Types of profiles for wardrobe doors, selection criteria

Sliding wardrobes are popular designs designed to store numerous things and other items. They come in different sizes, are usually equipped with two or three sliding doors, and can also be made from various materials. The greatest convenience of this furniture for many people is that it is equipped with sliding doors, which are comfortable and silent during use. To use them, a special mechanism is used, and the profile for sliding wardrobes is its component.

Purpose

The profile for a sliding wardrobe is combined into a single mechanism through the use of several elements at once, which include a handle, edging and guides. The profile provides the ability to quickly, silently and safely open or close the door. How long people can use the cabinet depends on its quality, reliability and material of creation. Profiles for sliding wardrobes are produced in several types, and they differ in the material of production. Aluminum structures are considered the most popular.

Products are produced by different companies, and the most durable and durable is the German element, made from truly high-quality raw materials.

Varieties

Sliding wardrobes use a vertical profile, which can be created from different materials. Also, this element may differ in size, color and cost. When choosing a specific type, all these parameters must be taken into account, since if it is chosen incorrectly, this will lead to the fact that the cabinet will be inconvenient to use, and it will not last too long.

Steel

High-quality steel is often used to create the product. The resulting item has some specific features:

• affordable cost, so every cabinet owner who needs to carry out repair work associated with replacing the profile will not incur significant expenses;
• This item is presented in only one variety, therefore it is not equipped with any additional elements that increase its strength and service life;
• steel products are usually produced only by domestic production companies, so their quality is not considered too high, and they are not always suitable for interior items made in any foreign countries;
• the dimensions of such a profile can be different, so it is possible to choose the ideal model for a specific type of furniture;
• the color of steel products can be different, so you can choose a white element or some other, so it will perfectly match the color of the interior item itself for which it is purchased, but steel products are produced in a limited color palette;
• If during operation the integrity of the outer coating of such a product is compromised, then a corrosion process will begin, leading to the destruction of the structure.

Thus, steel profiles for sliding doors have both advantages and certain disadvantages, which must be taken into account before purchasing. If the buyer has a cabinet made by a German or other foreign company, then such a product may not fit this furniture. It is also important that the color of the structure be the same as the handle and other furniture elements, and due to the limited color range, it is often impossible to choose the optimal color of a steel product.

Aluminum

The aluminum profile has many positive parameters. These include:

• long service life;
• resistance to corrosion;
• the dimensions of the structure may be different, so it is possible to select the optimal dimensions for a specific piece of furniture, and the width may not even exceed 16 mm;
• the color of the element may be different, so you can choose a product in white or some other shade;
• aluminum profiles for sliding wardrobes are lightweight, so their installation is considered a simple and quick job, and also does not have a serious impact on the main elements of the furniture;
• a narrow profile, the width of which does not exceed 16 mm, can have an anodic coating or can be wrapped in polyvinyl chloride, which additionally gives it greater rigidity and strength;
• Aluminum parts are offered by both domestic companies and various foreign companies, so they are perfect for almost all models of furniture.

Thus, aluminum products are considered in demand and popular. They are chosen if you need to use a thinner design, and it is also important to choose the same color as the cabinet handle on the door.

Kinds

There are 4 types of sliding systems:

1. Hanging. The load falls on the upper moving elements. Reliable mechanism, but over time the doors can become loose. To avoid this, it is advisable to install stabilizers.
2. Supporting. The main component of the sliding structure is the lower profile. The upper part of the door is only fixed; the tilt is easily adjusted using rollers. The downside is dust and contamination of the runners, leading to premature wear of the elements. Regular cleaning or installation of belt brushes is necessary.
3. Universal. They are found quite often and perform the functions of two other systems.
4. Coplanar. Modern mechanisms of high quality and excellent functionality. The peculiarity of the system is that the door first moves forward and then to the side.

Depending on the place of application, there are six types of guides, which are designed to ensure reliable operation of the doors. These include:

• horizontal bottom bar;
• vertical profile;
• top guide;
• bottom guide;
• top bar;
• connecting profile.

How to properly assemble a wardrobe with your own hands, step-by-step tips

Hanging

Support

Universal

Coplanar

Horizontal bottom bar

Has symmetrical shapes. In cross section, the profile resembles the letter “H”. The main function is to fix the rollers. The plank also covers the moving elements, giving the structure an aesthetic appearance. It is mounted on the end of the lower edge of the door using self-tapping screws. The profile thickness is approximately 12.5–14.5 mm, length is about 5.4 m. A possible disadvantage of the horizontal bottom strip is low quality due to non-compliance with production standards by the manufacturer.

Vertical profile

Performs the important function of connecting the door leaf with other parts of the sliding mechanism. Serves as a door frame element on both sides. The furniture components market offers various shapes and sizes of such parts. The most popular are handle profiles for 16 mm sliding wardrobes.

There are two types of vertical profile:

1. Open. It has an aesthetic design and can be used as a pen. It has an asymmetrical curve in the shape of the letter “C” and is considered the most popular.
2. Closed. It has a symmetrical shape in the form of the letter “H” and is in great demand.

Disadvantages may be of the following nature:

1. The dimensions of the vertical rims do not match the parameters of the doors. The larger and more massive it is, the thicker the profile walls should be.
2. Violation of standard requirements by the manufacturer in order to save material.

Open

Closed

Top guide

This part of the sliding doors is a profile with recesses for the free movement of wheels. It is fixed to the ceiling or wall using wooden beams or metal angles. The top guide must be made of durable material. Aluminum has many advantages - it is durable, environmentally friendly and ensures smooth movement of the rollers.

