Sliding doors have become quite popular due to the ability to perform the required functions as efficiently as possible, as well as having the greatest degree of convenience and practicality of use. It should not be hidden that the installation of this element is expensive due to the increased demand.
At the same time, you can follow the right instructions and install the sliding door yourself. The photos and recommendations below will help you with this.
Varieties
Depending on the desire of the client, the sliding door can contain from one to four canvases and belong to one of the following varieties.
Compartment door
This type of sliding door is also divided into two categories. It can be standard or built-in, accordion, automatic. Let's take a look at these varieties next.
Standard
The first option involves the installation of guideselements that allow the canvas to move along the wall. Installing such a sliding door with your own hands is not difficult. It is important to note that when installing elements of this type, the guide tracks are also attached to the floor, forming a threshold. In general, such a system is often used in wardrobes.
It's worth noting that placing a direction element on the floor is not always necessary. This can be omitted if the presence of a threshold in the doorway is undesirable.
Built-in
Installing a sliding door in the wall with your own hands will be a little more difficult. Guides are also attached to the ceiling and floor in the door frame so that the door leaf can fit inside the prepared pocket, saving space.
Accordion type
This variety is a design similar in structure to a screen. It involves more than two canvases (most often 4 or 6). Such a door is much more convenient due to the fact that only one roller moves along the guide tracks. It is worth noting that if there are only two canvases, the design is called "book".
Automatic sliding door
This design is most often used for offices and shops, it is much more difficult to assemble due to the presence of an infrared radiation system. It will be extremely difficult to assemble and install such a sliding door with your own hands. It is bought as a complete set and is mounted strictly in a wide opening. In some variations, there is also the ability to adjust the speed of the panels.
Benefits of using a sliding door
Accordion type constructions and a built-in door do not require extra space when opening, and therefore are perfect for apartments with a small area. Installation of the structure can be carried out both in residential and warehouse premises. You can also note the significant convenience of the design (compared to standard doors). When using high-quality materials, the sliding door can last for many years. Such devices are distinguished by an increased level of security, it is possible to regulate the height of the canvases. Another plus is multifunctionality (use as a mirror or part of the interior).
Flaws
The installation cost of this design is quite high. Thus, installing a sliding door with your own hands will cost less, but you should follow all the recommendations in the instructions so as not to spoil anything.
A sliding door (unlike a standard one) does not provide sufficient isolation of the room from sounds, smells and light. To avoid this problem, a felt pad is installed at the end.
The complexity of maintaining the internal walls when using the built-in sliding door is typical. There are two ways out of this situation: vacuuming without a nozzle or temporary removal of drywall from one side.
When repairing sliding doors for a closet or doorway with your own hands, you should be extremely careful and have a few extra copies of each part with you. Failure to comply with all the subtleties of the repair and installation of the structure can lead not only to damage to the canvases, but also to the need to change the guide rails.
Mechanism types
The functioning mechanism is a system that determines variations in the direction of movement of the canvas along the tracks. There are the following types of mechanisms for interior doors: internal and external.
Intrasystem
Also can be found under the name "hidden". Used to ensure the operation of built-in doors. The installation of this system should be carried out when building a wall in which the space for the canvases will be located. Thus, the placement of the internal mechanism will slightly increase the thickness of the opening, but at the same time provide more free space for placing furniture and decor.
External
Similar to the previous one, it is an open mechanism. The installation of such a system does not depend on the stage of repair, it can be carried out even in a finished room. This is due to the fact that the installation of the guide rails does not take place inside the wall, but along it, thus eliminating the need for rebuilding.
Types of rail directions
When mounting sliding compartment doors with your own hands, you can choose one of the following types of rails:
- Top. The most current type of rail installation at the moment. This arrangement allows them to function much longer, and also saves from frequent breakdowns. Attention! When using top guide rails, only those blades should be usedwho do not carry much weight.
- Lower. They are used extremely rarely due to a sufficient number of minuses. If you step on them, deformation occurs. Such a support will need regular cleaning, and the absence of top rails will exclude the smooth movement of the cloths.
- Combined. The design involves the simultaneous use of rails on the ceiling and floor due to the large weight of the canvases, as well as to achieve smooth opening.
Features of care
Required:
- avoid getting water on wooden sheets;
- timely clean the guides from debris;
- check the condition of handles, locks and rollers; ensure their timely replacement;
- when cleaning the door, use specialized care products;
- avoid abrupt closing and opening; such handling can lead to accelerated wear of the roller mechanisms or the shock absorbers to fall out.
Some Features
When installing a sliding door for a dressing room or room isolation with your own hands, pay attention to the scope of delivery. In addition to canvases, it should include:
- 2 carriages.
- 2 stops.
- Lower roller with bearings inside;
- Mount screws.
If any parts are missing, you must urgently take care of their purchase.
The sliding door handle is different from the standard type. The peculiarity lies in the fact that it is recessed into the canvas, so as not to interfere with its movement. And in some cases (automatic sliding systems) it is completely absent.
Before installing the doors, make sure that the floor and walls are carefully aligned.
In case of installation of a built-in type door, it is recommended to reinforce the cassette. A specialized metal frame is installed at the stage when part of the wall is removed. The use of such an element will ensure the greatest reliability, as well as greatly facilitate the use of the door itself.
The lock on this design will differ in its position. More specifically, it has a vertical latch mechanism.
Attention! The lock is purchased separately from the kit.
Do-it-yourself sliding door installation: step by step instructions
As mentioned earlier, the installation of this design requires strict adherence to all the recommendations specified in the manuals, due to some difficulties in the work. In order not to damage your kit and walls, follow the basic tips below as strictly as possible. For the greatest probability of success, an example of installing a standard type door will be given.
Required materials:
- door leaf, box, trim;
- beam to accommodate the guide rail (50 by 30);
- the guide skids themselves, rollers (up to 4 pieces), locks and handles;
- roulette;
- hardware;
- level;
- Hacksaw with fine teeth;
- chisel;
- drill.
Preparing the site
After determining the place where the door will be installed, it is necessary to make sure that the environment will not interfere with its operation. The box is being installed.
Attention! When installing the box, it is necessary to take into account the distance from the door to the floor. In residential areas, it does not exceed 10 millimeters.
Preparing the doorway
You need to measure the height and width of the door (top, center, bottom). Draw a straight line at a distance equal to the width of the guide path from the top edge of the door frame. Attach the burs strictly to the mark, placing its middle over the right side of the box.
Install on the bursa of the path, attach using hardware. Check the guide by running the roller. If he has advanced without encountering an obstacle, then you can continue editing.
Attach the bottom paths. To do this, the guide is fixed to the floor and protected by a threshold.
Preparing cloths
Before assembling the sliding door with your own hands, you need to check the availability of all fittings in the kit. If the parts are in place, then you can get to work.
A roller mechanism is installed on the upper end. Next, you need to measure 15 millimeters from each edge of the lower end and drill holes. Select a groove through the entire length (from one hole to another), 2 mm wider than the knife, and 10 to 18 mm deep.
Installation of fittings
Carefully install the handles and lock, being careful not todamage the fabric itself. This completes the hardware installation. This is an easy and fast step.
Door installation
Install the canvas on the guide paths. Check the quality and smoothness of movement. After that, rubber shock absorbers are installed, which serve as limiters, preventing the door from falling out of the tracks.
Results
Installation of sliding structures is a rather laborious process that requires maximum accuracy, sufficient financial costs and compliance with all recommendations. From this article, you learned how to make a sliding door with your own hands and install it, while saving energy, time and money. Follow all of the above recommendations. In this case, a pleasant result is guaranteed to you. Good luck!
