Accordion cabinet with folding doors: mechanisms and design

A wardrobe is a must-have item in the interior of an apartment or house. Manufacturers offer a variety of models to suit every taste and financial capabilities. Products are classified according to several criteria. One of them is connected with the door opening system. Recently, a wardrobe with folding doors is gaining more and more fans.

Accordion cabinet - features, advantages and disadvantages

The peculiarity of the product is hidden in the door mechanism. Through simple manipulations, the doors are folded in the form of an accordion or book, located at one of the side walls of the cabinet, while moving outward. The door leaf consists of several sections connected to each other. Its movement occurs along the upper guide. It holds the doors in the desired position and sets the direction of movement.

Like any mechanism, the folding system has its pros and cons.

Advantages:

full view of the interior space;
compactness;
light weight;
ease of operation;
there is no possibility of damage to the floor covering;
the ability to replace one of the elements in case of breakdown;
quiet operation;
no size restrictions;
versatility;
affordable price;
attractive appearance thanks to the use of different materials and design methods.

Weak sides:

low wear resistance (service life is approximately 5-8 years);
increased mobility of the valves;
still requires a small free space for normal functioning;
Careful handling required.

Advantages of "accordions"

Before purchasing and installing folding doors in a built-in wardrobe, you should objectively evaluate the characteristics of the equipment and only then make your choice in favor of one model or another. So, the advantages of such structures include:

In the open position, folding doors take up virtually no space, unlike hinged doors;
Ideal for installation in corner cabinets;
During the installation of equipment, most often only the upper guide is used, so the integrity of the floor covering is not compromised;
When installing equipment, you can choose any direction for opening the doors;
There is no noise when using the accordion door, which is due to the presence of a roller mechanism;
If desired, the number of sections in the canvas can be changed;
Possibility of installing a mechanism for automatically opening and closing the doors.

Accordion door for cabinet

Design and types of folding door mechanisms for cabinets

The construction of such a cabinet requires high-quality fittings. Its configuration is determined by the type of doors: book or accordion.

To execute the first option of 2 sashes you will need:

carriage on ball bearings with 2 degrees of freedom;
top guide;
bottom rail for supporting the leading leaf;
rotary axes;
hinges in the end part;
fastener

All elements are adjustable, which increases the service life of the system.

A book door can consist of 2-10 leaves. She will need more space to function properly. This option is more massive and reliable. The sashes can come off in different directions and have asymmetrical parameters. Therefore, there is no need to save on accessories.

The accordion door will require the following parts:

top guide made of steel or aluminum;
carriage slider (one or more);
rollers;
hinges or hinge profile for fastening sections;
special key for adjusting and assembling the system;
fastener

The number of sets depends on the number of canvases.

Sometimes a bottom rail is included. This is mandatory if the facade is made of MDF, with glass or mirror inserts. But usually it is not necessary, since lightweight materials are often used for such a door. It is important to pay attention to the inadmissibility of using plastic rails and fasteners, as they do not withstand long-term use. The panels must be framed at the ends with metal elements and connected to each other with a hinged profile.

There are general requirements for sliding door fittings.

Aluminum is considered the best material for guides. A U-shaped profile with one groove is made from it. The product must not contain defects and deviate from the horizontal position. Violation leads to spontaneous opening or prevents the movement of the rollers.
There are several requirements for the movement system: noiselessness, ease of sliding, smoothness. For these purposes, rims made of suitable materials are used: rubber, Teflon, plastic, steel, etc. The bearings are protected from dust and small debris.
Special seals are designed to isolate the interior of the cabinet from drafts and maintain the necessary storage conditions. Rubber, caoutchouc or silicone is used to make tapes. Rubber has the greatest elasticity and reliability, but silicone is usually used for glass sashes. It provides surface protection at attachment points.
The connection of individual parts of the door leaf is carried out using mortise-type hinge mechanisms. They are installed in special recesses and fixed with self-tapping screws.
Clamps help ensure the integrity of the valves, preventing them from moving beyond a certain location. The most commonly used type is magnetic.
Don't forget about elements such as handles, although in most cases they are not used. But if thickness allows, it is wise to choose a model equipped with mortise handles. They do not protrude beyond the door leaf and contribute to more convenient operation.

Separately, it should be said about the possibility of left and right opening, depending on the characteristics of the room.

Sashes that do not have fastenings on the side are capable of moving in any direction.

