

However, such structures have certain disadvantages:

• The complexity of installation. Installation of some models requires the construction of special niches in the wall.
• Low noise and heat insulation. The absence of sealing elements reduces protection against the penetration of sounds and cool air into the room. Only turning and movable models possess full tightness.
• Problems installing the lock. On the door, made of glass or plastic, it is difficult to install a reliable lock.
• The need for regular care. Sliding structures require constant maintenance. The owner will have to lubricate the mechanism regularly, otherwise he may encounter creaking and door jamming.
• Price. The cost of such models and their installation significantly exceeds the prices of traditional doors.

The system of sliding interior doors necessarily includes guides. The rollers are mounted on them. They have a cylindrical shape and are made of durable material.

That the door was located strictly vertically, there is a special leash. It prevents the loosening of the structure.

All sliding doors are divided into several types.

Folding design is also called rotatable. This special system combines the properties of swing doors and sliding doors. During opening the canvas folds in half like a book, and then makes a turn and rises along the wall. Although there are also models in which the door swings open at the same time and moves back without a folding process.

Such structures are commonly used in industrial and commercial buildings. In parallel, the sliding models move on rollers along the wall, remaining a solid canvas.

By the number of door panels all sliding models are divided into 2 main types. When opening the single-door model, the canvas moves smoothly to the right or left. In the case of a double door, its parts diverge in different directions.

The doors of this door when opening open up into the wall and become completely invisible. For this, a special niche is provided in the wall. Models with one flap are mounted in one “pencil case”. Double doors require the installation of a second niche.

The disadvantage of such structures is additional work on the arrangement of the "pencil box". However, there is a significant advantage.

The canvases of such models move along the wall. Their flaps are visible in both closed and open positions.With this door it will not be possible to put something close to the wall. However, the possibility of a simpler installation covers this minor drawback. The presence of the box in this case is not required.

Such models are made in a modern style, mainly from glass and metal. Mounting sliding mechanisms in this case is not hidden. On the contrary, it is an interesting design element that adorns the doorway.

Similar models are used for zoning space. This door usually has more than two doors. The extreme elements are motionless.

The movable partition can easily divide one room into two parts. For example, it can be a room for heterosexual children. In the afternoon the door will be open, and the room will look like one big playing hall. At night, it will turn into two separate bedrooms.

A novelty on the Russian market - doors that resemble plastic windows. Absolutely hermetic systems do not let in cold air and have the possibility of airing.As interior doors such doors are rarely used. Often they are installed on the loggias, as well as entrance doors in country houses.

Glass panoramic doors - a stylish option, suitable for large doorways. Such designs are also used to design the facades of buildings. They provide an excellent overview of what is happening outside.

Such structures are installed in public transport. The creators of buses, trolley buses, subway cars use these doors because of their compactness, simplicity and ease of operation. Also, they do not interfere with the freedom of movement of transport, even in a limited space.

To ensure safety from illegal entry, sliding gratings made of steel with anti-corrosion treatment are used. They are installed on the entrance doors of banks, office buildings, shops and other institutions. Do not ignore such systems and the owners of private homes.

In addition to the protective, the lattice can perform a decorative function. Custom models can be quite artistic.

The average size of the single-door model is from 80 to 120 cm. The standard web height is from 210 to 250 cm. If the doorway has dimensions from 120 to 200 cm, a double-wing door would be appropriate here. If the width exceeds 220 cm, you may need a system of several door panels.

Sliding doors, like any other, can be made of the following materials:

• Solid wood. Models made from solid array, are of high strength, durability and solid appearance. The disadvantage is only their high cost. This is especially true of products from rare species of trees (oak, ash, maple, beech, etc.). There are some nuances of installation. These doors must be mounted on two guides. Otherwise, the large weight of the web over time will lead to its misalignment.
• Glass, mirror. Glass doors in an aluminum frame look elegant and very impressive. It can be a regular clear glass, frosted canvas with a pattern, stained glass or even a smooth surface.These doors cost a little less wooden, although not too cheap. They are also mounted on two guides due to their considerable weight.

• Chipboard, fiberboard, MDF. Canvases of particleboard, fiberboard and MDF are budget options. They weigh a little and can be mounted on one rail. The downside can only be called a modest design. Models differ only in shades and texture of the surface.
• Plastic. Despite the synthetic origin of the material, it is absolutely harmless to humans. Plastic doors are durable, resistant to moisture and unpretentious in care. They are easy to clean with a sponge and soapy water. The rich color palette allows you to choose an option for every taste.
• Combined. Combinations of various materials are very popular. For example, a chipboard or an array with a beautiful insert made of glass or a mirror looks very worthy.

Doors in the bedroom should provide adequate rest and protection from extraneous noise. Also important is the appearance of the doors, creating an atmosphere of calm and comfort. Usually used for this model of wood and particleboard light colors or frosted glass.

The door to the living room should match the features of the interior. It can harmoniously complement the setting or be a shocking element that attracts attention. Here you can use any materials, including stained glass and stained glass.

The entrance to the kitchen must be protected by a door that is resistant to high humidity and possible contamination.

Interior doors must be in harmony with the interior of the room. It is also important to decide whether the doors in the open position will be located along the wall or they will hide in the internal niche. The latter option will require a radical restructuring of the opening, if, of course, the house is not under construction. In this case, you can pre-provide a hole in the wall.

Also consider how many guides the structure will have. Here it is necessary to take into account not only the price benefit, but also the door material. The number of door leaves depends on the width of the door opening.

The choice of material should be based on the style of the room and the type of room. Both wooden and glass doors can be installed in the room.The latter create a feeling of lightness and extra space. This option is ideal for a small apartment.

In the kitchen, appropriate and plastic, and glass models. For the dressing room, you can choose MDF or particleboard.

Installation features depend on the type of construction. For self-installation, it is better to choose a model that does not require additional partitions and niche arrangement.

The sequence of works:

• Attach the canvas to the opening, noting the upper limit.
• After indenting 7 cm to the ceiling, draw a horizontal line with a level.
• Mount the timber along this line.
• Attach the guide with self-tapping screws.
• Insert the rollers, check the smoothness of the movement.
• Attach the roller system to the top of the web.
• If the model involves running along 2 guides, it is necessary to determine the installation location of the lower element along the plumb line. It must be strictly parallel to the top rail.
• Hang the structure, put the limiters, trim and dobor.
• Embed the handle.

Even the most expensive sliding doors with time can start making creaky sounds, and smoothness can be disturbed. To avoid this, it is necessary to regularly lubricate the roller mechanisms.

The single door model in wenge color fits perfectly into a room decorated in bright colors. Dark plinth and a chest of similar shades make the composition complete.

The ultra-modern frosted door brings to the laconic interior of the kitchen a special lightness and elegance. The sophisticated design and metal guides emphasize the originality of the product.

The unusual model with stained glass and wooden edging is ideal for a living room in a classic style. Such a door does not just zone the space, but is a bright and beautiful element of the decor.

You will learn more about sliding interior doors in the following video.