Sliding Doors

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The technical definitions of ‘slide’ and ‘sliding doors’ goes as follows – (courtesy the Plab Organization)

Sliding doors are doors which move sideways or up and down. Internal horizontal sliding doors usually have an overhead track and floor guide, while external patio sliding doors often have a floor track and an overhead guide. Small sliding doors should have end buffers or cushion action, and are well suited to automatic operation. Vertical sliding doors are usually roller shutters. – (Courtesy – Abacus Construction Index)

Slide – ‘Element composed of a groove in which glides a mobile element used for drawers of furniture and tables’

Sliding doors - ‘Doors of furniture sliding parallel to their own level on a rail or in a groove made in the framework.’

About Sliding Doors

Modern Sliding doors (as we are familiar with) have been in existence for well over fifty years. Sliding doors most likely came into general use initially in Japan as a result of space constraints, the need for ease of use, to showcase external / internal features of a structure etc. It goes without saying that these sliding doors have been a great boon to the building industry because of it utilitarian qualities. Sliding doors are now commonly used for exterior, interior and garage door openings.

Sliding doors come in many forms and are now generally constructed of lightweight materials and are available in many different and easy to maintain finishes. The most common sliding doors use panes made of glass. Glass is usually the material of choice because of its ease of use and transparent qualities. The use of safety glass is the norm now to comply with strict safety requirements. Automation (motorization) is also now commonly applicable to sliding doors because of its ease of use.

Sliding doors have huge applications in modern construction work and the following listed are just a few examples of the types and materials used -

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* Glass pane sliding doors /Glass pane sliding doors for partition wall panels

* Wooden sliding doors

* High speed sliding doors

* Industrial sliding doors

* Automatic sliding doors

* Automatic circular sliding doors

* Aluminum patio sliding doors

* Composite patio sliding doors

* PVC patio sliding doors

* Wooden patio sliding doors

* Aluminum garage sliding doors

* PVC garage sliding doors

* Commercial refrigerator sliding doors

Glass paned sliding doors have the important advantage of being able to liven up any space. For example, sliding doors allow you to enjoy the sunlight and lookout into an exterior space. There is also the added advantage where these sliding doors can make an area look bigger and more open and as a result have a strong following with many a builder due to the sense of openness and view.

Glass sliding doors are now available as top hanging sliding doors which has the added advantage of preventing that ugly build up of dirt in the tracks. The sliding doors come in a variety of materials and include aluminum, vinyl, metal or wood The different styles allow for placement anywhere in the house. The glass must be sturdy and flawless to provide an unblemished view of the outdoors.

The nylon rollers of a sliding door are sometimes an issue as they can cause the sliding door to stick. A very simple preventive measure is to clean the track often of any grit and dirt that may fall in. It may also be the case that it is necessary to replace the track completely or replace your sliding doors. Remember also that if you have a double pane glass that becomes cloudy after a while, it could be that it has resulted from a leakage in the seal which has allowed moisture to leak in. In most cases, the glass section will have to be replaced.

Sliding doors in the shower are a great boon as it helps to compartmentalize the water that is used to a specific area. Many different color combinations and designs are available for sliding doors that are to be used in the shower. It is a good idea to opt for half height sliding doors in the shower which helps to allow the steam to escape. Picking the right sliding door

Country style sliding doors and traditional styles are made for farmhouses and ranch style houses. The Victorian style sliding doors enhance an already stylish home, the Mediterranean style sliding door for houses of stucco exteriors and covered porches. The contemporary sliding door adds flare to any style of home whether it is stucco or masonry; no rules apply to a contemporary style sliding door.

Sliding doors for the bathroom, patio or any other area adds brightness and beauty without question. The type and style of sliding door you choose will reflect your style and add uniqueness to your home. Choose a sliding door with glass for natural light or a door with more security in a steel sliding door. Choose the right material for the right climate that you live in.

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Interior and exterior house designs now a days include sliding doors and windows. These building elements have a lot in common. Exterior sliding doors and windows protect the interior of the house from weather and provide security.

Many homeowners prefer to have sliding doors and windows in the same style and color as it provides consistency in house design. You should consider using similar materials for other doors and windows as well.

Sliding doors and windows are made of a variety of different materials including wood, plastic, steel, aluminum, and more. These materials all have different properties. Some materials have better durability, sound proofing, heat insulation, or security protection than others. First of all, decide the most important feature of sliding doors and windows for your house.

