How does the sliding door mechanism work in sliding wardrobes?
The sliding wardrobe has a certain sliding system, thanks to which doors of this type open. To close them, simply move them towards each other with a smooth movement. The service life, comfort of use and installation methods depend on the quality characteristics of such a device.
The smooth opening of the cabinet doors occurs due to the sliding system.
Sliding systems for sliding wardrobes operate using two types of mechanisms:
Support
Includes two profiles: upper and lower, which are fixed inside the furniture frame. There are rail guides inside, hidden from view. It is along them that the rollers move. The profile located at the bottom is subject to the main load, the top one is used for support and is intended to perform a guiding function.
The support mechanism has profiles at the top and bottom.
The disadvantage of such a system is that the bottom rail is completely open, dirt and dust begin to accumulate in it, and the depth of the space inside the furniture creeps by about ten centimeters.
Suspension
Only the top profile is installed. The door also moves thanks to rollers. The only difference from the first option is that the canvas is in a suspended position. In this case, the load is received by the profile located at the top. The fixing element is fixed to the lower structure.
Only the top profile is present in the hanging mechanism.
The advantages include a fairly smooth ride, saving space inside the furniture, and the absence of a bottom rail. Disadvantage: complicated installation, withstands significantly less load, products with a support mechanism.
In inexpensive options, the rollers may begin to wear out quickly. Because of this, the doors will not open well. Saving can lead to unnecessary financial expenses.
Tips for choosing
When choosing ready-made furniture or ordering according to individual measurements, you need to pay attention to the sliding wardrobe system used. The following recommendations will help you avoid becoming a victim of unscrupulous manufacturers:
- During operation of the cabinet, the main load falls on the door opening mechanism, so it is worth choosing high-quality fittings. The most durable sliding systems are made of aluminum alloys.
- When choosing a wardrobe for a child's room, you need to take into account the age of the child. Since furniture for children does not need a very long service life, you can save a little on fittings, for example, instead of aluminum profiles, purchase steel ones, which are also quite reliable. Over time, the cabinet will still have to be replaced, so there is no point in spending money on expensive parts.
- When purchasing bedroom furniture, you need to make sure that it has a sliding door lock installed, which allows you to close the facades as silently as possible. This is convenient when one of the spouses is still sleeping, and the other needs to use the closet.
When choosing a wardrobe that divides a room into zones, it is worth considering that the back wall should be made of facing material.
When choosing a particular cabinet model, you must check the quality certificate. This document confirms that the furniture is made of safe materials. If they refuse to present the certificate, you should think about the feasibility of such an acquisition.
Advantages of sliding wardrobes with photo printing, popular images
You should choose high-quality fittings, since the entire load falls on the doors
When choosing a wardrobe for a nursery, you can save on a sliding system
The bedroom closet must be equipped with a door lock
The back wall of the partition cabinet must be made of facing material
Types of doors for wardrobes
There is simply a huge range of varieties of doors for sliding wardrobes on the market. Sometimes such a choice can scare the buyer, especially if he is not very versed in such mechanisms. Very original sliding door systems can be manufactured for sliding wardrobes.
There are several types of systems for sliding wardrobe doors on the market.
According to the material of manufacture
If poor quality material was used in the production of this product, it will not last long. It is recommended to pay attention to the following types:
Steel
Used for budget systems. The advantages include increased strength, reliability, durability, and practicality. Furniture with fittings made from such material will last a long time, but only if it is treated with care.
The steel profile is a budget profile, but has fairly good characteristics.
Aluminum
The price for such products is not cheap. Frames for rails and door panels are made from it. Such doors operate smoothly, do not make sounds during operation, and have excellent performance parameters.
An aluminum profile has a smoother ride and is more expensive.
Important! If the case contains inserts made of any other material, it must be of the highest quality. Otherwise, the entire reliability and strength of the cabinet will be reduced, as will its service life.
All cabinet parts must be made of high quality materials.
Depending on the shape of the door and the presence of a frame
Each model has its own individual shape, sliding mechanism and frame. Based on these characteristics, the following types of sliding mechanisms can be distinguished:
- Roller - when the roller is located inside the rail profile, the movement of the door leaf occurs quietly and smoothly. The mechanism has the form of an isolated suspension.
