Furniture fittings are the most important auxiliary material that is used for the production of furniture: cabinets, shelves, chests of drawers, sofas and so on. Some people believe that furniture fasteners are also accessories, but this is a common misconception. Fittings allow you to achieve an additional decorative effect, but fasteners are used in furniture only to hold all the furniture elements together. Let's take a look at the types of furniture accessories and the functions they perform.
Furniture hinges
Hinges are one of the most important accessories that are used everywhere. Hinges are used to movably secure doors. The principle of operation differs from a regular hinge in that a regular hinge has one hinge, while a furniture hinge has several hinges. This allows you to use different reach, rotation angle, and door offset. The effect is the same as that of simple hinges used for doors. The only differences are in the sizes of these two accessories.
Shelf supports
Such fittings are needed to hold removable shelves in various cabinets and bedside tables. They allow you to hold the shelf even in situations where there is a high load on it. The simplest fittings have a metal cylindrical shape. For each shelf you need 4 of these shelf holders. You should know that such budget shelf holders have a drawback - they are able to withstand small shelves that carry a small load. For large shelves that bear heavy loads, other shelf holders are installed - something between a cylinder and a connecting corner.
Furniture handles
This is an indispensable accessory needed for doors and sashes. The range of such furniture fittings is very high. Depending on the type of pen, the price can vary greatly. Handles come in different shapes and colors. Each furniture owner can choose exactly the handles that he likes most. Designers pay a lot of attention to the appearance of the handle, because this accessory for any furniture is one of the most noticeable. He is always in sight. Since the handle is often touched to open a drawer or flap, the accessory must certainly be made of high-quality wear-resistant material. Inexpensive handles can be made of wood and plastic. The most expensive pens are made with artistic designs or interesting shapes.
Types and types of furniture fittings
The functionality, quality and durability of furniture largely depends on the fittings used by the manufacturer. Furniture fittings mean a whole class of products with different purposes. Each of these products has its own design features and characteristics, which depend on the purpose and functionality of the furniture and the expected loads.
All furniture fittings are divided into two classes:
- facial;
- fastening.
Front fittings perform a primarily decorative function - they help improve the appearance of furniture. But it can also be assigned a certain functional load.
Fastening furniture fittings serve mainly practical purposes. With its help, the connection of various furniture parts is ensured, the possibility of raising and lowering sashes, opening and closing doors, turning and other movements of elements.
Front fittings for furniture
This class includes those products that remain visible after the furniture is assembled:
- handles that are used to open/close drawers, sashes, doors;
- locks that are used to lock doors or drawers;
- decorative elements - volumetric or flat overlays that are used for decoration or can be used to mask joints and some design features of furniture.
The main requirement for this group of products is their durability and ease of use. The top coating on the fittings must retain its original appearance for a long time and withstand mechanical damage and fading. Wood, plastic or metal can be used as a basis for the manufacture of accessories.
Fastening accessories for furniture
This group of products is used to connect various furniture parts. Fasteners include: hardware, cabinet holders, connecting strips, dowels, confirmations, etc.
Furniture hinges
Installed on doors and sashes. They are made of metal, which must have a large margin of strength, withstand regular loads and the weight of the door or sash itself. The design of the loops may be different. The method of attaching the hinge, the opening angle of the sash, the function of self-closing of the sash, etc. depend on this.
Elevators and lifting mechanisms
These products are an alternative to hinges and are used when it is necessary to ensure that the doors open in a vertical plane. Lifting mechanisms and elevators can be of gas or mechanical design.
Shelf holders
Used to secure shelves inside cabinet furniture. The shelves can thus be firmly fixed or removable.
Ties
This group of fastening fittings is used to fix several parts relative to each other. Ties can be angles, self-tapping screws, bolts, screws, etc.
The quality of fastening hardware must meet strict standards. It should be durable and reliable, helping to comfortably operate the furniture for many years.
Supports
Not all furniture has supports, so this furniture is not in great demand. Typically there are two types of supports: legs or rollers. Most often they are used on sofas and armchairs. As for cabinets and desks, they do not require accessories, because such furniture itself has a perimeter stop. Rubber legs are the simplest legs that are available to any buyer due to their low cost. The fittings can significantly soften the pressure on the floor. Supports that allow you to adjust the height are slightly more expensive. They are in demand if the apartment has uneven floors. These legs have two parts. The top is fixed to the bottom of the furniture, and the bottom is twisted, allowing you to change the height. These legs will allow you to display the furniture smoothly and beautifully.
Manufacturing materials
The durability and comfort in use of furniture depend not only on the design features of the fittings. It is important what material the product is made of. It can be:
- cast brass;
- cast zinc;
- aluminum alloys;
- stainless steel;
- plastic.
Scope of application of furniture euroscrew and installation nuances
Cast brass
Cast zinc
Aluminum alloys
Stainless steel
Plastic
Treatment of materials from exposure to chemicals, moisture, to increase mechanical wear resistance is carried out in the following ways:
- Chrome plating. A semi-gloss nickel layer is electrolytically applied to the base material, then chrome-plated. For a matte effect, a special alloy is used before processing.
- Grinding. The mechanically processed material is varnished. This prevents the oxidation of the metal. With intensive use, the varnish wears out.
- Polishing. The material is polished manually or using machines. Brass is covered with patina.
- Anodizing. This is a high-quality anti-corrosion oxide coating. Created as a result of an electrochemical reaction.
- Oxidation. A layer of copper is electrolytically applied to the metal and covered with a film. Protect the top with varnish.
- Galvanizing. This coating involves chrome plating. This improves corrosion resistance.
