How does the sliding door mechanism work in sliding wardrobes?
The sliding wardrobe has a certain sliding system, thanks to which the doors of this type open. To close them, simply move them closer together in a smooth motion. The service life, ease of use and installation methods depend on the quality characteristics of such a device.
Regular opening of the cabinet doors occurs due to the sliding system.
Sliding systems for sliding wardrobes operate in two types of mechanisms:
Support
Includes two profiles: upper and lower, fixed inside the cabinet frame. Inside there are railway tracks, disguised as eyes. It is along them that the rollers move. The lower profile is subject to the main load, the upper one serves as a support and performs a guiding function.
The support mechanism has upper and lower profiles.
The disadvantage of this system is that the bottom path is completely open, dirt and dust begin to accumulate in it, and the depth of the space inside the furniture spreads by about ten centimeters.
Suspension
Only the top profile is installed. The movement of the door also occurs thanks to rollers. The only difference from the first option is that the canvas is in a suspended state. In this case, the load is placed on the profile located on top. A fastening element is attached to the lower structure.
The suspension mechanism only has a top profile.
The advantages include a fairly smooth ride, saving space inside the furniture and the absence of a bottom guide. The disadvantage is that installation is complicated; they can withstand significantly less load; products with a support mechanism.
In budget 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.
What is it and how does it work?
The hanging system for sliding wardrobes is a set of sliding doors equipped with top-supporting or bottom-supporting rollers. It consists of an aluminum profile with a special coating. The system includes closers that allow you to close the doors carefully. The need for its appearance was dictated by the living conditions of many apartment owners and their families who do not have significant living space: it allows rational use of living space.
The hanging system for sliding wardrobes is a set of sliding doors equipped with top-supporting or bottom-supporting rollers.
The choice of the “right” one is determined by ideas about comfort.
Doors installed with this system move from the outside of the structure.
Basic shapes and configurations
Sliding wardrobes with sliding doors come in the following configurations and mounting options:
- with a raised profile that adapts to the door leaf, but does not stand out visually;
- frame - they do not differ in appearance, but are installed on a more durable base;
- suspended - fixed on the supports of the upper rollers, which can be seen if you look closely at the design;
- coplanar - allow you to install doors with a minimum gap between them: when these doors open, one leaf completely overlaps the other.
With overlapping profile Composition
Suspended Coplanar Varieties of sliding wardrobe doors allow you to choose the shape and size that will best facilitate their convenient use. The most common and classic shape of a sliding door is a flat rectangle. Its length depends on the height of the cabinet, and its width depends on the number of doors and the size of the space allocated for its location. In this case, built-in models usually reach the ceiling, while free-standing ones may be slightly lower.
Features of the suspension system for heavy doors
The classic hanging system for a door is a rail attached to the top lid of a cabinet or the top trim of a doorway, along which rollers move with the door leaf suspended on them. Thus, the entire weight load falls on the rail and the upper supporting element of the structure. At the bottom of the cabinet or doorway there is a bottom rail, which serves as a guide and limiting element, preventing the panel from swinging on the suspension. Rollers slide along the bottom rail, attached to the lower end of the door leaf and not bearing any weight load.
Designers of sliding systems focus on safety and comfort. This is why it is recommended to use suspended rather than support options. By using a support system, the consumer is not free from the danger of the door tipping and falling under certain circumstances. In addition, the lower guide often becomes clogged, which disrupts the smooth operation and creates obstacles for opening and closing.
For suspended systems, the danger lies primarily in the inertial force possessed by a massive door sliding on rollers. However, today we have learned to deal with this problem with the help of:
- patented shock-absorbing devices that are built into the carriage with rollers to absorb vibrations and soften the movement of the web;
- soft closing systems that protect hands from being hit by the door;
- locking devices that absorb the shock load when the end of the door leaf comes into contact with the locking mechanism;
- closers that ensure slow and reliable closing of the door.
All these devices not only ensure the safety of the user, protecting him from being hit by the door leaf flying on rollers along the guide, but also extend the life of the door. If they are not installed, the vibrations of the impact load that occurs when the door slams will loosen the connecting fittings and break the door leaf. This will not happen when using damping systems.
