Mechanisms for sliding doors: 6 types and recommendations for selection

,

When choosing pieces of furniture, one of the main priorities remains their functionality. A bed with a lifting mechanism in the bedroom is not only a sleeping place, but also an effective component of furniture.

Beds with a lifting mechanism got their name due to the presence of a special elevator, which allows you to lift the mattress above the bed frame with just one movement. The box under the bed is often called a linen closet because it is where bed linens, pillows, and blankets are usually stored. In essence, such a bed is a mechanized system designed both for relaxation and for storing things.

Design of beds with microlift

A bed with a microlift when assembled is no different from its conventional counterparts. It consists of several elements, the main ones being:

• solid base with bottom and partitions;
• upper lifting part with slats;
• mattress;
• two or more microlifts;
• headboard, legs, lifting handles.

Furniture manufacturers pay attention to the quality of each individual part and the assembly of the entire system as a whole. In the production of beds, the practicality of materials is not the least important.

Rotary

These are modern designs in which the doors are located on a conventional axis and rotate around it. They are easy to use, do not require handles and are equally easy to open on both sides. It is the rotary doors that can be automatic and opened using a control unit specially installed on the wall or using a remote control. Rotary doors may differ in door leaf and rotation direction.

Related article: Wall-hung toilet: features of selection and installation

Installation of rotary doors, as well as a set of them, will cost a lot. The thing is that, despite its simplicity, the mechanism is quite complex, requiring a professional approach to installation. In fact, the entire design includes two main types of mechanism: sliding and hinged. First, the canvas “rides” along the installed slats, then wraps around an axis. It should be noted right away that this is not the best option to save space. But for a large room such doors will look very impressive.

Pendulum

Another method of opening doors, which can be automatic or mechanical. Pendulum doors are mounted on special hangers that open the door by swinging it to the side. Typically these doors have a strong retaining mechanism that allows the door to swing open quickly but slowly return to its original position. Such designs also require enough space.

In conclusion, let's summarize. The most inexpensive options would be swing doors, depending on the cost of the door panels, of course. But if you need to save space, you won’t find better compartment or accordion doors.

Manufacturing materials

Solid wood, laminated chipboard, plywood of various thicknesses, fiberboard and MDF are used everywhere in modern bed production. To optimize the price of the final product, these materials are usually used in various combinations. Traditionally, the most expensive remains an array of valuable wood species. A high-quality solid oak bed can serve more than one generation of users.

In the manufacture of beds in the budget sector and the middle price category, laminated chipboard, chipboard and pine timber are most often used for the manufacture of frames, fiberboard for the lower parts of the boxes, and birch plywood for slats. As for the materials for upholstery of beds, their number is measured in hundreds: from elite and expensive types of leather and tapestry to practical flock and artificial suede.

Advantages of beds with lifting mechanisms

When furnishing any space, especially limited space, each of us tries to use it as fully and comfortably as possible. In this regard, a bed with a microlift is undoubtedly an ideal solution. Everything that was used for a restful sleep at night can be put into the bed box in less than a minute, and just as quickly taken out before bed. Compared to beds with drawers, this system does not rely on the space around the bed, which is often severely limited by the small size of bedrooms.

Along with the rational use of space, the design of beds with a lifting mechanism makes it possible to choose a mattress in accordance with your requirements and preferences. Having decided to purchase a bed equipped with microlifts, you should pay attention to a number of points, taking into account which will help you purchase a functional and high-quality piece of furniture.

Rating of kitchen fittings

As you can see, furniture fittings for the kitchen are not such a small matter. The ranking is headed by large European manufacturers.

Blum quietly surrounds you with comfort

If you mark all the branches of the Austrian corporation Blum on a school globe, then almost the entire planet will be surrounded by them. Some numbers: the history of the corporation goes back almost 70 years, Blum products are supplied to 120 countries around the world, and 7 thousand people are employed in production.

The manufacturer offers a large selection of kitchen accessories:

• Clip-Top hinges built into hinged doors and facades;
• Blumotion door closers for opening and closing the doors in one economical movement;
• Tandembox steel systems for drawers from 270 to 650 mm deep;
• steel Metabox systems for partial or full extension of drawers from 250 to 550 millimeters deep;
• Tip-On devices for handling drawers without handles;
• spacious Orga-Line trays for household items with removable dividers (you can adjust the number and size of cells yourself);
• Blum Aventos lifting mechanisms for upper cabinets, supporting weights from 14 to 43.5 kilograms.

