Louvered doors are an original interior solution that is used in many styles and directions. Such designs help to zone the space, thereby giving the standard area a new breath. Louvered doors for closets have many different modifications, including hinged, hinged, sliding, etc. In addition to these options for blinds, there are slatted doors that give the apartment a unique and attractive look. Read more about them in the next article.
Louvered cabinet doors
Louvered closet doors are a trend that has entered homes in many countries around the world. They are loved for their functionality and practicality, as well as their unique design.
Louvered doors for closets are a trend that has entered the homes of many countries around the world.
Types of louvered cabinet doors
There are 3 materials from which louvered doors are made: wood, metal and plastic. Wood is the most common material, and at the same time the most expensive. Metal doors are used less frequently, mainly for technical purposes outside the home.
The most budget option is plastic shuttered doors and doors. A huge plus is the low cost. However, the disadvantage of this material is that the service life of such a product is shorter, and it is more susceptible to thermal and light deformation.
Louvre doors can be interior, street and furniture, and the coating material for each type of door can be different. Louvered doors are made in swing, sliding and accordion type. Louvered compartment doors are more often used to enter the dressing room; they do not hide the space and zone the space.
There are many varieties of louvered doors, ranging from several coating options to the number of leaves and a turning mechanism. An important point: door leaves are made with both stationary blinds and adjustable ones.
Advantages of louvered cabinet doors:
Excellent ventilation. The first and undoubted advantage that distinguishes this type of door from others.
After all, their design is such that the air that enters through the holes in the doors circulates freely, and this property allows:
- prevent damage to things in the closet due to the possible occurrence of diaper rash and condensation, as when using solid doors;
- neutralize the moisture that is constantly present in the technical cabinets where the pipes are located, and also maintain the general temperature conditions in the cabinet and outside it.
- Lightproof: This property is great for use in cabinets containing foods that need to be kept in a dark, uncovered place (mushrooms, butter, nuts). Louvered doors, thanks to the slats with their inherent angle of inclination, do not allow direct light to pass through and ventilate the space well;
Excellent ventilation is the first and undoubted advantage that distinguishes louvered cabinet doors
- excellent heat distribution: if the house has cold rooms or corners that are not heated, louvered doors will help distribute heat evenly around the perimeter of the rooms;
- lightness: the low weight of louvered doors simplifies the work of installing them. The appearance of the structure does not burden the interior of the room; it seems to “breathe”;
- design element: cabinets and wall panels, as well as doors to the dressing room, made in the louvered style, can represent an individual design solution and serve as a decorative element. In addition, louvered doors perfectly hide an undesirable type of structure, without additional repair work.
There are few disadvantages when using louvered doors in the interior, but they still exist:
- the property of poor sound insulation of the structure will not allow the installation of louvered doors where there is any noise;
- If there is a constant source of strong odors in the house, then it is not recommended to install louvered doors. For example, in the dressing room so that clothes do not absorb extraneous aromas;
- the choice of material for the blind structure determines its durability. For example, near a constant source of moisture and light, the service life of wooden blinds is sharply reduced;
- the cost of finished products with louvered elements will be higher than the cost of blind structures due to more complex production techniques and high labor costs.
How to choose furniture blinds
When choosing blinds, you need to carefully consider some important points. Tips for choosing roller shutters:
- The material of the products should be chosen taking into account the style of the premises in which the blinds are planned to be installed. For example, glass roller shutters are perfect for a modern kitchen interior. They can also withstand heavy loads, are scratch resistant and look original. Aluminum roller shutters are good for a high-tech living room. Made of wood for the bedroom;
- It is recommended to inspect the opening mechanism and guide elements very carefully. The quality and reliability of these parts ensure convenient and durable use;
- First, it is worth deciding whether it is necessary to install a lock in order to lock the roller shutters. If additional protection is necessary, then you need to choose a design where such a system is provided by the manufacturers. And also for protective purposes it is better to choose metal blinds;
- If the requirements for furniture roller shutters regarding operation and aesthetics are quite high, then for their installation you should contact a professional to prevent damage to the appearance and functional perfection of the structure.
