How to install sliding interior doors. How to install sliding interior doors? Independent installation of internal sliding doors
Reading time ≈ 3 minutes
Recently, the trend of installing sliding doors at home has become increasingly popular. They are preferred to ordinary doors for a reason. In fact, sliding structures have a number of advantages, some of them: they open conveniently without squeaking or other noise, are non-traumatic, simple and inexpensive.
Sometimes the main advantages include the fact that they allow you to save precious space in the room - well, one cannot but agree with this. Next we will talk about how to install sliding doors with your own hands; the material will be structured as step-by-step instructions for installation.
One important point needs to be noted. If you have irrevocably decided to install sliding doors with your own hands (videos and photos of an auxiliary nature can be found directly on this page), then remember that such work is best entrusted to professional personnel, since only a masterful approach can ensure the highest level of installation, and therefore guarantee a long and trouble-free operation of door components. The conversation about how to make a sliding door with your own hands is very complicated, so it is highly recommended to buy a ready-made kit.
Step-by-step instructions for installing sliding doors
You need to imagine the moment that the door block is delivered to the apartment where it will be installed in the future, in a disassembled state. He gathers on the spot. The door leaf, frame and trim are packaged to avoid damage during transportation.
Let's consider an installation method when the door leaf has freedom of movement along the doorway. Here it is necessary to note the main possible options for finishing the doorway: these are tiles, a decorative false frame and, the simplest thing, ordinary wallpaper. We will not dwell on finishing with tiles or wallpaper, but will pay special attention to how to install a sliding door with your own hands using a false frame.
The false frame is installed in a previously prepared doorway and fixed with special wedges. To properly control the current installation, it is necessary to use a level and plumb line.
An important point: rollers, which are the main components of the sliding system, are attached to the upper end of the door leaf. A screwdriver is used for this. The holes are marked with a pencil.
There are special fastenings for the rollers, which, like the first ones, come complete with the entire structure. Most often, a mortise handle is installed - this will make opening the door more convenient.
The most important point is when the rollers with the web are mounted in the guide. The blade is adjusted by level using the same pegs.
We must not forget that a special groove must be cut in the lower end of the door leaf for the flag roller, which, in turn, is designed to protect the door from lateral vibrations.
This roller is attached, of course, directly to the floor. To fill the gaps that arise, polyurethane foam is used, which serves as a good fixative.
We can conclude that assembling sliding doors with your own hands is not an easy task, requiring certain skills and the availability of the necessary tools. It is recommended to entrust the assembly to professional workers.
In an effort to free up as much space as possible in a small apartment, the owners even remodel the door blocks. One of the smart solutions is to install it, the sash of which rolls back behind the wall without forming a dead zone.
The main difference between sliding systems is the operating mechanism. Traditional hinges are replaced with rollers. The web moves along the rail. Rollers can be attached only to the top of the sash or simultaneously to the top and bottom. In the second case, the load is evenly distributed over two rails. The service life of the mechanism increases, but there is one drawback. The lower element often becomes clogged with dirt. If you don't clean it, the sash will jam.
It is not difficult to install interior compartment doors yourself. The main work consists of correct measurements, installation of the roller mechanism, guides, and hanging the door leaf. The sash is suitable from,.
There are two types of sliding structures:
- the door goes behind the wall;
- the canvas goes inside the wall.
The second option is more convenient, but difficult to manufacture. The system involves the assembly of a pencil case installed instead of a partition.
The popularity of sliding structures is due to the large number advantages:
- saving useful space due to the absence of a dead zone;
- creating a beautiful modern style;
- simple installation;
- single-leaf or double-leaf design allows you to close an opening of any width;
- increasing the service life of the door block due to uniform distribution of the load along the rail.
Disadvantage is considered to reduce the level of sound insulation and tightness. A gap of about 5 mm is formed at the top and bottom of the door structure, through which extraneous sounds and odors penetrate into the room.
What is needed for installation?
Having decided to install it yourself, you need to know what you will need materials:
- Railing. It is a beam secured with anchors to the wall surface. Usually a wooden beam with a cross section of 50x50 mm is used. A rail is fixed to it.
- Mechanism. The set includes rollers, stops, guide blade, and rails.
- Accessories. For sliding systems, special mortise handles and locks are produced.
- Sash, .
From tools You will need a drill, screwdriver, screwdriver, jigsaw, level, tape measure and pencil.
How to install sliding interior doors with your own hands?
The installation of sliding interior doors begins after the walls are leveled. The room must have a clean floor and the verticality of the doorway must be checked. If there is no floor covering, then its thickness is taken into account when taking measurements.
The main problem with how to install is the difficulty of installing the top beam and rail. The railing must be perfectly aligned in level and height, fit tightly to the wall, and securely fixed with anchors.
Before installation work begins, it is determined in which direction the sash will roll. If there are two products, then provide free space on both sides of the opening.
