Features of interior doors of the type - book, DIY manufacturing and installation instructions

Various types of interior door-books often decorate the interiors of modern apartments and houses. Unconventional designs replaced the outdated single-wing models. Due to its original appearance and versatility, the door-book is in high consumer demand.

What are the advantages of this design?

Due to the features of the device, the door-book has a lot of advantages:

have an unusual design, radically transform the look of the room,
I have a simple and reliable design,
Thanks to the compact design, they help to save the useful area of a small apartment,
have an affordable price,
characterized by increased safety during operation,
universal: suitable for classic and modern interiors,
durable and practical to use,
do not have floor rails in the design,
the ability to equip a remote control system makes it possible to use the design for people with disabilities.

A door-book with a considerable number of advantages has several significant drawbacks. The main one is the weak insulation properties, which are due to the characteristics of the door is tight. The folding type design has slots that easily transmit sound and heat. The problem can be solved by installing additional seals.

If the folding structure is decorated with glass or mirror inserts, you should observe increased safety when using

What are book doors?

Manufacturers present a wide variety of door model books that differ in various technical criteria.

Based on the number of sections, the following types of products are distinguished:

Two sections. They consist of a pair of equal-sized sections, folding synchronously and the upper guide.
Four sections. These models are more compact when folded, easy to operate, occupy a minimum of space in a small apartment. The design has upper and lower guides.

If the width of the doorway is 1.5-1.7 m, the installation of a two-section model is an acceptable option. Otherwise, it will be more convenient to choose a product with four sections.

Great consumer demand is the king doors. They have transverse trims between the side posts. The product frame is filled with auxiliary materials. The design has at least three planks, which provides additional rigidity, strength and reliability.

According to the design features, one-sided and two-sided, symmetric and asymmetric door-books can be distinguished.

From wood

These models are environmentally friendly and safe for human health. A common material for the manufacture of door leafs is inexpensive pine. More expensive and durable models are made from beech, oak or maple.

Array models are used in luxurious classic interiors. They retain heat better. however, such a product requires periodic processing from exposure to the sun, changes in humidity and temperature.

Made of plastic

The most affordable are the plastic door-books. They are ideal for the bathroom and kitchen, as they are not afraid of high humidity. A diverse color range makes it possible to successfully fit the product into the interior of the apartment. Long operation does not spoil their appearance. However, it is not recommended to expose the plastic to direct UV radiation, as the color fades quickly enough. The most common and universal option is a white plastic door-book. It can be installed in a room of any size and style.

How to choose a quality and suitable interior door-book

When choosing a door book first of all pay attention to the material from which it is made. The product must be accompanied by a quality certificate in which the manufacturer guarantees the safety of the material and structure for human health.

When choosing a sliding door, pay attention not only to the material of manufacture, but also to the presence of high-quality fittings. a high-quality door-book should be equipped with a door closer, which ensures smoothness when opening and closing the door. Also, a solid lock is included in the package of the sound design, which ensures the tightness of all joints.

When choosing a door-book, it is necessary to take into account the combination of the product with the interior of the room. The most universal products are white, ash or beige. They are combined with a wide range of colors, bring harmony to the environment.

Dark gray and brown models look respectable, but require the right combination. In a room with a dark finish, they risk merging with the interior and lose their presentability. It is best to install dark models in a contrasting environment, in the interior of pastel colors.

Various shades of brown are a worthy decoration for interiors of various styles. They can be "deaf" or decorated with glass, stained glass inserts. In the photo of the interior in a modern style, the glass door with black guides looks decent. It will be appropriate in a bright interior.

Universal and original book doors adorn classic and modern interiors. They are practical, durable and can save usable space in a small apartment. An interesting design and the use of unusual materials can transform even the most ordinary interior.

In which case is it convenient to use a door-book

This product is an excellent alternative to the swing structure. It has sashes moving along metal guides. The folding door has compact dimensions. Due to this characteristic, it is used in the arrangement of small rooms (dressing rooms, narrow corridors, bathroom and kitchen).

Advantages and disadvantages

In addition to saving room space, the interior design has the following advantages:

practicality (some models open from 2 sides),
low cost (compared to peers),
simplicity of installation work,
silent operation (suitable for any room).

Using the book, the room can be divided into zones. This option is especially suitable for doors in the kitchen, where it is necessary to highlight the working and dining areas.

