Sliding interior doors

Recently, in addition to traditional swing doors, which are familiar and understandable to the eyes of the consumer, in everyday life you can increasingly see such a non-standard option as sliding interior doors. They are increasingly being installed in different rooms - for example, when zoning or for the special allocation of a certain part of the usable area.

Since the sliding models look nice and cozy in any place (they can even be used for the pool and bathroom), you might think about how to install them in your own home.

The main advantages of sliding interior doors are significant space savings, external beauty, neatness, aesthetics and ease of use. Since the mechanism implies easy movement of the sash along the guides, it is very easy and convenient to open and close such models.

However, when installing a simple sliding structure, the owner should take into account the fact that it will not be able to provide the room with full-fledged sound insulation - unless - when installed behind a false wall, when it comes to inexpensive options.

The mechanism itself and the installation of sliding doors are not cheap, if there is a desire to insulate them, or to provide a decent soundproofing effect, you will have to spend a lot of money, but in many cases it justifies itself.

The principle of operation of such systems is of two types.

• There are parallel-sliding modelsthat include more than one sash. In this case, the door leaf moves parallel to the vertical surface. If sound insulation properties are important for the buyer, it is recommended to install this particular type of structure. In addition to such a reliable and monolithic model, there is an even lighter type of doors called folding-sliding doors. It includes a certain number of canvases, which in appearance are very similar to an accordion.

• More simple folding-sliding system often comes with only the top rail. The weight of such a structure can be considerable, especially if the canvas is made of polycarbonate or glass, so you should stock up on reliable high quality fittings in advance.

The complete set of a standard set of interior doors usually includes the following elements:

• guide runners (or lower and upper profiles), the length of each of them is 2000 cm;
• canvases, they must be securely fixed on rails and rollers, therefore, a certain number of them must be included in the kit. It can be different and depends on the type of door structure;
• fasteners;
• suspension, the required number of accessories and platbands - as a rule, with a margin;

• ready-made door panels or sashes (either "accordion", or classic, monolithic models);
• a decorative strip to hide the mechanism on casters, with an entry in a box or in a box;
• limit stops;
• lock and cassette (several pieces) - in order to hold the leaves in the desired position when they are in the open position;
• handle and lock with the possibility of embedding into the door leaf.

Depending on the model type, in-frame sliding doors can be with or without a threshold... Also, many manufacturers offer to purchase additional accessories. For example, a mosquito net, if it is planned to install a sliding system on the terrace, and those buyers who dream of insulated doors may be offered a special seal.

Like other door systems, sliding doors are also divided into several types based on how they open and close: the canvases are folding, sliding and sliding.

• Rollback (or rollback) systems. Usually they look like a canvas with one sash, for the movement of which special suspended profiles are attached, moreover, in one direction or the other. The width of the structure for doorways is no more than 900 mm. This is a surface-mounted model with a hinged type of fastening mechanism - at the same height, which in total is the height of the rollers and the clearance during installation.

• Sliding (or sliding) models have a similarity in the principle of installation with rolling structures. Such doors can move in different directions, as well as by opening each sash in turn. If you wish, you can equip such a model by the action of the chain mechanism of its opening, as in wardrobes: if one sash moves, the other automatically follows it.
• Folding or folding - the same "accordion", which is most often used as a partition door or screen door, separates the necessary space in the room. They open in the same way as the previous systems, moving along a special profile guide with a roller mechanism. The difference from other models is that their canvases are not sliding, but folding, consisting of several lamellas. They are folded in a one-way way, with the help of loops. The main plus of the "accordion" is that it is very compact, but handling such a door should be as careful as possible.

• If the owner wants to give the doors additional noise and sound insulation, they can be installed with porch... In this case, the canvas will be even quieter and more airtight. Also, for maximum convenience and ease of installation and operation, sliding models with telescopic mechanisms are often installed: the sash moves only in one direction, which can be especially convenient in rooms with a non-standard layout.

Sliding doors with one leaf are installed in small apartments not only to save space, but also to make the interior look cozy and neat. Installation is very simple, there is no need to install the door frame, but the opening itself will need to be strengthened and a good finish.

Such models are attached to both walls and ceilings - the accessories included in the package provide for one or another type of fastening. As a rule, the structure itself is quite light, often single-leaf panels are frameless, vertically sliding. Also recently, a Japanese-style lattice door has become very popular. She perfectly zones the room and, at the same time, decorates it.

Internal double-leaf interior structures are mounted in wide openings, differ in functionality and ease of use. They look ideal in rooms with a large area, and also serve as a decorative role. They consist of two panels, which, based on the installation possibilities, can simply move along the walls, or be retractable into the wall, hidden when opening.One half of the panel is easily stopped with a latch so that it does not interfere, while the other can be used.

Three-leaf doors are very easy to use and are installed if the room has wide openings of non-standard sizes. Three sashes successfully block any opening, and for profitable zoning, you do not need to build an additional wall. Thanks to the installation of the opening mechanism at the top, the space gains visual integrity. The undoubted advantage of three-leaf models is that there is absolutely no need to install floor rails here.