The instructions for installing a sliding door consist of the following points:
- timber installation;
- rail fastening;
- assembling the mechanism and hanging the canvas;
- installation of accessories;
- decorative finishing of the opening.
Installation of timber
The beginning of installation involves marking the wall for the top beam. The sash is leaned tightly against the opening. Taking into account the width of the rail and a gap of 5 mm, mark the boundary of the beam location on the wall. The canvas is set aside. A horizontal line is drawn along the mark.
For a right-opening sash, the beam is positioned so that its middle is above the right side of the frame. The level is set to horizontal. Holes are drilled in the timber and the wall and the upper beam is securely fastened with anchors.
Guide installation
When installing sliding doors, the top rail is screwed with self-tapping screws to the bottom plane of the beam. For convenience, it can be secured to the beam in advance. After fixation, rollers are inserted into the rail and driven to check for unhindered sliding.
If the interior installation involves bottom mount, then the installation of the guide is carried out in three ways:
- A groove is cut into the floor covering. The bottom rail for the rollers is immersed inside.
- The guide is fixed from above to the floor covering without cutting a groove. They close with a threshold on both sides.
- The guide is installed on the end of the lower part of the sash inside a pre-cut groove.
The third method is suitable if, instead of lower rollers, a guide knife is used, which simply holds the opening blade. The element is fixed to the floor covering.
How to assemble sliding doors?
Assembly begins by installing the rollers. The location is chosen based on the manufacturer's instructions. The rollers can be installed at a distance from the edge of 1/6 of the sash width or directly on the edge. In the second option, the indentation is formed by mounting plates.
At the end, mark with a pencil the place for the rollers. You can pre-drill holes for free entry of hardware. The mounting plates are screwed with self-tapping screws no less than 70 mm long. Threaded supports and side covers are inserted into them. The roller platform is screwed onto the threads of the pins.
If a guide knife is installed on the bottom of the rollers, then a groove is made at the end of the blade 2 mm wider than its thickness. The rail itself doesn't even need to be installed. The depth is usually between 10 and 18 mm. The groove is not selected for the entire width of the end of the blade, but a section without a slot of about 10 mm is left at the edges. These will be the limiters.
After assembling the mechanism, they begin to install the sliding door with their own hands on the prepared guides. The product is rolled along the rail to check its progress.
Installation of fittings
The final step in installing a sliding door with your own hands is the installation of fittings. It is more convenient to attach all elements before hanging the canvas. First you need to install a door limiter - a rubber shock absorber - into the runners. The sash is checked again for free movement, the places for the handles and the lock are marked, and the leaf is removed from the guide.
Grooves are cut for fittings. Wood cutting is usually done with a chisel. Drilling helps partly. After installing the handles and lock, the sash is hung back on the guide.
Finishing the opening
Once the installation of the hinged doors is complete, they begin to decorate the opening and. The elements give the structure a complete look. In order to hide the mechanism, an additional board is attached to the beam.
Care and operation
When using a sliding structure, it may be necessary to adjust the canvas if sagging is noticed. To eliminate the defect, remove the top panel. An adjusting screw is located on the roller. It must be scrolled while simultaneously checking that the sagging of the canvas is eliminated.
Caring for the sliding system involves cleaning the guides from debris. The rollers are lubricated and replaced when worn. The door closes smoothly. With sudden movements, the rollers may fly out of the guide.
How to remove a compartment door?
Methods for removing the sash depend on the type of sliding system. If there are rollers with one wheel on top and a guide knife on the bottom, then the blade is slightly raised so that the knife comes out of the groove. The bottom is pulled towards you. The canvas is lowered to the floor at an angle. At this time, the rollers should come out of the guide.
If there are double rollers at the top and bottom of the sash, then first unscrew the stops. The door leaf is simply rolled out of the guide. Premium sliding systems are equipped with a closer. The mechanism fastening is unscrewed only from the canvas. The closer remains hanging on the door frame.
The sliding system is convenient to use and easy to install. If you follow the operating rules, high-quality rollers will last for many years.
Installing sliding interior doors can save space in an apartment or private house when the owners want to expand their living space. You can install the structure yourself if the home owner has carpentry skills and the necessary tools.
There are several types of design:
- sliding;
- cascade;
- folding;
- radius sliding.
Making sliding doors with your own hands is easier than other types of partitions. This is due to the simplicity of the design, shape, installation of the canvas and installation of fittings. Depending on the width of the opening, the sliding door device includes 1 or 2 panels, which move on special rails along the wall. Partitions can be independently made from different materials.
Advantages and disadvantages
An interior single-leaf or multi-leaf door has the following advantages:
- saves room space;
- visually increases the size of the room;
- there is no threshold;
- You can divide a large room into zones.
The disadvantages include:
- poor sound insulation;
- the need to monitor the cleanliness of the rail;
- easy penetration of odors between rooms;
- the need for precise adjustment of all structural elements.
Before you learn how to make a sliding door, you need to prepare materials and tools.
