Sliding doors have become quite popular due to the ability to most effectively perform the required functions, as well as possessing the greatest degree of convenience and practicality of use. Do not hide the fact that the installation of this element is expensive due to increased demand.
At the same time, you can follow the competent instructions and install a sliding door with your own hands. The photos and recommendations below will help you with this.
Varieties
Depending on the wishes of the client, the sliding door can contain from one to four paintings and belong to one of the following varieties.
Sliding door
A sliding door of this type is also divided into two categories. It can be standard or built-in, accordion, automatic. Consider these varieties below.
Standard
The first option involves the installation of guide elements that allow the canvas to move along the wall. To install 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 mounted on the floor, forming a threshold. In general, such a system is often used in sliding wardrobes.
It will not be out of place to note that the placement of a directional element on the floor is not always necessary. This can not be done 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. The guide elements are also mounted on the ceiling and floor in the door frame so that the canvas can enter the prepared pocket, saving space.
Type "accordion"
This variety is a structure similar in structure to a screen. It involves more than two paintings (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 a “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 with a full set and is mounted strictly in a wide opening. In some variations, there is also the ability to adjust the speed of movement of the panels.
Benefits of Using a Sliding Door
Designs of the "accordion" type and the 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 quality materials, the sliding door can last for many years. Such devices are characterized by a high level of security, it is possible to adjust the height of the paintings. Another plus is multifunctionality (use as a mirror or part of the interior).
disadvantages
The cost of installing this design is quite high. Thus, installing a sliding door with your own hands will cost less, but you should follow all recommendations in the instructions so as not to spoil anything.
A sliding door (unlike the standard one) does not provide sufficient isolation of the room from sounds, smells and light. To avoid such a problem, a felt pad is installed at the end.
The complexity of caring for the internal walls is characteristic when using the integrated sliding door. There are two ways out of this situation: vacuuming without a nozzle or temporary removal of drywall from one side.
When repairing sliding doors with your own hands for a sliding wardrobe or a doorway, you should be extremely careful and have several additional copies of each part with you. Failure to comply with all the intricacies of repair and installation of the structure can lead not only to damage to the paintings, but also the need to change the guide rails.
Types of mechanisms
The functioning mechanism is a system that determines variations in the direction of movement of the web along the paths. The following types of mechanisms for interior doors are distinguished: internal and external.
Intrasystem
It can also be found under the name "hidden". It is used to ensure the operation of integrated doors. Installation of this system should be carried out during the construction of the wall, in which there will be space for paintings. Thus, the placement of an intrasystem mechanism will slightly increase the thickness of the opening, but at the same time provide more free space for furniture and decor.
External
By analogy with the previous one - 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 occur inside the wall, but along it, thus eliminating the need for rebuilding.
Types of Direction Rail
By installing sliding door sliding doors with your own hands, you can choose one of the following types of rails:
- Top. The most relevant type of rail installation at the moment. This arrangement allows them to function much longer, and also saves from frequent breakdowns. Attention! Applying the upper rails of the direction, it is necessary to use only those canvases that do not have a large 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 upper rails will exclude the smooth movement of the canvases.
- Combined. The design involves the simultaneous use of rails on the ceiling and floor due to the large weight of the paintings, as well as to achieve a smooth opening.
Care Features
It is necessary:
- to exclude hit on wooden cloths of water;
- timely clean 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 loss of shock absorbers.
Some features
When installing a sliding door with your own hands for a dressing room or insulation of a room, pay attention to the scope of delivery. In addition to paintings, it should include:
- 2 carriages.
- 2 stoppers.
- Lower roller with bearings inside;
- Screws for mounting.
In the absence of any details, it is urgent to take care of their acquisition.
The sliding door handle is different from the standard type. The peculiarity lies in the fact that it is recessed in 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, care must be taken to ensure that the floor and walls are carefully aligned.
In case of installation of a door of a built-in type, it is recommended to strengthen 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 snap mechanism.
Attention! The lock is purchased separately from the kit.
DIY sliding door installation: step-by-step instructions
As mentioned earlier, the installation of such a design requires strict adherence to all the recommendations specified in the manuals, due to some difficulties in operation. In order not to damage your kit and walls, follow the basic tips listed below as strictly as possible. For the greatest likelihood of success, an example of installing a standard door type will be given.
Necessary materials:
- door leafs, box, platbands;
- a beam for placing a guide rail (50 to 30);
- guide rails themselves, rollers (up to 4 pieces), locks and handles;
- roulette;
- hardware;
- level;
- a hacksaw with small teeth;
- chisel;
- drill.
Site preparation
After determining the place where the door will be installed, you need to make sure that the environment will not interfere with its work. 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 premises, it does not exceed 10 millimeters.
Doorway preparation
It is necessary to measure the height and width of the door (above, in the center, below). 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 by placing its middle above the right side of the box.
Set on the bursa path, attach using hardware. Check the guide by starting the roller. If he moved forward without encountering obstacles, then you can continue the installation.
Attach the lower paths. To do this, the guide is mounted on the floor and protected by a threshold.
Preparation of paintings
Before assembling the sliding door with your own hands, you must check the availability of all accessories in the kit. If the parts are in place, then you can begin to work.
A roller mechanism is mounted on the upper end. Next, you need to measure 15 millimeters from each edge of the lower end and drill holes. Choose a groove over the entire length (from one hole to another), 2 mm wider than the knife, 10 to 18 mm deep.
Hardware Installation
Carefully install the handles and lock, being careful not to damage the canvas itself. On this installation of accessories is over. This is an easy and quick step.
Door installation
Set the web on the guide rails. Check the quality and smoothness of movement. After this, the rubber shock absorbers are installed, which serve as limiters, eliminating the loss of the door from the tracks.
Summary
Installation of sliding structures is a rather time-consuming process, requiring 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 carry out its installation, while saving effort, time and money. Follow all recommendations. In this case, a pleasant result is provided to you. Good luck