It is really very convenient to use furniture equipped with blinds. The use of roller shutters for furniture in the office or at home is a justified way to improve the furnishings.
Louvered doors Leroy Merlin
Radiators and communication systems will no longer hamper your interior, since louvered doors from the Leroy Merlin trading company will help solve these problems, significantly saving the usable space of the room.
Louvered doors are made in the form of a structure that ensures the free movement of air flow, but at the same time, protects all necessary things from light. The range of these offers is quite large. The products are furniture wooden facades, the appearance of which is similar to standard window blinds (the slats are fixed at a given angle and fixed in the frame).
The scope of application of products made from Leroy Merlin blinds is wide:
- furniture industry: used as doors for built-in wardrobes and sliding wardrobes. Various fastening options are available, allowing you to open the doors in the usual way (furniture hinges) or sliding (guide elements);
- Leroy Merlin louvered doors are an ideal option for visually hiding dressing rooms and bathrooms: they are used to cover sewer pipes and water heating equipment. This option will significantly save the usable space of the room. Accordion system models available;
- window shutters: thanks to the installation of a blind system of this type, the room will always be adequately protected from direct sunlight. The structures also serve a decorative function, giving the façade of the building an elegant, finished look.
The variety of sizes, colors and ease of installation of louvered doors make them simply irreplaceable in the process of combating the “stale air” of clothing and kitchen cabinets. Various models are suitable for decorating radiators and heaters.
Leroy Merlin louvered doors are presented in a number of offers, with about 60 standard product sizes, which allows you to choose the option that is optimally suitable for the existing facade.
Installation of structures is not particularly difficult. For installation, it is enough to have a certain set of accessories and special fittings, which are sold together with the doors. The uniqueness of the offer is also expressed in the ability to adjust ready-made goods on the spot where they are required. Shortening can be done according to all parameters (height, width).
Closet shutter doors
In the interior of every house or apartment there is a large closet for storing necessary household items. This can be either a free-standing piece of furniture or a piece of furniture built into supporting structures.
The basis of louvered doors is a frame with transverse slats that are fixed at a certain angle
To ensure that such a large piece of furniture fits into the overall space as harmoniously as possible, you can use furniture doors-blinds in its design. This type of door products is becoming increasingly popular and is increasingly used in the manufacture of various furniture. The basis of louvered doors is a frame with transverse slats, which are fixed at a certain angle.
The best material for making door blinds is natural wood, which is why they are not cheap. When using not the most expensive types of wood, a more noble look is given to the product with the help of stain.
Among the main advantages of louvered doors are the following parameters:
- the blinds system allows for more efficient use of narrow and limited space in rooms, especially in the corridor, closet or on the balcony;
- the design provides constant access to fresh air, forming a natural ventilation system that allows you to easily ventilate all compartments of the cabinet or cabinet. This is also an excellent protection against the accumulation of excess moisture and mold formation;
- the design is durable and has good wear resistance during operation;
- cabinets with louvered doors fit perfectly into most interior styles, and the variety of shades offered by the manufacturer will provide a choice for any design.
One of the serious disadvantages of louvered doors is that they allow sunlight and all sorts of odors to pass through, which can be extremely undesirable. They do not tolerate sudden changes in temperature and humidity in the room; this can cause deformation of thin wooden planks.
Such doors are widely used in the manufacture of the following structures:
- front doors for linen and kitchen cabinets, bedside tables;
- interior doors;
- addition to a window or doorway.
The use of louvered doors in design
Louvered doors, made using modern technologies from high-quality raw materials, are reliable in use and durable in operation. A large selection of different textures and shades will allow you to create pieces of furniture that are ideal for your interior.
With the help of wooden blinds you can replace old doors on furniture, revitalizing the interior and updating the design of the room
With the help of wooden blinds, you can replace old doors on furniture, revitalizing the interior, updating the design of the room.