Three-leaf sliding options are often made on the principle of cascading canvases, each of which has its own rail. When they open, they overlap, and it looks very beautiful. The doors are installed differently: for example, one of them stands in the center and moves in different directions, going in turn behind the other two, permanently mounted. At the request of the customer, it can be done exactly the opposite: the side flaps move, and the middle stationary canvas can perform a panoramic function of decorating a room, a drawing or a beautiful stained-glass window is often performed on it.

Pencil case is a very interesting and useful type of sliding structure. It got its name based on the technical features in operation. Roll-out canvases with sound insulation move along the walls like a school pencil case. They are versatile in that they are successfully used in a wide variety of premises, from offices to residential ones. The door-pencil case takes up little space, and its design and equipment can be assembled and formed at the request of the customer.

Semicircular radius doors are an original and, perhaps, the most beautiful and aesthetic invention of design minds. It is a large and wide structure with a convex plan, often glazed, with certain varieties of decor on the panels. Unfortunately, this swing-and-slide model is not designed to be installed in small spaces. Its main purpose is to add coziness and beauty to large areas of supermarkets, large country houses, offices and apartments with high ceilings.

Functional interior doors are a model with elements built into the opening, which provides both aesthetics and additional benefits. The leaves move towards each other along the opposite track, while ½ of the doorway remains free for entry and exit. Moreover, the location of the opening itself can be changed at will.

Sliding partition doors can be made in the form of a light "accordion" made of plywood or plastic. There are whole systems of internal partitions, including corner ones, the number of panels in which can vary from two or more. To give the structure special strength, aluminum is most often used as a material, and the sashes themselves can have glass inserts, or made of any other transparent material.

A multi-leaf interior partition works on the principle of moving the opening to the left or right. Their sliding system is absolutely silent and soft, and the closer allows you to close them as tightly as possible.

Lifting and sliding models of the HS-portal type include movable and blind canvases. They are designed to cover large doorways. It is such a portal structure that can provide a completely open space, devoid of both canvases protruding from the wall and inconvenient vertical racks, which are often indispensable when installing three or more panels.

Thanks to the portal principle, it is possible to completely remove the boundaries between rooms at any time, turning the room and the terrace into one, and, if necessary, close the doors back. Such designs can be warm and even double, to ensure the retention of heat in the cold winter. It is very easy to operate such doors, despite the fact that they can weigh 300 kg or more.

In accordance with the GOST standard in Russia, the optimal door panel height is 2000 cm, and the width of models with one leaf is from 600 to 900 mm. Most of the manufacturing companies try to produce their products with an orientation towards these indicators, so choosing the right set is not difficult. A plus of standardization can be called a lower price for such a set of canvases and accessories, however, given the fact that in the overwhelming majority of cases they do not adhere to strict dimensions during construction, you still have to order doors according to individual sizes.

Large doorways, typical for hypermarkets and large private mansions, have non-standard dimensions, for the removal of which it would be best to invite a specialist so as not to be mistaken. If non-standard wide doors are ordered, it is important to take into account the gap in order for the leaf to open and close well, while the leaf itself in width should correspond to the dimensions of the side walls.

Custom designs can be different: light or heavy. Usually the large weight and thickness of the canvases is not a problem, because the control mechanism allows you to minimize the technical side. All doors of the original form (light arches for narrow passages to the utility room, high-height canvases with transoms, as well as all bay windows) are made only individually, and the price for such an order will be much higher.

Various materials are used in the production of sliding doors.

Various options for interior partitions for government and medical institutions are often aluminum or iron.

As a rule, such a structure does not look too heavy and has good strength indicators. Aluminum and iron are highly resistant to external weather conditions. Partitions made of aluminum are often used for glazing loggias and balconies. The sound insulation properties of these materials are quite high, and if you use a good sealant, it will provide both heat retention and sound insulation at a high level.

The service life of aluminum partitions is 50 years or more. Perhaps, over time, they will need a new cosmetic coloring.

Wooden products or canvases from different arrays will never go out of fashion, and a sliding structure made from natural materials will always look rich and stylish, especially in the living room or in the hall. Such models open up space for craftsmen for creativity in the quality of wood carving and the creation of different types of doors: from blind frameless to models with figured glazing.

Natural wood is an environmentally friendly and durable material, provided that it is carefully cared for.

Of course, if it is planned to install wooden doors, it is important to properly care for them so that they do not darken and do not crack ahead of time due to temperature changes and a sharp change in weather conditions. You should first consult with specialists about which wood care products should be used.

The most common and inexpensive material from which a good sliding structure can also be made is a fine fraction of wood or MDF. In terms of environmental characteristics, it is not inferior to natural wood, and its surface can also be decorated with various patterns and applications.

Of course, the service life of such doors is much shorter, but with careful operation, this option can also become acceptable.