Installation features
There are two ways to install suspended systems:
- on the ceiling or on the top lid of a cabinet - usually used for sliding wardrobes, sliding interior partitions, wardrobe doors;
- on the wall above the doorway - used for installing interior doors or doors to a dressing room.
If the upper (load-bearing) guide is mounted not on a solid wall, but on a cabinet lid or on a light partition, then care must be taken to ensure the proper strength and rigidity of the material in order to avoid its deflections or other deformations under the weight of heavy doors. The top rail and rollers are usually masked with a decorative trim to maintain the overall aesthetics of the structure.
Types of doors for wardrobes
There is only a huge range of cabinet door types available in the market. Sometimes such a choice can scare the buyer, especially if he has little knowledge of such mechanisms. Very original sliding door systems for sliding wardrobes can be created.
There are several types of closet door systems on the market.
According to the material of manufacture
If low-quality material was used in the manufacture of this product, it will not last long. It is advisable to pay attention to such types as:
Steel
Used for budget systems. Benefits include increased strength, reliability, durability and convenience. Furniture with fittings made from such material will last a long time, but only if they are followed.
The steel profile is a budget profile, but has good characteristics.
Aluminum
The price for such products is not cheap. Frames for guides and door leaves are made from it. Such doors move smoothly, do not make sounds during operation and have excellent operating parameters.
Aluminum profile is smoother and more expensive.
Important! If the case has inserts of any other material, it must be of the highest quality. Otherwise, the reliability and strength of the cabinet will be reduced and its service life will be reduced.
All parts of the cabinet must be made of quality materials.
Types of hinged doors
This:
- Hinged door. The canvas is suspended on the upper fittings and fixed on the lower one;
- Support door. The wings are supported by the lower rollers, and the upper fittings are used to fix and support the door. They are easier to install and cost less, but the sashes may have play relative to the line of movement.
- Combined. The shutters are fixed on both profiles (there is no play). The design is the most reliable and expensive.
The design has proven its versatility, which is why it is used in the manufacture of sliding wardrobe doors, which can be installed in any room of the apartment.
| System type | Peculiarities |
| Roller | The roller is located inside the rail guide, which ensures that the cabinet door opens neatly. It has two types of roller mounting – upper and lower. |
| Framework | Made from aluminum or steel. Aluminum profile is considered more resistant to abrasion, so it costs more. |
| Frameless | Budget version of the sliding system: the most inexpensive, but also short-lived. Deforms due to temperature changes or high humidity. |
| For radius cabinet models | Used for furniture with a non-standard configuration |
Mechanism for sliding wardrobe doors
Sliding doors are useful in rooms of any size. After all, at their expense you can save space. Support type rollers are most often used. In this version, the support is on the track below. They are used in almost any prefabricated installation.
Sliding doors are suitable for any room.
Suspension mechanisms are used much less frequently. They will be optimal for built-in furniture, that is, where slats are attached to a concrete block. In this case, the upper support is used.
The hanging mechanism is most often used in a built-in wardrobe.
The monorail system consists of two pairs of rollers, each of which serves a separate trolley. 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.
General principle of operation of the compartment door system
Sliding mechanisms of sliding wardrobes are the main component of such furniture. They move along guides to provide or restrict access to content. If the structure is divided into 2 doors, then only the left or right part remains open. If we are talking about 4 or 6 doors, then the central compartment is also open.
The door leaf contains a metal frame and filling. In combined products, in addition to the frame, there are special dividers where you can put elements of interest, for example, plastic, mirror, chipboard/MDF board or glass.
Operating principle of the hinged mechanism
The hanging wardrobe technology moves along the wall along the outer plane of the guide. The movement is carried out by means of pulley-shaped rollers. A similar model has a slightly different sliding element design. The guide has a rectangular cross-section, and a roller mechanism with small wheels is installed in the internal cavity. This affects the smooth operation of sliding doors.
Operation of a conventional coupe mechanism
Classic types of sliding systems for sliding wardrobes imply smooth movement of the canvas along a rail. To close the door, simply slide it towards each other in a smooth motion. The qualitative characteristics of the mechanism determine the service life, operating comfort and installation specifics.