Materials and tools
You will need the following tools:
- tape measure, ruler, square and pencil;
- jigsaw or circular saw;
- screwdriver;
- drill;
- drills of different diameters for wood and concrete;
- self-tapping screws;
- roller mechanisms;
- construction plumb and level;
- milling machine;
- sandpaper or sander;
- chisel and hammer.
Canvases can be made from the following materials:
- plain or laminated chipboard;
- strained glass;
- solid wood;
- combination of several materials.
The weight of the structure depends on the material of manufacture. To install sliding doors with your own hands, you need to select mechanisms based on this indicator. The material for the door leaf is selected based on the owner’s budget and the functional purpose of the door.
How to make sliding doors with your own hands?
To make glass partitions, you need skills to work with this material. If they are missing, you should contact a professional. To work with glass you need special tools that are expensive.
It is necessary to consider how to assemble a sliding door made of wood. This material is easy to process, stronger and more reliable, has better sound insulation, frame products weigh less than solid wood, and panels can be made if desired.
Design Features
Before starting work, you should draw up a diagram or drawing of the structure and indicate all the parameters. The design of sliding doors can have one or more leaves depending on the size of the opening. You can make a solid canvas or with panels of various materials. Depending on the weight of the structure, the door can be suspended or on roller mechanisms.
Sometimes a product is installed that slides deep into the wall. To do this, dismantle part of the partition and make a niche from plasterboard.
Preparatory work
Before making a sliding door with your own hands, you should prepare the material. Boards or bars must be processed with a plane and sanded with sandpaper or a sander. You should also prepare a shield if you plan to have a hollow door inside. It is worth deciding in advance on the method of attaching the boards. Common connections are:
- half a tree;
- tongue and groove
Measurements and markings
When making a door on rollers with your own hands, you must take into account that the door leaf should be several centimeters larger than the opening on each side. If the passage does not exceed 80 cm in width, then a single-leaf door is made. When the opening width exceeds 1 m, 2 panels are made. All dimensions are transferred to beams or boards.
Manufacturing
To make frame sliding doors with your own hands, you need to make a frame. Pre-prepared beams are cut according to the drawing. If the structure includes panels, recesses are made in the inner part of the frame and lintels using a milling machine into which the inserts will be mounted.
The joints of boards or beams are coated with wood glue or PVA. Wood should be treated with an antiseptic to protect the material from rotting and the harmful effects of insects. Additionally, the structure is coated with fire retardants, which prevent the wood from quickly igniting.
To make a sliding door mechanism with your own hands, you will need:
- upper and lower guides along which the canvas will move;
- a wooden beam to which the top rail is attached;
- rollers and fastenings corresponding to the weight of the structure;
- clamps that prevent the web from coming out of the rails.
Paneled
First, a frame is made from solid boards or laminated veneer lumber. The cross members and the mullion are made from this material. On the inside, the timber is processed with a milling cutter, making a groove for the panels. If you make a shaped cut, you don’t have to use glazing beads. When it is planned to install the latter, the surface near the groove is made smooth.
Vertical and horizontal elements are connected to each other using a tongue and groove. The tenon is cut out in the transverse parts. It should fit into the groove up to half the width of the beam. The recess is adjusted to the dimensions of the tenon so that the parts fit tightly into each other.
The panels can be:
- glass;
- plywood;
- thin boards, etc.
Inserts can be smooth or have a textured surface. In the second case, plywood or boards are used, which are processed with a milling machine. The edges of the product should be 1-2 mm smaller than the groove in the frame. This will allow the panels to move freely. When all the elements are ready, they are treated with antiseptics.
Assemble the entire structure on the table to avoid distortions. The joints are coated with glue. First, all the cross members and panels are inserted into one longitudinal beam, then the second vertical beam is glued. The beads are installed after assembling the entire structure and are fixed with glue.
Panel
This structure can be solid, small-hollow or hollow. The first type consists of a frame and boards that are laid between the vertical elements. Hollow and shallow-hollow contain transverse elements that give rigidity to the entire structure.
First, a frame is made according to the size of the canvas. To do this, cut a beam with a section of 30x120 mm according to the drawing. The elements are connected to each other by fastening in half a tree or in a paw. The surfaces are coated with glue and clamped with clamps. It is necessary to ensure that the internal angles are 90°.
After the glue has dried, the joints are additionally secured with dowels. To do this, make holes of 7-9 mm and insert dowels pre-treated with glue into them. Then one side of the frame should be covered. The material chosen is plywood or fiberboard, which is cut to the size of the frame. The facing material is fixed with glue.
If the structure is solid, then the frame is filled with timber, pieces of MDF or other low-quality wood. All parts are glued together and additionally glued to the facing sheet. In the frame of hollow or hollow-core doors, cross members are installed, which are fixed with glue to the sidewalls and facing material. The second sheet is installed only after the glue has completely dried.
How to install a sliding door?
The installation of sliding doors may vary depending on the design features. Installation involves the following steps:
- doorway preparation;
- fastening guide elements;
- installation of the canvas;
- insertion of handles.