The fittings are used in hanging systems, where they bear the main load. Such mechanisms do not use floor guides. For this reason, doors vibrate and become loose over time. The cabinet profile can have either a straight or curved shape.

Top guides come in lengths from 2 to 6 meters. There are modifications with different sections: 20 x 32 mm, 29 x 31 mm, 30 x 32 mm, 34 x 37.7 mm, 35 x 32 mm. The parameters are selected depending on the size of the wardrobes and door panels. Disadvantage: like other types of guides, they accumulate dust inside.

Bottom guide

This profile is also designed for wardrobe doors. The lower guide is under constant load, since it is a support. Self-tapping screws or double-sided tape are used for fastening to the floor.

Variety of models of two-door wardrobes, examples of placement

Depending on the number of doors, the lower guides have from 1 to 3 runners. For convenience, a single profile is usually recessed and leveled with the floor. In this case, it will not protrude outward and will add aesthetics.

Bottom guides have some advantages:

• unlike the upper ones, they ensure smooth movement of the door leaf along the rollers;
• are more durable.

Flaws:

• frequent clogging of the runners, the need for regular cleaning;
• premature wear due to the accumulation of dirt and dust.

Bottom guides are available in a length of 5.4 m, 10 pieces per package. Single profiles have the following popular sizes: width - 24.8 mm, height - 7.4 mm. Double - 62.8 and 8 mm, respectively.

Upper bar

It is attached to the top of the door and connects it to the rollers. It is a profile consisting of 1, 2 or 3 square or rectangular sections. The most common size is 14.5 x 21 mm. Standard length is 5.4 m.

Connecting profile

It is also called intersectional. Finds application in combined wardrobes as an element connecting different materials. There are such details of wavy, straight, curved and even zigzag shapes. The profiles are designed for one door, so they are smaller in size than other types of components. The popular parameters are 14.5 x 25 mm and 12.4 x 21.5 mm.

Characteristics

When choosing a profile, its size, color and other parameters are certainly taken into account. The main characteristics include:

• the thickness should be optimal, but is usually chosen within 16 mm;
• processing can be carried out in different ways, so an anode or a protective lash can be used;
• the product is sold in individual rods or by the linear meter;
• the design is sold complete with other elements necessary for installing sliding wardrobe doors, and often includes a handle, rollers, guides and other items;
• The color palette is considered wide, so you can choose a white profile, black or any other, so it will ideally suit a specific cabinet.

For many buyers, the manufacturer is considered a significant profile parameter, since well-known German companies supply truly high-quality and durable structures to the Russian market.

Staining methods

There are several ways to decorate profiles. The main ones are:

1. Anodizing. The essence of this method is to create an oxide layer. It gives the profile a beautiful appearance, prevents abrasion and tarnishing, makes the material waterproof, and strengthens its properties.
2. Quartzization. Mainly used as an auxiliary method. Using brush grinding, thoroughly clean the part.
3. Cataphoresis. Repeated treatment of the profile with chemical agents ensures an ideal coating without pores or unevenness. After such procedures, the surface becomes smooth and shiny.
4. Wrapping in PVC. Allows you to create different textures and increases resistance to mechanical damage.
5. Veneering. The profile is covered with a wood layer. Ideal for adding texture to a variety of rocks. Varnish is applied to the finished veneer.

Types, sizes and designs of radius sliding wardrobes, placement tips

Anodizing

Cataphoresis

PVC film

Veneering

Dimensions

The profile can have different lengths, as can the handle, as well as other elements of the wardrobe. This is due to the fact that each model has different dimensions. Additionally, this parameter is influenced by the specifics of the production company.

Some door models have non-standard and specific dimensions, so they require a thin profile. When determining the optimal profile size, the following parameters are taken into account:

• door leaf width;
• length of connecting parts;
• the size of the separators;
• parameters of the wardrobe itself.

If during use of the structure a situation arises in which the main elements of the doors, to which the profile belongs, are destroyed, then you will have to buy new parts. To do this, it is recommended to take the broken part with you in order to select the optimal profile in terms of dimensions. If it does not have the required dimensions, this may lead to deformation of the door leaf or failure of the entire door opening mechanism.

How to find out the size of a wardrobe door?

To find out the length of the guides for cabinet products, you must use the formula:

Profile length = opening length – 2 mm

Important! The length is reduced to facilitate the installation procedure.

Profile length for built-in devices:

Profile length = door lampshade length + 40 mm

The length is increased in order to have the potential to adjust the size during installation. Because the size of the top and bottom profiles will vary.

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Color spectrum

Profiles for sliding wardrobe doors can have different colors. This is due to the fact that absolutely all elements used in the manufacture of this type of furniture must have exactly the same shade.

To paint a metal element, a special anodizing technology is used, which ensures an attractive, resistant and durable coating of the desired shade. Additionally, it is possible to imitate bronze, gold or other shiny metals that have an amazing appearance.

If inexpensive steel profiles are chosen, they are painted in different shades using not very high-quality paint, so often after a short service life such a coating begins to peel off and lose its attractiveness.

Thus, in order to form high-quality, easy-to-use and reliable sliding doors for sliding wardrobes, a special integral mechanism is certainly formed, consisting of several elements, which include profiles. They are made from different materials and come in a variety of sizes and shades. It is important to correctly select the design for the existing furniture so that it fits perfectly with the size of the doors and the dimensions of the cabinet itself.