Here are some options for using louvered doors in the interior:
- to create the necessary style in the room, sliding doors for a wardrobe, cabinet or window sashes can be formed either by small inserts or by entire panels;
- The accordion-type design is the best option in a room with limited space and the inability to use hinged doors. An excellent solution for a wardrobe in the hallway or a linen closet in a narrow room;
- being part of a sliding swing structure, louvered doors can be designed as an exit to a balcony or veranda in a country house; a small cabinet with blinds can be an excellent solution for storing things or shoes that require constant ventilation. Such an item can easily fit into almost any interior;
- The use of wooden blinds for the decorative design of radiators will not only promote the free circulation of warm air. Such a product will be a harmonious completion of the overall design.
A small nuance: in areas where heating devices are located, to ensure the best air flow, it is better to install doors with vertical slats.
Types of furniture blinds
Furniture blinds are made of metal, plastic, thick textiles, glass and wood. Wooden products are installed quite rarely due to the limited scope of application. For example, they are not suitable for the bathroom, because there is high humidity. This material is also easy to damage.
Roller shutters for the closet are available: horizontal and vertical. In horizontal blinds, guides are attached at the top and bottom. The height of these products can be more than 2 m.
There are three ways to roll up and open closet shutters:
- By screwing onto a shaft that is located vertically or horizontally;
- By tightly hiding the slats behind the cabinet wall;
- In a way that is called “accordion”.
There are 3 types of mechanisms for opening roller shutters:
- Electric;
- Spring-inertial. It allows you to easily raise and lower blinds. The slats move quickly and silently. Basically, closet blinds weigh little and are small in size, so they are controlled by a manual drive;
- Tape. This mechanism is also very convenient, but its price is very high.
Office furniture is often equipped with deadbolt locks for storing documents and other things.
Based on the type of installation, a distinction is made between built-in and overhead lamellas. The first option is used in the furniture manufacturing process, so inserting roller shutters into an already manufactured body is quite difficult. To do this, you need to cut grooves for inserting lamellas. And overlay panels are easy to make yourself.
Modifications to Louvered Cabinet Doors
In terms of their structure, louvered doors for cabinets can be not only ordinary, opening doors - like those of ordinary cabinets.
In modern design, structures can have the following modifications:
- traditional swing;
- folding, such as a book or accordion;
- sliding, coupe type.
Furniture shutter doors can consist of either one or several leaves at once. There are types of doors that provide the ability to adjust the slats, and you can easily change the position of the slats as you wish.
In design, louvered doors for cabinets can be not only the usual drop-down doors like those of conventional cabinets
As a rule, manufacturers do not paint wooden shutter doors, and they are marketed in their natural form. This is a big plus, since you can check the quality of the wood, the absence of dangerous knots, cracks, irregularities and other defects that can lead to deformation.
To ensure that installing and painting doors does not cause you problems in the future, choose absolutely smooth and well-sanded specimens. It is very important that all elements of the door leaf are located in the same plane. In no case should there be any deflections or depressions; the entire structure as a whole should be perfectly flat.
Of course, wooden shutter doors have some disadvantages. In the design of small pieces of furniture, they can be almost invisible, but if you want to introduce such large objects as shutters for windows into the design of the room, remember about such annoying properties of wood as its strong dependence on temperature conditions.
With sudden changes in temperature and changes in humidity in the room, such products may dry out, crack, or become irreparably deformed.
Step-by-step instruction
- A 50 x 50 mm beam is sawn into two lengths equal to the height of the door.
- Then the timber is passed through a surface planer and cleaned with a grinder.
- The jig is attached to the racks one by one, and the grooves in the future door racks are cut with a hand milling cutter.
- They make slats or take ready-made planks 30 mm wide and a thickness equal to the width of the groove (8 mm).
- The longitudinal edges of the slats are rounded with a grinder.
- The transverse elements of the door leaf trim are made from the same timber 50 x 50 mm. The length of each of them is equal to the distance between the frame posts plus two dowel lengths. Rounded dowels are formed at their ends using a router and saw.
- At the bottom and top of the racks, grooves are cut with a router for the dowels of the horizontal trim beam.
- The slats and cross beams are inserted into the grooves of the racks, and the dowels are lubricated with wood glue.
- The entire structure is tightened with clamps or belts.
- After a day, the ties are removed.
- At the outer ends of the racks, grooves for the hinges are cut out using a chisel. If moving panels are installed, then the components of the sliding system are attached to the door frame. In the case of forming fences in the form of shutters, rollers and guide tracks are installed.