Product selection rules

Since the accordion door design can hardly be called durable, when choosing equipment you should focus on the following points:

Type of materials used. For a built-in wardrobe, the best choice would be doors made of plastic or MDF. Wooden models weigh a lot, so this design will not last long;
Price policy. It is not a fact that the most expensive door will be the most durable, however, cheap options are unlikely to please with the high quality of assembly and materials used;
Availability of profile frames. Models in which each section is enclosed in an aluminum frame will become more durable;
Smooth ride. When choosing a suitable model, make sure that the doors move smoothly and that there are no large gaps between adjacent panels;
Accessories. Most often, plastic doors come with plastic guides, hinges and handles, which cannot be called durable. It is desirable that the elements on which a large load is created are made of steel or aluminum;
Type of roller mechanism. You can purchase an accordion door with a supporting or hanging roller mechanism. The first one will be more reliable. However, this design requires the installation of a lower guide;
Quality of connections. It is definitely worth checking the sashes for flimsiness in the closed position. If the door is loose, it probably won't last long.

Accordion cabinet or bookcase - what's the difference?

Wardrobes with folding doors are divided by the number of doors. Each species has its own name.

An accordion cabinet can contain a significant number of canvases. The more there are, the smaller the width of the individual elements. Standard section sizes are 10-15 cm. The connection is provided by a hinged profile or end hinges. The entire structure is securely fixed to the top rail. Moving along it occurs using rollers. The outermost element is attached to the side wall.

The bookcase has doors consisting of only 2 parts. They can be the same width or differ in this parameter. Their advantages include higher reliability compared to the previous type. For the same reason, sashes can be made of heavy materials (wood, glass, mirrors, etc.).

In this case, 2 guides are installed: below and above. The bottom rail additionally acts as a support. The parts are connected to each other by loops.

Wardrobe designs with folding doors

Wardrobes equipped with folding doors come in different designs. The following models exist:

built-in;
frame.

The first option resembles a mini dressing room. If there is a niche in the room, then this is an ideal choice. The walls of the room act as side elements. An important condition for normal operation is a perfectly flat surface of the floor and ceiling to which the guides are attached. This should ensure the same distance between the rails. Failure to comply with this requirement causes rapid wear of the mechanism and frequent jamming of the rollers.

The frame cabinet consists of side walls, bottom, lid, back panel and doors. If desired, it can be moved or placed in another room. It has a higher cost because more materials are used to make it. Suitable for installation in spacious rooms.

For rooms with non-standard geometry or small sizes, it is worth purchasing a corner structure. It saves space and can change the disproportionate dimensions of a room.

For the manufacture of the frame, laminated chipboard, MDF, and natural wood are used. The latter option is of high quality and cost. The cheapest version made from laminated chipboard. Its advantage is a wide choice of colors, but there is a risk of releasing harmful chemicals. The average position in terms of cost and quality is occupied by an MDF frame. This material is decorative, reliable, and has a good ability to imitate natural materials.

Important nuances

Models of folding doors designed for installation in cabinets can be of two types: with one or two guides. The first ones are much easier to install, but structures with two guides will be more durable and durable. If you want to install the door in the wardrobe yourself, make sure that the metal rails inside which the doors will move are parallel to each other.

If you install sliding models in dressing rooms, you should definitely level the floor and ceiling, otherwise, after a short time, significant gaps will appear between the sections, and the door itself will be difficult to open. Before purchasing equipment, make sure you have all the necessary elements: hinges, guide bars, stops, rollers and hinges, etc.

The photo shows the standard configuration of the accordion. It is also worth noting that the kit may not include some elements, such as handles or seals. Therefore, before purchasing, be sure to check with the seller about their availability.

Folding doors for sliding wardrobes should be selected with special care, because the service life of the equipment will depend on this. In the process of choosing a product, you need to evaluate the width of the cabinet itself, according to which you can decide on a suitable model of equipment, as well as the width of the folding doors. Using the recommendations outlined in the article, you can purchase a high-quality and reliable accordion door for a wardrobe or closet.

Internal filling and storage systems

The interior filling of the cabinet is designed to organize a convenient storage system. Depending on the purpose of the furniture, you can select components. A typical set includes a number of elements.

The rod is designed to accommodate hangers. It is securely fastened lengthwise or crosswise depending on the width of the product. In the second case, it is supplemented with a retractable mechanism. If the crossbar is installed in the upper part, then a special device (pantograph) will be required. For blouses, shirts and skirts, a distance of 0.8 to 1 m is sufficient. Longer wardrobe items (dresses, raincoats, coats, etc.) will require from 1.5 to 1.6 m. To determine the vertical dimensions of the opening, you need to add 20 cm to maximum length of clothing.
No closet is complete without shelves. They can be pulled out to provide access to the remote part. To restrict movement, clamps are installed on them. The optimal distance between them is 30-35 cm.
Drawers are suitable for storing small items. They move easily thanks to the roller system. By design, the boxes are either closed or mesh. Some of them have partitions inside, which allows you to quickly find the right thing.
Retractable trousers consist of several parallel slats. Allows you to keep clothes in perfect condition.
A similar device, but smaller in size, is used for belts, ties, scarves, and scarves.
The lower part is usually reserved for shoes. It is installed on inclined lattice stands. This principle ensures good ventilation. It is easier to hang boots with high tops using plastic clips.
The upper tier is suitable for things that are used occasionally. Its height ranges from 0.4 to 0.6 m.

