Accordion cabinet with folding doors: mechanisms and design

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.

Selection rules

To avoid possible mistakes when choosing an accordion cabinet, follow the advice of professionals:

An indicator of the quality of the cabinet's assembly is the silent opening of the doors, indicating that the furniture will last a long time;
Silent doors are a guarantee of good quality.
Choose a system with two guides - it is more stable;
A system with two guides is more stable.
The color and design of the cabinet is chosen based on the style of the interior, the shape of the room and its size. Light shades are suitable for a small hallway. By decorating the front of the cabinet with a mirror, you can visually double the area of the corridor;
Accordion wardrobe in the interior of the house.
The dimensions and contents of the cabinet depend on its location in the hallway and the purpose of installation. Take measurements, draw up a floor plan indicating the necessary data. This will make the choice easier and protect you from mistakes.
Accordion cabinet in the hallway interior.

An unusual, at first glance, folding door system helps to rationally use space. At the same time, the variety of designs allows you to fit the accordion cabinet into any interior.

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.

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.

Tips for choosing

Just a few more recommendations that, in combination with the photo, will help you get closer to choosing a variation of the accordion door that is truly suitable for you.

To avoid mistakes, follow these tips:

Quiet operation. It’s better to check this in the store on an exhibition sample. Besides, it has probably been tested hundreds of times before you. If there are no extraneous sounds, this is good;
Number of guides. The best solution would be 2 elements. This will allow the folding system to last much longer;
Ease of movement. To move the accordion, great force should not be applied;
Design. It's up to your taste. It’s difficult to give any advice here;
Dimensions. Focus on the size of the furniture already present in the room. Or start from the number of things for which the accordion cabinet will be used;
Filling. Think about how many clothes and things will be placed inside. What are they, what is needed for storage, how many shelves, drawers and hanging space should be left;
Construction type. In this regard, accordions are divided into stationary and built-in. I think there is no point in explaining what the difference is between them.

Well, let's leave it at that.

You will decide for yourself whether to buy similar furniture for yourself, or whether it is better to give preference to the classic compartment system or a swing door.

What do you think about accordion doors? Would they suit your interior?

Watch this video on YouTube

Subscribe, leave reviews, ask relevant questions and tell your friends about our project!

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.

Tips for choosing

The original design is relevant for those who need to block a non-standard doorway or divide a large room into zones.
Experts give advice on choosing the right folding door:

A plastic door will perfectly hide a niche in the wall.
For the bathroom, choose a product made of plastic or glass. This material will not be damaged by moisture.

As an interior partition, choose products made of durable material: plastic or wood.
A wooden door is perfect for a children's room. The environmentally friendly material is durable and safe. The same products are recommended for pet lovers.
Asymmetrical door flaps will perfectly close a doorway that is slightly larger than the standard one.
Inspect the assembled door and make sure there are no cracks or gaps between the slats. Their presence is excluded.
Make sure that the roller mechanism is in good working order - the doors should move smoothly and silently.

When choosing a door, it is important to focus not only on your desires, but also on your needs. When choosing a material, be sure to take into account the properties of the room in which the structure will be installed

It is better to install a door with a seal in the bedroom for better heat retention

Particular attention should be paid to the reliability of fastenings if the room is characterized by high traffic

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.

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.

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.

Adviсe

Accordion cabinets are installed in the hallway, bedroom and even kitchen. For a hallway, a model with a mirror would be successful, for a bedroom - with light decorated doors. The main thing in the design of the cabinet is the guides and fittings: handles and fastening mechanisms

Pay attention to the quality of materials. Fittings should only be metal

The panel frames are also made of metal. The material of the furniture itself matters: the panels are made of chipboard, MDF or high-strength plastic. There are also wooden doors, but they are heavier and can break. The facade can be decorated with anything - from fabric to bamboo and glass. To make the storage system last longer, use folding doors carefully and teach children not to roll on the doors.

Photos of cabinets with a folding front opening system

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.