Features of making accordion doors with your own hands

Accordion sliding doors are loved by customers due to their complete transformation. A slight movement of the hand and the glass wall completely or partially disappears, leaving an open opening. How convenient and reliable is this opening and what should you be prepared for when buying an accordion door?

Accordion doors are extremely popular in Europe; they are the most common glazing option for cafes and restaurants - it is easy to expand their boundaries and hospitably remove the wall between the establishment and passers-by, inviting visitors. Domestic homeowners have also experienced the convenience of these doors, and the number of installed accordions is steadily growing.

Accordion doors are installed on:

• Exits to balconies, verandas, terraces;
• Entrance doors to the house;
• Glass walls of winter gardens;
• Room partitions in apartments, offices, meeting rooms.

How are accordion sliding doors different from interior folding doors?

The article will focus on warm accordion doors, which are placed between the street and the room or indoors. Between them and folding interior doors, the only thing they have in common is the type of opening - both fold. In all other respects they are completely different.

Differences between accordion sliding doors and interior doors:

• They are made from warm materials - PVC profile, aluminum, wood filled with double-glazed windows, not glass.

Photo: these are warm, sealed doors with high sound insulation that can be placed between the room and the street without fear of blowing, freezing and noise from the street

• Several threshold options - absolutely flat or high for different rooms and tasks. The presence of a threshold eliminates the possibility of blowing.

Advantages and disadvantages

Let's look at the benefits of accordion doors and why they have become so popular.

The main advantage is, of course, the huge savings in free space. After all, the main buyer of these products is by no means the owner of a large house with spacious rooms. They are in demand among owners of small city apartments.

An ordinary swing interior door, unlike accordion doors, requires free space to open, approximately equal to its width - there is not always such space. The folding door leaf does not open, but folds. This saves a lot of space. But comparing such a door solution with swing models is fundamentally wrong - an accordion swing door is not a competitor. It can only compete with a sliding door.

The second, no less important advantage, in addition to saving space, is ease of installation. A home craftsman can install such a door block in a couple of hours.

The ease of installation is due to the design of the accordion doors. Due to the unusual opening mechanism, manufacturers supply these products already assembled. The home craftsman will only have to properly fasten the door block - during the work he will not even have to use polyurethane foam or any other building materials.

The accordion door is also versatile and incredibly multi-functional. The width of the door leaves is practically unlimited. This seems strange, but this is only at first glance. There are cases when products can be used as a transformable interior partition.

Accordion doors are universal. You can buy several of them and then combine them into a single whole. In addition, the design features allow the panels to be mounted not only in straight, but also in radial openings. There is no problem in bending the track and hanging it on the ceiling in one of the rooms - thus, the accordion door easily turns into a transformable partition.

No other interior door system except accordion doors has such capabilities.

Also, the advantages and disadvantages include a large selection of different shapes and design solutions for such doors. In this regard, the products are not inferior to all existing types of door structures.

Speaking about the disadvantages that accordion doors have, it is quite difficult to find any disadvantage. In general, the shortcomings most likely relate to the material used to make a particular door.

For example, plastic is highly fragile. The product is also highly susceptible to temperature changes - the structure may become deformed. Similar wooden doors require special care.

We can highlight a minus common to all folding structures. These are roller guides and the rollers themselves - over time they begin to perform their tasks poorly, however, this is a fixable problem and it depends on the build quality of a particular door.

There are two more not very good points. Thus, the use of accordion doors is impossible in public spaces. Despite the fact that there are reliable models, constant closing and opening increases wear on the mechanisms.

How do accordion sliding doors work?

A sliding accordion door can have from three to eight leaves. One or two doors are hinged. The rest are fixed, they can be folded, pulled apart in different directions or moved to one wall.

The hinged door can simply be pivoted and open like a regular door. Or it can be rotary/folding and it is also used for ventilation. Hinged doors can be fixed to the door frame and will not move to the side. There are options when the swing door is connected into one strip with all the others - in this case it can be moved to the side.

When closed, sliding doors look more like a reliable, warm wall. But when you need to combine a room or organize a wide passage, folding and moving the doors is not difficult even for a child.

Photo: the opening pattern depends on the size of the door and the number of people using the door

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:

1. the material from which the sash itself is made;
2. guide rail quality;
3. method of fastening components of a structure.

Advantages of accordion sliding doors

• The ability to open the opening completely or partially - of all panoramic doors, only the accordion can be opened.
• Various opening patterns, you can choose the most convenient one for each room.