The disadvantages of folding products include:

low soundproofing properties and the likelihood of odors spreading (due to the large number of gaps),
for high-quality installation work requires a flat floor,
high probability of jamming of the valves.

It is not recommended to put such doors in places where they will be used too often. This is due to the short life of the fasteners, which quickly wear out and fail.

Materials used

In order to assemble or make folding doors with our own hands, we need such materials and tools:

wooden beam
MDF panels
dowels
PVA glue,
polyurethane foam,
sandpaper,
roller mechanism
fixing clip
bushings (standard, with clamps and levers),
floating trims
loops
clamp strips,
plastic seals,
self-tapping screws
portable circular electric saw,
a hacksaw for metal with small teeth,
screwdriver
hammer,
pliers,
rubber roller
scissors for metal,
screwdriver,
awl,
knife,
roulette,
level,
plumb
pencil.

When carrying out installation work, quality materials should be used. Otherwise, the life of the book door will be reduced. This is especially true for structures designed for the kitchen.

Design features

The constituent elements of the book are:

The most important part is the sliding mechanism. The service life of the entire structure depends on the quality of its fastening.

Standard interior doors include 2 paintings. The number of flaps can be increased or made asymmetric. Similar options are considered individually.

Installation of the book can be carried out in an opening of a non-standard size. In this case, the excess sections of the product are removed.

Installation work can be carried out in two ways:

by completely hiding the paintings in the wall,
with the help of the device of visible flaps sliding along the wall.

Criterias of choice

When choosing a door, the following factors should be considered:

production material
sash dimensions
hardware quality
product price
compatibility with room design.

High-quality material, which serves as the raw material for the book, is durable and not deformed. In most cases, it has an average thickness.

Sash dimensions are considered optimal when 2 conditions are met:

When deployed, they completely cover the opening.
When assembled, the passage in the adjacent room is not cluttered.

Accessories of interior structures (hinges, guides) should be made of high-quality metal (aluminum or steel), and rollers with a rubber rim are equipped with bearings.

The undoubted advantage of the hanging door of the book is the possibility of designing the area. The presence of different colors makes it possible to use doors in rooms decorated in any style. A model is made in the kitchen that is made of a moisture-resistant material.

What is the difference between a book door and an accordion

In many ways, both designs have many similarities. They can be the same in number and size of paintings, open in one or two directions. Folding the sash can be carried out in the wall or close to it. Both the accordion and the book cover the opening and serve as partitions in the rooms.

The only distinguishing feature is that the main element of the accordion door is thin lamellas. The connection of adjacent panels occurs in the same way as for blinds. For this reason, the design of the book is characterized by the best indicators of strength.

What you need to pay attention to when making do-it-yourself

To properly make a door-book with your own hands, you need to take into account a number of nuances. The main one is that each leaf has 2-3 elements. A hinge mechanism is used to fold the flaps. The movement of the paintings is due to the elements of a standard sliding system.

Sash fixation takes place at the top of the structure. The runner is laid in the guide, which is fixed on both sides (to the sash and the roller).

For large doorways, it is better to use a design that is equipped with left-side and right-side doors. This will reduce the load on the entire system, as well as simplify the process of moving the paintings.

When creating heavy doors, it is better to install a reinforced hanging door. Using this design can withstand maximum loads.

How to make canvases

After measuring the opening, the canvases are assembled. For their manufacture, separate sections of the material are used. A rectangle is cut out of the prepared wood, matching the dimensions of the opening.

The created workpiece is divided into several parts, which can be either different or the same. The surface of the canvases is treated with sandpaper and cleaned with a soft cloth from dust.

The plastic edge is glued to the end of the sash. For a tighter contact, the edge is rolled with a rubber roller. A day after the glue has completely dried, the accessories of the book are fixed.

Do it yourself using standard hinges to attach a folding door to your book. The canopies are mounted on the canvas, and the hinges on the block. To ensure uniform load, at least 4 loops are installed.

If there is no timber blank, then MDF panels and panels are used for the manufacture of door leafs. A frame is made of timber. The beam is being sawn. Adjacent racks are connected using dowels on which glue is applied. Stiffeners are also made of timber.

After that, the MDF panels are taken. They are cut into blanks of the required size, which are connected to the timber. After that, the panels are laminated, painted or veneered (it all depends on personal preferences).

