A wardrobe is an indispensable element of any home interior. There are many beautiful and functional models sold on the modern market. In recent years, accordion cabinets have become very popular. Designs with folding doors are a worthy alternative not only to hinged doors, but also to sliding ones.
A wardrobe is an indispensable element of any home interior.
Design Features
Owners of city apartments often prefer sliding wardrobes and accordion units. The second option is considered a fashionable trend and a practical solution today. The beautiful appearance of the product attracts attention. Thanks to the special door mechanism, you can save a lot of space in the room. Furniture manufacturers offer many cabinet design options that are available to any buyer. Before purchasing a product, you need to know about its main characteristics.
The cabinet doors resemble an accordion musical instrument, which is why the furniture design got its name. The device is reminiscent of the principle of blinds: with a movement of the hand, it is folded into a stack on any side the customer wishes. The mechanism is mounted on top of a steel or aluminum rail, which protrudes beyond the border of the housing. Sashes over 2 m in height are mounted on two guides - lower and upper.
A cabinet with folding accordion doors requires reinforcement to support the elements. Each leaf is connected to the other using hinges and additional fasteners on the rail. To ensure that the frame lasts a long time, modern manufacturers use lightweight materials that allow the doors to move smoothly along the guides. The ball mechanism is rarely used: products quickly fail due to friction of bearings and rail.
Sometimes a design with an accordion door is confused with a bookcase. The second option involves two doors that fold in different directions. Door parts may vary in width and appearance. In addition, they are stronger than accordion doors, as they are made from solid materials.
A cabinet with folding accordion doors requires reinforcement to support the elements.
Pros and cons of the closet
Like any storage system, furniture with folding doors has advantages and disadvantages. Only recently have people discovered the many advantages of this design.
Advantages of the accordion model:
- Compactness. Although the doors move forward when opened, when folded they take up little space, which cannot be said about hinged models. Since a lot of space remains free, cabinets with folding doors can be placed close to other pieces of furniture and in the corners of rooms.
- Full view of the interior space. With the doors open, a person can see the entire storage system. This is a big advantage over sliding models, in which only a few shelves are visible when you need to take something.
- Multifunctionality. Folding doors not only cover the internal contents, but also serve as a screen for changing clothes. They also represent a decorative element.
- Light weight of the doors. Light materials are used to produce folding doors. The products themselves are small in size, so they are more convenient to use than hinged or sliding ones.
- Possibility to replace a damaged structural element. If one of the door panels breaks, you only need to remove it and attach a new one.
- Silence. Typically, such storage systems use bearings, which prevent the movement of the doors from being heard.
The cabinet can be ordered in the desired size, shade and design.
A storage system with original doors does not damage the floor covering, since the structure does not come into contact with this surface during assembly and installation. Products can be ordered in the desired size, shade and design. It is possible to choose your own version of the internal content, for example, from . A closet may have a different number of shelves, drawers and rods.
But compact designs have several disadvantages:
- If only one rail is present, the door can move freely in the track.
- The mechanism often fails due to constant use and unreliable fastening. Experts recommend periodically treating it with special means.
- The more parts there are in a door, the lower its strength.
- Furniture with folding doors is not as durable. The service life rarely exceeds 6-7 years.
To ensure that the product lasts a long time, you should buy or order cabinets from trusted manufacturers. Popular manufacturers of high-quality collections: “Leroy Merlin”, “Style” (Degar), “Shatura” (Marta), “Pribaltmebel” (Malvina), “MebelKom” (Sharm). Spectacular accordion cabinets with a mirror can be found at Yartsevo (Matilda) and Hettich.
You can assemble a cabinet with accordion doors yourself. You just need to find the necessary elements, handles and other furniture fittings. The best manufacturers that produce high-quality hinges and other parts for folding doors are Hettich and Blum. The German company offers not only accordion cabinets, but also separately folding doors. Manufacturers always include instructions with their products, which makes assembly easier.
Devices and types of folding door mechanisms for cabinets
Fitting a similar cabinet requires good fittings. Its configuration is determined by the type of doors: book or accordion.
To complete the first option of 2 sashes you will need:
- carriage on ball bearings with 2 degrees of freedom;
- a guide that is located on top;
- bottom rail for supporting the leading leaf;
- rotary axes;
- hinged hinges in the end part;
- fastener
All parts are adjustable, which increases the service life of the system.
A book door consists of 2-10 leaves. It will need more space to function well. This option is considered heavier and better. The sashes can come off in different directions and have asymmetrical parameters. Thanks to this, there is no need to skimp on accessories.
