Soft closing systems have become commonplace in modern furniture - regardless of its purpose. Thus, in the market of sliding wardrobes, door closers have already moved from the category of fashionable options for premium products to the category of standard offerings for cabinets of any level. However, unlike drawers and hinges, where the closer is most often pre-installed, soft closing systems for sliding wardrobes are independent devices that require installation and configuration.
At the same time, the sliding door system based on aluminum profiles “Versailles” and its analogues remains the most popular among furniture manufacturers. This means that this is where the highest demands are made on door closers and their properties.
Operating principle of a sliding door closer
Closers for compartment doors are mechanical devices that prevent sudden collisions of door leaves. Structurally, the product is a metal body that houses a damper, a lever and a piston system. On its outer surface there is a special adapter that has an auxiliary effect on the operation of the closer.
When the sash is closed, the adapter presses on the lever, which causes the damper to operate. As a result, the door slows down, and when the damper reaches its final position, the leaf stops completely. Damping the sliding door closer helps to absorb the applied force, so the door closes without a characteristic knock or force blow.
Installation of a sliding door closer can be carried out with a closer in one direction or in both directions. As a rule, the devices are designed for door structures weighing 60–100 kg, made of laminated panels, PVC, veneer, glass, aluminum profiles, solid wood. Most often, they are installed in high-traffic areas, where constant opening and closing of the door leaf leads to a rapid loss of functionality of the entire door system.
Wardrobe care
In order for the cabinet to serve you longer and not require any intervention from the master, it is important to maintain it in good condition. A common mistake is to believe that it is enough to put this piece of clothing and do nothing with it for it to last for decades.
Proper care of your wardrobe will allow it to maintain its original appearance for as long as possible
The sliding wardrobe does not require much attention, but it does need to follow some rules:
- cleaning the inside of the closet 2-3 times a year;
- periodic ventilation of the room and control of air humidity;
- washing surfaces in case of stains;
- uniform load distribution.
Cleaning
Cleaning primarily means cleaning the guide rails, which we have already discussed several times above. They can become clogged either as a result of large objects entering or as a result of dust accumulation. To ensure the most effective cleaning, it is most convenient to use a vacuum cleaner with removable attachments.
Over time, wardrobes tend to become clogged, especially the guides
However, if you wish, you can get by with an ordinary small broom. In addition to the guides, it is also advisable to rid the closet of excess dust, both outside and inside, so that it does not settle on clothes and other items stored in it.
Types of door closers
The range of door closers for compartment doors is not as wide as for conventional swing systems, but it is quite enough to choose exactly the option that suits best. The devices differ in the installation method, mechanism design, location on the door, as well as in design, color and price category.
By installation method
Depending on the installation method, there are two types of sliding door closers:
- Overlays - mounted on the outer surface of the door leaf, with most of their components open for access.
- Built-in – installed in the door profile, door frame or floor. In most cases, such products require creating a cutout in the structure using a cutter, into which the housing with the mechanism is inserted.
By location
Different types of door closers for compartment doors can be located in different places in the door system. Based on where the products are mounted, they are divided into two categories:
- Upper – for placement at the top of the door structure.
- Bottom - mounted at the bottom of the door.
According to the operating principle
The operation of all devices is based on a spring design, however, the principle of their operation may vary slightly depending on the structural features of the mechanism. In this regard, the following sliding door closers are distinguished:
- On a standard sliding rod, the lever moves simultaneously with the sash along a special groove.
- “Knee” - the lever has a folding structure and consists of two axes that bend like a knee when the sash turns.
- On the cam - the design has a cam that, when turned, exerts pressure on the spring.
- Toothed - products are equipped with a rack and pinion mechanism that acts on a spring.
Consumers are offered a wide range of additional devices that allow them to ensure full operation and smooth operation of the sliding door. In particular, the catalog of the TBM-Market online store presents high-quality universal rollers with a closer, designed to move the web in two directions.
Simple and inexpensive pusher with single and double magnets
Even before products from such brands as Hettich, Blum, Boyard, etc. appeared on the Russian market, furniture makers successfully used a simple magnetic pusher for glass doors. It can be purchased complete with a single or double magnet and special metal pads.
The mechanism is also suitable for installation on ordinary, solid cabinet doors. True, for the magnet to also “work”, you will have to either unbend and drill out the metal plates included in the kit, or adapt something else. An alternative is to glue or screw in a small round washer using a self-tapping screw.
Advantages of using door closers
The benefits of installing a sliding door closer are beyond doubt. The device promotes soft, silent operation of the blade and provides many advantages in use:
- Protects the door from impacts when closing. Strong pops often lead to mechanical damage to the canvas and disrupt living comfort. If you install such a device, then you don’t have to worry that due to the high application of force, the door will fail prematurely or interfere with the peace of neighbors and household members.
- Guarantees the safety of the door leaf during operation. If the mechanism is adjusted correctly, the door closes softly and smoothly, so no one will get his fingers or clothes pinched.
- Reduces heat loss in the room. Automatic closing of the sash helps retain heat during the cold season and prevents the penetration of drafts. During operation, door closers for compartment doors tightly press the door leaves against the frame, ensuring good sealing of the room.
