Sliding doors for a dressing room: do-it-yourself installation

In modern city apartments and private houses, dressing rooms are increasingly appearing. To increase the comfort of using this room, you should properly organize its internal space. The functional task of such a room is to store things that should be easily accessible.

If we are talking about an apartment, then here a dressing room most often appears after redevelopment, so every free centimeter plays a big role. It is to free up space that sliding doors for the dressing room are installed.

Features of sliding doors

Such designs will look great not only in large walk-in closets, but also in compact wardrobes, fulfilling a functional purpose and decorating the interior.

Advantages

Due to the large number of advantages, such designs are in great demand on the market compared to conventional swing doors.

The mechanism is characterized by the following advantages:

1. Compactness. Compared to hinged products, sliding ones fit into the space more economically. The owner will not have to think about which direction the doors should open, so as not to block the passage and not interfere with movement.
2. Safety. Such doors are increasingly being installed in homes where small children live. The likelihood of injuring your finger is minimized, and an accidental draft is not able to slam them shut.
3. Ease of installation and maintenance. You can install sliding doors to the dressing room yourself, without having any special skills. There is an option for making them to order, but to do this you need to know the parameters of the connector where they will be installed. If any part of the mechanism fails, it can be easily replaced with a new one.
4. Visual appeal. A wide variety of materials and colors are used to produce structures. Doors can be easily transformed with the help of decorative decorations, making them a real work of art.

Thus, the compartment system has enough advantages, and ease of opening puts it at the forefront when choosing doors for a dressing room.

Flaws

Sliding canvases have certain disadvantages. Of course, it’s difficult to call them serious. But you need to be aware of the shortcomings in order to minimize them as much as possible.

Cons of sliding doors:

1. Odors pass through. This can become a problem if the dressing room is located close to the kitchen. Such doors will not protect personal belongings from odors.
2. Cheap models can become loose. If the system is of poor quality, then if it is opened and closed frequently, it will quickly fail. You can fight this: you don’t need to skimp on elements that affect the mobility of the blade (guide bar, rollers).
3. Noise. Compared to conventional structures, sliding ones are noisier. During opening, a peculiar rustling noise is heard, but you can quickly get used to it.
4. Marking of mirror models. In daylight, all fingerprints will be visible on them, which requires intensive cleaning.

Organizing a dressing room

• Pantry or niche - this option requires minimal costs. We need components: shelving, hangers, drawers and doors. It is recommended to install sliding ones: a swing design is much more difficult to install. In the photo there are sliding ones that cover a niche.

• Part of the room - if there are no such premises, then you can use the living room. Minimum dimensions – 2 sq. m. with a depth of 1 m, do not reduce the room to a critical size, and the ability to fence off a corner allows you to change the proportions while maintaining a sense of perspective. There are two ways to fence off a room: by installing plasterboard walls or sliding doors as a partition. The last option is easier to implement with your own hands.
• Attic - a dressing room can be arranged either against a low or high wall. It is recommended to use shelving and racks rather than cabinet furniture, so as not to visually reduce the space. In the same way, you can equip a niche under the stairs to the second floor.

Related article: Doors in American walnut color when decorating an interior

Types of doors for wardrobes

There are now several door designs available for such premises. When choosing, you need to take into account the size of the room and the functionality of the system. Each option has its own characteristics.

Recoil

Their design is similar to a pencil case, that is, when opened, each door goes into a niche in the wall. This is the best option if there is not enough free space in the room. However, sliding structures for dressing rooms are more difficult to install and more expensive than traditional options.

Sliding

For the door leaf, guides are installed on rollers, along which they move left and right. They are good because they close smoothly, so they are considered less dangerous and can be used in rooms with small children. Sliding products are equipped with standard parts, so their installation is not difficult.

Manufacturers produce a wide variety of models that differ in appearance and size, so choosing sliding doors to suit the characteristics of the room is not a problem.

It is worth noting that the guide can be not only straight, but also curved. Radius canvases, of course, are more suitable for spacious rooms, since they do not allow saving space. In some cases, they are installed in ordinary apartments, if the design requires it.