Sliding doors and windows come in many styles and colors. Try to keep a consistency to your interior and exterior design. Look for sliding doors and windows in the same style and color as the other elements of your house. Do not forget about usability. Sliding doors and windows are not only a part of a house design but also have functional use. Make sure that windows are big enough to provide lighting and easy to operate for ventilation. Sliding doors should be big enough to give access to your home for moving and other miscellaneous requirements.

There are innumerable ways to find sliding doors and windows for your home. You can visit your local retailers to find available styles, models and colors. Many of retail location have samples of materials and colors. You can choose designs you would like to have and manufacturers may have the option of customizing sliding doors and windows for your home or other requirement. Do not forget about shipping and installation. Professional help is essential in this regard.

Another way to find affordable sliding doors and windows are online shopping sites. There are many websites that offer a variety of sliding doors and windows with shipping and installation services. You can find other important information about design and materials for sliding doors and windows at related websites.

Interior sliding doors, exterior sliding doors and shower sliding doors along with patio sliding doors are just a few of the sliding doors that can help decorate a home. Finding the right sliding door depends on your preference and the overall location of the sliding door. Wooden, hollow, steel etc are all possible options. Sliding door sizes are usually no longer a constraint for Companies that customize sliding doors.

Wooden sliding doors

Wooden sliding doors can be combined with glass in many different ways.

The most basic type of wooden sliding door can be used with or without a glass window. The wooden construction is usually robust which makes this type of door ideal for exterior applications. These sliding doors are most commonly three or six paneled and can be produced in a variety of woods including Oak, Pine and Mahogany.

Steel sliding doors

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Plain and galvanized steel are also a popular choice for sliding doors. Manufacturers of steel sliding doors are now able to mimic wood grain finishes accurately on their doors. It is always preferable to choose galvanized steel for its superior anti-rust properties. The ability of steel sliding doors to provide superior physical security and weather proofing capabilities cannot be stressed enough and is a major attraction for choosing steel over other materials. To add a touch of elegance to steel sliding doors, consider using glass inserts and different color combinations.

Hollow sliding doors

Hollow sliding doors are specifically made for interior use even though they are occasionally used for exterior applications. The big drawback with hollow sliding doors is that they provide very little security and weather proofing. This type of sliding door make a better interior sliding door for separating rooms from hallways or with other similar applications. These sliding doors are easily damaged because of the thin material used in making them.

Stylish sliding doors whether for interior or exterior application can add great elegance to the home or other location with proper set up. Installation varies depending on the type of sliding door. Choosing a sliding door and size depend on many variables. Proper exterior sliding doors add to home security and offer style and protection from the weather. The many styles of sliding doors such as French sliding doors, paneled sliding doors and flush sliding doors will allow you to choose the correct type of sliding door. Sliding doors that have glass panels and sliding doors with two side inserts make for elegant entranceways. Wardrobe sliding doors turn any ordinary sliding door into a beautiful looking room sliding door. Turn an empty space into a perfect storage area with wardrobe sliding doors with mirrors or frosted glass. Wood wardrobe sliding doors also make great attractions to the wall as a way to conceal storage space. The most amazing feature of the wardrobe sliding door is the flexibility in the many designs. You can mix and match sliding door panels to achieve a unique design.

Types of exterior sliding doors

The panel type sliding doors show great style while still allowing for quality and security. Raised inserts provide room for the sliding door to expand and contract with varying weather conditions. The flush sliding door can be covered with veneer. Glass inserts small or large add to the sliding door and enhances the natural beauty of the sliding door. Frosted glass or decorative glass in shapes of oval, square or diamond are quite popular.

Exterior sliding door construction materials

Exterior sliding doors using steel, wood, fiberglass or aluminum can be used to decorate the entranceways. Aluminum sliding doors are normally custom made to fit the opening of the entranceway. Steel sliding doors and hardwood sliding doors provide security and tend to be more energy efficient for homes. Fiberglass sliding doors work well in humid areas by offering a durable material against exposure to such conditions. Fiber glass sliding doors will not rot and is suitable for extreme humid conditions.

Styles of wardrobe sliding doors

The bi-fold and the by-pass sliding doors with mirrors, glass or wood make up the wardrobe sliding doors that accent any room of the house. The accordion sliding door has made a comeback, in recent times, as being fit for a small area that lacks room for a bigger sliding door or a bi-fold sliding door.

Installation of wardrobe sliding doors

Installing the wardrobe sliding doors is very simple. The hardware and instructions show you exactly what to do before and after, then onto the next step to leveling the sliding doors. Install the top and bottom track and then onto the wall attachments. Always try to install the sliding door in a very square opening to prevent unsightly gaps.