To ensure proper installation, you must follow the sliding door installation instructions exactly.
Preparing the interior opening
First of all, you need to prepare the opening. If the canvas moves along the wall, you should remove all protruding elements, level the surface, and fill the cracks. The canvas should move without obstacles. Since the design does not provide for luting, the walls are plastered. The opening should be as even and smooth as possible.
If you plan to install a sliding door inside the partition, you should dismantle part of the wall. To do this, increase the opening by the width of the door leaf, and then install a plasterboard niche. The partition should fit into the wall so that only a small part of the canvas remains, on which the handle is located.
Installation of guides
If the canvas is light, it is hung only on the upper guide. If the sash is made of wood and has a lot of weight, it must be fixed in the lower runners. Since the sliding door can be installed on 1 or 2 rails, it is necessary to consider both options.
To mount the upper guide, a canvas is placed against the opening. Measure the position of the door in the closed and open state. From the resulting line, step back 7 cm and draw a horizontal line. It determines the position of the beam on which the rail is attached.
The length of the beam must match the guide. It is placed so that the middle is exactly above the upper corner of the opening on the side of the open door. Then the guide profile is attached.
The upper runners are fixed using self-tapping screws. Then the carriage with rollers is assembled and inserted inside the guides. It is necessary to check whether the mechanism moves freely in the rail. Stoppers are installed along the edges of the guides to prevent the canvas from jumping out of the track.
The bottom groove is made using a milling machine. It should be 1-2 mm larger than the guide knife, and the depth should be 18 mm. If the design does not provide for a bottom rail, then a flag guide stopper is installed on the floor. It should fit into the groove in the door leaf. Its task is to limit the movement of the canvas and eliminate transverse vibrations of the sash from below.
Installation of the canvas
Installation of sliding doors is carried out after installing all the guides. First you need to install the mounting brackets. They are fixed with self-tapping screws to the upper end of the door, after making holes using a thin drill. The canvas is hung on the upper rail, and then inserted into the lower guide. The carriages with rollers are connected to the brackets so that the nut and washer are on top. Then the fasteners are tightened with a wrench. After checking the movement along the upper guide, the blade can be installed in the lower groove.
Accessories
Installation of sliding interior doors will be incomplete without installing fittings. For such structures, mortise handles and special locks are used. Locking devices are rarely installed, since the level of protection of such mechanisms is low. To make handles you will need:
- Ruler and pencil;
- milling machine;
- chisel and hammer;
- screws and a screwdriver.
First, mark the position of the handles. They are placed at waist level at a distance of 4-5 cm from the vertical edge of the canvas. The handles are applied to the door and outlined with a pencil. A recess is made to fit the thickness of the fittings using a milling machine or chisel. You can also use a drill with a core drill of the required diameter. A hole should be made on the bottom and top sides of the handle. The wood between the recesses is removed with a chisel or router.
To install sliding doors with a mortise lock, you need to make a hole in the end of the door with a drill. A locking mechanism is installed in the groove and closed with a special strip. In this case, the handle is not a mortise one, but a bracket. A recess is made in the opening for the counter plate. If the lock is padlocked, it is screwed with self-tapping screws to the door leaf.
To prevent dust from entering the room, special brush seals are attached to the lower end of the canvas. If the partition design includes 2 doors, special seals are additionally installed at the ends of the adjacent panels.
Installation of sliding doors should be carried out on high-quality roller carriages. Despite the high cost of the mechanisms, they significantly save money in the future. Cheap rollers quickly break down with frequent use and need to be replaced. High-quality carriages will last a long time.
The cheapest way to make a door leaf is from plain or laminated chipboard or MDF. This material can be decorated to your taste. This can be done using varnish, paint, self-adhesive film, wallpaper or any other method.
For wooden doors, you should choose material that has been dried in special cabinets. Otherwise, the structure may become deformed in the first months of operation, and then the frame will have to be redone.
Repair
Sometimes sliding door repairs may be necessary. A common failure is poor movement of the blade in the guides. To do this, you need to either adjust the roller or replace it. Sometimes debris gets into the guides, dust and dirt accumulate, which over time does not allow the mechanisms to move freely. To avoid this, you should clean the rails in a timely manner.
Initially, doors only served the function of retaining heat in the house, so people cared more about this component than about their appearance. Modern technologies make it possible to harmoniously fit interior doors into the interior of any style and direction, without forgetting about their functionality.
Sliding structures have gained the most popularity on the door market. Installing sliding doors allows you to add uniqueness and originality to the design of the room. They make it possible to significantly expand the space of the room without requiring additional space to open the doors, and also to decorate the area around them in accordance with the general style.
The first generation of sliding doors were very thin partitions that got stuck in the runners and caused only irritation. It is for this reason that many still do not dare to change the more familiar swing structures. Consumers are also very much put off by the myth about the complexity of such a procedure as installing a sliding door with their own hands. Still, the majority of the population of our country tries to avoid calling a specialist to their home or additional expenses caused by paying for his work.
