Doors are a very important element of interior design. On the one hand, they divide the living space into certain zones, making it more functional, on the other hand, they decorate the apartment. The most popular and frequently used are single or double doors, but as it turns out, despite their universal nature, they are not suitable for every interior. For those rooms where it is impossible to install this type of door in their apartments, there is an alternative solution in the form of folding structures. If you are looking for an interesting and functional solution for your interior, pay attention to the accordion door, because, as you can see from the attached photos, it is not only practical, but also beautiful.
Free space
In small apartments, methods and design tricks are used to the maximum extent in order to save free space. This accordion model helps achieve these goals. A model of this kind allows you not to disturb other residents and does not limit your creative approach in terms of arranging furniture and creating a style in the room.
This design consists of several panels. In particular, they are fixed on the top side. Often used in public transport or cafes. They are reliable to use and have a number of positive aspects.
Depending on the model, the components are located symmetrically or asymmetrically to each other. This approach generally looks more original compared to a traditional installation.
Their doors are assembled into a whole at the edges of the openings, or are located along its length. The appearance of the structure resembles a musical instrument. Their width does not exceed 120 mm. The panels are connected using hinges. The end panels carry a functional load and are responsible for movement.
Advantages and disadvantages
Among the undoubted advantages of using sliding doors is the saving of free space. This model does not block the passage, allowing you to use every square meter as efficiently as possible.
Versatility in terms of using a suitable opening. If the size does not match, it is enough to simply reduce or add the required number of panels. This saves money;
It is possible to automate the model, which saves not only time, but also ensures comfortable use. Silence, this advantage is really important, especially if there are small children in the apartment.
Promotes division into zones. This is a wonderful attribute, as can be seen in the photo of accordion doors; their use contributes to zoning the space, dividing it into comfortable corners.
Often a model of this type is used in bathrooms. Thus, they act as a waterproof barrier.
In addition to the advantages, it is worth highlighting the disadvantages of their use:
- For installation work, openings of a rectangular or standard dimensional grid shape are suitable.
- Visually, the opening becomes a little narrower when the door is folded.
- Short service life.
- Does not retain heat, has poor sound insulation.
Accordion door to the kitchen: photos of modern interiors
In modern renovations, designers often prefer kitchens that are open to the living room. This solution has many advantages and is very popular, however, the kitchen is a work area, the mess in which you don’t want to show to guests who unexpectedly visit you. An accordion door works great as a space divider, which with a slight movement of the hand hides everything unsightly in the room. Plus, culinary adventures aren't always topped with apple pie flavors. Folding doors will stop the smell of cauliflower or other distinctive smells from entering the living room. If necessary, rooms can always be combined to create open space.
Installation location
It is worth noting the versatility of using folding doors. They are used for children's rooms, bedrooms, living rooms, or hallways.
The popularity of the design gradually increased with the increase in the creation of studio kitchens. Plastic, lightweight attributes divide the space into several zones. Depending on the purpose for which this attribute is used, the appropriate room is designed. This can be an elegant dressing room, while the screen will be decorated with originality and luxury.
Thanks to its invisibility, it is possible to connect several rooms. The combination of the living room and kitchen looks beautiful and modern.
Separately, it is worth noting that installing a door of this type is not an advantage only for small rooms. It is also appropriate for large-scale country houses. The main thing is to create a project in advance, clearly marking the openings for which such screens will be used.
It is important to consider the comfort and ease of use of the design. This makes it easy to create an additional entrance, with significant cost savings.
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For bathrooms, the expansion of the room has a positive effect, which is achieved through the use of a plastic screen. It is important to choose the right material that will have the qualities to withstand high levels of moisture.
In addition to plastic, there are wooden materials that are coated with a special varnish.
An interesting application of the necessary attribute is to use it as a wardrobe door. The manufacturing material is selected to be light and complemented with unusual ornaments or designs. With the help of small elements, it is possible to give a luxurious look to the most inconspicuous thing at first glance.
What types are there?
Accordion doors are divided into two groups:
- deaf;
- with inserts made of a different material.
The first option is more reliable, which means it will last much longer. The insert design is not as durable. Blind products are made from solid wood. If a hole is provided in the canvas, the structure is weakened. A folding accordion door is often presented in a single-leaf version. It is easy to use and does not take up much space when folded.
There are also bivalve analogues. They are installed in wide openings. The service life of such door leaves is short, since a large number of parts of the leaf are used, which quickly leads to wear of the mechanism. An accordion door for a kitchen is always single-leaf, but, for example, at the entrance to a dressing room or living room, you can install a double-leaf design.
Choice
A wide range of doors, the catalog pleases with its diversity. It is important to pay attention not only to the appearance of the product, but also to other aspects.
The metal frame and groove seals play an important role in this process. Their quality and mechanism of action affects noiselessness, which is especially important if there are small children at home. A high-quality sliding device promotes the quietest, smoothest opening or closing.
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The panels, or rather the material for their manufacture, are selected in accordance with the place of future use.
Plastic
It is advisable to use plastic for the kitchen, veranda, bathroom or sauna. They cope well with high levels of moisture without losing their quality characteristics. These are simple panels that are accessible to a wide range of consumers.
The doors come with transparent inserts. Among the disadvantages of their use is insufficient reliability. This option is called more of a screen; the plastic material does not match the quality of a full-fledged door.
In order to complement the style solution, different colors of plastic are used.
Glass
Glass panels are used less frequently compared to previous materials. They are suitable for installation in the garden, or as a decorated entrance to the terrace.
