Hanging system for sliding wardrobes: what is it and how does it work?

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Sliding wardrobes today are one of the most popular types of furniture for residential premises. They are relevant for living rooms, bedrooms and children's rooms, entrance areas of country cottages and narrow corridors of city apartments. But maximum spaciousness, practicality, and functionality will be characteristic of such furniture only if it is equipped with sliding systems for high-quality sliding wardrobes.

How does the sliding door mechanism work in sliding wardrobes?

The sliding wardrobe has a certain sliding system, thanks to which doors of this type open. To close them, simply move them towards each other with a smooth movement. The service life, comfort of use and installation methods depend on the quality characteristics of such a device.

The smooth opening of the cabinet doors occurs due to the sliding system.

Sliding systems for sliding wardrobes operate using two types of mechanisms:

Support

Includes two profiles: upper and lower, which are fixed inside the furniture frame. There are rail guides inside, hidden from view. It is along them that the rollers move. The profile located at the bottom is subject to the main load, the top one is used for support and is intended to perform a guiding function.

The support mechanism has profiles at the top and bottom.

The disadvantage of such a system is that the bottom rail is completely open, dirt and dust begin to accumulate in it, and the depth of the space inside the furniture creeps by about ten centimeters.

Suspension

Only the top profile is installed. The door also moves thanks to rollers. The only difference from the first option is that the canvas is in a suspended position. In this case, the load is received by the profile located at the top. The fixing element is fixed to the lower structure.

Only the top profile is present in the hanging mechanism.

The advantages include a fairly smooth ride, saving space inside the furniture, and the absence of a bottom rail. Disadvantage: complicated installation, withstands significantly less load, products with a support mechanism.

In inexpensive options, the rollers may begin to wear out quickly. Because of this, the doors will not open well. Saving can lead to unnecessary financial expenses.

What are sliding mechanisms for sliding wardrobes?

The mechanism for sliding compartment doors is a single, carefully adjusted system. It consists of the following elements:

Upper and lower guides (rails), which determine the trajectory of the doors.
A set of upper and lower rollers, which ensure the movement of the facade along the lower or upper rail, and fix it in one plane, preventing it from falling forward or backward.

Various sliding mechanisms for sliding wardrobes can be supplemented with side profiles that replace the handle. As well as various accessories in order to make the design of the facade more interesting, with the ability to combine and securely fasten materials on sash of different thicknesses.

Also, some sliding mechanisms for sliding wardrobes can be supplemented with stoppers and closers for smoother and quieter movement of the sash and fixation in the closed state.

Types of doors for wardrobes

There is simply a huge range of varieties of doors for sliding wardrobes on the market. Sometimes such a choice can scare the buyer, especially if he is not very versed in such mechanisms. Very original sliding door systems can be manufactured for sliding wardrobes.

There are several types of systems for sliding wardrobe doors on the market.

According to the material of manufacture

If poor quality material was used in the production of this product, it will not last long. It is recommended to pay attention to the following types:

Steel

Used for budget systems. The advantages include increased strength, reliability, durability, and practicality. Furniture with fittings made from such material will last a long time, but only if it is treated with care.

The steel profile is a budget profile, but has fairly good characteristics.

Aluminum

The price for such products is not cheap. Frames for rails and door panels are made from it. Such doors operate smoothly, do not make sounds during operation, and have excellent performance parameters.

An aluminum profile has a smoother ride and is more expensive.

Important! If the case contains inserts made of any other material, it must be of the highest quality. Otherwise, the entire reliability and strength of the cabinet will be reduced, as will its service life.

All cabinet parts must be made of high quality materials.

Depending on the shape of the door and the presence of a frame

Each model has its own individual shape, sliding mechanism and frame. Based on these characteristics, the following types of sliding mechanisms can be distinguished:

Roller - when the roller is located inside the rail profile, the movement of the door leaf occurs quietly and smoothly. The mechanism has the form of an isolated suspension.
Frameless - the rollers are fixed on the door panel itself, there are no profiles at all. But such structures quickly wear out, become deformed and lose functionality. Considering their low cost, this is not surprising.
Frame - made of steel or aluminum. These doors are very stylish and laconic. The steel version is hollow, so over time it may begin to deform. Aluminum is more expensive, but its service life is much longer.
Radius - curved profiles are used, since the contours of this product are non-standard. During development, the shape of each individual model is taken into account.