- Frameless - the rollers are fixed on the door panel itself, there are no profiles at all. But such structures quickly wear out, become deformed and lose functionality. Considering their low cost, this is not surprising.
- Frame - made of steel or aluminum. These doors are very stylish and laconic. The steel version is hollow, so over time it may begin to deform. Aluminum is more expensive, but its service life is much longer.
- Radius - curved profiles are used, since the contours of this product are non-standard. During development, the shape of each individual model is taken into account.
All options have their advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is recommended to be careful when selecting. It is also not recommended to save money.
By type of guides
Each wardrobe model differs from each other in the type of guides. These elements are responsible for the manufacture of the door and the smooth running of its rollers during operation.
The guides are responsible for the smooth movement of the door.
Guides can be divided into two groups:
- based on the installation location (upper or lower);
- based on the number of doors in the structure (double or single).
Doors can be double or single.
Additional Information! Based on the type of guide, the price category of the products depends. This criterion is very important when selecting sliding wardrobes.
The type of guides affects the price of the entire product.
What is a coplanar system for sliding wardrobes and what are its advantages
In the future, coplanar sliding wardrobes will compete with conventional ones, and this will happen in the coming years. Remember the period of widespread replacement of sliding wardrobes. At first, the latter were “intimidated” by the price, but over time they became quite affordable. Today, the main flagships on the Russian market promoting coplanar coupe systems are Hettich (Austria) and Cinetto (Italy). Both brands can be classified as premium segment, with a corresponding level of price-quality ratio. But over time, many budget analogues of acceptable quality will appear; this is an inevitable process.
The main advantage of coplanar systems for sliding wardrobes is the completely hidden sliding mechanisms. Bearing and support rails, rollers and other components are invisible after installing the compartment doors. You only see the door panels and that’s it. This adds aesthetics to the overall design of the cabinet.
Due to the special design of the running brackets, when opened, the door leaf first moves forward, leaving its original plane, and approaches the fixed facade. There is no longer a need to allocate 80-100mm for sliding doors, taking away useful space from the internal filling of the cabinet. Now the body can be fully used for shelves, hangers, pull-out baskets and drawers.
Also worth highlighting are the following advantages:
- Possibility of installation on a cabinet body with hinged doors. It will be necessary to make minimal changes (lower the roof level and “sink” the base deeper).
- Silent and smooth sliding of the doors. Most coplanar systems for sliding wardrobes from different manufacturers provide for double-sided damping and smooth pulling of the door into the closed position. Optional – installation of an electric drive.
- Possibility of adjusting the extension of the sliding compartment door. Built-in adjustment allows you to adjust the facade in different planes and select the optimal position, with different gaps for extending one door relative to another.
- High load-bearing capacity of the suspension mechanism. In most coplanar systems for sliding wardrobes, the weight of the sliding facade can reach 60 kg with a height of up to 2.8 m. In this case, the approach is “welcome” - the wider the door, the better. So, for a two-door coplanar wardrobe, the width of the front part can be increased to 3 m on average, for a three-door wardrobe - up to 5 m (the length may differ from one manufacturer to another!)
- Any material with a thickness of 18-55mm can be used as a door leaf. This can be MDF, laminated chipboard, solid wood, overlay glass, mirrors and other decorative elements, which gives variety in the implementation of various designs.
Mechanism for sliding wardrobe doors
Sliding doors will be relevant in a room of any size. After all, they can save space. Support type rollers are the most widely used. In this embodiment, the support occurs on the rail located below. They are used in almost any prefab installation.
Sliding doors are suitable for any room.
Suspension-type mechanisms are used much less frequently. They will be optimal for built-in furniture, that is, where the guides are attached to a concrete block. In this case, the upper support is used.
The hanging mechanism is more often used in a built-in wardrobe.
The monorail system includes two pairs of rollers, each of which serves a separate carriage. This mechanism is relatively complex and is suitable for both built-in wardrobes and walk-in closets.
The monorail system is suitable for any type of cabinet.
