Do you think sliding systems are a novelty in the modern world? In fact, their story began before our era. The Japanese used in their architecture moving rails for dividing a large room into small zones. This invention has survived to the present day and has not lost its relevance. Sliding interior doors are used in the interior not only from an aesthetic, but also from a practical point of view: they save space.
Principles of Sliding Systems
Based on the design features, two large classes of sliding systems are distinguished:
- sliding-folding;
- parallel-sliding.
Sliding and folding design resembles a book or accordion: when opened, the sash does not move along a vertical surface, but moves to the side. Distinguish single-wing and double-wing models. One web form 2 or more vertical sections, which are interconnected by articulation.
The disadvantage of the device: it does not prevent the penetration of odors, sounds. Therefore, sliding doors are used mainly as an element of decor and for the conditional division of living quarters into zones.
Parallel-sliding design is represented by one or more wings. They move on rollers on rails along or inside the wall. Such a device provides a high degree of sound insulation and has a long service life.. It is ideal for wardrobes and interior doors.
Parallel-sliding systems have several varieties that differ from each other in the number of wings and in the way they are opened.
Sliding doors
They can consist of one or two wings. They work according to a single scheme: they move along a vertical surface. The only difference is that the doors of the two-leaf doors diverge in different directions. It is worth noting that this model saves space, decorates your interior. It is ideal for living room, nursery, kitchen, dressing room.
Cassette doors
This model differs from the previous one by the presence of a niche in the wall where the canvases enter when the door is opened. A niche is bought ready-made complete with a sliding system or made independently from drywall or other building materials.
Radius Doors
The radius model is a non-standard design solution. It differs from other models in that it is not designed to save space, but rather the opposite. Therefore, this type of door is designed for large rooms: supermarkets, offices, country houses, and sometimes apartments.
As for the design features, the radius model is similar to traditional sliding solutions. The main difference is the semicircular shape of the products.
Cascading doors
This version of the sliding system is designed in the same way as the traditional one. But it is not like other designs in that each web moves on a separate rail.
Such a system is used as a partition between rooms or collect all the doors on either side of the wall and close the room only one of them wide.
Interior doors
They are designed so that the entire structure is inside the opening. The canvases move towards each other, while leaving ½ of the opening for passage.
The difference in sliding mechanisms
The mechanisms that form the basis for the operation of sliding systems are of two types:
- Flush or internal. The name already speaks for itself: the device provides for the movement of the canvas inside the wall. This design must be planned at the stage of wall construction, as inside it is equipped with a pencil case for the door. It expands due to a decrease in usable area, but this frees up space along a vertical surface. You can put furniture here, hang pictures.
- Outdoor or outdoor. This system does not require special construction work, so it can be installed at any time. The sliding structure is designed so that the flaps move along the rails along a vertical surface. Therefore, the place on one or both sides of the wall should be left free.
If we compare these two types with each other, then the open mechanism gives more freedom of action. You can choose a design of four paintings, which is especially suitable for wide openings.
With two guides
The canvases move on wheels along the guides, which are located below on the floor or at the top. Due to such a device, the shutters do not warp during operation.
The disadvantage of the design is regular contamination of the bottom rail.
With one guide
This type of mechanism assumes that the main parts of the structure will only move along the top rail. This option is called "suspended", since the canvas is in a suspended state.
Installation of the system with one rail is carried out only to strong walls. The device includes: aluminum profile, frame mounting kit, roller mechanisms, stoppers.
The quality of the design is largely dependent on the rollers. Discard the plastic wheels without bearings, as they adversely affect the life of the device, the overall performance of the device. Choose castors with silicone or rubber tires. Their number is determined from the calculation: 1 set per 70 kg of door leaf weight.
To ensure that the leaves do not come off the upper rails, stoppers are used during installation. And the appearance of gaps is prevented by special flags. The main advantages of this mechanism are: soft and quiet movement of the leaves and a high-strength system.
The choice of the type of guide mechanism depends on the type of product. So, when installing a cascade door, two roller mechanisms and guides with 2 grooves are placed on each leaf, and the upper and lower rails are equipped for glass.
Standard and non-standard door leaf sizes
Standard
As for the size of the paintings, each state has its own standards. In Russia, the height is usually two meters (draft opening height 210 cm), and the width of single-leaf products is from 0.6 to 0.9 m.
In the same size range, manufacturing companies produce sliding structures. Therefore, it is not difficult to choose the right product option for a standard opening.
Non-standard
Given that non-standard options are custom-made, they will cost a lot. In the manufacture of products, materials such as glass and a mirror are more often chosen.
Glass devices give the interior lightness, weightlessness, and mirrored ones make the room visually large. No less popular are deaf products from various tree species.