- All wood is coated with drying oil and then painted. Otherwise, the wood is impregnated with stain and coated with furniture varnish.
In this example, the blind slats are positioned with an inclination of 45. This is not a dogma. The inclination of the slats can be different, up to 15 vertically.
Sliding louvered door
Non-standard sliding door leaves in apartments often replace classic swing systems.
They work according to the principles:
- parallel-sliding - the canvas is moved along guides on rollers along the wall, or placed in it;
- interior compartment design - consists of one panel (suitable for narrow openings), but there are also double and triple panels (for the living room, pantry);
- hanging panels move along the walls
- cassette - the canvas moves inside the wall. Cassettes can be single or double - the former are often installed in a dressing room or pantry, and the latter in the bathroom and toilet.
Sliding-folding principle:
- “book” – double doors fold like a book
- "accordion" - an interior door, consists of slats.
Blinds - their main difference is the presence of slats (lattice inserts). Louvered doors diffuse light, creating a “penumbra” effect. At their core, these are interior doors such as “book”, “accordion”, cassette, hinged (single-leaf, double) and others.
Louvered doors are:
- wooden;
- MDF louver products;
- doors made of plastic;
- metal louvered door leaves - the previous types are installed more often indoors. These designs are often external and look stylish and beautiful.
Sliding interior blinds are mounted in a closet or pantry. Lattice doors will fit into retro and classic designs.
Sliding interior blinds are mounted in a pantry closet
Advantages and Disadvantages of Folding Louvered Closet Doors
Folding shutter doors to the closet have the following positive characteristics:
- the design of the blinds allows for more efficient use of small free space, especially for balconies, loggias or other narrow spaces;
- installation of blinds does not require special training, so even a novice master can handle it;
- The design of wooden folding blinds provides small gaps between the slats, which allow the contents of the cabinet to be ventilated. Thanks to this door system, there are no conditions for moisture accumulation. Natural ventilation preserves things and protects against moths;
- The wardrobe with folding wooden louvered doors has a beautiful and neat appearance. The variety of color palettes allows you to easily choose the option that suits your interior;
- In addition, louvered doors are characterized by long-term operation, provided they are used carefully.
However, such products also have another side, which is not without its drawbacks:
- louvred wooden doors allow odors and light to pass through, which in some cases is not desirable;
- It is not easy to paint the sash, since this first requires disassembling the blinds. Then you need to process each plank, which takes a lot of time;
- Louver door systems are not cheap.
Plus, the room where the cabinet with louvered doors is installed needs to control the air humidity. Thin wooden planks of the canvas are very sensitive, therefore, when it increases, they can become deformed.
Temperature fluctuations can also negatively affect the door mechanism. If temperature fluctuations are regular, this will be reflected in the coating: the varnish or paint will begin to lose its properties and deteriorate, as a result of which the wooden structure will lose protection and will quickly become unusable under the influence of moisture.
Design features
The main element of a louvered furniture structure is the frame. It must have sufficient thickness and width, as it is intended for attaching slats and fittings: door hinges and opening handles.
The frame is the main part of blind systems
The slats are fixed at an angle into a tight overlay or with a gap. The blind system usually consists of narrow slats, the door is “breathable” and lightweight.
This option is used for linen tables, wardrobes, wall kitchen cabinets, partitions, interior doors; blind frames are built into the window opening. Slatted doors are reliable and durable.
Folding horizontal slats save adjacent space
Slats are made from bamboo, plastic, metal, wood, polypropylene, aluminum, MDF. Natural wood is coated with varnish or paints with the addition of wax (Aquatex, Pinotex). Plastic imitates wooden texture and shades, and differs little from expensive wooden options.
Wide slats, fixed closely, are used to produce classic wardrobes. Thick shutter doors made of dark wood give the interior austerity and are used in the English style.
Built-in wardrobe with hinged doors
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
- Rational use of limited and narrow spaces (loggia, storage room, hallway).
- Easy to install.
- Durability.
- Good natural ventilation.
- Sun protection.
- Attractive appearance and compatible with many styles.
- Possibility of choosing design and material.
- A light weight.
