Sliding doors are becoming increasingly favoured these days for their space-saving ability. They take up less space and do not obstruct walkways when left open. Adding to their popularity is the style factor; gone are the days of glass panels that go rickety on a bottom track. We have rounded up some of the more common options here.
- Exposed top track
Design: Prozfile
The design of this sliding door to the kitchen is inspired by barn doors, giving the space a rustic feel. The metal track and rollers add to the industrial look. Many sliding doors that are used indoors are now suspended from a top track, which keeps the look of the flooring clear and seamless due to the absence of a bottom track.
- Top hung doors
Design: Fuse Concept
The top track of these sliding doors can be hidden or exposed to match the design concept of the home. Besides building a pelmet or false ceiling to hide the top tracks, another way to achieve the polished look in modern contemporary homes is to utilise the pocket system. A false wall is constructed to create a ‘pocket’ for the door to slide into when opened. On drawback of this system, however, is the inconvenience of repairing it should there be a faulty part.
- Maintenance
Design: Darwin Interior
Not having a bottom track does not make the sliding door more difficult to upkeep. If installed well, a sliding door can withstand heavy usage and there is hardly a need for any maintenance or oiling. Nevertheless, as with all types of doors – swing or sliding – a top hung sliding door needs to be handled properly to ensure that it lasts through the years.
- Durability
Design: Darwin Interior
Besides proper handling, the durability of a top hung sliding door lies primarily in the installation. Prior to installation, the interior designer or contractor has to do the proper calculations to get the appropriate type of hardware that is suitable for the door you have chosen to install.
This was adapted from an article originally written by Jasmine Goh that appeared in the March 2014 issue of SquareRooms