Modern sliding systems
The design of sliding doors is improved with each new model, and modern systems already have a number of undeniable advantages:
- saving space required to open a swing door;
- such a door cannot be opened by a draft;
- ability to choose size and material;
- the absence of hinges that begin to creak over time;
- absolute safety - it is impossible to pinch a finger with such a door;
- the ability to implement any design idea;
- harmonious combination with the environment;
- possibility of combining adjacent rooms.
One of the disadvantages of sliding systems is poor sound insulation
Of course, there are a number of disadvantages of coupe systems:
- The design of sliding doors is such that gaps between the frame and the leaf cannot be avoided. Therefore, such structures have much lower sound and heat insulation properties. They practically do not isolate the room from noise coming from the next room.
- Such doors have a slightly higher price.
- As a result of improper installation or due to poor quality of the mechanism, the sashes may move unevenly along the runners, which can lead to their jamming.
- It is necessary to ensure that there is free space on the side of the door into which the door leaf slides. Placing a cabinet or some other large object near this wall is only possible if the door fits into a special pocket. Otherwise, the cabinet can only be placed at a certain distance of at least 100-150 mm. This, in turn, leads to a reduction in usable area, for which the installation of sliding doors is most often started. The disadvantage of a wall with a pocket for the door leaf is that it cannot be used for mounting wall lighting, paintings, decorative elements, as well as for installing switches and sockets.
- A large amount of dust will accumulate in your pocket, which is extremely difficult to remove.
- Quite often, in the niche in which the door is hidden, the sliding door leaf jams due to misalignment of the rollers.
Advice: it is better to provide for the possibility of removing one side of the niche under the sliding door leaf. This will help avoid the problems described in points 5 and 6.
Therefore, before you decide to replace conventional swing structures with sliding ones, you should carefully think through everything, weigh the pros and cons, and only then decide whether this is really necessary.
Classification by installation and type of mechanism
Installing sliding interior doors is not as difficult as it is usually imagined. Maximum reliability and high quality of construction completely depends on the accuracy of installation work and the utmost accuracy of all necessary dimensions and calculations. First you need to decide what kind of sliding door you would like to see in your home.
All sliding systems can be divided into two groups:
- built into the wall;
- visible structures moving along the wall.
Sliding systems in which the doors go into the wall
Based on the type of mechanism, such doors can be divided into three types:
- the canvas is supported on the upper suspension - non-threshold systems;
- the canvas is held on the lower suspension. The disadvantage is the presence of a small threshold on the floor that can be recessed, but such structures are considered the easiest to install and are also the cheapest;
- the system uses both of the above mounting options. This type of door is the most reliable and convenient to use.
Advice: it should be noted that the price of a door mainly depends not only on its type, but more on the quality of materials and type of fittings. That is, by replacing expensive trim, door handles, locks and rollers with cheaper analogues, you can save significantly.
Sliding doors in which the leaf is held only by the upper suspension are called non-threshold
Of course, fitting the door into a special pocket allows you to save some space in the room, but it also requires additional work and the destruction of part of the wall near the doorway.
Tip: you can install the canvas not only by breaking the wall, but also by installing an overlay structure made of plasterboard. As a result, the length of the room will decrease by approximately 100 mm, and you will be able to avoid a rather complicated procedure.
Sliding door design
Sliding systems consist of several components:
- frame with glass or solid filling;
- a mechanism consisting of a guide, clamps, roller carriages, etc.;
- platbands and extensions;
- decorative strips designed to disguise the driving mechanism;
- accessories (special locks and handles).
There are several options for door frames:
- MDF frames with a variety of tinting.
- Frames made of aluminum profile. They are distinguished by their lightness and durability of construction, are absolutely not afraid of moisture, and allow the absence of decorative elements, since they can be painted in any color or anodized.
- Tempered glass doors (frameless designs). Suitable mainly for high-tech style, ideal for highlighting meeting areas and for wet rooms.
Glass sliding doors
Of course, doors with a wooden frame are somewhat more expensive, but they have higher thermal insulation.
The mechanism used to move the sliding door consists of one or more guides with roller carriages that secure the door leaf. An aluminum profile is usually used as a guide.
The rollers are made from a special polymer material that is extremely resistant to damage and abrasion. Rotation is carried out by rolling bearings, which ensures ease of movement of the carriage.
Interesting: fittings for sliding systems have a number of distinctive features. The handles must be recessed, otherwise they will interfere with the operation of the door. An ordinary straight lock will not be able to close such a structure; its bolt must be hook-shaped.
A large selection of door leaves allows for many interior design options. You should not use a canvas made of solid wood, since the weight of this material leads to distortions of the entire structure, leading to a decrease in smoothness.
Important: the sliding door should be made as light as possible by using lighter materials, such as aluminum. If the weight of the sash exceeds 70-75 kg, then it is better to install four or more rollers on each one.