For the accordion door you will need the following parts:
- a guide located on top made of steel or aluminum;
- carriage slider (one or more);
- rollers;
- hinges or hinge profile for securing sections;
- a specialized key for adjusting and assembling the system;
- fastener
The number of sets depends on the number of panels.
Sometimes the set includes a bottom rail. This is mandatory if the façade is made of medium-density fibreboard, with glass or mirror inserts. But in most cases there is no need for it, since lightweight materials are often used for such a door. The main thing is to pay your own attention to the inadmissibility of using plastic rails and fasteners, since they cannot withstand long-term use. The panels must be framed at the ends with metal elements and connected to each other with a hinged profile.
By request, the next note will be on the topic of choosing doors that swing open for a closet. We believe you will like it.
There are general requirements for the fittings of compartment doors.
- Aluminum is considered an excellent material for guides. A U-shaped profile with one gutter is made from it. The product must not contain defects and deviate from a horizontal position. Violation leads to independent opening or interferes with the movement of the rollers.
- A number of conditions are imposed on the movement system: noiselessness, ease of sliding, soft movement. For these purposes, rims made of suitable materials are used: rubber, Teflon, plastic, steel, etc. The bearings are protected from the penetration of dust and small debris.
- Specialized seals are designed to isolate the space inside the cabinet from drafts and maintain the necessary storage conditions. Rubber, caoutchouc or silicone is used to produce tapes. Rubber has the greatest elasticity and reliability, but in most cases silicone is used for glass sashes. It provides surface protection at fastening points.
- The connection of individual parts of the door leaf is done using mortise-type hinge mechanisms. They are placed in specialized recesses and secured with self-tapping screws.
- Clamps help ensure the integrity of the valves, preventing them from moving beyond a specific location. The magnetic type is often used.
- It is necessary to remember about such elements as handles, although in many cases they are not used. But if the thickness allows, it is smart to choose a model equipped with mortise handles. They did not protrude beyond the door leaf and make operation much more convenient.
Separately, it is necessary to say about the possibility of left and right opening, depending on the specifics of the room.
Sashes that do not have fastenings on the side are capable of moving in any direction.
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.
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 kit includes a number of components.
- The rod is needed to locate the hangers. It fastens well along or across depending on the width of the product. In another version, it is supplemented with a retractable mechanism. If the crossbar is placed on top, then you will need a specialized device (pantograph). 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, it is enough to add 20 cm to the longest length of clothing.
- No closet is complete without shelves. They can be pulled out to guarantee access to the remote part. To limit movements, clamps are placed on them. A suitable distance between them is 30-35 cm.
- Pull-out drawers are suitable for storing very small items. They move without problems thanks to the roller system. By design, the drawers are either closed or mesh. Some of them have partitions in the middle, which makes it possible to quickly find the necessary thing.
- Retractable trousers consist of several parallel slats. Allows you to keep your clothes in perfect condition.
- This device, but smaller in size, is used for belts, ties, scarves, and scarves.
- The part below is usually reserved for shoes. It is placed on slanted lattice stands. This principle ensures excellent ventilation. It is more convenient to hang boots with high tops using plastic clips.
- The upper tier is suitable for things that are used periodically. Its height can range from 0.4 to 0.6 m.
Types of models
Accordion cabinets are available in a variety of variations. The width of the elements themselves depends on the number of panels in the door. Models with two and four doors are in great demand. Folding doors are installed in any cabinets:
- Corpus. Products with folding doors can be straight, radial or angular. They are manufactured with walls, bottom and ceiling. If necessary, they can be moved to another place.
Accordion cabinet cabinet with folding doors. - Built-in. The side elements of such cabinets are the walls. Guides are installed on the ceiling and floor of the room. A frame is built for the internal contents. Such models resemble small dressing rooms.
Built-in accordion wardrobe with folding doors.
Furniture is also divided according to the place of installation. Typically, people choose straight models, which are suitable for most rooms and are installed along the wall or with one side in a corner. Sometimes the product is supplemented with furniture modules. An accordion corner cabinet helps make full use of the corner space. The design is very spacious.
Accordion cabinet or book - what's the difference?
Cabinets with accordion doors are divided by the number of doors. Each species has its own name.
The accordion cabinet contains a large number of panels. If there are many of them, the smaller the width of the individual elements. The classic dimensions of the sections are 10-15 cm. The connection is provided by a hinged profile or end hinges. The entire system is securely mounted on the top rail. Moving along it is carried out using rollers. The outermost component is attached to the side wall.
