Accordion cabinet with folding doors: how to choose - types of mechanisms and design

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A wardrobe is a must-have item in the interior of an apartment or house. Manufacturers offer a variety of models to suit every taste and financial capabilities. Products are classified according to several criteria. One of them is connected with the door opening system. Recently, a wardrobe with folding doors is gaining more and more fans.

Accordion cabinet - features, advantages and disadvantages

The peculiarity of the product is hidden in the door mechanism. Through simple manipulations, the doors are folded in the form of an accordion or book, located at one of the side walls of the cabinet, while moving outward. The door leaf consists of several sections connected to each other. Its movement occurs along the upper guide. It holds the doors in the desired position and sets the direction of movement.

Like any mechanism, the folding system has its pros and cons.

Advantages:

• full view of the interior space;
• compactness;
• light weight;
• ease of operation;
• there is no possibility of damage to the floor covering;
• the ability to replace one of the elements in case of breakdown;
• quiet operation;
• no size restrictions;
• versatility;
• affordable price;
• attractive appearance thanks to the use of different materials and design methods.

Weak sides:

• low wear resistance (service life is approximately 5-8 years);
• increased mobility of the valves;
• still requires a small free space for normal functioning;
• Careful handling required.

Guides

These elements bear the main load from the weight of the canvas, therefore they are made of durable alloys. Most models that have two or three door sections use only the top track, which eliminates the need for a lower element, which can cause some inconvenience. In this case, the integrity of the floor covering is compromised during installation, and the internal cavities are often clogged with debris, which interferes with the normal operation of the mechanism and renders it inoperable.

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Durable aluminum top track for folding door

Design and types of folding door mechanisms for cabinets

The construction of such a cabinet requires high-quality fittings. Its configuration is determined by the type of doors: book or accordion.

To execute the first option of 2 sashes you will need:

• carriage on ball bearings with 2 degrees of freedom;
• top guide;
• bottom rail for supporting the leading leaf;
• rotary axes;
• hinges in the end part;
• fastener

All elements are adjustable, which increases the service life of the system.

A book door can consist of 2-10 leaves. She will need more space to function properly. This option is more massive and reliable. The sashes can come off in different directions and have asymmetrical parameters. Therefore, there is no need to save on accessories.

The accordion door will require the following parts:

• top guide made of steel or aluminum;
• carriage slider (one or more);
• rollers;
• hinges or hinge profile for fastening sections;
• special key for adjusting and assembling the system;
• fastener

The number of sets depends on the number of canvases.

Sometimes a bottom rail is included. This is mandatory if the facade is made of MDF, with glass or mirror inserts. But usually it is not necessary, since lightweight materials are often used for such a door. It is important to pay attention to the inadmissibility of using plastic rails and fasteners, as they do not withstand long-term use. The panels must be framed at the ends with metal elements and connected to each other with a hinged profile.

There are general requirements for sliding door fittings.

• Aluminum is considered the best material for guides. A U-shaped profile with one groove is made from it. The product must not contain defects and deviate from the horizontal position. Violation leads to spontaneous opening or prevents the movement of the rollers.
• There are several requirements for the movement system: noiselessness, ease of sliding, smoothness. For these purposes, rims made of suitable materials are used: rubber, Teflon, plastic, steel, etc. The bearings are protected from dust and small debris.
• Special seals are designed to isolate the interior of the cabinet from drafts and maintain the necessary storage conditions. Rubber, caoutchouc or silicone is used to make tapes. Rubber has the greatest elasticity and reliability, but silicone is usually used for glass sashes. It provides surface protection at attachment points.
• The connection of individual parts of the door leaf is carried out using mortise-type hinge mechanisms. They are installed in special recesses and fixed with self-tapping screws.
• Clamps help ensure the integrity of the valves, preventing them from moving beyond a certain location. The most commonly used type is magnetic.
• Don't forget about elements such as handles, although in most cases they are not used. But if thickness allows, it is wise to choose a model equipped with mortise handles. They do not protrude beyond the door leaf and contribute to more convenient operation.

Separately, it should be said about the possibility of left and right opening, depending on the characteristics of the room.

Sashes that do not have fastenings on the side are capable of moving in any direction.

Features of using accessories

When installing in any room, one of the main conditions is the strength and high quality of the materials from which the fittings are made. However, there are several special recommendations to extend the effective use of folding door structures.

When installing the product in rooms with high humidity levels, it is necessary to select fittings with a high aluminum content or a special protective coating. This will protect the mechanisms from the formation of corrosive processes that contribute to the rapid destruction of metals.