Folding

Products of this type are relevant if owners want to preserve the original appearance of expensive flooring - laminate or parquet. The fact is that when opening the doors do not touch the floor. The roller mechanism is located under the ceiling or near the upper horizontal ceiling. In the places where the doors bend, there are ordinary door hinges.

There is a type of design called a "book". In this case, there are only two folding sections, and four canvases. As a rule, such doors are optimal for openings with a width of 1.5 to 1.7 meters.

Folding wardrobe systems have the following advantages:

• elegant appearance;
• ease of use;
• preserve the appearance of the floor covering.

However, the door leaf may become loose during active use. And it requires more space than sliding doors.

Harmonic

This folding design is similar to a “book”, but the difference is that it involves a larger number of doors. It consists of several lamellas that fold one into one. Depending on the width of the opening, their number can reach 10 pieces.

Often in dressing rooms they install one wide accordion door, which folds not in both directions, but only in one direction. Using such a system is a convenient and functional way to zone the interior space. Thanks to their modern appearance and ability to efficiently use free space, accordion doors are now particularly popular.

Roto-doors

A distinctive characteristic of such a system is the rotating mechanism. The product can rotate around its axis and open in any direction. It is worth noting that such equipment for a dressing room has a high cost - from 35,000 rubles, which includes the canvas, rotary mechanism, trim, box and fittings.

It’s also not possible to save space when installing such doors. However, their key advantage is their unique appearance, which will complement any interior.

Rack and pinion

They received this name due to the special design of the valves. To assemble the canvas, narrow horizontal slats are used, which are placed straight (there will be gaps between them) or at an angle.

Depending on the type of opening, the following systems are distinguished:

• folding;
• swing;
• sliding

Thanks to their visual features, slatted canvases can make the atmosphere lighter and “airier”.

As a rule, the material for production is wood, which has a beneficial effect on the free circulation of air.

Techno doors

Despite the large list of positive qualities of such products, they are not found so often in modern dressing rooms. The design is similar to coupe type products, with the exception of the lower rails. There are simply none, since all fasteners are placed at the top of the system.

Owners of techno-doors note one important advantage - they don’t have to constantly trip over the lower fastenings, which makes the room more comfortable to use.

Features of sliding door structures: all the pros and cons

If such a door is installed in a house or apartment, especially a small one, the advantages and disadvantages of the design will immediately reveal themselves.

Sliding doors have many advantages

Advantages

1. Space is saved. This means that some square footage will be freed up for other purposes.

1. The layout of a typical apartment takes on individuality.

1. The dimensions of the wall increase visually.

1. No need to create thresholds. This can also be considered an advantage.

1. If the compartment door is assembled correctly, it is very simple and convenient to operate.

1. If necessary, the room can be zoned. You can create two zones.

Flaws

The shortcomings are not so significant, but they should also be taken into account.

Firstly, there are gaps. They remain in the doorway (between the frame and the leaf) when the door is closed. This means that the following cannot be provided:

• reliable sound insulation;
• good thermal insulation.

And if such a door separates the kitchen, cooking odors will penetrate into other rooms.

Secondly, when you choose a design that consists of 2 sashes, its installation becomes more complicated. After all, both halves must fit one another perfectly.

Disadvantages of compartment doors

Thirdly, you will need to check every detail extremely carefully. Otherwise, after installation, distortion will appear. Then the sash will jam, and problems will arise when opening/closing the door.

Types of doors by type of sliding mechanism

The product will last much longer if, when choosing it, you pay attention not only to its visual qualities, but also to the mechanism. System options are suspended and bottom-supported. Let's consider their features.

Bottom support

The door rests on the lower guide and is fixed by the upper one. The canvas moves along them using Teflon-coated rollers. The latter are adjustable in height, so the system can be easily positioned as needed.

However, there are certain disadvantages: the guides quickly become covered with dirt and dust, making them less smooth and noisy. Therefore, in order for the system to work properly for a long time, its guides should be vacuumed and wiped from time to time.

Aluminum is used for the manufacture of lower support systems. The frame is an aluminum frame with a handle profile, which can vary in color and configuration. The main element of this profile is a thick-walled rectangular tube, which increases rigidity.

