Do-it-yourself sliding-door wardrobe doors

It is very convenient when it is possible to place all your belongings in a separate small room. They are always neatly arranged and systematized, so finding something is not difficult. It also allows you to maintain a good appearance of clothing for a longer period. But the house does not always have a place for such a room. To save space, you can use sliding doors for the dressing room.

Advantages and disadvantages

The choice of sliding doors for the dressing room is always determined not only by the interior design and layout of the apartment, but also by the functionality. In Moscow and other major cities in stores you can see a huge variety of such mechanisms, thanks to which the door fits into both the modern and classic style of room design. You can also make an order for individual production. How much such structures cost depends on the manufacturer and the material.

Among the advantages of sliding doors are the following:

1. Sliding rail doors are an excellent choice when space is scarce. When the structure is open, it does not take up extra space. This is a huge advantage over casement models that cannot be installed in narrow corridors or other small rooms.
2. A large number of options for facades. The coating can be glass, mirror, wood or stone. For a wardrobe, a mirror is most often chosen as a cladding.
3. Strong drafts do not slam the door. This means that the compartment type of construction is safer for children and animals. It is also more difficult for kids to open the sliding door. This is another safety feature.

But such models have their drawbacks. For example, they are quite difficult to design, so it is unlikely to be able to get them cheap. Also, they need to be handled carefully. Among the main disadvantages are the following:

1. Folding doors will not work in places where odors accumulate. They let in air, so a closet located near the kitchen should be equipped with folding models.
2. Short service life of mobile mechanisms. Because of this, repairs have to be carried out relatively often. Of course, when buying, you can order an additional set of accessories, but it will cost more.
3. One cannot fully hope for a design; it can be let down at any moment. If the guest thinks that the door is swinging, he will easily break it with a strong jerk.
4. Inability to open immediately across the entire width.

Little depends on the type of panels themselves. When buying, you need to pay attention to components. There should be high-quality rollers, aluminum profiles, rack and pinion elements.

Types of Sliding Systems

Now the stores have a very large assortment of facades for wardrobes, which will suit any interior and layout. Which model to choose, the owner decides, but it is better not to buy the cheapest option.

There is a main range of mechanisms, which is based on suspended and supporting sliding solutions:

1. The lower support type of partitions includes several types of doors, among which the most popular is the coupe. This is a relatively inexpensive option. The main design feature is that the bulk of the facade rests on a lower profile made of aluminum or steel.Rails are divided into mortise and overhead. Installation of the first is more time-consuming, but their final appearance is better.
2. Lightweight facades are used for suspended structures, although this type is more reliable and modern. The upper profile is designed for heavy loads, so it is made more massive and wide. There is a special system that stabilizes the light canvas, which prevents falling and swaying.

These are two basic design decisions. In addition to a different way of fixing, the doors are also divided into types. The most popular are:

1. Coupe. The most common system with a lower support. Absolutely any size can be selected (even quite small).
2. Pencil case. The door in this case is hiding in the wall during opening. The design cannot be used if the dressing room is equipped in a niche.
3. Book. Something between a sliding and swing model. When opened, it folds in half.
4. Harmonic. This is a screen that travels along rails. Installed clips on each segment.
5. Frameless. These are glass modules that do not have an explicit frame. All movable elements are fixed directly to the panel.

When choosing a design, most often in the foreground is the price. But you also need to consider the availability of free space and the rationality of the installation. For example, in some cases it is better to purchase a corner model.

Compartment and techno

The movement of the structure parallel to the wall is carried out thanks to roller mechanisms. In this form one door calls on another. Bearings are installed in the rollers, which is why the door travel is very easy and smooth. Also, during opening and closing, there is almost no noise. Aluminum or steel guide rails are fixed both from the bottom and from the top of the structure.