For durable and high-quality use of door structures made of glass and with glass inserts, the junction of the doors with the fittings must be additionally protected. The protective layer is a sealant made of rubber, silicone or rubber. Such a gasket will significantly reduce friction during use of the structure, and will also provide effective protection against the entry of various debris into the mechanisms.

In folding structures with lower guides, it is impossible to ensure high-quality protection of the aluminum rail from the accumulation of dirt and foreign objects in it. Therefore, the use of such an element requires additional care. The guide quite often needs to be thoroughly vacuumed and also periodically lubricated to ensure smooth running of the roller mechanisms.

Accordion cabinet or bookcase - what's the difference?

Wardrobes with folding doors are divided by the number of doors. Each species has its own name.

An accordion cabinet can contain a significant number of canvases. The more there are, the smaller the width of the individual elements. Standard section sizes are 10-15 cm. The connection is provided by a hinged profile or end hinges. The entire structure is securely fixed to the top rail. Moving along it occurs using rollers. The outermost element is attached to the side wall.

The bookcase has doors consisting of only 2 parts. They can be the same width or differ in this parameter. Their advantages include higher reliability compared to the previous type. For the same reason, sashes can be made of heavy materials (wood, glass, mirrors, etc.).

In this case, 2 guides are installed: below and above. The bottom rail additionally acts as a support. The parts are connected to each other by loops.

Seals

A mandatory element that is used in folding interior doors. The seals ensure maximum adherence of the canvas to the frame, which eliminates drafts and provides relative noise insulation. The tape is made of rubber, rubber or silicone. Such an element can dry out and become deformed during use, but is easily changed if necessary and is sold in all construction and hardware stores.

For wooden doors, it is better to use a rubber seal, which has such qualities as elasticity and wear resistance. Silicone tape is often installed on glass sashes.

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The seal provides good sound insulation of the room

Wardrobe designs with folding doors

Wardrobes equipped with folding doors come in different designs. The following models exist:

• built-in;
• frame.

The first option resembles a mini dressing room. If there is a niche in the room, then this is an ideal choice. The walls of the room act as side elements. An important condition for normal operation is a perfectly flat surface of the floor and ceiling to which the guides are attached. This should ensure the same distance between the rails. Failure to comply with this requirement causes rapid wear of the mechanism and frequent jamming of the rollers.

The frame cabinet consists of side walls, bottom, lid, back panel and doors. If desired, it can be moved or placed in another room. It has a higher cost because more materials are used to make it. Suitable for installation in spacious rooms.

For rooms with non-standard geometry or small sizes, it is worth purchasing a corner structure. It saves space and can change the disproportionate dimensions of a room.

For the manufacture of the frame, laminated chipboard, MDF, and natural wood are used. The latter option is of high quality and cost. The cheapest version made from laminated chipboard. Its advantage is a wide choice of colors, but there is a risk of releasing harmful chemicals. The average position in terms of cost and quality is occupied by an MDF frame. This material is decorative, reliable, and has a good ability to imitate natural materials.

How to choose hardware for folding doors

Mechanisms of this type have a large number of moving parts, which rub against each other during use. That is why when choosing, it is necessary to focus only on the highest quality products. Unreliable fittings for accordion doors can quickly fail, and repairing them is quite complicated.

If possible, you should purchase mechanisms sold under the following brands:

• Hettich;
• MDM.

Hettich

The fittings for accordion cabinets, as well as similar furniture or conventional folding doors from Hettich are extremely reliable mechanisms. The homeland of this brand is Germany; it was founded back in 1888. The most important advantages of products from this company include extreme reliability. Despite the complexity of the design, its resource is very large.

The only disadvantages include the relatively high cost. But it is completely justified, since the installation of this mechanism is extremely simple, and its service life is long.

Hettich fittings for folding doors

MDM

Imported products are usually quite expensive. If the buyer is somewhat strapped for funds, and folding doors do not want to open or close, then you can focus on mechanisms of domestic origin. They are of slightly lower quality than their imported counterparts. But this does not affect the functionality in any way, and the cost of the mechanism is several times lower.

Folding fittings MDM

Internal filling and storage systems

The interior filling of the cabinet is designed to organize a convenient storage system. Depending on the purpose of the furniture, you can select components. A typical set includes a number of elements.