Expert opinion
Viktor Andreevich
An expert in the field of cabinet furniture, he was engaged in the assembly of cabinet furniture, as well as its production.
I can say from my own experience. When I was invited to look at the wheels of the sliding wardrobe system, they said that they kept falling off. Then I saw the following picture - first of all, the cabinet was factory-made, but everything was in production and these mechanisms left much to be desired. Because the wheel was worn out and the door kept falling off the lower track. It flew out of the guide groove. And by the way, the tracks were each individual, and not as in a modern profile - two guides on one track. Of course, we didn’t find such wheels, because the cabinet was traveling from distant lands to our outback. In general, the solution was to completely replace the doors and the sliding system under them.
What types of sliding mechanisms are there for sliding wardrobes based on installation method?
According to the design of the sliding system, there are “lower” and “upper” ones. Bottom sliding mechanisms for sliding wardrobes are also called load-bearing ones. And the upper ones are divided into suspended and coplanar.
In the bottom guide system design, the rollers move along the bottom guide. In this case, in the upper part there are auxiliary rollers that move along the upper guide.
In this case, the bottom track may have one, two or three lanes of movement, depending on the number of cabinet doors and the number of planes of movement desired.
With a top sliding cabinet design, the doors are supported on tracks at the top, but the bottom track may be missing or have a hidden mount underneath the bottom of the cabinet.
Sliding wardrobes using a lower sliding mechanism are convenient, but when using such a design, we are faced with a number of disadvantages. The groove of the bottom guide is constantly clogged with dust, which shortens the service life of the gate.
Mechanisms with a suspended top structure are more convenient because they do not use a bottom rail and are therefore not susceptible to dust. They are mainly used in the manufacture of internal partitions.
Hanging sliding compartment systems will last longer. But the mechanism itself is more complex, it is designed for a large sash weight and therefore costs more.
Coplanar systems for hanging sliding doors have an interesting and even more complex mechanism. It is designed in such a way that when moving, the sash moves forward in one plane and overlaps another.
Advantages and disadvantages of a hanging system for sliding wardrobes
This design has gained great popularity due to a number of reasons:
- the room is provided with a neat aesthetic appearance, since all things are securely “hidden” in the closet;
- space saving is ensured;
- the loss of running carriages is prevented due to the strong fixation of the array in the doorway and the shape of the profile;
- an atmosphere of comfort is created when using sliding wardrobes due to the silent movement of doors;
- allows each door to withstand loads of up to one hundred kilograms.
The design has proven its versatility, which is why it is used in the manufacture of sliding wardrobe doors.
The bottom-support sliding system is installed in a mortise or overlay manner, which allows the door section to be installed to the floor.
The reason for this was initially the ease of use in small apartments.
Attention! Among the disadvantages, experts note the rather high price of cabinets with top rails. They require mandatory design of the upper part of the door, since its structure is open. Installation of the product will be much more difficult, compared to bottom-mounted ones.
This design has gained great popularity.
The system includes closers that allow you to close the doors carefully.
The roller is located inside the rail guide, which ensures that the cabinet door opens neatly.
And if they are decorated with mirrors and inlays, this adds aesthetics and gives the room originality.
Materials and design
The stylistic solution for the design of wardrobe compartment doors plays a decisive role, as it creates a certain atmosphere in the room and serves as a visual complement to the interior of the room. The choice of cabinet door material depends on many factors, including:
- guest preferences;
- indoor air humidity;
- room design.
In addition, the choice of raw materials often depends on the budget allocated for the purchase of furniture.
Chipboard, MDF
Chipboard (chipboard) and fine- and medium-fine fraction (MDF) building materials are widely used for cabinets. These types of raw materials are inexpensive and quite durable if properly cared for and used. Accumulated dust and dirt can be easily removed from the surface of such doors. If the interior of the room is made in a simple and restrained style, then chipboard and MDF will be an excellent choice.
Sometimes manufacturers use two-layer door options. The first is basic, the second is decorative. An example would be doors based on chipboard covered with rattan or veneer.