For such a mechanism, doors are made of chipboard (chipboard), MDF (medium density fiberboard), glass, leather, mirror and other materials. The advantages of the system are practicality, durability and ease of operation. The roller mechanism can withstand loads of up to 160 kg. Compared to the suspended system, the lower support system has a more affordable price.

Hanging

A hanging system for opening sliding wardrobes is considered more modern and functional. In this case, the doors are attached to the upper rail and fixed to the lower one. The canvases move not inside the cabinet, but in front of it. To attach the guides, choose the ceiling or roof of the wardrobe.

The suspension system is quite easy to install, and no additional milling of the product is required. But during installation work, you should start from the quality of the plane - if the surface has unevenness, the system will not be able to withstand the load. For this reason, it is recommended to contact professionals who will take all the necessary measurements.

The difference in the suspension system is also reflected in the visual characteristics. If the bottom-supporting canvases are placed in a box, then the suspended ones are most often overhead. This allows you to hide the ends of the floor or side panels behind them, which can be considered an advantage.

Features of the suspension system:

1. One door can withstand a load of 100 kg.
2. Compact components that do not take up free space.
3. The cabinet frame is completely covered with canvas, thereby increasing aesthetics.
4. They open and close silently.
5. The facades are securely fixed in the doorways.
6. When closed, there are practically no gaps left.
7. Solid and framed canvases can be used.
8. Large assortment of stylish designer models.

The suspension system is more functional, but compared to the bottom-support system, it is more expensive.

Elements for door assembly

Making a sliding structure for a dressing room or closet yourself is not so difficult, but here it is very important not only to follow the correct calculations, but also to purchase only high-quality and reliable fittings. And before you buy all the necessary elements, it is worth considering the following features:

• Canvas weight. Rollers designed for sliding doors can withstand up to 80 kg of weight. This is worth paying attention to when selecting material for creating a door leaf;
• Shade of profiles. Since the profiles located at the top and bottom of the structure will be partially visible, select parts that match the color of the dressing room or closet.

So, as shown in the drawing, to make sliding wardrobe doors with your own hands, you will need the following elements:

1. Horizontal (top, bottom) and vertical profiles;
2. Intermediate profiles;
3. Top and bottom guides;
4. Top and bottom roller systems;
5. Anti-roll brakes;
6. Silicate sealant (for installing glass and mirrors);
7. Schlegel (damping material that ensures silent sliding of the rollers).

Material of manufacture

In order for the selected system to work effectively, when choosing, it is necessary to pay attention not only to the technical characteristics, but also to the material itself from which the doors are made. At the moment, manufacturers produce products from wood, plastic, glass, bamboo and other materials.

Wooden

The use of natural wood is the best solution for rooms that are designed in a classic style. Often a combination technique is used: glass, mirror elements or stained glass are added. A good budget option is MDF or chipboard.

Products may differ in shape and color, so choosing a sliding wooden door for a specific interior is not difficult. As a rule, users prefer to opt for MDF products with a “book” or “accordion” opening mechanism.

Glass

Such wardrobe partitions differ from ordinary ones in that they do not have tightness and a tight fit. In the case of a dressing room, this is more of an advantage than a disadvantage, since the air will continue to circulate, preventing clothes from stale.

Glass doors installed in dressing rooms serve more of a decorative purpose than a practical one. With the help of a door, the living area can be easily separated from the shelves with clothes, and at the same time there will always be free access to them.

It is important that the glass partition fits well into the surrounding interior. It is better to make sure that the door remains inconspicuous. This is explained by the fact that the wardrobe complements the bedroom or living room. This is why glass or mirror are often chosen.

Practicality is rarely considered in such a situation. More attention is paid to visual qualities. When choosing, you need to start from the decorative design of the door.

Mirror

A dressing room equipped with a mirrored sliding door is a functional and stylish option that complements any interior. For the manufacture of the structure, special shockproof glass is used. The key advantage of such canvases is their mirror surfaces, which visually increase the space. Even a small room will look more spacious.