- Allows you to adjust the speed of movement of the sash. Many models offer assist features such as adjustable speed and selective closing force, allowing you to adjust their operation depending on the season. In particular, in winter they will close faster, minimizing possible heat loss.
Hettich Push-to-open system
The Push-to-open series of systems for opening furniture facades by the famous German manufacturer Hettich provides absolutely all options for pusher pushers:
- Push to open Magnet. Standard magnetic pusher with self-adhesive striker included. Additionally, you can purchase an adapter for surface mounting and a strike plate with a coupling if the adhesive base is not acceptable for some reason. Recommended for use in combination with hinges of the same series. Designed for small doors, 300-600 mm wide and 300-900 mm high.
- Push to open Magnet XL . Unlike the previous version, the reinforced magnetic pusher is equipped with a stepless gap adjustment system (2.3-5.3 mm). Can be used for installation on doors 300-600 mm wide and 900-1600 mm high.
- Push to open Pin . An interesting model of the stop-latch “in reverse”, when the applied capsule is installed on the side of the body, and the pusher itself is mounted on the inside of the facade. Without magnet. Recommended for use in combination with Push to open hinges. Designed for a substantial weight of facades, 300-600 mm in width and up to 300-2400 mm in length.
- Push to open Universal maxi. A universal pusher without a magnet, which can be installed on facades with any furniture hinges.
Criterias of choice
When planning to purchase a sliding door closer, it is advisable to pay attention to its technical characteristics, which can be found in the attached instructions. Products with incorrectly selected parameters can lead to premature wear of door hardware and significantly reduce the functionality of the door leaf, therefore, when choosing a device, it is recommended to consider the following criteria:
- The type of traction mechanism installed in the housing - as mentioned above, modern manufacturers present to the market door closers with several types of mechanisms, which largely determines the location of their installation. In particular, devices with a standard rod are mounted directly on the door leaf, and devices called “elbow” are mounted on the door frame.
- Door dimensions - the wider and more massive the door leaf, the more powerful you should choose a door closer for compartment doors.
- Temperature conditions - many products operate smoothly in the range of -40...+70 °C, but some models lose their technical properties at low temperatures. For this reason, when purchasing a mechanism for unheated rooms, you need to take into account its operating conditions.
- Installation method - for glass doors it is advisable to buy devices with a floor mounting method; for all others, both floor and top mounting are suitable.
- Design – to ensure that sliding door closers fit perfectly into the overall interior design, it is best to give preference to kits that match the color palette of the door structure.
- Maintainability - if the structure fails, it should be easily replaced with a new one. In the catalog you can find universal sets of rollers with closers, suitable for all types of coupes. Our qualified employees will help with the purchase and organize its delivery in Moscow and the region.
How to install correctly
It is not enough to choose good fittings; the method and order of installation is no less important. The packaging with the mechanism usually contains instructions. Popular brands also post a brochure for each model on the company website. If you bought a product from a Chinese manufacturer without a name and want to assemble the mechanism yourself, but there is no documentation available, we offer a universal guide to installing a gas lift.
To attach the door closer, follow these simple rules:
A detailed explanation of the process is presented in the video. After installation, check the operation of the mechanism. If the door does not close completely, adjust the tightness of the closer fastening with the screw.
For installation of other types, read the relevant instructions.
Door closer installation
A regular overhead sliding door closer is easier to install, but a hidden one requires professional skills, dexterity and special tools. In general, to install any product you need to prepare a tape measure, level, drill and screwdriver. Before proceeding with installation, you should mark the holes for fasteners, which are determined from the lower height of the doorway. Further installation involves performing the following actions:
- In the marked places, holes are drilled using a drill (if a hidden closer is installed, then cuts are made under the body).
- Before installing the door closer for compartment doors, tighten its carriage (bring it to an erected state).
- Using a screwdriver, screw the body of the product to the end of the canvas.
- Similarly, a hook is attached to the upper guide.
- Adjust the device. There are two screws on the body that are responsible for the speed and force of closing the sash. They are carefully turned until the required door operating parameters are achieved.
If the installation of the mechanism is carried out correctly, the sliding door closer will last a long time and reliably protect the premises from drafts and extraneous noise. Its use will ensure smooth closing of the door and will make operating the compartment more comfortable and easier.
Facade size
When calculating the height of the facade (the length of the handle profile), you should use the standard formula h = H – 40 mm , where H is the height of the opening. The presence of a soft closing system does not affect the size of the facade, which eliminates the possibility of errors at the furniture design stages. The recommended width of the facade is from 450 mm, which is due to the overall dimensions of the device (the length of the closer is 382 mm). This size is necessary to ensure a working stroke of 120 mm, which, in fact, guarantees the high-quality functioning of the system. Like the braking distance of a car, the working stroke of the closer directly affects the smoothness of the façade stopping.
Tip-on Blum push release system
The Tip-on series from the Austrian manufacturer Blum offers two types of magnetic pushers:
- Standard. The stroke length of the magnetic pusher is 18 mm. For installation on small and medium sized doors (height up to 1300 mm)
- Long. The stroke length of the magnetic pusher is 38 mm. Reinforced option for larger doors and drawers.
The Blum Tip-on series magnetic pushers are available for surface-mounted and flush-mount installation (adapter for surface-mounted installation is sold separately). Recommended for installation complete with springless hinges.