Facade designs for folding cabinets

According to the method of execution, furniture facades are divided into solid and framed. The first type is a canvas made of one type of material. It can be: natural wood, chipboard, MDF, glass, mirrors, etc.

Frame structures provide more scope for implementing design ideas. They consist of a frame and a panel. For the frame, MDF or aluminum profiles are most often used. Inserts are made from different materials. It is preferable to install frame structures in a wardrobe with sliding doors, as they are lighter.

Accordion cabinet façade decor materials

For exterior decoration use:

glass;
rattan;
bamboo;
skin;
textile;
plastic;
mirrors;
metal.

Each type has its own characteristics.

High-quality plastic is practical, light, reliable, and low cost. A wide palette of shades is available, which simplifies the choice of furniture.

A special type of glass with high strength is used for facades. In the case of sliding facades, small inserts are mainly used to reduce the load on hinges and other fittings. Glass elements are decorated using different techniques: stained glass, sandblasting, fusing, matting.

Metal doors are considered the most durable. They can be painted in any color.

Natural materials (bamboo, rattan) will add ethnic notes to the interior.

Fabric and leather doors are lightweight, and a wide selection of textures and colors allows you to create a special facade design.

The mirror surface can serve as a dressing table, and it can be decorated in the same way as glass.

Materials used

Traditional materials are used to manufacture folding structures. The cabinet body is made of laminated chipboard. Models can be of different shades. The fittings are made from high-quality steel or aluminum.

The main materials used in the production of accordion doors:

Plastic. The products are covered with a decorative film, so it is possible to choose models that match the color for any room. Structures with PVC facades can be placed in rooms with a high degree of humidity. Plastic does not emit harmful substances, so it is safely purchased for children’s rooms.

Plastic does not emit harmful substances, so it is safely purchased for children’s rooms.
Glass. Some consider this option fragile and unreliable. But manufacturers use special tempered glass, which is highly durable. Usually the material is used as inserts, but there are also solid models. Glass can be either transparent or frosted. There are options with sandblasted patterns and stained glass.

Manufacturers use special tempered glass, which is highly durable
Metal. Practical products are suitable for rooms where there is a change in temperature and humidity levels. Metal models are available in various colors, so they will fit into any interior.

Metal models are suitable for rooms where there is a change in temperature and humidity levels.
Bamboo. This material is considered environmentally friendly. It can be used to create sashes independently or in combination with glass and mirror.

Bamboo models are considered environmentally friendly.
Rattan. Another natural material that looks original and presentable.

Rattan furniture is environmentally friendly and safe for health.

Fabric and leather are often used for accordion doors. Models can be of different shades and textures. They give the room an aesthetic and respectable appearance.

Photos of cabinets with a folding front opening system

Having decided to buy a wardrobe with folding doors, you should decide in advance on its design and location. To do this, we first consider different options, taking into account the area and architectural features of the room. It is even recommended to make a drawing of the proposed purchase with exact dimensions. In a furniture salon, attention is paid to the internal content, quality of fittings, color design, smooth running and lack of noise.

Customer Reviews

My wife and I decided to buy new furniture for the bedroom. We spent a long time choosing a closet and settled on the option with folding doors. The doors also have frosted glass inserts. The wardrobe looks great in wenge shade. Since the room is decorated in a milky color, with such a cabinet it does not look gloomy. The mechanism is simple; the door folds in a stack to the right. The doors are well fixed on the rails from below and above. We've been using it for three years now, everything works fine.

Alexei

Last year I bought a cabinet whose door folds like a book, but only on one side. I really liked the model with mirror inserts. During the day and evening, when the lamps are on, the light reflects from the facades and fills the entire room. Inside the closet there are shelves and rods for clothes. There's even a pantie. The door is easy to use; it is easy to assemble and does not get in the way. I am planning to buy the same cabinet for my child’s nursery.

Catherine

I have a built-in closet in my bathroom. A year ago, the sliding doors began to work poorly. I had to order new ones. The choice was made on accordion doors. The doors fold out of the way quickly and easily, but are a little in the way as they cover the sink. Otherwise, this design suits me.