To make the interior sash not swing, but move to the side, various mechanisms with guides for sliding doors are used. Let's see how these systems work.

Before planning what kind of mechanism you will use when installing sliding doors, you need to decide on the type of the structure itself. They can be with one sash moving to the side or with several. They can be moving in a general direction, or at least one flap will move in the opposite direction. Structures of 4 or more parts are especially interesting, and they can move apart not only along their plane, but also folding like an accordion, which creates completely new ideas for using space.

So, the simplest type is exactly what was described in the first example, that is, one-, two-, three- or even four-leaf doors. The first option, when opening, moves freely along the guides, as a rule, to the right, but 2 doors diverge to the sides, as in an elevator or in a subway car. If the door has 3 parts, 2 outer ones are on the same level and move apart in opposite directions, and the third one overlaps one of the leaves, moving in a common direction with it. And finally, the 4 parts are divided into 2 pairs, each of which moves in the opposite direction to the other, with one panel overlapping the other when opened. Another type is the same two-, three- and four-leaf doors, but of a cascade type. Their main difference is that all their doors move only in one direction.

One- and two-leaf doors can be moved apart both along the wall, closing part of it in the open position, or buried in it, going into special grooves.

Sliding interior doors

The next option is compartment doors, when 2 sashes, converging when closing the opening, do not close, but, moving along two parallel guides, slightly overlap with the edges. In this case, with a sufficient opening width, 1 part can be stationary, and the second can freely move along the guides. In fact, the previously considered three-leaf version can be made as a coupe, if the middle, third part, closing the opening, slightly overlaps the edge of the panel moving towards the parallel runners.

This is followed by a radial sliding door. To make such a structure, you need to have a rounding of the wall instead of one of the corners and an opening in this area. For the rest, except for bending along a certain radius, the sashes are not much different from the usual moving ones. In the open position, they will overlap small sections of the wall on the sides of the opening, and in the closed position, they will close, like in an elevator. Accordingly, the single-leaf version simply slides to the side along the guides. In some cases, radius doors can sink into special grooves if the wall is thick enough, or if a niche is made of plasterboard.

And, finally, the last type is doors that slide open with an accordion. Sashes of this type are equipped with rollers sliding along the upper edge on special rotary platforms. The panels themselves are interconnected by ordinary or piano hinges, several pieces each, depending on whether such structures are made in the form of one or two "curtains". It is noteworthy that the width of the flaps can be different, for example: narrower at the edges, and wider closer to the middle of the opening. The number of panels in each group is practically unlimited, except for the distance between the side ends of the interior opening.

Having chosen the one you like with the doors moving off to the sides, you need to carefully consider all the mechanisms available today that are included in the sets of sliding systems (CRS).

There are relatively few of them, and the simplest type is hanging. In fact, this is only one guide along which the rollers move, but it is very powerful, capable of withstanding a heavy load. At the bottom, a groove is made in the door leaf, into which the ridge stop laid on the threshold enters, so that the sash does not swing when moving. However, if the groove does not allow it to shift from side to side, then it can be slightly skewed in its plane, due to the relatively free position of the rollers inside the guide.

Suspended view of a sliding door structure

Unlike not too reliable (albeit inexpensive) suspension systems, which quickly deteriorate during active operation, a workover with two guides is much more durable... This option provides for each sash of the structure a lower trough, in which an additional roller moves, which simultaneously serves as a stop. As a rule, such mechanisms are installed on compartment doors and accordions.

It should be borne in mind that the presence of bearings in the rollers increases their service life and increases the smooth movement of the panel. The number of wheels is also of considerable importance; for panels with a large weight, 4 rollers are needed in each carriage.

So, we have considered all the possible options that you can install in the house with your own hands. However, now it is necessary to correctly combine the sliding systems for interior doors and the type of preferred design.

As already mentioned, compartment doors and accordions require lower guides. In this case, the first option requires a separate groove for each panel and a separate suspension system, respectively, while the mechanism of the accordion moves exclusively in one plane. Ordinary sliding doors work according to the same principle, and you can make them suspended for economy and ease of assembly with your own hands.

Bottom guides of the accordion

Radial sliding structures are much more interesting. Of course, their mechanism does not differ in anything special, but all carriages are deployed in relation to each other in an arcuate guide. Such a design must necessarily have a support roller and, preferably, more than one, so that with a sharp movement the sash does not jam.

Glass doors also have some peculiarities if they do not have a wooden, metal or plastic frame. When mounting the rollers directly to thin glass, special overhead rails with rollers in the upper part are used, they are screwed along the entire length through small holes. In the lower part, instead of a roller or stop, a narrow guide chute is sometimes placed.