Choosing a door made of chipboard for a wardrobe will negatively affect the interior of the living room if it is too small. Plugs made of chipboard or MDF are installed only in spacious rooms without compromising visual perception. At the same time, the positive side of choosing such a door for a wardrobe is its strength, especially in comparison with glass samples.
Chipboard and other composite materials are not suitable for rooms with high humidity, as the integrity of the wood boards may be compromised.
Chipboard
MDF
Array
The design of doors made of solid wood, that is, from a single piece of natural wood, always adds exoticism to an unusual interior and brightness to a classic style. For such doors it is necessary to provide a more powerful fastening and sliding system. The benefits of choosing solid wood doors are their strength, durability and natural appearance.
Wooden doors are chosen by residential property owners who care about the environmental friendliness of their furniture. While safe for use in everyday life, wood remains a versatile material that can adapt to any interior and delight others for many years. In addition, wood is easily processed, milled, and complements other types of finishing when creating non-standard variations in the design of laundry compartments, which include combined doors.
Glass and mirror
Sliding cabinets with glass doors are easy to clean and look great in any size room. You can also install a frosted door so that the inside of the clothes is not too visible, but it will be easier to find the right item. Currently, types of glass materials such as lakomat and lacobel are used in sliding wardrobe doors.
Advantages of sliding wardrobes with photo printing, popular images
The first is decorative glass, painted on one side. White varnish or any other door creates a cozy atmosphere in the room. Lacobel is another glass material, 4mm float glass etched on one side with sulfuric acid.
Mirrored doors serve a dual function: they can be viewed in both casual and formal wear. Such doors give the room additional mystery and depth, reflect sunlight and artificial light. Mirrored and glass doors are sometimes decorated with patterns and motifs made with special paints or sandblasting techniques.
Frosted glass
Lacomat Lakobel
Mirror surface
Plastic
Plastic doors for sliding wardrobes are increasingly used in modern interiors, which is natural, because the material has many advantages over other analogues. Plastic doors are cheap, lightweight and can be made in any color. Patterns and images look natural on the plastic surface, and there is no need to contact an artist or designer since the design is done by machine.
Decorative synthetic plastic does not break or break. It looks beautiful and is easy to clean with non-abrasive cleaners. Functional plastic doors can be made in almost any configuration with a bright or matte image. In this case, the minimum door thickness used for cabinet doors is approximately 4mm.
Non-standard options
Glass doors of sliding wardrobes can be complemented with designer painting, frescoes, 3D printing (another name is photo printing) or volumetric 3D milling. It should be understood that such a solution will not always look organic in modern minimalist interiors.
Photo printing can be ultraviolet or polymer. When applying the first, a protective film is formed on the surface. The second allows you to create three-dimensional images.
No less interesting ideas for decorating wardrobe facades are:
- rattan - allows you to create unique natural patterns in combination with natural bamboo material;
- decoracrylic - reveals all the beauty of natural fillers;
- batik technology: helps to capture complex patterns.
If you want to add personality to a boring room interior, but are on a limited budget, then installing a door with foil glazing will be an excellent non-standard solution. A more expensive option is to combine the doors when the door is made of colored parts. Bevels and convex glass elements will be an excellent addition. Sophisticated connoisseurs can decorate facades or doors with frescoes.
Photographic printing
Volumetric 3D photo wallpaper
Merger
Drink them
Stained glass
Rattan
Decoracrylic
Batik technology
Materials for the manufacture of suspension systems
To ensure that the suspension system remains reliable for many years, stably withstanding serious weight and inertial loads, its elements are made of high-strength modern materials:
- profiled guides - made of high-strength aluminum alloys;
- rollers are made of abrasion-resistant and elastic fluoroplastic;
- rolling bearings are made of special steel, hard and resistant to shock loads;
- fasteners are made of stamped alloy steel.
This approach is practiced by well-known European manufacturers Krona Koblenz, Cinetto, Hettich and some others. Systems produced under these brands allow the use of heavy door leaves made of solid wood, MDF panels or thick tempered glass. Most often they are installed in wardrobes, but in recent years sliding doors between rooms, where highly reliable hanging systems are also used, have become increasingly popular.