The recognizable “chips” of Blum are strict forms and laconic design. Lightness, smoothness and noiselessness are three components that together give incredible comfort in the kitchen and inspiration when preparing dishes.

Hettich creates blissful silence

The history of the Hettich concern lasts more than 130 years. The brand has long gone beyond its native Germany and conquered Europe, and then Asia and America. Its products are among the TOP popularity in the CIS countries. The strong point of this German manufacturer is innovation, including its own invention. Thus, Hettich engineers were the first in the world to patent the idea of ​​a steel drawer side and a double side system.

Hinges, guides and other furniture fittings of this brand operate completely silently. There is even a joke in professional circles that Hettich is the favorite brand of burglars, helping to clean out a house without making a fuss.

Main types of Hettich kitchen fittings:

• InnoTech drawer systems with double walls made of steel. The powder coating prevents the walls from becoming scratched and fingerprinted. The system is designed for 100 thousand opening-closing cycles - and this is at least 20 years of daily operation;
• new generation ArciTech sliding systems, providing even softer and silent movement of drawers;
• Quadro guides operating on the ball bearing principle;
• Silent System retractable mechanisms capable of absorbing vibrations;
• Sensys hinges with a built-in damper that softens the closure of the sashes;
• Intermat adjustable hinges;
• sliding hinges SlideOn with double spring;
• ready-made MultiTech drawers of different lengths and heights;
• Push-to-Open system for handleless headsets, controlled by hand presses.

Like Blum brand products, Hettich is not cheap kitchen fittings. But its quality more than justifies the investment. The strength of the metal and the performance of the entire structure allow Hettich mechanisms to operate for decades, even if they are used very intensively. These are real “workhorses” that will serve for a long time and reliably.

Mechanisms, their type and quantity

Different models of beds with lifting mechanisms can be equipped with different types of microlifts. By design, the following types are distinguished:

• simple devices on hinges that require significant effort to lift and hold the mattress;
• lifts on coil springs;
• microlifts with installed gas shock absorbers (gas lifts).

The first type of device is both the simplest in design and the cheapest. True, it can only be called a lift conditionally. However, hinged devices, due to their low cost, are great for small beds with light mattresses.

Lifts with coil springs are reliable and time-tested devices for beds in the mid-price segment. They are distinguished by high reliability and durability at low cost.

Gas-filled shock absorbers, successfully borrowed from the automotive industry, appeared in furniture production relatively recently. The smooth running and almost silent operation of gas lifts are highly valued by lovers of high-quality furniture. Among the disadvantages of such devices, some experts note high cost and limited resources. Be that as it may, well-known manufacturers produce gas-filled shock absorbers that can work for many years, and the trend is towards reducing their cost.

Having understood the structure of the lifting mechanisms, you should definitely pay attention to their number. It may vary. If two lifts are enough for an ordinary single or double bed, then three or more lifts are installed to lift large and heavy mattresses. The main thing is to ensure that the upper part of the bed is raised and lowered with minimal physical effort. High-quality mechanisms are equipped with special clamps that allow you to fix the upper frame in the open position both at an angle and horizontally. It should be understood that the number of lifts increases the cost of the entire system.

Advantages and disadvantages of ball guides

Any mechanism has certain advantages and disadvantages. Such features should be taken into account before choosing one or another fitting for installation.

Table 1. Pros and cons of installing ball guides

Telescope mechanism suitable for massive iron boxes

The role of ball guides in furniture production

Despite the fact that ball guides are used in various industries, such fittings are most popular in furniture manufacturing.

Most often they are installed in various wardrobe systems, chests of drawers, cabinets. This means that they can be found in any type of furniture that is designed for comfort and space saving. It is worth noting that the presence of such a system greatly simplifies the use of sliding cabinets.

A bed with drawers mounted on telescopic fittings

Prices for telescopic guides

Upper frame and slats

The ease of use and durability of the bed largely depend on the slatted block, which takes on the weight of the mattress and the people lying on the bed. The frame of the block itself can either be made of wooden beams or have an all-welded metal structure. The second option is usually used in expensive bed models. Their high cost is more than compensated by the complete absence of unpleasant squeaks and an almost unlimited service life. In addition, the metal frame is much more reliable in places where lifts are attached, which take on serious loads.

