Folding interior doors - a compact solution in the interior

Folding interior doors are a compact solution in the interior. They serve to delimit space and give the room's design a complete look. These designs are unique, have a number of features and stand out favorably against the background of classical counterparts.

The main distinguishing feature of folding interior doors is their compactness. They are relevant in different spaces, and especially in small-sized rooms. In this case, the choice of compact doors will be an excellent solution for the design of interior openings. If a classic door needs about 1 meter of space to open, a folding version is enough 8 - 10 cm (this is the minimum width of the lamella).

Folding interior doors have advantages:

• A large selection of raw materials used in the production. Thanks to this, you can choose a door that is ideally suited to the style, which will emphasize the individuality of the interior of the apartment.
• Easy to install. This design can be used for non-standard openings.

• Security. They do not slam from a draft, and the absence of a sill on the floor excludes the possibility of falling.
• Variety of texture. They differ in surface texture, which can be glossy, matte, smooth, embossed.

The folding design of these doors is not perfect:

• The disadvantage of this type of door may be a certain fragility of the fittings. They are not recommended to be installed in places with high traffic, as well as as entrance.
• The gaps between the curtain and the floor will not allow you to achieve good sound and heat insulation. This disadvantage can be partially eliminated by using seals.

In the modern market, there are two main types of folding interior doors:

• accordion doors;
• book doors.

Each variety has its own characteristics:

• Folding doors are an unlimited set of sections that fold on the side of the doorway. The lamellas have a size of 8 cm and are connected to each other by means of hinges. The design is similar to vertical accordion-gathering blinds. This type of door is suitable for any openings.

• Folding doors - analogues with a different opening system. They consist of two sections, so more space is needed to open them. The doors of such models can be symmetrical or of different sizes, which allows you to achieve the desired visual effect. The folding panels are interconnected with a powerful canopy. A more solid and durable design of these doors is suitable for decorating a doorway in a classic style.

Both folding doors can be single or double folding in both directions.

The raw materials from which folding interior doors are made are diverse:

The most reliable material is wood. Such models are made from tree species of different varieties: conifers, as well as beech and ash. These doors have a presentable appearance, they are environmentally friendly, reliable and durable. The disadvantages of wood are its high sensitivity to moisture and high price.

The line of quality materials includes a furniture board (chipboard). It is made by gluing and pressing wood waste.Since formaldehyde resins are used as a binder, it is recommended to install only laminated doors from this raw material in a dwelling. Film wrapping is of high quality and seamless technology. Such material is not afraid of moisture, but it is more difficult to install and fix fittings.

MDF is very popular, made from wood shavings, which are pressed under the influence of high temperature. The binders are wood resin and paraffin wax.

There are several options for processing MDF:

• PVC film;
• enamels;

• veneer;
• solid wood.

Such a variety of textures makes it possible to choose a door for every taste.

Installation of plastic folding doors has a number of advantages, among which are especially important:

• high noise and heat insulation;
• moisture resistance;
• resistance to mechanical damage;
• low price.

A door made of this material is in good harmony with plastic windows. However, when choosing such a design, it must be remembered that a stuffy atmosphere can be created in a closed room with these doors. Plastic is not a durable material.

Making an interior opening, you can opt for double-leaf glass doors. The doors can be mirrored, transparent or matte. When choosing this material, it is important to pay attention to tempered glass or triplex. If the door breaks, then in the first case the fragments will have smooth rounded edges, in the second they will remain on a special film. This will help prevent injury and make cleaning easier.

Installing a folding interior door does not take much time, it is a relatively easy and quick process. The folding type design is a set of sections-cloths and the mechanism itself - parts for installation. Let's analyze the installation process using the example of a two-canvas system.

The kit includes:

• door leaf;
• guide;
• blade holder;
• hidden loop;

• stopper;
• upper and lower pivot joints;
• side fixing panel;
• side lock panel;
• rollers;
• screws.

First, install the side fixing panel from the side into which the door will open. The lock panel is attached to the opposite side using stoppers. The blade holder, swivel hinges and rollers are placed on the top of the section (according to the instructions). The panels are fastened together with hidden hinges. The guide rail is fixed up the opening and the finished door leaf is inserted into it. Side rails are attached to the fixing panels.

Finishing the installation, move the door to the closed position and mark the place for the lock. If desired, you can close the visible part of the opening with extras and install platbands. If done carefully, the result will live up to expectations and will look professional.

The installation system does not seem complicated, although there are a number of nuances to consider:

• it is better to choose steel or aluminum guides: these materials are the most durable and less susceptible to deformation;
• the rollers should be rubberized and on bearings: this will ensure easy sliding, eliminate unpleasant sounds;
• the silent operation of the mechanism is facilitated by regular lubrication of all parts (especially hidden hinges, which are responsible for folding the shutters in half);

• when installing, it must be remembered that the upper and lower hinges must be at the same level, the distance between the door leafs must be minimized;
• if the folding door is used as a partition, it is recommended to install an additional bottom rail: this design is usually large,therefore, the additional rail will be a support and reliable fastening of the sliding sections;
• if there is an insert with glass in the design, you need to take care of additional clamps.

Modern technologies for the manufacture of folding interior doors allow you to create interesting models by combining various materials. Manufacturers often supplement the sections with all kinds of inserts, which makes the door an independent element of the room's decor. Folding structures save space. If you add an insert with a mirror to such a door, this will visually expand the boundaries of the room. By installing a mirrored surface opposite the window, you can let in more light into the room. In this case, you can use mirrors of different types: ordinary, bronze or gray.