Elements of internal filling and pull-out components for sliding wardrobes
Manufacturers pay special attention to the distribution of internal space in the cabinet. The more successfully the filling is selected, the more spacious and comfortable the furniture
Sets of accessories for a wardrobe can be very diverse. When choosing furniture filling, you need to decide in advance what things will be stored inside and how they will be arranged there.
The internal contents of the wardrobe can be varied, depending on the wishes and needs of the client
Common types of retractable furniture fittings for sliding wardrobes
Many elements of the internal filling function due to retractable fittings. These products are predominantly metal or plastic guides.
There are several types of retractable fittings:
- Roller is the most common component option. Such fittings can withstand weight loads of up to 25 kg. Often these products are supplied complete with a door closer.
- Ball-type – internal filling elements that move thanks to balls. This type of fittings has a wide range of sizes and also ensures easy opening of drawers.
- Tandems are a type of product installed inside a box. The system allows you to use maximum space in the closet. The width of the gap does not exceed 4 mm. Tandems operate silently, and a huge number of components for them can be found on sale.
- Metaboxes are systems that are made of plastic or metal (steel). They consist of drawer sides and guides equipped with rollers. Metaboxes allow you to pull out the drawer partially or completely. These products are made in different sizes.
Pull-out fittings in sliding wardrobes can be roller or ball
Additional components for compartment-type cabinets: elements of internal filling
The internal filling elements have a fixed size, which must be taken into account at the cabinet planning stage and when purchasing fittings. They allow you to neatly place shoes and clothes, as well as other items.
Common elements of interior fittings include:
- The rod is a metal pipe that is installed horizontally inside the cabinet between its walls. It is intended for hangers with clothes.
- Hangers look like a rod and are mounted across the cabinet. Such structures move forward, although stationary options are also available.
- Trouser - there are several configurations of such products. The most successful option is the one with pins. When installed, this element is fixed on the back wall of the cabinet or on its sides.
- Pull-out storage systems are boxes or mesh baskets.
The rods are designed for placing hangers with clothes inside the closet
In addition, the closet may contain holders with hooks for belts, shoe shelves, tie holders, and pantographs. If necessary, you can supplement this set with special wire holders for an iron and a vacuum cleaner hose. This category of products also includes furniture legs and shelf holders made of metal and plastic.
Furniture manufacturers offer a huge selection of fittings and components for sliding-type wardrobes, so each buyer can independently organize the internal space and use it to the maximum. Of course, it is not necessary to install all of the items listed, but some of them can be very useful. You just need to be guided by your own needs.
Types of fastening wardrobe doors
The sliding wardrobe has a special system for opening the door leaf. It differs significantly from the swing version. It will also require special types of fastening. These include:
- Profiles – designed for use of doors. Can be made from aluminum or steel. The first ones have a hard surface, long service life and resistance to various mechanical damage. The second ones are used in inexpensive options; due to limitations in colors, they lose their popularity.
- Guides – doors move along them. The set includes two pieces: one is installed on the top bar, the second on the bottom.
- Rollers - look like wheels, due to which the doors move. The smoothness of door opening depends on their quality.
- Stoppers – fix the door leaf in the required position.
- Seals – due to them, the surface does not deteriorate from the inside. Thanks to them, the door fits tightly to the body.
Each type is of particular importance in the production of sliding devices. It is thanks to them that the door leaf is perfectly attached, has a long service life and is comfortable to use.
Note! Installing a latch or stopper prevents sliding doors from moving in different directions. Its installation should be done in a recess located in the lower profile.
When the roller hits such a structure, it securely fixes the doors in the required position.
The latch securely secures the doors in the desired position.
Selecting a bottom support system
The first step is to decide on the choice of sliding door system. When the task is to install a bottom-mounted sliding door, RIAL.PRO offers a choice of five systems. They differ in cost, technical features and components.
“Universal” is the most affordable and popular branded system from the manufacturer RIAL.PRO. They are characterized by ease of assembly and low cost with high reliability of all elements.
"Ramir" is a system with a frame structure that can be assembled from any materials.
The Alliance lower support system does not have a frame. The door in it moves along the lower guide, while the rollers are attached with self-tapping screws to the door leaf.
