Features of the sliding door mechanism

The days when only simple swing doors were sold in stores have sunk into oblivion. The modern consumer can choose canvases of a wide variety of designs and mechanisms for his home. Each of them has its own characteristics, pros and cons.

First appearing on the market, sliding doors made a splash. These options quickly gained enviable popularity among apartment owners and private houses. The demand for such structures was due to their original design and good performance characteristics.

These beautiful and functional models have a number of advantages that make them very popular.

• First of all, it should be noted that there is a noticeable saving in living space when using sliding doors, since they are not at all like classic swing structures, and the sashes in them do not take up additional space during opening or closing. This characteristic is especially useful in the conditions of small-sized dwellings, of which there are quite a few today.
• Many people mistakenly believe that the installation of such systems is difficult and time consuming. In fact, everything is much simpler, and it is possible to cope with many stages of work without involving specialists. Before installing sliding structures, it is not even required to carry out preparatory repair work.

• Of course, one cannot fail to mention the spectacular and rich appearance of the sliding structures. With the help of such elements, you can revitalize the living space and give it a special style.
• Many consumers are also pleased with the fact that in the process of opening and closing such systems do not emit unnecessary noise or squeaks.
• Modern manufacturers produce sliding structures of various sizes, so you can choose the right option for any conditions.
• Typically, more than one door leaf can be installed in such a system. It all depends only on the dimensions of the direct opening and the type of canvases.

However, like any other design, they also have some disadvantages.

• Many psychologists believe that the main disadvantage of sliding doors is their relative novelty. Most consumers are accustomed to traditional swinging options, and it is not so easy for them to reorganize to more modern canvases.
• Because of this, another problem arises associated with the installation of such structures. It is not too complicated, but often users are faced with ignorance of all the nuances related to such work.
• Despite the huge assortment of sliding doors, most of them still have a high cost, which upsets many consumers.

• It is also worth noting that sliding canvases do not provide sufficient noise and heat insulation.In this matter, these designs are much inferior to the classic copies.
• Many users are faced with the problem of dust and dirt accumulation in a niche, which is necessary for installing doors. Moreover, these areas are quite difficult to access, and it is not easy to clean them.
• There is also the possibility that one day the mechanism in such systems will malfunction and jam. First of all, this can happen if the rollers in the structure are skewed. To avoid such problems, experts recommend purchasing only high-quality and not the cheapest options.

Whether these disadvantages of sliding canvases are significant or not, each person decides for himself. Fortunately, modern manufacturers produce many beautiful and durable canvases of different variations, so even the most demanding owner can choose the best option.

In all designs of sliding doors, the following necessary components must be present.

• Guides (or rails).
• Locking mechanisms.
• Limiters of movement of cloths.
• Roller systems (in other words, rollers).

These details are among the most important in the design of sliding doors. Without them, it will be impossible to open and close the canvases and move them to the side. Sliding rails are manufactured from steel, aluminum or metal base.

Sliding rails can be single or double. They can be installed both in the upper and lower areas of the opening. The top pieces are attached to the ceiling and the bottom pieces are attached to the floor.

These components do not have a particular effect on the condition and operation of sliding systems, but they perform an important function, which is to prevent the door leaves from hitting the walls. Also, these elements help to avoid arbitrary closure of the canvases.

In sliding designs, there are upper and lower rollers. The upper roller carriages can also consist of several casters. In different versions, they can be installed from 2 to 8 pieces. It all depends on the weight of the canvases. As a rule, the rollers are arranged symmetrically in a sliding structure, but there is also an asymmetric arrangement.

There are several different types of door leaf extension systems. It is worth familiarizing yourself with them in more detail.

This mechanism is installed on a sliding structure in which there are two or three door leaves moving in one direction. In this case, the leaves, united by a synchronizer, are located on two rails parallel to each other. This option is not the easiest if we consider it from the point of view of installation.

This mechanism can also be called synchronous, since it is distinguished by a non-standard structural structure, in which both leaves open synchronously. Often in such variations there are hooks or special synchronizers, with the help of which the first flap pulls the next one when moving.

Barn mechanisms can be attributed to suspended ones, since in them the main load falls on the upper rails. When opening or closing, doors with such mechanisms do not touch the floor covering. These designs have an attractive appearance, which is why they are chosen by many buyers.

Door leaves in such mechanisms are installed in two or three rows and, when closed, form a single line, closing the guide rails. Coplanar doors work on the principle of compartment doors and move along their dedicated rail. Such structures are also hinged, and it is not recommended to install too heavy sashes in them.

Today, many consumers choose doors with an invisible mechanism. As a rule, it hides behind a false panel. Otherwise, such designs are called "coupe" or "tramway". They are installed without an additional threshold, and their supports are attached to the upper section of the canvases.

Experts say that the installation of such systems is best done at the stage of construction or repair work in a dwelling. This is due to the fact that canvases with these mechanisms are installed in the inner part of the walls. If their thickness is not enough, then a kind of pencil case is often made.

Cloths equipped with such a mechanism are called roto-doors. Such doors can be safely attributed to hybrid designs, since they combine the characteristics of traditional swing products and the functionality of sliding options.

Such models consist of only two components: guides and roller systems. The grooved rail is attached to the top of the doorway, and the roller mechanism with pivot joints moves with the wheel base into the rail grooves.

