Sliding interior doors: design features

Doors are an integral part of any home, giving it comfort and practicality. One of the disadvantages of classic canvases is their large opening radius. Sliding systems are the solution to this problem. Sliding interior doors fit perfectly into any modern interior. The installation of these mechanisms is also quite simple, which allows you to perform this operation even without a lot of experience.

Sliding doors are one or more canvases that move in a straight line. These designs are a kind of sliding models. A feature of such interior modifications is the presence of support rollers, with the help of which the sash moves. These devices take the main load, while in sliding systems this role is played by a special suspension mechanism.

Sliding doors have many advantages over other similar designs:

• Long service life. The door leaves can be used for up to 10 years without the need for repair.
• Silence. The movement of the canvas is not accompanied by almost any sounds. Noise or rattling noise even occurs when exposed to wind (drafts).
• Compactness. The door leaf moves only in one plane. Therefore, it does not need a lot of space for its functioning, as for swing modifications.

But sliding doors are not a one-size-fits-all solution.

This product is characterized by several significant disadvantages:

• The rail installed on the floor acts as a small threshold. This can create a little discomfort for older people who find it difficult to step over it.
• Debris constantly accumulates inside the groove along which the rollers move. This leads to rapid clogging of the channel, which prevents high-quality movement of the web. To clean it, you need to try hard, sweeping debris from the smallest crevices.

Sliding doors are a great opportunity to free up space and make the room more practical. The main component of this system is the roller mechanism, which is often installed at both the top and bottom end.

Such a structure consists of the following main components:

• Guides. They are made of aluminum or its derivatives. The shape of the product depends on the type of door leaf and the support systems used. These parts are attached both from below and above the door leaf.
• Roller system. It consists of several pairs of rollers, which are already attached directly to the door itself. They are also located at the bottom and top of the canvas. The shape and size of these devices can vary depending on the standard applied by each manufacturer.

To reduce the noise level, many manufacturers use special types of rubber to make the running surface of the wheel. Technically, sliding doors can be made independently from an old sheet. To do this, you need to select the necessary components, and then attach the rollers to the frame. When everything is ready, the walls are measured and the guides are fixed, inside which the door leaf is placed.

The process of installing such doors is clearly shown in the video below.

Sliding doors are gaining immense popularity today. They are not only compact but also very practical. They are increasingly being installed in modern interiors in order to create an original design. Manufacturers produce many modifications of such products, which allows them to be classified according to several criteria.

The material of manufacture is one of the main indicators used to classify doors of this type. Today, for the manufacture of such products, several types of materials are used:

• Glass. Only shock-resistant varieties of this substance are used as the main product for obtaining valves. This makes it possible to ensure an optimal level of safety and a long service life of glass products. Here, aluminum profiles can also be used as frames, in which glass sheets are placed. But many modifications involve only glass, to which roller systems are attached. The latter option is much more expensive and less common. Externally, glass can be either transparent or frosted. Manufacturers complement its surface with carvings and many shades. If desired, the glass sash can be given a different shape. Particular attention should be paid to mirror surfaces that are original. But the cost of such products will be slightly higher than standard modifications.

• MDF. One of the cheapest materials for the production of door leaves. Moreover, the substance is perfect for interior designs. The material lends itself very well to processing and also resists moisture. MDF doors can be complemented with carvings or original cutouts. Many of them are produced in combination with decorative glass, which allows you to radically change the design of the product. As for the colors, there are practically no restrictions. Depending on the client's wishes, the manufacturer can cover the product with paint of any shade.

• Plastic. Sliding doors made of this material are quite rare. But they are the best option for bathrooms where it is constantly humid. Plastic products can also be of different shades, which allows them to be combined with different interiors.

• Natural wood. Cloths made from this substance are the most demanded and practical interior products. Sliding systems made of wood can be supplemented with carvings and glass inserts. They can be used in both modern and classic interiors. Manufacturers produce canvases from various wood species, differing in structure and shade. They go well with other types of furniture, and also complement it.

The variety of sliding doors is very large, which does not always allow an inexperienced buyer to make the right choice. To purchase a quality product, you should evaluate several of its parameters:

• Canvas material. Doors are made from several substances that differ in both price and design. Here it is important to choose doors in such a way that they not only fit your budget, but also fit well with the style of the room. Today, for example, canvases with a mirror are especially popular, allowing you to make a room even more spacious.
• The presence of the box. This attribute gives the design a special charm. He not only acts as a limiter, but also creates a kind of designer gate (portal), visually dividing rooms into peculiar zones.
• The quality and type of components. The door leaves are moved by rollers and guides, which must be compatible with each other. In this case, the structures must be of high quality, since the duration of the system's operation depends on this. It is important to pay attention to the type of roller mechanisms that must withstand the weight of the blade intended for them.
• Dimensions and location. Many types of sliding doors are designed for wide openings, which does not allow them to be installed in a regular apartment.
• Design. The external design of the doors is selected only depending on the personal desires of the buyer and the interior where they will be installed.

The door installation methods differ depending on their type.

• Open systems move along guides along the wall. These doors can be complemented with one or two leaves. These modifications are often the most popular. To exclude strong impacts during opening, such structures are equipped with a closer that smoothly closes all the leaves.

• Closed systems are located in a special niche. In most cases, it is made at the end of the wall or from drywall sheets. When the door leaves are open, they are completely hidden inside the groove and are not visible from the outside. This design is very convenient, since the door and guides do not interfere with movement and do not take up extra space. It is quite difficult to make such a pencil case with your own hands, since it requires compliance with certain technologies. Therefore, the cost of building such systems is quite high, which affects their popularity.

• Accordion door systems consist of several leaves, which are interconnected by special curtains. Each individual element can move relative to an adjacent segment. Therefore, when you open the doors, the canvas folds like an accordion. But these retractable systems are complemented by special guides that can support a significant weight of the web. Door movement can be either one- or two-way. These products are an excellent option for private houses with large rooms.

Almost all modifications of such door leaves are supplemented with locks, which makes it possible to restrict the movement of the door leaves, if necessary. The installation of these mechanisms requires careful measurements.

The white frosted glass single-leaf sliding door in the kitchen looks great against the yellow walls. It looks very light and is decorated with chrome details - an open roller system and a large handle.

A double-leaf interior wooden door, which combines stripes of dark and white colors, strictly and originally complements the interior of the living room. A white sofa next to it and light walls emphasize their elegance.