How to properly install a sliding system with your own hands

How to install a sliding door system with your own hands - a step by step diagram

Step 1: markup

First of all, it must be borne in mind that even for the simplest suspension mechanism, the old door frame is not suitable, and therefore the jambs will need to be dismantled without fail. Only when you have an empty opening can you make markings for the new structure. For the future, stock up on decorative panels for masking the top rail and trims for finishing the ends of the opening.

Now we measure the height of the sash and add 15 millimeters to the result obtained for the lower gap. We measure the required distance along the wall from the floor and make marks along which we draw a line, after which we put a door next to it, knocking out the bottom with wedges, and check the correctness of the calculation.

Step 2: Install the rail

We measure the width of the already assembled mechanism (you need to check it in action to make sure that there is no marriage). Then we add the width of the guides and mark the locations of the fasteners, focusing on the line of passage of the upper edge of the door panel. We disassemble the mechanism for further assembly already on the sash. If there is only one upper guide, you can fix it with your own hands on a wooden bar previously attached to the wall. If there should be from 2 or more hanging profiles for the rollers, then special brackets are installed, screwed to the wall with several long screws.

Door hanging

And, finally, the most crucial moment - at the bottom of the door, you need to either make a groove with your own hands, if a stop knife (comb) or a leash will pass through there, or fix a plate with a lower roller. The latter needs a special gutter, which is mounted on the line of movement of the door and serves as a sill; to install it, use a plumb line or a laser level so that the sash does not get distorted. Now all that remains is to hang the door on the mechanism, securing the previously installed hinges using a special adjusting screw, which allows you to more accurately set the height of the sash relative to the floor.

When assembling such a system with your own hands, special attention should be paid at the very beginning to the leveling of the guide, so that there is no tilt towards the opening of the sash. Otherwise, it can be predicted with confidence that the door will open itself, and the retainer from the load will quickly fail. As a last resort, you can make a slight tilt towards closing, then the sash will always tend to close, but a small tilt angle (no more than 2 degrees) will not allow it to do this quickly. If you are making synchronously sliding doors with your own hands, do not forget to adjust the cable before final assembly of the system.

*** If you want to enlarge the photo doors on rails click on it.

Construction of doors on rails

How does the mechanism of interior sliding doors on rails and rollers work?

The principle of operation of the mechanism of sliding door structures is quite simple, and the canvas itself moves absolutely silently. The video below clearly demonstrates what such a door consists of, how it works and how it is installed.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Sliding Doors

Advantages: saving space; easily and silently opens; gives the room an original look; versatility - suitable for any opening; ease of installation; not damaged when hitting a wall; does not slam shut suddenly due to a draft; the possibility of zoning a large room.
Disadvantages: poor odor and sound insulation; the possibility of foreign objects falling into the rails, due to which the canvas can get stuck; high cost of services of professional installers; quick failure in the presence of installation errors.

Where are rail doors used most often?

Most often, these structures are used in houses with narrow corridors, because they do not require additional space. They are also desirable in houses whose owners follow the current trends of our time.

They are also used in shopping centers, entertainment facilities, oriental restaurants, and commercial buildings.

	5. Corridor

What sizes of door leaves are there?

When taking measurements for ordering a future sliding structure, it is necessary to take into account that the size of the door leaf should exceed the dimensions of the opening where it will be installed by 10 cm. This ensures that there are no gaps and maximizes the effect of privacy.

The standard dimensions of the serial sliding doors on rails and rollers made in Russia are 600 mm, 700 mm, 800 mm, 900 mm.

If the opening where the structure is supposed to be installed is larger, you can use two or more canvases instead of one - depending on whether the customer just wants to block the opening or delimit the room into several separate spaces. The classic option is a product consisting of one or two canvases.

Sliding interior doors are a great opportunity to update the interior. Combining functionality and modern design, these doors will become an unusual element of your home. However, in order to choose not only a beautiful, but also a reliable door, especially close attention should be paid to the mechanism.

Interior sliding wooden doors.

Sliding doors are composed of several parts. Most often it is a canvas, a fastening system and a mechanism. All necessary parts are sold as a kit and are included in the price of the door. However, in case of any breakdown, without having an idea of ​​how the door works, you will have to contact specialists, and this is an extra waste of money.

Let's try to figure out on our own how the mechanism works and whether it is possible to assemble interior sliding doors on our own. Instructions and photos, which can be easily found on the Internet, will help us with this.

The basis of the mechanism

The mechanism for sliding interior doors is quite simple and consists of three main parts:

• profile guides (rails);
• roller device;
• mount under the bracket;
• stoppers;
• screws.

Profile guides are made of metal - often aluminum, sometimes steel. There are doors with one rail and with two, and with a single guide, it is attached only from above. The length of the rail should be twice the length of the doorway.

Sliding mechanism.