What you need to install sliding interior doors
Before you begin assembling interior sliding systems, you need to prepare all the materials and tools that may be needed during the installation process.
When installing interior sliding doors, you cannot do without a screwdriver or drill.
So, we will need:
- screwdriver or electric drill;
- perforator (if you need to remove the inside of the wall);
- crosshead screwdriver;
- two platbands. One is installed on top of the door, and the second is on the opposite side from the one into which the door opens;
- anchors;
- self-tapping screws;
- door handles – 2 pcs;
- finishing nails;
- extras – 2 pcs;
- stand for connecting the door when closed;
- necessary accessories, such as rollers, fastening materials, metal (preferably aluminum) guide bar;
- door leaf;
- dry wooden beam 50x50, the width of which is twice the size of the door.
Tip: in order for the door leaf to fit perfectly, carefully measure the doorway and increase the linear dimensions (width and height) by seventy millimeters.
Installation of a sliding structure
To carry out any complex options (installation of multi-leaf doors, glass doors that have a very large weight, or installation of a pocket in the wall), it is better to invite real specialists, since any errors during the installation process can hit your pocket very hard. A person who never deals with sliding structures will be able to install only simple sliding doors.
You can easily handle the installation of sliding sliding doors yourself
If you purchased a ready-made kit, then installation will not take you much effort or time, since it will already have all the necessary accessories provided by the manufacturer. But if you decide to create a sliding system in accordance with your wishes and preferences, then you will have to select the equipment yourself and it is very difficult to avoid mistakes when doing this work for the first time.
Let's try to create instructions for installing sliding doors that will allow a beginner to quickly and efficiently carry out all the necessary work. Get yourself together, you will need extreme care and accuracy.
Installation should begin from the opening. We measure the height of the opening in three places: on the left, in the middle and on the right, and the width in three places: at the top, on the center line of the wall and at the bottom. Next, we check the verticality, perpendicularity and straightness of the corresponding sides. If the design provides for framing, then you should measure the minimum and maximum thickness of the wall, making sure to take measurements in the corners of the opening, and not just on the sides.
For ease of understanding, we will divide the entire further process into simple steps.
Removing the old door
First you need to remove the old door, door hinges, carefully remove the trim on both sides, and then dismantle the door frame. If it is well secured and does not interfere with the free movement of the sashes, then you can leave it, it will be a continuation of the wall.
Tidying up the walls
Now you need to carefully level the walls, filling all the cracks and cracks. The opening must have clear dimensions (height, width and thickness), there should be no parts of brick or foam concrete protruding anywhere, and the drywall should be trimmed.
We check the upper part of the opening and the floor for parallelism to each other (tolerance no more than 5 mm) and for horizontalness. Using a plumb line, we check the sides of the opening; here a deviation of no more than 5 mm per 2000 mm is allowed. The more even the walls you can achieve, the more tightly the door leaf will fit against them.
Installing a box is a responsible job
If the old box is dismantled, then we install a new one. It is very difficult to cope here alone, so it is better to invite a partner. We install the frame in the doorway and level it using small wedges. We adjust the angle of the structure relative to the floor and walls by moving or recessing the wedges.
Install the door frame, leveling it using wedges
We fix the box to the wall with screws. We use a screwdriver very carefully, since any, even minor, damage can lead to dire consequences.
Attach the upper guides
After the door frame is ready, we place the door leaf against the opening and mark its top level on the wall with a pencil. Now we carry out the same procedure, but by installing the canvas directly into the doorway. This must be done in case the floor plane is suddenly not level enough.
If the resulting line is horizontal, measure 70 mm upward from it and draw another line. This is where the guide rail will be installed. We attach a pre-prepared wooden beam to the marked line and fix it with screws as tightly as possible, regardless of the evenness of the wall. To do this, we use as many screws as needed.
Attach the rail to the bottom of the beam
Now we attach the rail to the lower end of the wooden beam. First, loosely screw the guide on one side. To accurately determine the location of the screw, it is necessary to divide the thickness of the door in half and add 3-5 mm, necessary to ensure free movement of the sash (distance from the wall). We carry out the same operation on the other side of the block. Before final fastening the rail, be sure to ensure there is sufficient distance between the door leaf and the wall.
Important: the guide rail must be strictly straight, not the slightest bend is allowed, regardless of the curvature of the wall and beam.
Now you can finally secure the guide.
Assembling carriages and installing limiters
Before final assembly of the carriages, you must ensure that they move freely
Tip: there is no need to lubricate the inside of the guide with anything.
We install travel limiters along the edges of the guide rail, making sure that the rubber shock absorbers point inward.
Groove at the bottom of the door leaf
We begin to design the groove at the bottom end of the door. To do this, we retreat 15 mm from the edge of the sash and drill two holes on each side with a diameter of 7 mm and a depth of 20 mm, between which we cut out a groove intended for the lower guide exactly in the middle.