Photo: accordions can be made from any type of profile - plastic, aluminum, wood, in the same color as the rest of the windows in the house

• The accordions use the same handles as those on the windows; all designs will be made in the same style. The design will be decorated with designer handles.
• Easy transformation of a room from one spacious to several private ones and vice versa for optimal use of space.
• The high sound insulation of accordions allows them to be used to organize meeting rooms or rooms for guests and children - no one will disturb anyone.
• The structure is assembled on site, the sashes are delivered disassembled. The frame in aluminum accordions is also delivered disassembled, and some manufacturers also offer collapsible plastic structures. The frame of the structure is simply attached to the ceiling and walls, and the running tires are attached to the frame.

Preparing the doorway

Initially, the old doors are dismantled. It is advisable to knock down the solution under the box to the base so that it does not interfere. Next, the width and height of the opening are measured. If the doors have already been purchased, you need to estimate its dimensions. This will make it obvious whether the width of the opening needs to be increased or decreased.

The new door frame is made using previously taken additions. The upper crossbar is fixed on their upper edge and secured with self-tapping screws (supplied in the kit). After assembly, the box is inserted into the opening. Wooden wedges are useful here for temporary stability of the structure. The extensions are attached to anchor bolts (usually two on top and three on the edges). Next, the box is fixed in the opening using mounting foam. When the latter has dried, you can begin the key stage of work.

Disadvantages of accordion sliding doors

• There will be less light than with another panoramic door. The maximum width of the sash in the accordion is 1200 mm for the working one, and 900 mm for the folding one. This means that in a structure 6 m wide there will be at least 6 segments and 5 vertical lintels. They visually cut the opening and reduce light transmission.
• On one side of the structure, free space is required next to the accordion door for the doors to “pass” to the parking space - as a rule, the doors fold toward the room, but there are options for opening outward to save space in the room. The wider the doors, the more space needs to be left free.
• In multi-storey buildings, it may be difficult to transport large frames and lift them (the structure itself into which the sashes are inserted). In a standard high-rise building, problems will arise with the delivery of a structure already more than 2.5 meters wide - this point must be clarified when measuring. For wide structures there is the option of on-site assembly, even when using PVC profiles. If there is a freight elevator, there are no problems with lifting the wings, because... The ceiling height of most high-rise buildings does not exceed 2.6 meters.
• Having chosen a flat threshold, during installation it must be “recessed” into the floor by 46 mm, which can lead to an increase in the cost of finishing the room - you will have to cut a groove 120 mm wide at the base of the floor or make a high screed.
• Wooden accordions are supplied with a fully assembled frame only.

Peculiarities

Decorated door panels look best: with carvings, stained glass windows, and patterns. The option with glass inserts across the entire height of the sash looks more attractive. Considering that this design acts as an element of the interior, you need to choose the right shade. In most cases, accordion doors are installed in interior partitions. They perform a decorative function, so they cannot take on significant loads.

If you delve into the study of all possible design options for folding doors, you can come across unusual designs. They are often the same in shape, so in most cases the filling of the sash changes. For example, accordion doors for a dressing room are often made in the form of blinds. They consist of fixed slats installed at an angle, which allows you to partially hide the view in the room.

When choosing, take into account the direction of movement of the parts of the valves during the closing process. For large and small rooms, the door leaf can be different in the folding method. Sliding interior accordion doors to the dressing room are installed so that parts of the doors are folded from the outside. If this rule is not followed, moving structural elements will interfere with movement inside a small room.

Roto Patio Fold accordion sliding doors

Roto fittings have a reputation among professionals and customers for being innovative, reliable and technically sophisticated. Roto Patio Fold sliding doors are a proprietary product with tangible benefits.

Photo: flat threshold with a thermal insulation insert - the door fully complies with the requirements of a barrier-free environment. When passing through the door, you will not have to stumble or step over a high threshold. This advantage will be appreciated by elderly and limited mobility people, families with small children.

The thermal insulating insert in the threshold prevents freezing and condensation - the carriage will always move without problems. Special protective brush inserts and anti-slip pads will protect against debris getting into the door threshold

Photo: Stable, optimized carriage allows effortless sliding and folding

Photo: elegant flat hinges are available in three colors - white, silver, dark bronze

Photo: the hinges have a hidden fastening to prevent burglary

Photo: on doors with high burglary resistance requirements for burglary-resistant fittings, it is recommended to install Roto MVS electronic open door control sensors and a broken glass sensor

Photo: Roto Patio Fold can open both indoors and outdoors. This will allow more optimal use of the room area. The cost of Roto Patio Fold accordion doors is from 30,000 rubles per square meter (without installation).

The cost of installation depends on the size of the door and the number of leaves and starts from 2,000 rubles per square meter.

Delivery of a door more than 3.5 meters wide will cost more than a regular window - you will have to use a heavy-duty vehicle for it.

At first glance, the cost of the door may seem too high. But this is the price for the possibility of transforming the room and increasing the usable area for many years.