Another advantage is the variety of decor. Nowadays there are not only solid mirrored doors, but also those decorated with stained glass or patterns. The only drawback of the products is their soilability. There will be fingerprints and small splashes on the surface. In daylight, all this is noticeable, so you need to spend more time cleaning the doors.

The following types of mirrors are installed for dressing rooms.

1. Grooved. Such doors with a three-dimensional pattern are most common.
2. Stained glass. Stained glass windows are made from high-quality painted parts. So, you can apply an unusual picture to the surface of the mirror.
3. With color film. This option is simpler than the previous one, but also makes it possible to apply an image to the surface. The sticker can be glossy or matte, color or monochrome.
4. With acrylic coating. If we talk about high-quality acrylic, it is able to retain its properties for a long time without cracking.

Mirrored doors have recently become increasingly popular, as homeowners are now paying more attention to interior features.

Plastic

The main advantage of using this material is its low weight, which makes the structure itself lighter. At the same time, plastic does not have a representative appearance, so it is now not particularly common in the production of wardrobe doors.

Such products are characterized by their versatility - they are easy to care for, they are easy to install and can be decorated in various ways: painting, stickers. This material is not inherently durable, so it is most often used by young people who prefer dynamics in the interior.

Bamboo and rattan

These modern materials are of natural origin. Environmentally friendly raw materials are used to make rattan. The material is processed with steam, after which the necessary elements are woven from it. Another finishing option is bamboo. In this case, the doors are made of chipboard, and then bamboo is laid on their surface.

Products made using rattan or bamboo are attractive in themselves, but they can additionally be decorated with leather, mirror or glass inserts. Such furniture looks great in bedrooms, living rooms and hallways, and the room itself becomes warmer and more comfortable.

The rattan design is characterized by durability, moisture resistance and resistance to sunlight. The products are woven by hand, which is the reason for the high cost of furniture. Wardrobes decorated with bamboo or rattan are most often found in rooms decorated in Japanese or “ethnic” style.

Door decoration

Sliding structures can be decorated in various ways, which will make the dressing room much more attractive. In general, decorating is considered a creative and labor-intensive process.

Main options:

1. Drawing. This is how glass and mirror surfaces are decorated. The most popular method is sandblasting. An air-sand jet can make glass matte and allows you to apply a pattern or image.
2. Use of beveled glass elements. They are usually produced to order, so the decoration is unique and inimitable.
3. Photo printing. A photograph is printed onto a special film and glued to the surface of the door. The advantage of photo printing is high-quality color rendition. The technology allows you to decorate glass, plastic, leather and other materials.
4. Contour stained glass windows. They make them with their own hands, which makes the products exclusive and unique.
5. Artistic painting. It is a labor-intensive process that requires the skill of the artist. The uniqueness of the technology is that the image is applied in layers from the inside. Here the first layer is the foreground outside, and the rest are the background of the picture.
6. Film stained glass. Stained glass is made in the following way: a film that imitates glass is glued in layers. Next, lead tape is glued at the joints. Due to the simplicity and speed of implementation, the method is now very popular.
7. Ion plasma sputtering. A method that allows you to decorate glass and mirror surfaces. Characterized by high technology, sophistication and beauty.

Most of the methods described above are difficult to implement. At the same time, if you try, you can decorate the door to the dressing room with your own hands, which requires a little patience and skills.

Original semicircular sliding doors for a dressing room

If you decided to organize a dressing room in the corner of the room, then you probably thought about which door is better to make: straight or semicircular. The second option provides several undeniable advantages that make you lean towards semicircular doors.

Advantages of semicircular or radial sliding doors:

• This door looks very stylish and creative, it helps to emphasize the originality of the layout and the owner.
• Rounded lines calm and harmonize, according to the practice of Feng Shui.
• Radius doors visually enlarge the room, giving it texture and volume.

By choosing semicircular doors for a dressing room, you find not only convenience for the dressing room itself, but also an excellent design solution for the entire house or apartment.

Recommendations for selection

The main task of a dressing room is to organize and store things. The room is zoned as follows: allocate a separate room or delimit the space with sliding structures. In the first case, compartment doors are not needed, but in the second, you cannot do without such products.