Advantages and disadvantages
The absence of traditional attitudes causes controversy and doubt. In practice, there are both advantages and problems of choice. Study the comparative characteristics of the alternative system and decide which one is more convenient for you.
| Professionals | Against |
| Modern furniture will look expensive and prestigious | Not everyone will like the extra element on the bottom shelf of the cabinet (only for the top wall units) |
| Possibility of installing cabinets without joints. The monolithic set is attractive, the kitchen is transformed | Doors open from accidental contact with the lower tiers of furniture |
| No costs for expensive high-quality fittings, no traces of handles when opening doors on walls, corner facades | it’s difficult to retrain: not to pull the handles, but to push the door |
| Kitchen sets look technologically modern | Takes a while - double press/open action |
| Small space between front and body | |
| Doors can get dirty from hands. If the sides are glossy, there will be prints that need to be erased. |
Refusal of unnecessary elements increases safety in the use of furniture and opens up the possibility of saving space.
The best manufacturers
Consumers are always looking for a compromise on price and quality. Reliable products that ensure comfortable use of furniture are offered by the following manufacturers:
- "General". Since 2002, it has been producing components for furniture. Production is based on modern equipment using the latest technologies. The company's developments have no analogues in Russia and Europe.
- Aristo. It is one of the leading companies producing profiles, fittings, components and furniture in the national market. The products have an elegant and ergonomic design. Thick-walled aluminum profiles give door frames reliability and durability.
- Commander. The company's activities extend far beyond Poland. For a quarter of a century it has enjoyed enormous success in the furniture and accessories market. Offers accessories for sliding wardrobes, wardrobe products.
- GLOSSY. The Turkish manufacturer produces fastening systems, profiles, rollers, guides made of aluminum, plastic, and strong fastening of shelves in the closet. Furniture with branded fittings is easy to use and easy to assemble.
- Stanley. The oldest American company. The company produces components with greater reliability. The fittings are durable and aesthetic.
- Bloom. The company is Austrian, branches for the production of accessories are located in different cities of the world. Impeccable product quality. Wear-resistant fittings can last 25-30 years.
- Hettich. German manufacturer of high quality fittings. The range includes guides, hinges, brackets, and drawer systems. The company's mechanisms are used by leading furniture manufacturers.
Fittings are one of the most important elements of furniture, the reliability of which determines the durability and ease of use of the cabinet. If even the smallest part responsible for opening and closing a box or door fails, it will be impossible to use the structures. This group of products requires resistance to mechanical stress, operational safety, modern design and ergonomics.
"General" Aristo
Commander
Glossy Stanley
Blum Hettich
The best models of the hanging system
There are products from many manufacturers on the market. The best models are:
- Aristo is a high-strength profile with a wide range of colors. Estimated service life up to 30 years;
- Versal – perfect dimensional accuracy of profiles, easy installation. Estimated period of use is up to 18 years;
- Komandor - with increased tensile strength and a more advanced design of the lower roller.
HfTTich, Hafle and Marbella profiles are also popular.
Thus, an atmosphere of comfort is created when using sliding wardrobes due to the silent movement of the doors.
Important! It is not recommended for specialists to buy cheap models. The design is not particularly reliable and can quickly fail. There will be more problems instead of convenience and efficiency of use.
Sliding wardrobes are compact, multi-functional, large capacity, and easy to use. They replace numerous cabinets with doors. The hanging system is an ideal solution for attaching door leaves. Convenient and aesthetically attractive conditions are created for access to the contents of the cabinet and for its smooth closing.
Which mechanism is better to choose for wardrobe doors?
When choosing a mechanism, you must first take into account the weight and material from which the furniture is made. To make the device as stable as possible, rollers are installed both at the top and bottom. To control the width of the open door, a special lock (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 from each other. Parts of the path must be selected according to the material and number of doors. The length of the slats directly depends on the width of the cabinet.
The main task of a wardrobe is to arrange as many clothes as possible. It does this function very well. In addition, furniture takes up minimal space.
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