If you want to order products whose width is greater or less than generally accepted standards, make sure you have enough space to fully open the wings. To do this, measure the width of the vertical surface. It should be larger or equal to the width of the canvas.
To order, you can also make non-standard products in height. These are, for example, models with arches or transoms.
Manual and automatic sliding doors
There are two ways to open and close sliding models: manual and automatic. The first is understood as the application by a person of physical effort in order to open the wings.
Automatic designs are equipped with special sensors. They emit infrared rays that respond to human movement.. Such a device is very convenient to use, as it is practical and easy to operate.
A manual sliding system can also be made automated if desired. To do this, you need to buy an appropriate set of equipment, the cost of which is approximately $ 700.
Automatic devices, despite all their advantages, are not quite popular at home, as their price is sometimes unbearable for the family budget. But they can often be seen in offices, shops, office buildings.
Self-installation of sliding interior sliding doors
Installation of interior doors-coupe with your own hands requires a lot of effort and a responsible approach. However, it is quite possible to cope with this task if you follow the instructions step by step.
However, before you begin, make sure that you have everything you need at your fingertips:
- Doors, box, cashing;
- Accessories (lock, handle, runners, rollers);
- Bar 0.5x0.3m;
- Mount;
- Tools: drill, chisel, level, hacksaw, tape measure.
If the product weighs over 27 kg, then four rollers will be needed for the design. Think about hidden options for locks and handles. When operating a sliding system, they will not spoil your wallpaper and wall.
Armed with everything you need, proceed to the first stage.
Training
The first step is to determine the installation location, the number of wings. Think about how they will open, interact with each other. Decide how the product will be mounted: hang the sliding products on the top rail or hide them inside the pencil case.
Remove the old door structure and make sure that the opening is in the correct condition. The door frame is mounted so that the gap between the canvas and the floor in the living rooms is 1 cm.
Interior doorway
- Measure the width and height of the opening. Experts advise to take measurements in three places for greater accuracy: top, middle and bottom. In addition, it is important to determine the height of the web in closed and open form. This will allow for possible curvature of the floor.
- Attach a wooden beam. To do this, measure the width of the rail from the top of the box, draw a straight line at the level of which the beam will be installed. Its middle should be above the part of the box towards which the canvas will ride. The width of the pole must be such that after finishing the device closes unhindered.
- Install the upper guides. The rails are attached to the beam with hardware. Using the rollers, you can check how correctly everything is installed. If they slide freely, continue to the next step. Otherwise, everything will have to be redone again.
- Install the lower skids in one of the following ways.:
- The guide on which the rollers will ride starts up in the rough floor.
- The rails are installed on the final floor and additionally make a threshold to protect them from destruction.
- Installation of a packet knife, the function of which is to adjust the movement of the blade in a given direction.
The installation of a non-threshold sliding model is good in that it does not require the destruction of the finishing floor. The mechanism is based on carriages with rollers on ball bearings that drive on runners. The rails above the opening are camouflaged under a decorative strip.
Sliding door assembly
At this stage, the roller mechanism is placed on the upper end of the door. Then we go down to the bottom. From its two sides, at a distance of 1.5 cm from the edges, we drill holes, and then we make a groove between them 2 mm wide and about 10-18 mm deep (knife height).
End-free areas at the end will act as a limiter.
Installation of accessories for sliding doors
This is a rather time-consuming process, so if possible, trust the master. If you decide to do the work yourself, then be extremely careful and accurate and follow the attached instructions. Otherwise, you can damage the product due to inexperience or negligence.
Installation of a sliding interior door
The shutters are put in runners and check how they move. If there are no problems, rubber shock absorbers are installed in the guides, which act as limiters. They do not allow products to go off the rails during movement, and also make their stop soft, silent.
Sliding Door Decoration
To make the opening look aesthetically pleasing, it is necessary to hide all structural elements. Use the overhead bars for this. Install decorative elements on the box and top rails.
However, there are cases when there is no need to use trim. Sometimes design elements are part of a design decision. This is typical for Art Nouveau or high-tech interiors.
Having gone through all the steps in order, you can enjoy the fruits of your labor. Ideally, the sliding doors should look in section, as in the drawing:
Installing a sliding system is only half the battle, the second half is its correct operation. Therefore, observe the following rules:
- Remove debris from the guides, otherwise this will cause the device to stop working.
- Close and open the wings with smooth movements. Careless operation will lead to the early wear of the roller mechanism or the loss of the stop.
- Regularly check the condition of the fittings. Replace worn rollers in time so that the rails do not deform.
- When caring for paintings, glasses and other components, buy special products.
Choosing sliding products, you get a double benefit: practicality and beauty.