The master bedroom sliding door

The wardrobe wherever it may be, has doors that slide or open. Beautiful sliding doors designed for bedrooms are a beauty to behold.

Hallway sliding doors

Hallways make a statement with glass or mirror wardrobe style sliding doors. Guests are greeted by the warm glow of the hallway when the light reflects off the glass or mirror and lights up the hall, leading into the main living room. An attractive molding around the frame also enhances the sliding door and brings out the beauty of the hallway.

Interior sliding doors can be solid wood or hollow wood sliding doors for any room of the house. Heavy sliding doors might be ideal for basements or inside hallways due to the ability to help keep the heat in or the hot air out. Inside solid wood sliding doors with glass views allows you to see into the hall without opening the door. Interior sliding doors of wood are usually preferable to other materials.

Hollow sliding doors do not stand up to moisture as well as a solid sliding door. Unfortunately, people use these types for bathrooms as well. These types of sliding doors come plain or stained so you can pick a color or stain of your choice. Painting the sliding door with a latex paint ruins the wood finish. The grain of a hollow sliding door is just beautiful and an appropriate stain brings out the natural beauty of the wood grain.

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Interior sunroom sliding doors

All glass section sliding doors with a wood frame add warmth and beauty to the entranceway to the sunroom. Plants and flowers in a sunroom appear through the glass sliding doors and allows you to view strategically placed green foliage from anywhere in the house. These sliding doors usually close together in the center are called French sliding doors. French sliding doors add style to dens, sunrooms and closets anywhere in the home.

Interior sliding doors – some facts

A few types of designs for interior sliding doors like the mission style sliding door, veneered flat panel sliding doors and café sliding doors. Glass sliding doors have beveled glass or grooved glass. Different thicknesses of sliding doors in different widths provide for an assortment of ways you can design your interior space. Café sliding doors make nice kitchen sliding doors and add a little style to an already stylish kitchen. These sliding doors also look nice on a pantry opening into the kitchen.

Patio sliding doors

Wooden sliding doors have a tough fight to keep its stand among the deluge of vinyl sliding doors in today’s world of light weight sliding doors. The patio sliding doors or sliding doors as they originally became, accent any room allowing for a custom design. The patio sliding doors come hinged or sliding and the durable material allows a sliding door anywhere for a wonderful view.

French style sliding doors

French style sliding doors are a popular style door for the patio door. This of course leads the way to the traditional style offering a sliding door made of wood and glass for a full exit to the patio or garden. The weak point with French sliding doors is that they do not stand up to severe weather conditions. The sliding doors open depending on your room design and preference.

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Vinyl sliding doors for the patio

Vinyl sliding doors for patios, with a screen to keep out unwanted pests accent a room and adds to the brightness of the room. The top track sliding doors and the bottom track sliding doors appeal to homeowners wanting a choice of track designs. Sticking sliding door tracks are a thing of the past with a top track sliding door preventing dirt and debris build up.

The pet door

The vinyl patio door allows for a pet door as well, installing the pet door allows pets to come and go freely while still having the door for sunlight and comfort. The patio doors are insulated and the closure of the pet doors keeps the heat in while still allowing use. The whole idea of a pet door in the patio door affords homeowners a solution to all the needs in one easy to install door.

About Sliding Closet doors

One of the amazing features of a closet sliding door solution is the proprietary roller system that prevents the sliding doors from coming out of their tracks - ever!

You can choose from frosted glass sliding doors, milky finished glass sliding doors, mirror doors, clear glass sliding doors or solid wood-like panels to make any room look complete. You can even combine them for a unique look for any bedroom, hallway, entryway or office. For example, if your wardrobe opening requires four doors, you can select two mirror doors for the middle and two frosted doors on the sides. The set up is completely open to the imagination!

Closet sliding door

When you choose a closet sliding door develop an idea as to how it must enhance the looks of the area where it will be fixed. You can select from a frosted closet sliding door, milky finished closet sliding door or clear finished closet sliding door when designing your wardrobe enclosure.

In addition to the above, Closet Sliding doors can be ordered with either frosty or milky glass, mirror or aluminum paneling that comes in a maple, walnut finish, or anodized aluminum, for a silver finish usually at a similar price.

A detailed search on the internet will invariably yield many different manufacturers of sliding doors that offer affordably priced, high safety incorporated sliding doors.