In the lower part of such canvases, a special lever element is installed, which is combined with the upper half of the wheel base by means of an axle.

Such bases are not designed for the installation of two or three canvases. As a rule, there is one roto-door in one opening. Rotary models with a swing-sliding mechanism can be safely called universal, as they function perfectly both in spacious and compact doorways.

Various locking mechanisms may be present in interior sliding doors.

• Simple mechanical lock. In such variants, a special hook is used instead of the traditional deadbolt. It protrudes from the lock case and falls into the hole located on the second half. This part can be located directly on the door frame or on the second sash.

• Electromagnetic lock. The operation of this option is based on a sufficiently powerful electromagnet. When you press a special button in the lock, the voltage is turned off, and the magnetic field ceases to be active, and the bolt snaps off. Such devices are very popular and have a lot of positive aspects, but their disadvantage is that they are much more expensive than simple mechanical devices and their operation is impossible without electricity.
• Electromechanical lock. Such options differ from the above in a different principle of action. However, as with electromagnetic locks, these devices require electricity to operate. The electromechanical lock is controlled by a remote control.

Modern sliding canvases are made from different materials.

• The most high-quality and environmentally friendly copies are rightfully recognized made of natural wood... These can be products from solid oak, walnut, alder, maple, birch, pine or cedar. These canvases are quite expensive, but they serve for a very long time and do not harm human health, since they do not emit hazardous substances even under the influence of high temperatures.

• Canvases are cheap and common from laminated chipboard or MDF... As a rule, such canvases have a simple and template design. They are distinguished by a long service life and wear resistance. But we must not forget that chipboard is a toxic material, because it contains formaldehyde resins. If you do not want to harm your health, then it is better to purchase doors from laminated chipboard of class "E-1" or options trimmed with veneer.

• Sliding doors look elegant and beautiful in the interior from glass... It is recommended to buy models made of hardened cloth, as they are more durable and wear-resistant. Not all sliding mechanisms are suitable for doors made of frosted or transparent glass. For example, hidden systems in such products cannot be installed.

• The lightest are canvases made drywall... This material is easy to process and can be finished with wood paneling, plaster, paint, tiles, and even wallpaper. Drywall itself is not the most durable and wear-resistant material, it is very easy to damage it.

Modern consumers are faced with a chic selection of sliding interior doors with various designs and mechanisms.

To choose a good option that will last as long as possible and will not cause any problems during its operation, you should take the following.

• First, you need to decide on the type of sliding mechanism, which will be most convenient for you to use. Most often, consumers choose the telescopic option, since it is suitable for a large opening. All types of hinged structures also look very attractive in the interior, but they should not be overloaded with too heavy doors.
• The hidden options look more aesthetically pleasing, in the installation of which they often use a special pencil case that increases the width of the walls. However, it should be borne in mind that this design is not suitable for inset mirrored doors.
• For doors made of lightweight materials, you can use not only telescopic, hidden or synchronous mechanisms, but also swing-and-slide systems. In the latter, only one door leaf can be present.

• Also, when choosing sliding doors, you need to pay attention to the materials from which they are made. The most short-lived are drywall models, and solid wood canvases can boast of unsurpassed quality. These designs can be installed in a wide variety of interior styles, be it timeless classics or retro.
• You shouldn't skimp on buying such systems. Low quality and overpriced sliding doors will not last long. Often these structures fail due to the skew of the roller system.
• Use only leading and well-known brands for quality sliding designs. Such products will delight you not only with a long service life, but also with a thoughtful appearance, on which, as a rule, experienced designers work.
• When choosing a sliding door, do not forget that it must fit into the interior design in which it will be located. Also, the canvas should overlap with the furniture in the room in color and style.

Large structures with wide brown wooden doors should be installed on the border of cream or snow-white rooms. Against this background, the classic brown tones look very attractive and laconic.You can dilute the unobtrusive contrast with neutral-colored carpet and frosted glass inserts in the door leaves.

Frosted glass doors with white inserts can be used as a separation of two zones. For example, they can be installed between a compact living room and a kitchen. Such structures will not make the environment cramped, since they have glass elements (albeit frosted), and such details always refresh the space and do not detract from its dimensions.

In the conditions of the largest doorway, tall snow-white doors, made up of many rectangular open sectors (like the frames of stained-glass windows), will look very organic. For such spaces, it is better to use light-colored designs, since such options look very light and elegant.

If you want to bring non-standard notes to your home, then you should take a closer look at the deaf sliding canvases made of natural wooden boards of dim shades. These kits look rude, but they can be used not only in rustic interiors, but also in trendy loft-style settings.

Next to these doors, one of the walls should be finished with decorative bricks, and the remaining surfaces should be covered with light plaster.

In a snow-white corridor at a fork in different rooms, a large sliding structure of a dark brown shade will effectively stand out. Next to it, one of the walls can also be finished with wallpaper or plaster of a similar shade and diluted with the contrast of walls and doors with a pale brown parquet board.

Deaf sliding canvases made of white wood can be used to decorate an arched passage from the corridor to a room made in cold colors. Such a design solution will look very elegant and aristocratic. The main thing is to choose the right false panel above the upper part of the doors to cover the sliding mechanism. For this, a laconic and wide white stripe is suitable, matching the color of the door leaves.

In this video you will see a simple assembly of a sliding door.