Materials

The following materials are used for the manufacture of structures:

• tree;
• plastic;
• glass;
• metal.

Tree

Models made of wood look stylish and expensive. Wood can be used in various configurations. The most reliable products in use are those made from a single piece of strong wood (oak, ash, beech). Many economical models are made from fiberboard, MDF, and sawdust layers. Interesting are the designs, the frame of which is wooden, and the rest of the canvas is made of other materials (secondary products of the woodworking industry).

The main advantage of these models, in addition to their strength, is their naturalness. Environmentally friendly materials, which include wood, are usually more expensive, but they cause absolutely no harm to human health. Therefore, when setting priorities, it is important to understand what determines the high price of products made from them.

Plastic

PVC doors are very popular. Their price is affordable, and their technical performance properties are excellent. The interior door to the bathroom or toilet can be plastic, since moisture does not harm the material. PVC material is very easy to care for. Cleaning consists of regularly wiping the surface with a damp cloth. Plastic doors are made in different designs. The entire door or just the leaf can be made from PVC. Plastic is also used for decorative framing of structures.

Glass

Glass doors look unusual. But due to the characteristics of the material from which they are made, they may require a little more space to function than models made of plastic, wood, or metal. The glass must be securely fixed in the frame. Therefore, the frame and guides are thicker, longer, and less mobile. Types of accordion glass doors:

• frame;
• frameless.

The primary purpose of a glass partition is to decorate the room. Designers use the following materials to make the design more interesting:

• multi-colored inserts;
• transparent glasses;
• stained glass and mosaics;
• frosted glass;
• forged frames;
• lathing.

Since these models, especially with transparent glass, are capable of transmitting light, the size of the room is visually increased. Using the play of light and its refraction, you can create a unique room design. Glass “accordions” are very heavy and relatively fragile, although now manufacturers are increasingly using strong materials for their manufacture that are difficult to damage.

Metal

Metal accordions are not suitable for every room, as they are quite bulky and have a specific look. Although, for example, for production workshops or warehouses they will be just right in appearance and in terms of the convenience of the opening mechanism. In the vast majority of cases, not the entire structure is made of metal, but only the frame part. The door leaf is made from other materials: glass, wood, fabric, leather, and so on.

Help: Accordion folding doors made of fabric and leather with a metal frame are a zoning structure that acts as a screen rather than a full-fledged interior door. Such elements in the interior look non-standard. Suitable for premises such as beauty salons, photo studios, massage rooms.

Sliding accordion doors Roto Patio Fold - stylish, fashionable, convenient

Modern homes are unthinkable without wide-format doors and partitions. Through them you can admire sunsets and sunrises. They can be removed to the side and expand the living room for gatherings with guests on a cozy veranda, and when closed, create a relaxation room. In winter and summer, accordion sliding doors are always ready to transform the house according to the owner’s wishes.

Stylish, comfortable Roto Patio Fold doors make rooms especially elegant, efficient in use and, at the same time, safe and secure.

How to choose?

A thoughtful choice will ensure you have peace of mind when using the product, without unnecessary worries and costs. First of all, you need to pay attention to the presence of a metal frame in the frame, which is sewn horizontally into the panel. This increases the service life and makes the structure stronger. If your priority is beauty, choose glass models with stained glass decor. Pay attention to the price - very low often indicates poor quality. Good models are present in the catalogs of both domestic and foreign manufacturers. Adviсe:

1. Check the sliding mechanism. The movement should be smooth, without jamming, so that the product is easy to open and bury.
2. Make sure the doors move quietly.
3. Fittings and components must be made of metal. This will ensure long and safe operation. On inexpensive models, these elements are usually made of plastic. The door will not last long with them. Plastic parts quickly break and become damaged. It is best to consider more expensive models, where the fastenings and other elements are made of aluminum or iron.
4. Be sure to ask for a product warranty. A conscientious manufacturer should take care of this.

Attaching the handle and lock

The final stage of installing the structure is attaching the handle to the accordion door and the lock. Usually the lock chosen is magnetic, but if desired, you can use other types of locking products.

Attaching the handle for the accordion door

Sequence of operations:

• Markings are made to place door hardware. In this case, the handle needs to be slightly shifted from the edge of the accordion door. Otherwise, it may prevent the canvas from tightly adhering to the wall when closing the opening.
• On the outer panel of the door, on the side where the lock is installed, holes are drilled to fix the lock and handle.
• All fittings are installed.
• The smooth running of the blade is checked, the absence of cracks and distortions.
• After installation, the doors can be decorated with decorative trims on both sides around the interior portal.

The general technology for installing accordion doors is almost the same, but different models differ in their design features. For example, according to the material and method of connecting the lamellas. Therefore, in each specific case, you should only follow the manufacturer’s instructions for this design.