How to choose the right mechanisms for mounting

The choice of high-quality mechanisms for fastening is the key to the correct installation of door-books. Acquired fittings should be characterized by increased reliability and be convenient.

It is recommended to use accessories that will fit as close to the canvas as possible. This is the only way to prevent damage to the wall or adjacent door.

Using closers with which the book closes smoothly is advisable when installing a large door.

Mounting

Installing the door involves the following steps:

alignment and plastering of door slopes,
fixing wooden planks,
screwing the aluminum guide into the upper fin of the door frame,
placing the leading part of the canvas at a minimum distance to the door jamb with fastening to the floor (bottom) and to the guide (top),
connection of the driven web with the leading leaf (using hinges),
fixing the driven part in the guide (use a carriage equipped with rollers),
installation of stops (sashes should not touch the surface of the walls),
lubrication of mechanisms with oil composition.

Installation of the door-books with hanging elements is as follows. After leveling the slopes, dobors are made of MDF panels, which are fixed in the opening with dowels. The space between the extensions and the wall is covered with foam.

Hanging elements are being installed:

aluminum rail in a strictly horizontal position crashes into the top of the door frame,
inside the groove of the rail, a carriage is inserted on the rollers, which must move without interference,
limiters are mounted at the end of the rail,
fixing the carriage to one leaf,
lubrication of metal structural elements.

If a heavy door is mounted, then you should additionally deal with the installation of a floor system with a roller mechanism. The installation of aluminum rail in the floor. A carriage with a roller mechanism that connects to the bottom of the sash is inserted into the rail.

The door moves along the guides with the help of sliders. Self-tapping screws are used to fasten the rails. Closing the book is carried out using pens and latches.

Why do we need double-folding interior doors?

This type of door has already gained popularity in Europe and the USA, however, in recent decades folding mechanisms can be easily found in the CIS countries, where they have found the popular term “folding bed”. People prefer this type of structure, as it allows you to most effectively save precious space in the room.

Most often, “folding beds” open almost silently and allow you to place a hanger or a flowerpot with flowers nearby, which is impossible to do with classic models.We analyze in more detail the characteristics of folding structures.

Advantages and disadvantages of folding doors

Folding structures have their own advantages, which distinguish them against the background of swing models, as well as their disadvantages. Let's start with a list of good points:

Convenience and compactness. When extended, the mechanism moves only one section and does not take up space outside the doorway. By the way, the width of one section most often reaches 50 cm.
The ability to mount folding structures in any doorway.
Proper installation allows you to make door opening silent.
The lack of a threshold system provides an opportunity for convenience when moving people with disabilities.
A wide range of design, material and color scheme of the product.

After listing the advantages, it is necessary to mention the "pitfalls" of this product:

Weak insulation from heat and noise. The fact is that even an extraneous odor can penetrate through the cracks between the door and the floor or sections. Of course, with the help of special pads this defect can be weakened, however, it cannot be completely eliminated.
Relatively low strength. Such types are less durable in comparison with conventional models, and with products that have glass inserts, careful handling is absolutely necessary. That is why the installation of the product in rooms with a risk of constant mechanical stress is inappropriate.
High price in comparison with classic models. Most often, the cost of folding models ranges from 4 to 12 thousand rubles.

Related article:

The standard sizes of interior doors of different types according to GOST. How to make measurements of the opening, calculating the proportionality of the box to the opening, determining the product parameters for the corridor - read in our publication.

Symmetric and asymmetric folding door options

A wide range of folding mechanisms allows you to choose a product not only with different materials, but also with original or classic design elements. So, symmetrical structures are doors with two identical retractable canvases, and asymmetric ones consist of canvases, the width of which differs from each other.

Both options are appropriate in any interior, however, asymmetric designs look especially fresh and add a bit of extravagance to the interior.

Folding interior doors compact

If the door should open toward the corridor, folding compact types have the following opening mechanism: when opened, they fold in half like an accordion and gently touch the wall.

The design can have both symmetrical and asymmetric canvases. Symmetrical canvases on one side hold the handle for pressing, and on the back - a round handle, the installation of which will prevent rough mechanical impact on the wall.

Related article:

White interior doors in the interior: advantages and disadvantages, classification, design of classic, veneered, laminated white doors, with glass insert, glossy, patinated, additional decoration of paintings, review and features of doors of domestic manufacturers - in our publication.