A successful purchase of a two-door or three-door system, its correct installation and durability directly depend on the competent calculation of all elements.
We also suggest watching a video with visual instructions for calculating the size of doors (Ramir and Universal) 3D
Installation of sliding doors
Individual sliding doors open up many possibilities for us to decorate the interior of the house and use it for various needs.
With the help of compartment doors, you can divide the space of the dressing room and bedroom and decorate the interior of the house, while you get full access to the things in the closet, leaving more free space around.
To produce doors to a particular place in the house, you must first make an accurate measurement of the opening of a cabinet or niche, then the sliding doors are made in a specialized production of custom-made sliding doors. After the doors are made, they are delivered to the customer (the service is free) and they can be installed.
The process of installing and configuring sliding compartment doors is generally not a complicated process, and you can install compartment doors yourself, doing everything yourself, the main thing is to carefully follow all the steps of the installation instructions and the recommendations of specialists.
Our company, as a manufacturer, still recommends using the assembly and installation service of sliding compartment doors from our specialists with a guarantee for the work performed.
Which mechanism is better to choose for wardrobe doors?
When selecting a mechanism, the first thing to consider is the weight and material from which the furniture is made. In order for the device to be as stable as possible, the rollers are installed both at the top and at the bottom. To control the width of the open door, a special blocker (limiter) is used.
The door mechanism is selected taking into account all the parameters of the cabinet.
Thanks to him, the doors will not be able to move too far away from each other. Rail parts should be selected based on the material and number of doors. The length of the track directly depends on the width of the cabinet.
The main task of a wardrobe is to accommodate as many clothes as possible. It copes with this function perfectly. In addition, furniture takes up minimal space.
How to calculate the size of the door leaf for a sliding wardrobe
First of all, indicators such as the height of the opening and its width are measured. Be sure to measure with a level so that the guides do not tilt - if they are not adjusted, the sashes may roll down.
First you need to determine the height of the ceiling (standard height 2500 mm) and subtract 4 centimeters of the gap for the guides - the resulting value will be the height of the door leaf:
After determining the height, the width is determined. It will depend on the type of handle being installed, of which there are two main types: open (opens from the side where the hook is located) and closed (the same everywhere). For this reason, the width will vary.
The width of the door leaf is also calculated depending on the number of door leaves - when their dimensions are determined, it is taken into account that they are mounted overlapping so that they can open freely in all directions.
If the cabinet has 2 doors, there will be one overlap, out of three - two, four - here are the options: two or three overlaps. It is clear that the width depends on the number of door structures. For example, if there are 3 two doors in the closet, the sum of their widths should be approximately 2 centimeters greater than the size of the opening (due to overlap).
The visible length (L) + overlaps is the desired indicator, which must be divided by the required number of sashes:
ARES3 - you won't find anything better for a large closet!
ARES3, unlike HORUS and ARES2, can be installed in wider wardrobes - the length of the guide can reach 2700 mm, that is, 2.7 m. The width of the guide is 91 mm, which allows you to securely hold the most massive doors. ARES3 provides owners with the opportunity to install glass and mirror inserts of almost any size (a special kit and connecting profile are used), as it can withstand the weight of the door leaf up to 120 kg. Supplied with felt pads and holders. The color of the profile for the last option under consideration can be selected from gold, silver or bronze, due to which such a complex will make your interior even better. In addition, the top guide is equipped with a masking strip.
Useful tips
To correctly determine which sliding system to choose for your wardrobe, you need to consider the following recommendations:
1. Most often, people prefer to choose bottom-support movement technology for sliding wardrobe doors. It is much easier to operate and more affordable financially than the top-mounted one. The door leaf will move smoothly thanks to the upper and lower rollers, using the latter as support.
2. Top-support technology will be appropriate for built-in wardrobes and full-fledged dressing rooms. The top mount bears the entire weight of the entire structure. This solution has its advantages: for example, there are no obstacles in the form of guides on the floor, which is very useful in the listed places. For the top guide, you will also need to make additional decoration, since manufacturers do not attach importance to beauty, but focus on the load-bearing function.