If the choice fell on a glass door, it can be decorated with a sandblast pattern. This technology is the processing of glass with an abrasive substance. Using different algorithms in work, you can achieve a different pattern: smooth, embossed or colored. The finished element is covered with a protective varnish, which protects the image from dirt.

Another decor option is stained glass. It is made by cutting glass, different in shape and color, and then collected. Depending on the manufacturing technique, several types of stained glass are distinguished:

• Classical - glass elements are interconnected with a metal profile and the joints are sealed;

• Tiffany - the edge of the glass is wrapped in copper foil with a sticky layer and soldered over it (this allows using smaller parts in the work);
• Fusing - the method of sintering at high temperatures: the contour of the image on such a stained-glass window is blurred, since in the oven different glass elements melt and mix with each other.

Photo printing is used to decorate a glass door. The technology is quite simple: the image is applied by means of UV printing with special inks. The advantage of this decor is the ability to apply any pattern to the surface (from landscapes to photographs of family members).

The decorative grilles also deserve attention. In addition to simple decoration, they contribute to filling the room with air. There are two types of such grilles: louvered and patterned. Most of the patterned gratings are made using a backing made of steel or brass, painted in the desired color. The material of manufacture is more often plastic, less often metal. A decorative lattice made of wood is almost impossible to find, they are made to order, they are very expensive. It is possible to purchase this design with a built-in damper (sound absorber).

Due to the wide range of decorative techniques of the door leaf, everyone can choose the option that suits the price and matches the interior of the apartment. Moreover, the choice is so diverse that it allows you to purchase a design to match the existing furniture or individual furnishings.

Folding doors are available in various sizes. There are certain recommendations for sizes, due to the characteristics of the device.

Folding doors consist of a set of sections, the number of which can be changed to achieve the required size. Usually one lamella is 8 - 20 cm wide. The most common type is 15 cm, the rest are less common. The height of such a door varies from 220 to 230 cm. The total width of the door leaf is from 50 cm (minimum size) to 600 cm (maximum).

If the door is a partition, the height and width may be greater.In this case, it is necessary to install an additional guide to ensure the stability of the structure. When installing door leaves of non-standard sizes, you need to take a responsible approach to the choice of material. Strength and reliability will depend on this.

Folding doors differ in their size requirements. The size grid depends on the material of manufacture.

Consider the size range using the example of wooden (heaviest) and plastic folding (lightest) doors:

• The total width of a wooden structure should not exceed 300 cm, the height ranges from 80 to 300 cm. One sash in length usually varies from 44 to 120 cm.
• Plastic products do not exceed 250 cm in width, in height the range is from 64 to 240 cm. One section has a size of 49 - 94 cm in width.

When choosing a door-book, you need to pay special attention to the quality of the fittings. The weight of each of the two canvases exceeds the weight of one section in the accordion door. Therefore, the service life of the product will directly depend on the mechanism.

The choice of folding interior doors must be approached thoroughly, taking into account a number of features. This type of structures does not provide for intensive use, therefore, they are not suitable for premises with high traffic:

• Doors are poorly soundproofed and therefore not recommended for use in bedrooms. If there is no other alternative, it is better to stop the choice on wooden models, using additional seals.

• Plastic doors are ideal for pantries. This material is unpretentious, easy to clean. But it does not allow air to pass through well, which can be a problem in living quarters, although it does not matter in the back rooms.

• When choosing a model for the kitchen, it is worth considering the fact that wood is subject to negative environmental influences: it absorbs moisture and unpleasant odors. If a good hood is not installed in the room, you should pay attention to other materials.

• Frosted tempered glass, treated with a special compound that prevents smudges and handprints, is perfect for the kitchen.

Folding interior doors are getting good reviews. Their undoubted advantage is the ability to save space. People who have installed this type of door at home note their indispensability in small apartments. A large selection of decor is another plus. Buyers pay attention to the variety of materials and finishes, which helps to emphasize the individuality of the interior.

Buyers consider the disadvantages of these structures to be low noise insulation and a short service life. People who think about choosing such doors are concerned about the fragility of the structure. To avoid possible problems, they try to choose high-quality components and a trusted manufacturer. Some reviews talk about the need for additional insulation when buying structural components. The comments point out that the choice of models should be well thought out: this way you can avoid negative consequences, enjoying the beautiful view, convenience and high-quality door construction.

Functionality, convenience and originality of design are appreciated in modern apartments.

Folding doors provide ample opportunities when decorating a room:

• The feeling of lightness and weightlessness of the interior will be emphasized by glass doors. By choosing a canvas with a picture or photo printing, you can create an independent and unique decor accent. Stained-glass windows reflect the sophistication of style and act as a bright accent. The matte door is suitable for modern high-tech and minimalist styles.

• The door leaf made of wood is a classic. A folding door in light colors will not look bulky in a small room, although it will create a sense of solidity and tradition. By combining wood and glass, you can visually lighten the structure and let more light into the room.

• Mirror models are perfect for installation in a dressing room. They will visually increase the area and eliminate the need for additional installation of a mirror.

• Plastic doors are good for a pantry or kitchen. A rich selection of colors and textures will harmoniously fit the door leaf into the interior. Due to the quality characteristics of the material, such doors can even be installed in the bathroom.

• Often, folding partitions are chosen to delimit a room. They will successfully fit into the interior, made in ethnic style. Natural materials from which partitions can be made will help create a feeling of comfort and naturalness. Leather, fabric, bamboo and rattan will create an atmosphere of originality and exclusivity in the room.

  Folding interior doors are an excellent choice when space is limited. Different materials from which they are made make it possible to purchase a high-quality, comfortable and beautiful model. Undoubtedly, such a door will be a good solution in the interior decoration of the apartment.

You will learn how the mechanism of a folding interior door works from the following video.