This type is relatively inexpensive, and installation can be done with your own hands. But the system has a rather significant drawback, which is the presence of a threshold. They are the lower guide. When using such doors as wardrobe doors, the profile will constantly have to be crossed. Also, it must be regularly cleaned of accumulated dust so that the roller mechanisms do not creak.

Techno is a type of compartment type. The peculiarity is that only the top rail is sufficient for operation. Fasteners are carried out either on the wall or on the ceiling. The advantage is that there is no threshold, which means that regular cleaning is not required to prevent creaking.

Pencil case and book

The door, made in the form of a pencil case, is a rather ambiguous and controversial design. She has many advantages and one serious drawback. The main advantage is that during opening the canvas is completely hidden in the compartment, which is specially prepared in the wall. Thanks to this, the passage remains free.

The disadvantage is that for the installation of such a structure you have to build a fake wall. It should correspond to the size of the canvas. You can also do with a wall plate, but it looks worse and takes up extra space. When creating a false wall, it is necessary to use special closers that will smoothly stop the door in the desired position.

The "book" mechanism has a similar principle of fastening with the "techno", since it also uses only the upper guide to ensure movement. But in this case, the canvas consists of two halves that fold during opening. This type of sliding system has a rather interesting appearance, but during installation it must be taken into account that additional space must be allocated for full opening.

Accordion and rotor mechanism

The design of the accordion is almost the same as that of the book. But the difference lies in the fact that in this case the canvas has several wings, which is why it completely folds during opening.During installation, you also need to provide enough space for full use. But when compared with a book, an accordion requires significantly less space.

The door, which has a rotary mechanism in its design, is a rather unusual product. It uses a special rotational device. The peculiarity lies in the fact that during opening the canvas can not only move in different directions, but also rotate.

It is not always possible to use standard locking systems with a regular tongue for tight closure, since the rotary door moves and rotates around its axis. In this case, it is better to use a magnetic system.

DIY Materials

During the independent manufacture of the sliding door, you can use a variety of materials, as well as their combinations. To create the canvas, natural wood, plastic, veneer, glass, mirror, particleboard and MDF, aluminum and so on are used. It is only necessary to observe the basic requirement, which consists in the compatibility of styles and practicality of use. For example, in rooms with a classic design, it is better to use natural wood. You can also use additional elements from frosted glass or add wood to a stained-glass window.

Chipboard or MDF boards are suitable for the budget option. A wide selection of colors allows you to create a canvas suitable for the style of the room. In this case, harmonica and book mechanisms look good.

To add brightness and originality, you can use colored plastic, metal, mirror or glass. It is advisable to combine several materials at once. It is also always possible to apply an original matte pattern to a mirror or glass. But you need to remember that for safety reasons, it is necessary to stick a special film on the glass sheets, which holds the fragments in case of surface damage.

Despite the advantages of mirrored and glass doors (visual expansion of the space, lightening the room, beautiful appearance), you need to understand that their manufacture is associated with large time and financial costs. Work requires skills not only in creating wardrobe doors, but also in using a special tool for cutting and engraving.

Do-it-yourself door creation

Mechanisms with a rotor and made like a pencil case are quite complex designs. Their manufacture and installation is preferably left to professionals. Do it yourself better door to any other type. There are several main steps in the assembly and installation process.

After the final choice of the type of door, you need to carefully measure the opening where the sliding mechanism will be attached. To do this as accurately as possible, you need to use a level and a plumb line.

The data obtained are transferred to the circuit to accurately determine the amount of required material. If the dressing room opening is less than one meter, then one door is enough. A two-door design is most optimal when the width does not exceed 200 cm.

Caracas for increasing rigidity is made of a conventional profile or a wooden beam. It is easier to work with the beam, but it will have to be additionally processed and painted. To securely fasten the inside of the canvas, you need rails.

You have to buy a special profile for sliding doors. It is needed to frame the panels. Also required are rollers with stops, guides and additional fittings. After fixing all the elements, the door is simply inserted into the guides.