It is difficult to make a perfectly even groove even with a router. Beginners can be advised to install slats or a U-shaped profile.
The depth of the groove should be at least 18 mm, and the width should be 2-3 mm greater than the width of the bottom guide, usually a flag or knife. Since it is very problematic to make a perfectly even recess yourself even with the help of an electric drill or router, it is preferable to install a U-shaped profile or two slats.
Fastening to carriages is an important detail
Fastenings to the carriages should be attached exactly in the middle at a distance of at least two millimeters from the side edges of the sash. In this case, the semicircular cutouts on the brackets should be turned towards the wall.
Installation of door leaf
Two people are required to install the door leaf. After attaching the blade to the rail, we align the bolt of the right carriage with the cutout on the bracket located on the same side. To do this, you need to lift the door a little. We insert the end of the bolt into the mounting hole of the adjusting nut with a washer, which should remain outside the bracket. We fasten the brackets to the bolts of the carriages, but not completely.
Now we install the lower guide into the cutout of the lower end. This is easy to do by slightly moving the bottom part away from the wall. We return the canvas to a horizontal position and move it to the open state. Use a pencil to mark the longest opening length. To adjust the gap between the wall and the doors, you need to tilt the lower part of the door leaf until it reaches it and mark the position of the knife on the floor.
Important: the gap between the wall and the door leaf should not exceed 5 mm.
After removing the carriage nuts, remove the canvas and attach the lower guide to the floor using two self-tapping screws.
We align the groove with the guide and hang the door leaf again, also not fully tightening the nuts. After setting the required gap between the floor and the door leaf, by tightening or loosening the adjustment bolts on the carriages, fasten the nuts while simultaneously holding the adjustment bolts from turning.
Decorative design of the sliding system
We install a decorative folding trim above the top rail and mask it in accordance with the general style of the room (you can paste it with the same wallpaper or paint it with the same paint as the walls of the room). Attach handles and lock.
How to install a sliding door - video instructions
In order to better understand how to install a sliding door, the video will demonstrate in detail some of the nuances of installing a system with a false wall.
After watching the recording, you can assemble your first sliding structure in literally 3-5 hours.
Of course, you can install a sliding interior door yourself, but in this case you cannot vouch for the quality. After all, only a specialist will be able to take into account all the nuances of each specific case and equip your home with a sliding system that will delight you for many years with its excellent and, most importantly, uninterrupted operation.
Interior design
Today, one of the most popular decorative techniques is the use of sliding doors in the interior. This article will discuss how to install it yourself.
Sliding doors have become very popular in recent years, they are installed even where there is no need to save space. People are attracted by their functionality and ability to give the interior an elegant look and mobility. Therefore, today the installation of interior sliding doors is a fairly popular service. However, this work does not require any special knowledge, skills in using construction tools or physical strength. You can install it yourself.
Advantages and disadvantages
Before you decide to make and, you need to carefully study all the pros and cons. To begin with, it should be noted that such designs are, perhaps, the best option for small rooms, where installing ordinary ones is difficult and impractical.
In addition, this is an excellent option for lovers of unconventional interior solutions.
So, here is a list of obvious advantages:
- Allows you to significantly save space;
- The doors open easily, without effort;
- Such models can be quite easily automated;
- They do not close or slam when exposed to drafts;
- In most cases, no thresholds are required.
These are positive aspects that speak in favor of using products of this type.
However, to be objective, it is necessary to talk about the disadvantages:
Varieties and designs
The designs we have today differ in appearance. But those who want to know how to make a sliding door themselves should take into account that their design remains the same in all cases, and consists of a door leaf, guides and a roller mechanism.
The operating principle is also the same for all types of sliding doors.
Essential elements
The rollers move along guides, and the roller mechanism itself is attached to the door. The number of rollers may vary depending on the model.
In addition to the main elements listed above, the design of a sliding door also includes decorative panels (they are designed to cover the mechanism), various fittings, extensions and trim (see).
Main types of products
Among the variety of models, the main, most common types can be identified:
- radius;
- sliding;
- sliding;
- one, two, three and four doors;
- cascading.
Sliding doors - the design is quite unusual, therefore they require special fittings belonging to a certain type.
Handles and locks are noticeably different from conventional fittings. A characteristic feature of the handles for this type of door is that they are recessed into the door leaf. This design is naturally not accidental - the handles recessed into the door leaf do not interfere with the normal functioning of the door system.
The same goes for locks - they are not quite ordinary. Locks for this type of door operate on the principle of vertical latching.
In most cases, the fittings are sold complete with a sliding door. However, if the question arises about how to make sliding products yourself, when purchasing fittings it is better to consult with specialists or select elements by catalog number.
Mechanisms
Obviously, sliding doors get their name due to the principle by which they open and close. The type of structure, the material from which the canvas is made, and the number of sashes determine which roller mechanism and guides will need to be selected.