Another important element of beds with lifting mechanisms are slats. They not only serve as support for the mattress, but are also responsible for improving its anatomical functions. Located at a certain distance from each other, the lamellas must be both rigid and elastic. In order for the slats to best perform their functions, they are made from multi-layer birch plywood. In high-quality bed models, slats made of five- or seven-layer plywood are installed. When choosing a lamella base, you need to pay attention to the distance between the lamellas. The smaller it is, the better. On average this figure is 5 cm.

Swing

A classic of the genre - swing doors. Their peculiarity lies in their ease of installation and low cost, depending on the canvas. Swing doors are the oldest method of opening. It consists in the fact that fittings are attached to a special box into which part of the door leaf fastening is inserted. Thus, the hinges hold the doors, and their running mechanism allows you to freely open and close the structure.

Hinged doors can be double or single, have additional leaves and various decorative finishes. At the moment, this is the only safe and reliable type of door opening for the entrance system.

Doors can be right-handed or left-handed. It all depends on the requirements of the premises. But usually the canvases allow, if something happens, to install loops on one side or the other. The same goes for the box.

Features of models and small details

Considering that the main advantage of beds with lifting mechanisms is saving space, manufacturers are trying to optimize this parameter. This can be achieved by installing sliding panels in the bed frame, which form sections with a “double bottom”. You can put things that are not frequently used there, and put a pillow or blanket on top.

An interesting solution could be a removable cover on the bed frame. If you want to refresh your bedroom interior after a couple of years of using the bed, changing the cover will allow you to do this in a matter of minutes.

In high-quality bed models, everything is thought through to the smallest detail. Rounded edges, soft upholstery and legs located at some distance from the edge of the base can protect against bruises and abrasions, and the use of high-quality fastening elements can protect against annoying squeaks.

When purchasing a bed with a lifting mechanism, the buyer receives a spacious closet as a bonus, which is a very important advantage for small apartments. The best solution is beds with gas-filled closers. They cost a little more, but they perform better than others in operation.

Sliding door opening mechanism: types of systems and instructions for self-installation

Traditional interior or entrance doors are gradually losing their popularity. Swing structures take up a lot of space, close loudly, slam from drafts and “weight down” the interior with their massiveness.

Therefore, many people in their homes install a sliding door opening mechanism instead of standard door structures.

Sliding door design

There are several variations in the design of sliding structures, which differ in the specifics of movement and the number of sashes.

Main types of sliding doors:

• Books;
• cascade;
• sliding;
• radial;
• compartment;
• sliding types.

Despite the variety of design options, the structure of the mechanisms is almost the same. The kits differ only in design and number of elements. The standard set includes door panels, rails, cassette, rollers, fittings and other elements.

Sliding door guides

The profiles along which the door leaves move can be made of steel or aluminum.

IMPORTANT! When installing heavy door structures, steel guides are used; aluminum analogues can be deformed due to the weight of the door leaf.

The sliding mechanism kit may have one or two rails, depending on the type of door structure and the closing features of the door leaf. The guides also differ in cross-sectional shape, size and installation method.

Characteristics and properties of guide sliding systems

Most often, 1.5-2 meter rails with one groove are used; they are suitable for canvases that move only in one plane. For compartment or cascade sliding systems, multi-channel profiles are used.

Roller bearings and locking elements for sliding systems

The number of rollers in the sliding system is determined by the type of sliding and the weight of the canvas. The location of the roller bearings can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. For oversized door structures weighing up to 80 kg, mechanisms with two pairs of wheels are used. Massive canvases move on four or more supports.

Stopping elements are called motion limiters. They are necessary to fix the door leaf in a certain position. This function is especially valuable for houses in which the structure has contracted and the horizontal orientation of the rails has been disrupted. The stoppers also prevent the roller from flying out of the profile and eliminate the possibility of the door hitting the wall.

Synchronous control device and fittings

For door structures consisting of two sliding panels, a synchronous opening (closing) device is purchased. This mechanism is equipped with a special cable system, which allows you to simultaneously move the second one when opening one leaf. There are variations of equipment designed for one-sided movement of canvases.

Sliding door fittings include handles, door cassettes, locks and other elements. Regular handles are not suitable for sliding systems; variations of a certain shape are needed so that during the closing process the panel fits smoothly into the wall.

When choosing accessories, special attention is paid to the material of manufacture. It is advisable to purchase metal products. Plastic analogues quickly fail because they cannot withstand heavy loads.