The design of this option is similar to the previous material. They can be solid or assembled on an aluminum or steel frame. Their unusual feature is their ability to visually enlarge the doorway.
For decoration, special inserts and designs using modern technologies are used. The size of the doors depends on the size of the section. A wide space requires a larger structure, complemented with taste, matching the overall style picture.
Finishing work
Before installing the trims, you need to use a sharp mounting knife to cut off the excess hardened polyurethane foam.
Carefully cut off the foam
Step 1 . Place the trim against the vertical post of the box and make a sawing mark. Apply the same mark on the second element.
Mark the cutting line of the platband
Step 2 . Using a miter saw or an ordinary hacksaw with a miter box, saw off the workpieces at an angle of 45°. Use finishing nails to nail the vertical trims to the door frame.
Trim and nail trims
Step 3 . Measure and cut the top trim and secure it in place.
Attach the upper casing
Repeat the same operations on the other side of the doorway. If necessary, repair the plaster and restore the finishing surfaces of the walls. Accordion doors are ready for use. Strictly follow all operating recommendations, and they will serve for a long period of time.
Video – Interior accordion doors
Interior doors-accordion are considered both a budget option and a modern solution for furnishing premises. Now you are familiar with the technology of their installation, the strengths and weaknesses of the design. To increase the service life of doors, you must be able to correctly adjust the elements, periodically check their position and perform technical maintenance. Plastic balcony doors require the same attentive attitude. There is a detailed article on how this is done on our website.
Installation
Due to the ease of installation, installation work can be done independently, without the help of specialists.
It is important that the elements match the dimensions of the opening. This is easy to do with a guide rail. Take the dimensions of the opening and cut the required profile.
For plastic materials, remove the strip that is attached to the opening. With this action, the width of the canvas can increase or decrease in width. To reduce - disconnect other elements as necessary. To enlarge, add a section. At this point it is important not to forget about the clips. They are installed along a pre-drawn line, at an even distance from each other. Installation occurs at the top and side.
For wooden or glass elements, this operation is not necessary, since they are made in accordance with the individual characteristics and needs of each individual buyer.
It is necessary to connect the canvas to the rail. Place the rollers into the rails, while the canvas must be folded, otherwise the operation will not be successful. After this, the guide should snap into place on the clip.
The final stage is checking the operation of the product and installing the fittings. The quality of the installation indicates the performance of the model. The ideal option is a design that opens and closes smoothly, easily and silently. It does not create inconvenience and serves for a long period of time.
Design Features
If you are interested in the answer to the question of how to assemble folding doors, you should study in detail the structure of such products. The main unit is the guide rail, which is mounted in the upper part of the doorway. Adding such an element at the bottom will reduce the service life of the sliding plastic accordion door, as well as glass analogues. This is due to the fact that debris will get into the groove, which is difficult to remove due to the small width of the guide rail.
To provide the ability to move the web, a roller mechanism is used. It is fixed on the sash and recessed into the groove of the guide rail. Canopies and hinges are used to secure the door leaf in the opening. In addition, the components of the sash are connected to each other by hinges, the dimensions of which are much smaller than the main fastening elements. Clips can be used.
The guide rail is made of metal. This is a prerequisite for installing an accordion door. To hide this element, it is decorated with veneer, varnished or laminated. If you use a less durable guide rail, the door will fail faster. The number of constituent elements may vary. The sash often consists of 2 or more parts. If you are deciding how to install an accordion door with your own hands, you need to choose a suitable model in terms of dimensions, configuration, and performance characteristics. This takes into account:
- the material from which the sash itself is made;
- guide rail quality;
- method of fastening components of a structure.
conclusions
The simplicity and convenience of the model allows it to be used in any room. The main thing is to select the right material, pay attention not only to the external design, but also to the quality of the product. There are many more advantages than disadvantages of using an accordion.
In terms of price category, the materials differ significantly. Thus, when choosing plastic, you save on cost, but lose in the quality and service life of the product.
When purchasing wooden or plastic materials, you pay many times more compared to the previous type, but benefit in quality, appearance and duration of use. This choice is individual.
One thing remains common: a correctly selected screen will become a worthy decoration of a doorway, an assistant in creating your own interior.
Types of materials
- An accordion door made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is one of the most budget-friendly and practical options for installation in the bathroom. This material is moisture-resistant, does not lose its original shape during operation, is not susceptible to infection by fungi and mold, and an important advantage is the lightness of the structure. A huge number of color solutions, including those imitating natural wood. PVC structures are easy to clean and disinfect.
- Accordion doors and structures made of aluminum or wood materials with glazing look very beautiful and impressive. If you need to create a special atmosphere in the bathroom, then the choice is very large. It can be frosted or tinted glass of any color, stained glass or decorated with photo printing. Such designs look very stylish, modern and original.
- Natural wood panels are a fairly heavy material and are very rarely used in the manufacture of book doors, and are almost never used for accordion doors. Also, for example, if you use a wooden structure for a bathroom, then special processing is required. If you use wood, it should be in large bathrooms, where water splashes will not fall on the structure.
For doorways with a large width, it is recommended to choose designs from 2 panels that will slide apart on the sides. This option will be ideal for houses where the bathroom borders the bedroom. For standard apartments, a more suitable range of doors will be those consisting of one leaf, opening either in one direction or in 2 directions.
The accordion door is now widely used not only to save space in a living space, but can also easily become an interior decoration, because the choice of both colors and models is very diverse.