Closet sliding doors use a floor-suspended rail system and some systems will employ a unique locking system to prevent derailment and a smooth slide proprietary roller system to ensure a smooth and quiet slide for years to come.

Think about using quality sliding doors

Original designs and simple-to-install products have earned many sliding door Companies a good reputation. These manufacturers tend to produce Sliding doors that are designed with care, built using meticulous production procedures and checked under rigid quality controls. In a constant effort to manufacture the best possible sliding doors, products are regularly checked and updated using customer input and the very newest technology at many of these manufacturing plants.

Some features should come standard with your sliding door and you should not be charged more for something that should be included at no extra cost.

Tempered Glass – make sure that you get 5 mm thick tempered glass as standard but usually, manufacturers provide between 3 - 4 mm and some do not always include tempered glass. Every millimeter counts! (check on the possibility of having a special coating that can resist fingerprints on the glass surface to aid the cleaning process).

Locking System - Get a locking system that ensures that the sliding doors will never come out of their tracks. This is the ultimate in safety.

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Smooth Slide – A proprietary roller system is the safest to use. It will ensure that the sliding doors never come out of their tracks while you get a quiet and smooth slide every time.

Durability - The wheels of a sliding door gear must be made of the best quality materials possible to ensure trouble free operation for years to come. Pay particular attention to this aspect when ordering your sliding doors.

Some manufacturers are passionate about the Sliding doors they manufacture. Be sure to find a specialist sliding door Company that offers you the following –

* A personalized design to suit your requirements

* A professional and well trained sales team

* High quality, long lasting products and a sustained focus on safety and functionality such as using superior quality tempered glass.

* On-time delivery and use of experienced installers.

An example of a reputed Company making state-of-the-art sliding doors -

This Company uses state of the art machinery to build sliding doors. The finest grades of aluminum are hand selected to bring a stronger, more durable yet light frame. The doors themselves look like natural wood grain and compliment any room. All of the rolling parts are designed by an internal design team and gives added safety, strength, durability and smooth sliding door control. The design team at this Company does continuous research in order to provide customers with a variety of designs, finishes, styles and looks that are designed to save the customer money and time.

This Company is experienced in the production of sliding closet doors and uses a process that eliminates redundancies and optimizes the output of quality frames and sliding doors. This procedure saves the Co. money which in turn is passed onto the final consumer. The production process has been perfected to such an extent that the customer is assured a superb product with every single sliding door installed.

Factors that are incorporated into quality sliding doors -

Use of state of the art technology to build sliding doors to stringent standards. These high standards are maintained with every single step of the manufacturing process including, the sliding door frame, glass, powder coatings, tracks, roller systems and final finishes. The final finished product (sliding door) using these standards, can be expected to give continuous trouble free service over many years.

Reputed Companies will use the best possible grade of material in the construction of sliding doors. It is always advisable to seek strong yet light frames for your sliding doors and be sure to use rolling parts that are of superior quality to ensure trouble free performance of your sliding door.

Be sure to use tempered glass of at least 5mm thick to ensure the safety factor. Thinner gauge glass will not be able to withstand even a light knock and you may end up changing glass on your sliding door quite often.

Safety first

The design and focus on safety will give years of peace of mind for you and your family.

Check for these features –

• Tempered Glass – Insist on 5 mm thick tempered glass standard. Manufacturers usually provide between 3 - 4 mm and do not always include tempered glass.

• Locking System - Look for a locking system that ensures the doors will stay locked.

• Smooth Sliding - Use proprietary roller systems. It will ensure that the doors never come out of their tracks while giving you a quiet and smooth slide every time.

• Durability - The wheels, in particular, should be constructed of hardwearing materials.

The following sliding door checklist will help ensure that you do not make elementary mistakes when making your purchase.

• Use of quality materials such as aluminum, wood etc

• Use of tempered glass

• Use of durable wheels

• Use of a strong locking system to keep the doors in their tracks

• Use of a proprietary roller system

• Use of sturdy tracks

Is there a minimum width for Sliding doors?

Most sliding door manufacturers in the U.S. make their doors to suit approximately four different widths. This variety covers 99% of all sliding door requirements in this market.

Usually, you choose the door size and the number of doors required to enclose a closet or doorway. Using the sizes given below as an example, you could use 4 (36” x 80”) doors to enclose a closet space.

The most common closet opening sizes –

24" x 80" (96")

32" x 80" (96")

36" x 80" (96")

40" x 80" (96")

It is vital to accurately measure a closet opening before purchasing an appropriate sliding door.

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