- Powder coated polyester. Forms a hard film at an elevated temperature of 200 degrees. Such fittings cannot withstand intensive use.
Characteristics of beech furniture panels, main advantages
Plastic fittings have become popular lately. High strength characteristics are combined with wear resistance. Plastic has antistatic properties and is ideal as a construction material for fittings.
Chrome plating
Grinding
Polishing
Anodizing
Oxidation
Galvanizing
Powder coating
Hooks
Most often, hooks are needed for closets and hallways. It is on them that hosts or guests hang their clothes. There are two types of hooks: single and double. The size of the fittings determines what kind of clothes can be hung on the hooks. Small hooks are suitable for jackets and coats. Big ones can hold hats.
Drawer guides
Most often, it is the guide grooves along which the table drawers move that are the first to become unusable. Pull-out kitchen fittings are usually made of metal or plastic.
In this situation, if the guide groove breaks, a new part is selected especially carefully, inspecting and measuring the width of the groove. Also be sure to evaluate the condition of the purchased fittings for kitchen drawers and fastenings.
Considering the features and frequency of use of retractable systems in the kitchen, it is worth giving preference to proven manufacturing companies with excellent ratings.
Furniture locks
Some furniture has special compartments with locks where you can store valuables. The compartments are locked using locks that are slightly smaller than classic door options. But the degree of protection of such locks is conditional. The door of the furniture can be torn out without much difficulty, so it is better to store especially valuable things in another place. You can purchase strong and durable locks, but they should be mounted on solid furniture. Still, any natural wood has higher resistance to mechanical stress than MDF or chipboard. This means that the screws that hold the lock cannot be pulled out, even with serious effort.
Features of components for glass furniture
As for the fittings for glass furniture, they should be characterized by increased moisture resistance and reliability. Such requirements are explained by the fact that sets made of this material are often installed in bathrooms. The main elements of glass furniture components include:
- shelf supports;
- connectors;
- seals;
- supports;
- loops;
- door handles;
- latches;
- closers;
- locks.
Types of hoods built into cabinets, their main advantages
It is necessary to have plastic seals that prevent damage to the glass during use. The surface coating of the screed fittings must also be of high quality, which will reduce the risk of bubbles and peeling.
Shock absorbers
The fittings appeared on the market not so long ago. However, every year their popularity is increasing more and more. They allow you to keep it in this state when opening the door. Most often used in the kitchen in upper wall cabinets. The fittings work on the same principle as the gas shock absorbers that are used in the trunk door of a car.
Pull-out fittings
The cabinet is filled with pull-out elements that are mounted on the following types of guides:
| Roller ones are the most popular on the cabinet furniture market. Allows loads up to 25 kg. They come with a door closer included. | |
| Ball - movement in them is carried out due to balls in the profile. The advantage is easy opening of the drawers and a variety of sizes. | |
| Metaboxes are a system with roller guides and drawer sides made of steel or plastic. Can be extended fully or partially. They come in different sizes and differ in filling elements. | |
| Tandems are guides that are hidden inside the drawer. When using such a system, the entire cabinet space is used with a gap of no more than 4 mm. The advantages include noiselessness and a variety of components. There is only one drawback - high cost. |
The filling depends on the functions of the cabinet and your budget.
Magnets
If earlier the accessory was popular, then every year its popularity becomes less and less. Today, many better mechanisms have appeared that have replaced magnets. The fittings use two elements: a metal plate and a magnet. The trim is screwed to the door from the inside, and the magnet is placed opposite this trim. Thus, when the door closes, the magnet allows it to be held, which prevents the door from opening on its own.
Assortment for furniture assembly
Any furniture purchased in a store is accompanied by the necessary parts for assembly. The same goes for buying a cabinet. The component included in the furniture set - furniture fittings for the cabinet - must be checked to ensure that all parts are included. The kit may include:
- screws;
- bolts;
- locks;
- veneers;
- corners for connection;
- guides for drawers and doors;
- door handles;
- socket wrenches for bolts.
A wall-mounted cabinet must have corner fittings to mount the cabinet on the wall. The base cabinet has the entire set of necessary fittings. Usually it is supplied as a kit with a reserve of several parts.
Railing pipes
Another important accessory that is often used.
Most closets have pipes and rod guides - this allows you to ensure reliable fixation of hangers with clothes. The accessory is most often made of steel or aluminum. Since they are constantly subjected to heavy loads, they are made very durable. It is best to opt for a stainless steel pipe, which has a polished, rather than painted, surface. Over time, the paint will simply peel off the pipe due to constant friction against the hooks. Catalog of furniture accessories from Klyuchnik stores.
Criteria for choosing furniture fittings
You should not save on such components, since even one low-quality part will affect the functioning of the entire furniture structure. It is important to pay attention to the quality of materials. These must be high-strength alloys. More expensive models are made of stainless steel, copper, aluminum. For the manufacture of budget fittings, durable alloys with a protective coating are used.
Fastening elements must match the furniture material (solid wood, glass, chipboard, fiberboard). The dimensions of fastening and connecting parts must be selected with high precision, since even with minimal discrepancies, distortions and rapid rubbing of moving parts are possible.
For door handles, ergonomics and compliance with the weight of the doors are important. The guides must be made of high-grade alloy and perfectly smooth. It is better to choose massive hooks. For kitchen sets, components made of anti-corrosion metal are recommended.
The design of the front elements should be in harmony with the overall interior of the room. Such details must be made in the same color. Their cost is determined by the quality of materials and design. Presentable-looking front fittings will cost more.