In addition, to improve performance, sliding doors can be equipped with cables, special mini-electric motors, hooks and closers. Finishing devices do not have a negative impact on the performance of door mechanisms; they only increase the ease of use of the door structure.

Sliding doors with closers: characteristics of the mechanism and main advantages

Sliding door mechanisms with a closer are standard closed-type mechanisms, which are equipped with a device for smooth opening and closing of the door leaf. Depending on the width of the door structure, such equipment can be installed to perform single-sided or double-sided door closing.

Nowadays several variants of finishing devices are produced; they differ in design and type of installation. A standard closer consists of an adapter and a housing, inside of which there is a damper, a lever and a piston.

In sliding door systems, the closer is mounted in a guide profile. If the door closes, the adapter applies pressure to the lever, the damper is activated and the leaf begins to move smoothly and more slowly. When the damper reaches its extreme position, the door leaf stops.

Advantages of sliding doors with a closing device

To choose the right finishing device for a sliding system, you need to take into account the dimensions of the door structure, installation method and type of traction mechanism. For coupe-type door structures, a hydromechanical closer installed in the upper guide rail is ideal. The simplest doors with one leaf and one-way opening can be operated with one closer; complex structures require two devices.

Types of sliding systems

There are several variations in the design of sliding system mechanisms. This allows you to choose the optimal type of device for any interior design and dimensions of the door structure.

Types of sliding mechanisms:

• Barn - most of the load is distributed on the upper rails, which are made of steel. When the door opens or closes, the door does not touch the floor.
• Telescopic - suitable for door structures with several leaves that move in one direction. The sashes are located on two parallel guides and are combined using a synchronizer.
• Coplanar - installed on a door with several leaves arranged in two rows. The mechanism is not suitable for heavy structures. Closing and opening of the doors occurs according to the principle of compartment doors.
• Hidden - the mechanism is hidden behind a false panel, the supports are installed on top of the panels. Usually, the installation of such a sliding device is designed during the construction phase so as not to damage the walls.
• Turning and sliding – hybrid structures that combine the functionality of standard swing doors and sliding systems. The kit consists of roller systems and guides that are installed in the upper part of the opening. A special lever element is mounted at the bottom of the sash.

There are many variations in the execution of mechanisms, there is plenty to choose from. Lovers of the loft style can buy barn mechanisms for sliding doors; fans of modernism will like the coplanar type.

Any option from sliding kits requires proper installation and timely maintenance. This is the only way to ensure long-term operation of the door structure.

Self-installation of sliding doors

To install the sliding door mechanism, you will need the following tools: a hammer, a hammer drill, a chisel, a screwdriver, a level, a plumb line and a screwdriver. You should also purchase nails, screws, and anchor bolts. The fittings require special handles, decorative trim and a lock.

Preparing walls and door frames

Before installing the device, you should prepare the walls. The dimensions of the opening must correspond to the size of the door being installed. All sides of the opening should be checked with a level; there should be no unevenness. After this, you can begin installing the door frame. It is attached to the wall using anchor bolts. The main thing is to correctly set the angle of the box relative to the walls, ceiling and floor.

Mounting rails

The location for attaching the profile is marked. The door leaf is placed at the installation site and the top line is marked. Another horizontal line is drawn from the line at a distance of the width of the guide. After this, the rail is screwed with fasteners that come complete with the sliding mechanism or ordinary self-tapping screws.

Installation of roller bearings

Rollers and door movement limiters are inserted into the upper profile. You need to make a groove in the door leaf that will correspond to the parameters of the bottom rail.

Door leaf installation

The roller carriages are attached to the door leaf. The cutouts on the brackets should “look” towards the wall. Next, the canvas is hung: the staples are attached to the upper rollers, and the lower guide is inserted into the groove from below and secured to the floor using self-tapping screws.

Adjusting sliding doors

You should adjust the installation height of the door leaf, as well as the distance between the leaf and the wall. To do this, tighten the bolts that are located on the roller carriage. The permissible distance between the door leaf and the wall is up to 7 mm.

Once the door structure is installed and the fasteners are fixed, you can begin installing fittings and decorative elements.

Self-installation of the sliding mechanism is necessary for simple variations of doors with one leaf. It is better to entrust the installation of complex multi-leaf structures with closers to professionals. Because incorrect installation can cause the sliding system to quickly fail.