Nowadays there is a large selection of a wide variety of systems. When choosing, you should start from the desired color scheme that matches the interior. If necessary, doors can be made to order, taking into account individual parameters.

The most versatile models are those made from chipboard, natural wood or tempered glass. They have an exquisite appearance, long service life and high strength. Aluminum profiles have similar characteristics, but they are more suitable for rooms decorated in high-tech style.

Sliding structures with grips are no less popular. Their main advantage is that fingerprints will not remain on the mirror surface.

When choosing sliding structures, it is recommended to adhere to the following tips:

1. Study the features of the fittings. The service life of the entire structure depends on its quality.
2. Popularity. Models with metal bearings and aluminum guides are in particular demand on the Russian market.
3. Guarantee. You need to find out if the company provides product delivery services. In addition, ask about the warranty period.

DIY installation

If desired, the structure can be assembled independently; fortunately, now you can find all the necessary elements and materials in specialized stores. If there should be no issues with the closet, then installing a sliding door may require some experience. Let's look at this issue in more detail.

Required tools and materials

Before you start work, you need to get everything you need.

You should prepare:

• tools: screwdriver, screwdriver, hammer, hacksaw for metal or wood, tape measure;
• door elements: leaf, profiles, guides, rollers.

This will be enough to install sliding doors yourself.

Installation

With proper preparation for work, the process is not difficult and consists of only a few steps.

The progress of work is as follows.

1. Fastening the guides. First you need to secure the upper guide, and then, starting from it, the lower one. Depending on what type of device is used, you should leave an indentation of 9 to 18 mm.
2. Trimming the canvas, installing elements. If the panel is made by hand, then it is necessary to cut the sash, taking into account preliminary measurements. After this, the remaining parts are attached to it: rollers, frames, side profiles.
3. Installation. The rollers are inserted into the upper guide. For installation, spring bases are pressed onto the panel at the bottom.

If you need to adjust the position of the sash, this can be done with a hex wrench and screws located at the bottom of the side profiles.

Assembling the door leaf

If you purchased a ready-made sliding door, for example, like the one in the photo, then you can begin installing it in the grooves of the tracks. If you decide to make it yourself, you will have to first assemble the canvas itself.

First you need to choose what material the door leaf will be made of. It could be:

• plywood,
• laminated chipboard,
• glass,
• tree.

Now you need to take measurements of the doorway of the dressing room, pantry or closet with a tape measure and, with your own hands, cut the door leaf to size from the material you have chosen. After this, attach all the parts needed for assembly to the canvas:

• rollers on top and bottom,
• horizontal profile on both sides,
• lower and upper frames.

Recommendations for care and use

To make sliding wardrobe doors last longer, it is not enough to simply select and install them correctly. It is important to carefully and promptly care for the main elements of the system.

Proper care includes the following tips:

1. It is best to clean glass and mirror surfaces with soft rags and detergents without abrasive substances (they can leave scratches).
2. Dirt should be promptly removed from rollers and guides. This can be done conveniently using a vacuum cleaner, sponges or brushes.
3. If a creaking noise is heard during operation, the mechanism must be lubricated with special oil.
4. The guide may become deformed during use and the smooth movement of the sash will be disrupted. The problem can be fixed with a peg and a hammer.
5. If the rollers fail, they are replaced with new ones.

Average cost of sliding doors

The cost of products may vary, as it is influenced by many parameters: brand, material of manufacture, type of construction, components and control mechanism.

If we consider the available options, then you should pay attention to chipboard canvases - their cost starts from 4,500 rubles. Canvases assembled from solid wood will cost more. For example, when using oak panels, the cost of the structure can vary from 17 to 40 thousand rubles.

As for mirror and glass surfaces, they can be classified in the middle price segment - from 10 to 20 thousand rubles. Of course, there are some subtleties here too: the size of the canvas and the method of decorating it are important. The presence of a pattern, painting, tinting or spraying increases the final cost significantly. Stained glass panels are the most expensive - about 40 thousand rubles.