To give the panels additional beauty and create the effect of expanding the space, mirror inserts of various shapes and sizes can be embedded in them. It looks very nice and attractive, but it also requires a strong mechanism and reinforced fittings due to the fact that mirror inserts have additional weight. As for the simpler models of sliding doors, if you wish, you can independently make an interior parcel of drywall or veneer, sanding it "antique" or painting it in the desired color.

Thanks to modern technologies, the color scheme of any design, including sliding ones, has no strict restrictions. Depending on the material used, you can choose a product for every taste and color.

White color is relevant for aluminum partitions, often used in medical offices, but if it is painted with sliding wood panels leading to the bedroom of a residential building, the effect will be very delicate and “homey”. Of course, if you plan to install white panels, it is important to make sure that the entire space around, from wallpaper to furniture, breathes lightness and romance.

Sliding structures in wenge color will always look massive and solemn, especially if the doorways are wide, and high windows and ceilings prevail in the room. This color is best used in large rooms where there are already large pieces of furniture, designed in a classic style.

As you know, the belonging of doors to one style or another most often determines the nature of the material from which they are made.

• Massive blank panels made of natural wood of dark shades can be safely attributed to "Classics"... The classic style, despite its severity and not always obvious affordability, will never go out of fashion and for many years will delight its owners with the severity of lines and sliding interior models that have "adapted" to its elements.
• Discreet modern hi-tech style involves the use of glass doors in combination with inexpensive polymers or metal. Also, eco-doors made of bamboo, upholstered with leather or leatherette, will organically fit into what is called modern trends.
• If you use such a versatile and lightweight material as MDF for the manufacture of panels, you can make an excellent option, aged v Mediterranean scale.

• Traditionally and a very long time ago, Japan is considered the first country in which sliding doors were once invented, therefore there is a so-called "Japanese style room design, reminding of where such a convenient and functional invention came from. Sliding interior options in the Japanese style can be lattice, matte, decorated with intricate bright ornaments in the form of mythological animals and even embroidery.

As for modern design solutions, if the very first sliding models sometimes looked artisanal and primitive, now this is no longer there, thanks to the development of modern production technologies and bold and functional inventions of designers.

The style of the room must be determined even before the door kit with all the necessary fittings is purchased.

Any wood material can be suitable for the manufacture of classic interior doors - the question is how the owner of the premises wishes to "complete" the doorways. If the area of ​​the room allows, you can partially install conventional swing models, and in those places where the area is limited, you can also install a sliding structure.

In large private houses, sliding models are most often installed in the kitchen. They are made of durable glass, which ensures both ease of use and ease of maintenance. Also, glass models are used in office premises - for the same reason as in kitchens: ease of maintenance, practicality and, importantly, additional penetration of natural light - in working conditions it is always necessary for employees. Glasses with a matte finish and unpretentious patterns will decorate any room: from an office to a home kitchen, and the impact resistance of modern glass will provide such options with the longest possible service life.

A door with a mirror will not only visually increase the space of the room, but will also be the best solution to the problem if the room is small, and it is impossible to install a separate mirror in it for one reason or another. In addition, a large mirror takes up a lot of space, and a small one is often not very useful if a person needs to see himself completely from head to toe.

Mirror inserts can also be used simply as a decor. For example, MDF panels make it possible to slightly heavier the structure without harming the supporting-bearing mechanism. For owners prone to mysticism and Mediterranean motives, we can always offer a stained-glass design for the front fixed panel of wide three-leaf doors. Modern stained glass decorations are made of durable materials, they do not fade in the sun and do not make the structure heavier, and when executed by qualified craftsmen, they sometimes look no worse than old ones.

Of course, when it comes to installing doors in a large private house, problems rarely arise with the concepts of beauty and functionality. As for small-sized spaces, options for installing sliding interior structures in this particular case seem to be the most demanded among ordinary buyers.

If the "Khrushchev" has a recess in the form of a niche, the best option would be doors that enter the niche on runners designed in accordance with the dimensions of the recess. When installing doors made of lightweight polycarbonate into the pantry, a functional partition will be created with an insulating role assigned to it.

Various models of interior partitions, many of which can be made independently, will help to optimally organize the space of a children's room, in which both a boy and a girl can live at the same time. With the help of such a partition, you get two small, but full-fledged bedrooms.

If a person lives in a one-room apartment, in which there is no way to build a full-fledged dressing room with a place for changing clothes, the partition can also fulfill a “saving” role, allotting for this a certain part of the room.

When living in a studio apartment combined with a kitchen, a high screen will become a universal separator that will not only prevent the spread of odors throughout the room, but will also hide dirty dishes and other unsightly things in the form of garbage and food waste from guests.

Thus, sliding interior doors can be installed not only in large houses and offices. Since now there is an excellent opportunity for their manufacture and installation on an individual basis, such a convenient design can be fully adapted to the needs of the economy class.

How to install sliding doors yourself, see the video below.