All options have their advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is recommended to be careful when selecting. It is also not recommended to save money.

By type of guides

Each wardrobe model differs from each other in the type of guides. These elements are responsible for the manufacture of the door and the smooth running of its rollers during operation.

The guides are responsible for the smooth movement of the door.

Guides can be divided into two groups:

based on the installation location (upper or lower);
based on the number of doors in the structure (double or single).

Doors can be double or single.

Additional Information! Based on the type of guide, the price category of the products depends. This criterion is very important when selecting sliding wardrobes.

The type of guides affects the price of the entire product.

Which coupe system is better: suspended or support?

A sliding wardrobe is a piece of furniture without which it is difficult to imagine the average apartment. It fits perfectly into any interior, is functional and saves space in the room. When choosing a wardrobe, you need to pay attention not only to the appearance and design, but also to the type of sliding system. After all, in order for the cabinet to be easy to use and last for many years, you need to choose a reliable one. The two most common are suspended and support.

It is difficult to say unequivocally which coupe device is better, so it is necessary to consider the advantages and disadvantages.

Main differences

The hanging sliding wardrobe system differs in that the doors are suspended on the top guide rail. Accordingly, the entire load falls on the upper part of the cabinet. Typically this system is lighter.

In the support one, it’s the other way around: the doors rest on the lower roller mechanisms, which, in turn, take on all the weight.

In addition, the mechanisms differ in design.

The lower support consists of:

guide rails (upper and lower);
profile (steel or aluminum);
rollers (lower and upper).

Hanging consists of:

U-shaped profile, i.e. top guide;
stopper and bearings.

In a sliding support system, the doors overlap each other when closed. In a hanging door, they also overlap each other, as in a support door.

Price

Usually the support system is cheaper. It is also more common. However, you can also find a fairly inexpensive version of the door hanging mechanism.

Appearance

Hanging devices are preferred by those who do not want to see the ends of the side walls of the cabinet, since in this case the doors seem to be placed on top of the body. It looks unusual and elegant, and is also suitable for the most incredible interiors.

Well, if the above is not important to you, then among the cabinets with a bottom support system you can choose one that will not only be functional, but also beautiful.

Pros of the suspension system:

the rollers hardly wear out;
guide rails do not become clogged;
aesthetic exterior.

Minuses:

more difficult to install;
costs more.

Advantages of the support system:

doors of any thickness and weight can be used;
adjustable casters can compensate for uneven floors;
simple design.

Minuses:

faster wear of rails and rollers due to dust and debris.

The choice of sliding system always remains with the buyer. If you still have any questions, a specialist who assembles furniture can answer them. A competent professional is able to talk in detail about the advantages and disadvantages of various sliding mechanisms and offer the best option. Today there is a wide range of products on the market, so there is definitely plenty to choose from.

Mechanism for sliding wardrobe doors

Sliding doors will be relevant in a room of any size. After all, they can save space. Support type rollers are the most widely used. In this embodiment, the support occurs on the rail located below. They are used in almost any prefab installation.

Sliding doors are suitable for any room.

Suspension-type mechanisms are used much less frequently. They will be optimal for built-in furniture, that is, where the guides are attached to a concrete block. In this case, the upper support is used.

The hanging mechanism is more often used in a built-in wardrobe.

The monorail system includes two pairs of rollers, each of which serves a separate carriage. This mechanism is relatively complex and is suitable for both built-in wardrobes and walk-in closets.

The monorail system is suitable for any type of cabinet.

Main advantages

A sliding wardrobe helps to properly and economically organize the space in the room and in the house as a whole. The comfort of use and service life of this important interior element is largely determined by its unique opening system. Of the entire list of various fittings for sliding doors required for assembling a sliding wardrobe, aluminum frames or profiles for sliding doors play an important role.