The bookcase has doors consisting exclusively of 2 parts. They can be the same width or vary in this parameter. Their advantages include fairly high reliability when compared with the previous type. For the same reason, sashes are made of heavy materials (wood, glass, mirrors, etc.).
In this case, 2 guides are installed: below and above. The bottom rail additionally serves as a support. The parts are connected to each other by loops.
Application in the interior
With a variety of models, accordion cabinets fit perfectly into any style. Their designs can be classic or modern. The structures are installed even in small rooms, on balconies and in niches. You can choose an accordion closet for the hallway.
Accordion cabinets are available in a variety of variations.
Bright models with colored doors or facades with drawings are suitable for children's rooms. For the kitchen area, choose options with plastic doors that match the color of the walls. Another good solution would be a cabinet with metal doors that can withstand temperature changes and high humidity. This option is also suitable for bathrooms.
Any wardrobe model with folding doors is suitable for the living room and bedroom. When choosing furniture, you need to focus on the color palette of the room. If you need to make the room visually larger, then you need to purchase a light, glossy or mirrored cabinet. Facades with mirror inserts will look impressive. Models in dark colors will help make the room strict and extraordinary.
If the room is small, then you should pay attention to corner structures that will not take up much space. Accordion cabinets are installed in rooms where it is not possible to use hinged doors. You can save more space with a built-in design.
Any wardrobe model with folding doors is suitable for the living room and bedroom.
Facade designs for folding cabinets
According to the method of execution, furniture facades are divided into frame and solid. The first type is a panel made of one type of material. It can be: real wood, chipboard, MDF, glass, mirrors, etc.
Frame structures provide greater scope for implementing design ideas. They consist of a frame and a panel. MDF or aluminum profiles are often used for the frame. Inserts are made from a variety of materials. It is better to install frame structures in a closet with compartment doors, as they are lightweight.
Nuances of choice
When people purchase furniture, they pay attention not only to the design, but also to the quality of the products. To ensure that a wardrobe with folding doors lasts a long time, buyers need to take advice from experts.
Furniture must be checked for quiet operation. If the cabinet creaks when the doors are assembled and folded back, then such a product should be discarded. The product must be equipped with special seals that ensure smooth movement of the doors. To prevent the doors from wobbling, you should choose a cabinet equipped with upper and lower guides. With two rails, furniture will last longer. If the cabinet is being selected for a nursery, then the door should not be heavy, otherwise it will be difficult for the child to open and close it.
The cabinet should fit into the room in color.
You need to decide in advance on the size of the cabinet, which can be intended for various things. If it is chosen for clothes and linen, then it should be dimensional. If the product is purchased for magazines, books and various accessories, then a narrow model is suitable, which should not exceed 170 cm in height.
We must remember about the internal organization of space. For clothes you need not only shelves, but also rods. Underwear is stored in drawers. For a large number of pairs of shoes you need many lower shelves.
The cabinet should fit into the room in color. It is selected to match the color of the cabinets, bed or decoration, but color contrast can also be used. You also need to focus on the type of room in which the structure will be placed. If furniture is purchased for the kitchen or bathroom, then preference should be given to models with facades treated with special impregnations.
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.
Advantages of folding design
- Universal application - your loggia can be glazed or open; a heat-resistant double-glazed window is suitable for any option.
- The segmented door to the balcony opens both to the street and to the room, so you don’t have to change the layout or rearrange the furniture.
- In the open position, an accordion or book takes up a minimum of usable space, allowing you to set up a work or play area on a loggia or balcony.
- The three-circuit seal eliminates the formation of perspiration on the outside of the double-glazed window - “Accordions” from “OknaStar” do not leak even in severe frosts.
- The rollers and end hinges operate absolutely silently, and competent installation by our company’s specialists eliminates the possibility of jamming or distortion of the door leaf elements.
offers you a wide selection of segmented door designs that are resistant to cold, burglary and mechanical damage. Using our products, you can cover an arch or opening up to 6 meters long and up to 3.5 meters high. All clients of our company receive free measurements and fast delivery throughout Moscow and the region, with the order being lifted to any floor.
The average order fulfillment time is 5 days. The warranty period for sashes, mechanics and services is 6 years. We are confident in the quality of our products and the qualifications of our installers.
If you want to buy a high-quality door, call +7 (495) 153-81-55. We are waiting for your call from 9:00 to 19:00 any day of the week.