- Possibility of partial repair.
- Affordable price.
Flaws:
- Penetration of odors into the cabinet.
- Natural wood is subject to deformation from changes in humidity and temperature.
- Re-painting wooden slats is difficult.
Using louvered doors in the kitchen
Varieties
Louvre doors in cabinets or other furniture can have different designs:
- Swing - traditional;
- Sliding - compartment;
- Folding - accordion/book.
Louvered doors can be single (from one leaf) or combined from two or three frames. There are modifications that provide for adjusting the inclination of the slats.
Depending on the installation location and purpose, blinds differ. Let's look at the types of louvered structures.
Photo | Description |
Horizontal The slats are located in the frame in a horizontal position. The size of the gaps between the slats is selected individually. This option is used in small cabinets, wall shelves, and bedside tables. The horizontal system is suitable for narrow doors not exceeding 45 cm. | |
Vertical The slats are directed vertically. Such blinds can be mounted in a frame of any width. Doors from 45 cm in size are equipped with a vertical design. | |
Sliding Depending on the installation method, sliding systems can be overhead and built-in/mortise. They differ in the location of the guides: the stroke can be horizontal or vertical. | |
Accordion doors Sliding doors are popular in wardrobes and cabinets. This system is popular in screens and interior partitions. They are used in the doorway of a room, as a door. Lamels are made of woven, leather, acrylic. The design is lightweight and easy to use. To move the frame, guide rails are installed at the top and bottom. The frame is equipped with a mechanism consisting of rollers. If the door is made of several narrow frames, then they are fastened with hinges. | |
Rolled Affordable price, the ability to quickly install and dismantle make the roll system popular. Louvre doors operate on a rotating chain mechanism. Opening and closing is a pleasure for everyone. Roller blinds are installed not only in closets. They are relevant on the balcony, on the stairs, and are used to cover wall niches.
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Manufacturing materials
Old wardrobe doors can be easily replaced with louvered ones
The purpose of blind structures involves the use of different materials for the slats:
Photo | Description |
Tree The most popular material for furniture in the bedroom and living room. The products have a stylish look and fit organically into the home environment. Natural wood does not react well to humidity, so louvered cabinets are not suitable for a country house without heating. For the production of lamellas, different types of trees are used. Pine is considered the best; such products are durable and reliable. Cheap types of wood are covered with stain to give a noble look. There are designer options made from valuable species on sale. | |
Plastic Easy to maintain, low price and a wide range of colors make this option the most popular. Such blinds can be installed in any room. They are not afraid of moisture, are easy to clean, so they can be used in the kitchen, bathroom, dressing room, hallway. Plastic louver structures are installed in the sanitary closet of the toilet, on the balcony, they lighten the doors of oversized cabinets. | |
Textile The slats are made of dense fabric of various textures and colors. Blinds made from polyester are considered the highest quality and most durable. They are not afraid of UV rays and can be washed in any way. They are used in frame and roll structures. | |
Bamboo The material is resistant to changes in moisture and temperature. Bamboo doors are easy to clean, lightweight, and resistant to damage. Compared to fabric and plastic ones, they are more expensive. The color range has many shades from light beige to golden brown. There are greenish variants. |
Children's wardrobe with fabric blinds
Technical and aesthetic applications of louvered doors
The technical purpose of louvered doors is to hide objects that are unnecessary for the general eye. A cabinet with louvred doors will hide the unsightly appearance of pipes and technical fittings, and fresh air will regularly enter the doors of such doors to ensure ventilation.
Metal louvered doors are installed at substations to protect against intruders and to prevent overheating of equipment that generates a lot of heat. At home, louvered wooden structures can be used on heating radiators as a decorative element.
A louver panel on the wall will help to zone the room favorably. And the use of a louvred door or window, with access to a terrace or balcony, with excess sunlight, will create partial shade and coolness in the house.
Decorative wooden louvered panels and slatted doors look stylish and modern. Many texture, color and stylistic variations allow you to choose the right element for any room. For aesthetic purposes, louvered structures are used on doors, windows, cabinets, drawers, and panels. For example, a louvered door installed in a walk-in closet will add style and allow air circulation within the room.