Relatively recently, they were made mainly of steel, but the RIAL-MOSCOW company offers its customers to buy a profile for sliding doors made of aluminum as a more modern and technologically advanced solution. It is manufactured by extrusion followed by anodizing or coating with PVC film.

The choice of an aluminum profile for sliding doors is due to its numerous advantages:

Types of fastening wardrobe doors

The sliding wardrobe has a special system for opening the door leaf. It differs significantly from the swing version. It will also require special types of fastening. These include:

Profiles – designed for use of doors. Can be made from aluminum or steel. The first ones have a hard surface, long service life and resistance to various mechanical damage. The second ones are used in inexpensive options; due to limitations in colors, they lose their popularity.
Guides – doors move along them. The set includes two pieces: one is installed on the top bar, the second on the bottom.
Rollers - look like wheels, due to which the doors move. The smoothness of door opening depends on their quality.
Stoppers – fix the door leaf in the required position.
Seals – due to them, the surface does not deteriorate from the inside. Thanks to them, the door fits tightly to the body.

Each type is of particular importance in the production of sliding devices. It is thanks to them that the door leaf is perfectly attached, has a long service life and is comfortable to use.

Note! Installing a latch or stopper prevents sliding doors from moving in different directions. Its installation should be done in a recess located in the lower profile.

When the roller hits such a structure, it securely fixes the doors in the required position.

The latch securely secures the doors in the desired position.

How to choose the right hanging system for sliding wardrobes

The furniture market offers cabinets with bottom- and top-support systems for sliding doors. The choice of the “right” one is determined by ideas about comfort. Doors installed with this system move from the outside of the structure. And if they are decorated with mirrors and inlays, this adds aesthetics and gives the room originality.

The loss of running carriages is prevented due to the strong fixation of the array in the doorway and the shape of the profile.

Made from aluminum or steel.

Deforms due to temperature changes or high humidity.

The bottom-support sliding system is installed in a mortise or overlay manner, which allows the door section to be installed to the floor.

Among the disadvantages, experts note the rather high price of cabinets with top rails.

The room is provided with a neat aesthetic appearance, since all things are securely “hidden” in the closet.

The loss of running carriages is prevented due to the strong fixation of the array in the doorway and the shape of the profile.

The hanging system for sliding wardrobes is a set of sliding doors equipped with top-supporting or bottom-supporting rollers.

Which mechanism is better to choose for wardrobe doors?

When selecting a mechanism, the first thing to consider is the weight and material from which the furniture is made. In order for the device to be as stable as possible, the rollers are installed both at the top and at the bottom. To control the width of the open door, a special blocker (limiter) is used.

The door mechanism is selected taking into account all the parameters of the cabinet.

Thanks to him, the doors will not be able to move too far away from each other. Rail parts should be selected based on the material and number of doors. The length of the track directly depends on the width of the cabinet.

The main task of a wardrobe is to accommodate as many clothes as possible. It copes with this function perfectly. In addition, furniture takes up minimal space.

Varieties

The main elements of a sliding wardrobe: body and facade. To connect them together and increase the functionality of the structure, a variety of fittings are required. It is selected taking into account the dimensions and structural features of this furniture.

The standard set of additional elements for a sliding wardrobe includes:

profiles - used to frame the facade;
guides - doors move along them when opened;
rollers - these parts are used to move along the guides;
stoppers - fix the position of the door leaves;
seals - protect the body where the door is attached;
sliding systems - mechanisms for moving the sashes;
filling elements - increase the convenience of storing things.

Schemes for organizing the filling of a sliding wardrobe with straight and corner configurations
Having studied in detail the structure and functions of each type of fittings for sliding wardrobes, you can safely begin assembly or repair.

Guides

Profiles

Sliding system

Rollers

Stoppers

Sealant

Profiles

All kits for assembling sliding wardrobes are equipped with profiles: vertical and horizontal. The latter are needed for fastening the facade; they are called guides. The vertical ones serve as handles for opening.