The compartment door is equipped with two rails - at the bottom and at the top. The double-rail design has its advantages and disadvantages:

1. The double rail mechanism is more stable.
2. As a result of the main load on the lower component, the mechanism with two rails can withstand heavy loads and has a longer service life (especially with a heavy door leaf).
3. The best indicators of sound and noise insulation.
4. The bottom rail forms a threshold over which you can stumble.
5. Over time, dust and dirt build up in the bottom rail, making cleaning difficult.

The top rail is involved in the smooth movement of the door, while the bottom rail is used as a support. But there are sliding doors, the fastening mechanism of which provides for only one rail - the top one. Such doors are called pendant doors and are the most popular.

Hanging sliding doors without bottom rail.

If you decide to install just this type of door, then make sure that the quality of the upper guide is the highest, otherwise the rail may sag under the weight of the canvas. When installing, you must carefully follow the instructions and photos. A durable metal profile and reliable fittings are the key to a successful purchase of a slider or a door on wheels.

The roller device ensures easy sliding of the door along the rail. To choose the right roller mechanism for sliding interior doors, you should pay attention to the presence of a lower rail, the weight of the canvas and its size. If the door is equipped with a bottom rail, the rollers are installed closer to the corners at the bottom and top in the middle. The rollers are covered with wear-resistant rubber. They use bearings that make it possible for the door to slide silently when opened. Thanks to the dust protection, the bearings have a long service life.

Most often, the rollers are attached only to the canvas, however, the design of the sliding door provides for their fastening to the box, and outwardly such a mechanism looks like a groove.

Suspended doors with several leaves are equipped with another device - the rollers connect the leaf and the frame using a hinged lever.

Such a mechanism makes it possible to line up closed door leaves in one plane.

Stoppers serve as limiters of door movement, at the same time fixing and holding it.

It is worth paying attention to the fittings: they look unusual. Sliding interior doors, due to their design, cannot be completed with ordinary handles, because they will interfere with the movement of the canvases. Such doors use recessed handles that do not protrude beyond the width of the door leaf. If not interior doors, but entrance doors are used, then special locks and closers are attached to the mechanism.

When ordering a sliding door, an instruction with a description of the mechanism, an assembly diagram and a photo will be attached to it.

An example of a complete set of delivery for a sliding door.

Description of a typical device

After describing the general principles of operation of all incoming parts, we give a typical description of the sliding door mechanism. It should contain the following parameters:

Thus, it is easy to check the integrity of the door kit.

Sliding door mechanism diagram.

Self-assembly

It is easy to create a unique interior of an apartment and increase the useful area of ​​an apartment. For this, there are sliding interior doors. And self-installation will help to save money.

It will require an understanding of the process of the mechanism and a small set of tools.

After purchasing a sliding door with everything you need in the kit, you can start installing it. To do this, do the following:

1. We make the markup that will be needed for the guides. To do this, measure the height from floor to door with a tape measure. Do not forget to add 15-20 mm to the obtained indicator for the space between the floor and the door, plus the height of the profile guides and the assembled mechanism.
2. Make some marks on the wall and connect them with a line.
3. There is another way to measure the height of the guides, but it is not as accurate. To do this, you need to attach a door leaf to the opening, place marks along the upper edge, and add the parameters of the mechanism and guide to them.
4. Before mounting the guides, make sure that the drawn line is strictly horizontal. The easiest way to do this is with a level. Thus, you will protect yourself from annoying mistakes and the need to redo your work.
5. Now we proceed to install the guide, and mount it so that the line is on top. The fastening method depends on the type of rail. Some models offer wall mounting with dowels, some are mounted on brackets or timber. Fasten the rail not close to the wall, but at a short distance from it, so that the doorway does not interfere when opening the door.
6. Important note: the length of the rail must be twice the length of the doorway, otherwise, when you first open the door, it will simply fly off the guide. When calculating the length, add a few more centimeters of reserve.
7. Now you need to insert a mounting bolt inside the carriage and determine the entire resulting mechanism inside the rail. A conventional single-leaf door requires only two rollers, while compartment or accordion doors must be equipped with rollers according to the number of movable leaves.
8. Install the carriage brackets in the top of the door with a 3-6 mm gap from the edge. This method of fastening is acceptable for any canvas, except for glass. Glass doors are fastened with special clamps and screws. Also, given the weight of the glass, any door made of this material is supported from the bottom of the second rail.
9. After installing the roller mechanism and fasteners, it is time to reinstall the door leaf. To do this, carefully lift it up and screw the bolts into the brackets. To facilitate the work, this stage requires assistants to fix the doors smoothly and effortlessly.
10. If the sliding doors are installed evenly, it remains to decorate the doorway and slopes. If debugging is required, it can be done using bolts.

Due to their unusual design, sliding doors require a certain type of fittings.

Now all that remains is to put the fittings. A door set by yourself will help you better understand its mechanism and make sure of the quality of installation.