Folding Devices

Folding doors consist of a certain number of flaps moving along the guide rails. Visually, such doors resemble the design of bus doors. "Corrugated" options are equipped with living quarters, dressing rooms, and bathrooms. According to experts, it is best to mount them in openings with low traffic. Otherwise, the elements of the mounting hardware will experience increased loads, and therefore will quickly break.

It is not recommended to use them at the external entrance, because such systems are not particularly durable. Numerous reviews indicate that folding interior doors attract with their compactness, functionality and mobility. Such doors are used as temporary screen partitions (to delimit the room). On the modern market, a large selection of models of interior doors-books economy class, differing in non-standard dimensions.

This makes it possible to choose the most suitable design with an unusual width and height. In addition to this, folding doors are easily transported, since the components of their doors are smaller than standard. A similar door installed in the room adds light and space to the room. Economy class interior doors are divided into the following varieties.

1. Accordion Doors They have a large number of narrow sections, strong vertical slats, joining each other with loops. Outwardly, they resemble vertically arranged blinds. At the top and bottom are the guides. When opened, they are folded and locked in the assembled position by stopper flags. Smooth movement of segments is provided by special synchronizers. If necessary, the dimensions of the door are easily reduced or increased: just remove or add sections. Similar interior doors do not differ in durability.

Doors-book. They consist of two wings, which are sometimes called screens. Compared to accordions, such kits are more reliable and robust. The designs are simple, but have a lot of weight. The design of the latter is dominated by a minimalist or classic style.

Both economy class models are distinguished by connecting fasteners and hinges. The extreme panels are fixed rigidly to the box. The neighboring section “controls” the entire movement mechanism, which moves all other sections along the guide bar. For proper functioning, the end part of the segment is equipped with a special roller.

Like the pleated doors of economy class, such structures can serve as a traditional ceiling of the doorway or used as a partition dividing the room. Screen doors need a solid space to open. This is explained by the fact that in the folded state, such sections are only half narrower than simple swing doors.

The choice of doors: about color and taste

Foldable economy doors harmonize perfectly with any interior. It is enough to choose the right model. Similar doors are made using:

wood and leather
plastic and fabrics
Particleboard and MDF.

Modern manufacturers make modifications of door-books, in which there are:

colored, transparent, frosted glasses,
traditional and fusing stained-glass windows,
false photos and collages.

Elements are inserted into metal or wooden lamellas. There are both mirrored and fully glass door leafs. Glazed door kits are sold at higher prices.

The doors of the booklet include both symmetrical sections (having the same width) and asymmetric elements (different in size). Similar models look rather unusual. In addition, such products are capable of folding both on one side and on both sides. An assembled kit can:

be on the edge of the opening
move inside the walls
located along the walls.

The latter option looks more organically in the "Khrushchev". The door-books fit very harmoniously where there are small and narrow corridors or dressing rooms. There is a successful mix of functionality and style. The modification in question is installed in the same way as traditional sliding interior doors. At the same time, the door-book looks very modern and takes up little space. Since the set of fasteners is not particularly durable, it is not recommended to hang interior “books” in those places where a large flow of people is expected.

Steps for mounting door books

Practice shows that the creative look of these doors is able to make a living note in any interior. In stores, they are offered in a complete set with special mechanisms and boxes. There are options when the door leaves are on ordinary card hinges inside a regular box. The economy door is installed in this order.

An ordinary door frame is being assembled.
A pair of ball clamps crashes into the thickness of the upper end of the door (a milling cutter or a pen drill is used).

Technology of self-installation of a door-book.

A sash is taken, which will be hung in the future. It is equipped with hinges. Similar operations are carried out with another panel.
A second rack is inserted into the box. From now on, the box is fully operational.
The box block is fixed in the prepared doorway.
The seams are carefully foamed.
The handle is glued into the pre-cut groove and the platband is installed.

Looks great option when the door-book is mounted using ordinary hinges inside a traditional door frame. With closed doors there are no gaps. The resulting central gap can be easily closed using a special filler. The installation of an additional mechanism is irrational, because cracks form on the left and right sides of the door leafs. The same clearance is due to the use of wheels. In addition, the door will not swing open fully.

About the important little things

Models of door-books offered to customers vary in the number of guides and methods of fixing segments. If the economy class version is equipped with upper and lower rails, then installing the kit is fraught with certain difficulties. In the final, the mounted structure will work reliably. In this case, one of the guides is mounted on a wall or ceiling. Then the door-book is decorated in accordance with the general design requirements.