• The rod is designed to accommodate hangers. It is securely fastened lengthwise or crosswise depending on the width of the product. In the second case, it is supplemented with a retractable mechanism. If the crossbar is installed in the upper part, then a special device (pantograph) will be required. For blouses, shirts and skirts, a distance of 0.8 to 1 m is sufficient. Longer wardrobe items (dresses, raincoats, coats, etc.) will require from 1.5 to 1.6 m. To determine the vertical dimensions of the opening, you need to add 20 cm to maximum length of clothing.
• No closet is complete without shelves. They can be pulled out to provide access to the remote part. To restrict movement, clamps are installed on them. The optimal distance between them is 30-35 cm.
• Drawers are suitable for storing small items. They move easily thanks to the roller system. By design, the boxes are either closed or mesh. Some of them have partitions inside, which allows you to quickly find the right thing.
• Retractable trousers consist of several parallel slats. Allows you to keep clothes in perfect condition.
• A similar device, but smaller in size, is used for belts, ties, scarves, and scarves.
• The lower part is usually reserved for shoes. It is installed on inclined lattice stands. This principle ensures good ventilation. It is easier to hang boots with high tops using plastic clips.
• The upper tier is suitable for things that are used occasionally. Its height ranges from 0.4 to 0.6 m.

Decor options

The method of decorating the facade is selected depending on the base material.

• The wood is decorated with carvings, shaped overlays, covered with several layers of varnish, and embossed.
• Wood boards are covered with veneer, film, and laminated.
• The glass is frosted, painted, patterns, three-dimensional elements are applied, or painted with stained glass paints.
• Mirror surfaces look stylish on their own, but patterned patterns enhance the effect.
• A covering made of natural or artificial leather will add solidity to the atmosphere. MDF is usually used as the basis for such decor.
• Photo printing allows you to complement the facade with any image you like and ensure a unique design.

The peculiarity of furniture doors is that in addition to their functional purpose, they also serve a decorative purpose. This fully applies to large cabinets. Their design and external design always corresponds to the interior and color scheme, and sometimes is the main factor determining the overall style of the room.

Facade designs for folding cabinets

According to the method of execution, furniture facades are divided into solid and framed. The first type is a canvas made of one type of material. It can be: natural wood, chipboard, MDF, glass, mirrors, etc.

Frame structures provide more scope for implementing design ideas. They consist of a frame and a panel. For the frame, MDF or aluminum profiles are most often used. Inserts are made from different materials. It is preferable to install frame structures in a wardrobe with sliding doors, as they are lighter.

Book door

An upper guide is used to move sections of the structure; the lower element serves as a support for massive wooden structures. The rails have locking mechanisms that ensure the opening of the canvas without deformation. If the door is made of lightweight materials, for example, PVC or MDF, then there is no need for a lower guide, and only the upper fittings provide movement of the structure.

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Book door made of aluminum profile and transparent glass in a minimalist style

Accordion cabinet façade decor materials

For exterior decoration use:

• glass;
• rattan;
• bamboo;
• skin;
• textile;
• plastic;
• mirrors;
• metal.

Each type has its own characteristics.

High-quality plastic is practical, light, reliable, and low cost. A wide palette of shades is available, which simplifies the choice of furniture.

A special type of glass with high strength is used for facades. In the case of sliding facades, small inserts are mainly used to reduce the load on hinges and other fittings. Glass elements are decorated using different techniques: stained glass, sandblasting, fusing, matting.

Metal doors are considered the most durable. They can be painted in any color.

Natural materials (bamboo, rattan) will add ethnic notes to the interior.

Fabric and leather doors are lightweight, and a wide selection of textures and colors allows you to create a special facade design.

The mirror surface can serve as a dressing table, and it can be decorated in the same way as glass.

Pens

As such, handles are rarely used on sliding doors. Mortise elements are installed in the canvas, which are used in cabinets to open the doors. If the doors are made of wood, then installing any types of handles is acceptable, but more often they are installed complete with a magnetic lock. If the thickness of the folds does not allow the installation of a full-fledged element for closing the door, then hardware manufacturers provide a special fastening system that ensures reliable fixation of any type.

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The handle can be installed on any surface if necessary

Photos of cabinets with a folding front opening system

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Having decided to buy a wardrobe with folding doors, you should decide in advance on its design and location. To do this, we first consider different options, taking into account the area and architectural features of the room. It is even recommended to make a drawing of the proposed purchase with exact dimensions. In a furniture salon, attention is paid to the internal content, quality of fittings, color design, smooth running and lack of noise.

Locks

Folding interior doors use mortise locks, which ensure reliability and aesthetic appearance of the door leaf; the exception for this type of closing elements are glass doors. The design features allow you to install the locking mechanism not only in the usual place in the middle of the sash, but also at the bottom, which makes it almost invisible. The lock system can be mechanical or magnetic; the second option is more convenient to use and has proven to be reliable in operation.

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If necessary, it is better to use a magnetic lock on interior doors