Profiles are made from the following materials:

Aluminum. It is characterized by high strength, lightness and durability. The aesthetics of an aluminum profile is improved by anodizing or gluing with PVC film. The result is a wide range of colors and textures.
Steel. As a material for making fittings for sliding wardrobes, it is gradually becoming a thing of the past. The assortment is limited to a few solid colors or imitation wood on PVC film. Steel profiles attract low cost.

Plastic elements are practically not used as accessories for sliding wardrobes, since they are not strong enough for such structures.

Aluminum

Steel

Guides

The sliding doors of a compartment-type wardrobe are opened by moving the rollers built into the door leaf along the guide profiles. Profiles are attached at the top and bottom, sometimes only one option is used, installing stabilizers on the opposite side. If the piece of furniture does not have a body, the upper rail is attached to the ceiling, the lower one to the floor.

Based on the number of door leaves, select the appropriate type of guide profile:

single-lane;
two-way;
three-way.

The guide profile plays an important role in the operation of the sliding facade system, so you cannot skimp on it. Poor quality of the element will cause the doors to jam when opening or the roller mechanism to pop out.

Single lane

Two-way

Three-lane

Rollers

In a sliding system, rollers play an important role. They provide movement in the grooves of the upper and lower guide profile. High quality parts glide over the surface smoothly and easily, and when equipped with bearings, they are absolutely silent.

They produce two types of rollers for wardrobes:

symmetrical - used only along with a symmetrical vertical profile (closed handle);
asymmetrical - applicable exclusively in combination with an asymmetrical vertical profile (open handle).

Symmetrical rollers ensure more coordinated operation of the sliding mechanism and eliminate door distortion.

Stoppers

For convenient operation of furniture with sliding doors, stoppers are used that fix their position. There is an opinion that it is not necessary to use them, but if there are more than two doors in the wardrobe, you cannot do without such elements. They are made of steel and have a spring design.

The main types of doors for wardrobes, their features, pros and cons

The number of stops must be equal to the number of cabinet doors. They are installed in the lower guide rail. By running over it when opening, the rollers fall into the gap between the plates, which leads to the fixation of the blade. It only takes a little effort to make the door move again.

Seals

The seal softens the impact of doors on the side walls when opening, making the process silent. Another function of this type of fittings is to close the gaps through which foreign odors and dust can seep into the cabinet. Door seals vary in material and structure.

For wardrobes, two types of elements are most often used:

Brush (schlegel) - adhesive tape with bristles of artificial or natural origin. Glued to the profile recess.
Silicone - varies in cross-sectional size. Attaches to glass and mirror door inserts of wardrobes.

Seals for wardrobe doors not only cope with noise, the penetration of odors and dust into the structure, but also increase the service life of the furniture.

Silicone

Brush

Sliding systems

Components for sliding wardrobes included in sliding mechanisms do not have to be ordered separately. The consumer is offered ready-made systems with all the necessary elements. They come in two main varieties:

support - the entire load falls on the lower guide;
suspended - the rollers are located only on the upper part of the canvas.

Styles and colors of beautiful sliding wardrobes, popular designs

Support sliding systems are becoming more popular. They are cheaper and provide ease of installation. The smooth operation of such a sliding system is disrupted when debris accumulates in the bottom guide.

Support

Hanging

Filling elements

Proper arrangement of the interior space of the wardrobe will allow you to conveniently arrange clothes and other things. This feature of a new piece of furniture should be considered in advance. It is important to determine the volume and comfortable way to store each type of item. After this, draw up an approximate filling diagram.

The main elements are:

shelves;
boxes;
baskets;
rods;
pantographs.

Pantographs ideally solve the problem of placing clothes at the top of the closet.

Baskets

Pantograph

Shelves

Barbell

Boxes

Types and features of handle profiles

The profile handle for sliding wardrobes comes in two types:

Open or asymmetrical, which is a frame with a 1-sided grip, allowing you to move the door only from 1 side.
Closed or symmetrical - a frame with a double-sided grip, making it possible to move the door from 2 sides.

The second type of profile is especially relevant for interior partitions, dressing rooms, and sliding doors.

The handle profile for a sliding wardrobe is the basis of its opening system, which performs certain functions:

increases the strength and rigidity of the structure,
is a decorative component.