Particular attention should be paid to the installation of interior door-books. Otherwise, after some time, such doors will stop closing completely. Extraneous noise will appear during the movement of the sections, the operation of the clamps will be disrupted. In order for this not to happen, you must first level the floor plane. The presence of a height difference, various bulges and pits can lead to the formation of cracks in the gaps between the sections.

Before you purchase accessories, you need to check the quality of the latter, because how long the whole system will work depends on how the hinges and sliding mechanisms work. During operation, careful handling of economy-class interior door-books is necessary: the halves must be locked and swing open smoothly. They must be protected from shock, otherwise the service life will be significantly reduced.

Solid wood

Wooden arrays can consist of two symmetric or asymmetric parts, and they often also contain glass inserts. The extreme panels of the wooden canvas have a special roller that moves the entire panel and allows it to fold when opened. In general, wooden arrays have a lot of advantages, such as simplicity and safety when used in families where young children live, since it is impossible to pinch your finger with such doors. Wood is a safe natural material.

Pine tree is often used, as the final product looks expensive and elegant. However, this material is not too durable, which is why manufacturers prefer oak, maple and coniferous varieties of wood. To preserve the appearance, the wood is carefully polished and varnished. Exquisite doors can decorate almost any interior, from classic and neoclassical to provence.

Particleboard and MDF

Doors made of materials such as chipboard and MDF are not very reliable and wear-resistant, however, these characteristics can significantly reduce the cost of goods.

Also a plus is the resistance of materials to conditions of high humidity and the potential absence of fungus, which makes it possible to mount such doors in bathrooms.

Plastic folding doors

A folding door made of PVC is gaining popularity due to its high resistance to high humidity and a variety of shades and colors.

These folding doors can be installed in the bathroom and in the kitchen. Canvases can be either pure white or imitate the coloring of natural wood, which allows them to be used in rooms made in the classical style.

Glass

This material can be used solo or in a “duet” with wood or metal. Glass can be shiny or matte, one-color or contain a beautiful pattern. Such ensembles fit perfectly into modern variations of the interior, such as hi-tech.

For safety, it is better to give preference to tempered glass, which is rather difficult to break, however, in this case it breaks up into many rounded fragments. When broken, Triplex simply sticks to the film, which minimizes contact with a person.

How to choose if you decide to buy interior folding door-book

For a classic interior, doors with a calm color scheme, for example, white, brown or beige, are suitable. Black items will “play” in contrast in a light interior, otherwise an abundance of dark shades will visually reduce the room. Brown ensembles fit into almost every interior. Ensembles of a neutral shade are installed in bright rooms, and a folding design with colorful glasses can diversify a calm interior.

Carefully consider the selection of the main material. The material must be wear-resistant and environmentally friendly in order to avoid unpleasant consequences. Therefore, it is recommended to give preference to doors manufactured by leading manufacturers, such as Verda, Bravo, Volkhovets, Longhi, Bizzotto, Door 2000. Folding interior door books that meet the national standard "price-quality" are produced by the Russian company "Sofya".

Browse prices for different models

Consider the price range of different versions of folding doors.

Illustration	Specifications	Cost (as of July 2018) for one door leaf, rubles.
	Manufacturer "Verda", chipboard, blind glazing.	1500
	Manufacturer "Bravo", MDF, partial glazing throughout the canvas.	9300
	Producer "Volkhovey", solid pine.	12000
	Manufacturer "Longhi", glass	25000
	Manufacturer "Sofia", MDF	12500

How to care for a door-book

Folding-sliding interior doors also need care, like any other interior elements. So, MDF products must be regularly cleaned from dust and dirt with the help of special tools. The solution can be prepared independently by mixing water and alcohol in a ratio of 9: 1. Wipe the cloths with a soft cloth and do not use aggressive products to prevent damage to the cloths. Do not forget about the hinges: they must be periodically cleaned and lubricated with special oil or grease.

Wooden door-books must be periodically treated with your own hands with a special substance with wax or silicone. These substances will help restore the outer layer of the canvas and fill in small cracks on its surface.

For the long service of folding structures, it is necessary to carefully open and close them, it is also important to regularly wipe and protect from mechanical stress and moisture on the panels and hinges. The video below will tell you more about how to install with your own hands, take care of book-doors.