Different types of interior sliding doors have different weights, and therefore create an excellent load on the entire structure as a whole. For example, if we compare a double-leaf structure made of glass and the same door made of MDF, then, obviously, the latter will weigh much less. This means that to install it it will be necessary to select a lighter and simpler mechanism.
Installation of some types of interior sliding doors requires special attention to the choice of guides and roller mechanism. This is especially true for such types of doors as accordion, coupe and cascading sliding doors. Cascade doors require the installation of two roller mechanisms for each leaf and, accordingly, guides with two gutters.
When installing compartments and cascade products, you need to pay attention to the following point: for each leaf, one groove must be installed in the guides.
When learning how to make a structure with your own hands, you should remember that the reliability of the structure depends mainly on the reliability of the roller mechanism and guides. To ensure reliability, some types of doors (for example, glass) require the installation of two guides (one at the top and one at the bottom).
What needs to be provided for the construction of structures
If you purchase the door itself separately from the sliding mechanism, be sure to take into account the total weight of the panels. Based on this, the required minimum number of rollers is calculated - the main structural elements that bear the weight of the door and allow it to move easily.
On a canvas weighing 30-35 kg, it is enough to install two rollers, and they will easily cope with their task. For heavier ones, the number of rollers should be increased.
If you are planning sliding interior doors - installation into a plasterboard partition - then at the stage of creating an opening in it, lay a strong wooden beam above it, to which the guide will subsequently be attached.
Important! Direct installation should be carried out after completion of all rough work and laying of the floor covering. In the case of a false wall, a metal guide is installed into it before facing it with plasterboard.
Preparation for installation
Before purchasing a door, you need to decide on its size. To do this, use a tape measure to measure the opening in length and width and add 5-6 cm to the obtained values. If it is not possible to purchase ready-made canvases of a given size, they can be made to order or cut in a specialized workshop.
Attention! When installing doors not in an opening, but as a sliding partition in a room, the height of the door leaf is calculated based on the ceilings minus the thickness of the supporting beam and structure.
If sliding elements are purchased separately from the canvas, use the help of a specialist when choosing them, since it is quite difficult to independently determine the required number of rollers.
You will need:
- Rail guide, the length of which should be equal to twice the width of the opening (or a little more).
- Rollers with carriages.
- Stoppers(rubber shock absorbers) or plugs inserted into the ends of the guide.
- Anchor bolts for attaching a load-bearing beam to the wall.
- Self-tapping screws.
- – handles, locks.
All this can be purchased as a set or separately - at construction markets and in large stores. There you can buy everything you need for the decorative finishing of the opening: frame stands, trims (see), extensions, finishing nails.
In addition, you will need a strong square beam of 50x50 mm, the length of which is equal to the metal rail guide.
As well as a set of construction tools:
- Construction level and plumb line
- Roulette
- Screwdriver or drill
- Chisel (if you have a milling machine, no chisel is needed)
It remains to make sure that the opening slopes are vertical in order to begin installation - the interior sliding doors are ready for installation.
Marking
In order for the assembly of products with your own hands to be correct, you must take this stage very seriously. You may need a diagram, because the sliding mechanism is not so simple.
There are two ways to make markings for installing a load-bearing beam:
- Measure the height of the door with a tape measure. Add to it the size of the gap between the door leaf and the floor (10–15 mm) and the height of the guide with the assembled roller mechanism. Place the resulting size on the wall above the opening at two or three points and draw a straight horizontal line through them.
- Place the canvas against the opening, placing a lining of the required thickness under it, and draw a line on the wall along the upper edge of the door. Set the height of the sliding mechanisms with the guide upward from it.
Attention! To prevent the retractable structure from moving arbitrarily in one direction or another after installation, make sure that the marking line is located strictly horizontally. Use a building level for this.
Installing the guide
Depending on the design features, the guide can be attached in different ways:
- Dowels directly to the wall.
- To the bottom edge of a wooden beam fixed to the wall.
- On special brackets.
- To the ceiling.
Regardless of the installation method, the upper horizontal plane of the guide should be located along the marking line, and the gutter should be positioned in relation to the wall so that the moving canvas does not touch its protrusions, irregularities or elements.
Attention! The length of the guide should be twice the width of the opening plus a few centimeters of spare space.
Installation of sliding mechanisms
After you have fixed the guide, assemble the roller carriages, insert the mounting bolts into them that will connect them to the door leaf, and insert the assembled mechanisms into the guide.
Install staples on the upper end of the canvas, retreating a few millimeters from each side of the edge. The number of staples must correspond to the number of roller mechanisms. For a regular wooden structure, two pieces are enough.
Installation of the canvas
Place the door under the guide, lift it and screw the carriage mounting bolts into the brackets. This work is easier to do with two people. To install the product in a horizontal position, tighten the bolts and check the level.
To fix it in a vertical position, a leash is screwed to the floor near one of the walls of the opening - a lower guide in the form of a roller or knife. It is inserted into a groove in the lower end of the leaf and does not allow the door to deviate to the side when moving.