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Picking the right Sliding Mirror Doors
Sliding Mirror Doors for the bathroom, patio or any other area adds brightness and beauty without question.
Interior and exterior house designs obviously include Sliding Mirror Doors and windows. These building elements have a lot in common. Exterior Sliding Mirror Doors and windows protect interior of the house from weather and provide security.
Many homeowners prefer to have Sliding Mirror Doors and windows in the same style and color. It keeps house design in consistency. You should consider using similar materials for Sliding Mirror Doors and windows as well.
Sliding Mirror Doors and windows are made of a variety of different materials including wood, plastic, steel, aluminum, and more. These materials have different properties. Some materials have better durability, sound proofing, heat insulation, or security protection. First of all, decide the most important feature of Sliding Mirror Doors and windows for your house.
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Sliding Mirror Doors and windows come in many styles and colors. Try to keep a consistency to your interior and exterior design. Look for Sliding Mirror Doors and windows in the same style and color as the other elements of your house. Do not forget about usability. Sliding Mirror 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 Mirror Doors should be big enough to give access to your home for moving needs.
There are innumerable ways to find Sliding Mirror 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 making custom Sliding Mirror Doors and windows for your home. Do not forget about shipping and installation. Professional help is essential in this regard.
Another way to find affordable Sliding Mirror Doors and windows are online shopping sites. There are many websites that offer a variety of Sliding Mirror Doors and windows with shipping and installation services. You can find other important information about design and materials for Sliding Mirror Doors and windows at related websites.
Interior Sliding Mirror Doors, exterior Sliding Mirror Doors and shower Sliding Mirror Doors along with patio Sliding Mirror Doors are just a few of the Sliding Mirror Doors that decorate a home. Finding the right Sliding Mirror Doors depends on your preference and the overall location of the Sliding Mirror Doors. Wooden, hollow, steel etc are all possible options. Sliding Mirror Doors sizes are usually no longer a constraint for Companies that customize Sliding Mirror Doors.
Choices of wooden Sliding Mirror Doors
There is the wood two-panel Sliding Mirror Doors with or without a glass window. The construction is solid and heavy, which makes this type of Sliding Mirror Doors good for an exterior Sliding Mirror Doors. Many styles of Sliding Mirror Doors with different looks provide for elegance for an entryway. Three panel Sliding Mirror Doors, six panel doors the list is endless for Sliding Mirror Doors. The Closet Bifold Doors made of oak, pine or mahogany gives you a choice in wood types.
Steel Sliding Mirror Doors
Galvanized steel Sliding Mirror Doors have become a popular exterior choice and come in different styles as the wood Sliding Mirror Doors and have even been mistaken for a wood Sliding Mirror Doors at times. The steel Sliding Mirror Doors provide security and weather proofing features. Different colors and glass inserts add elegance to the steel Sliding Mirror Doors.
Hollow Sliding Mirror Doors
Hollow Sliding Mirror Doors are specifically made for interior use even though some people have used them for exterior applications. They provide no security and weather proofing of any kind. The Sliding Mirror Doors make better interior Sliding Mirror Doors for separating rooms from hallways or other rooms. These Sliding Mirror Doors are easily damaged because of the thin material used in making these Closet Bifold Doors.
Sliding Mirror Doors, wardrobe Sliding Mirror Doors and screen Sliding Mirror Doors all get classified as a Sliding Mirror Doors one way or another. Stylish Sliding Mirror Doors whether for interior or exterior applications add great elegance to the home with proper installation. Installation varies depending on the type of Sliding Mirror Doors. Choosing a Sliding Mirror Doors and size depends on the Sliding Mirror Doors opening.
Proper exterior Sliding Mirror Doors add to home security and offer style and protection from the weather. The many styles of Sliding Mirror Doors such as French Sliding Mirror Doors, paneled Sliding Mirror Doors and flush Sliding Mirror Doors will allow you to choose the right Sliding Mirror Doors. Sliding door that has glass panels and Sliding Mirror Doors with two side inserts make for elegant entranceways.
Types of Sliding Mirror Doors for the exterior
The panel Sliding Mirror Doors show style while still allowing for quality and security. Raised inserts provide room for the Sliding Mirror Doors to expand and contract with varying weather conditions. The flush Sliding Mirror Doors can be covered with veneer. Glass inserts small or large add to the Sliding Mirror Doors and enhances the natural beauty of the Sliding Mirror Doors. Frosted glass or decorative glass in shapes of oval, square or diamond are quite popular.
Exterior Sliding Mirror Doors construction materials
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Exterior Sliding Mirror Doors such as steel, wood, fiberglass or aluminum can be used to decorate the entranceways. Aluminum Sliding Mirror Doors are normally custom made to fit the opening of the Sliding Mirror Doors. Steel Sliding Mirror Doors and hardwood Sliding Mirror Doors provide security and tend to be more energy efficient for homes. Fiberglass Sliding Mirror Doors work well in humid areas by offering a durable material against exposure to humid conditions.
Sliding Mirror Doors
The type and style of Sliding Mirror Doors you choose will reflect your style and add uniqueness to your home. Choose a Sliding Mirror Doors with glass for natural light or a door with more security in a steel Sliding Mirror Doors. Choose the right material for the right climate that you live in.
The choice of Sliding Mirror Doors
Country style Sliding Mirror Doors and traditional styles are made for farmhouses and ranch style houses. The Victorian style Sliding Mirror Doors enhance an already stylish home, the Mediterranean style Sliding Mirror Doors for houses of stucco exteriors and covered porches. The contemporary Sliding Mirror Doors adds flare to any style home whether it is stucco or masonry no rules apply to a contemporary style Sliding Mirror Doors.
Wardrobe Sliding Mirror Doors turn any ordinary Sliding Mirror Doors into a beautiful looking room Sliding Mirror Doors. Turn an empty space into a perfect storage area with wardrobe Sliding Mirror Doors with mirrors or frosted glass. Wood sliding wardrobe doors also make great attractions to the wall as a way to conceal storage space. The most amazing feature of the wardrobe Sliding Mirror Doors is the flexibility in the many designs. You can mix and match Sliding Mirror Doors panels to achieve a unique design.
Styles of wardrobe Sliding Mirror Doors
The bi-fold and the by-pass Sliding Mirror Doors with mirrors, glass or wood make up the wardrobe Sliding Mirror Doors that accent any room of the house. The accordion Sliding Mirror Doors has made a comeback as being fit for a small area that lacks room for a bigger Sliding Mirror Doors or a bi-fold Sliding Mirror Doors.
Installation of wardrobe Sliding Mirror Doors
Installing the wardrobe Sliding Mirror 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 Mirror Doors. Install the top and bottom track and then onto the wall attachments. Always try to install the Sliding Mirror Doors in a very square opening to prevent unsightly gaps.
The master bedroom Sliding Mirror Doors
The wardrobe wherever it may be, has doors that slide or open. Beautiful Sliding Mirror Doors designed for bedrooms are a beauty to behold.
Hallway Sliding Mirror Doors
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Hallways make a statement with glass or mirror wardrobe style Sliding Mirror 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 Mirror Doors and brings out the beauty of the hallway.
Interior Sliding Mirror Doors can be solid wood or hollow wood Sliding Mirror Doors for any room of the house. Heavy Sliding Mirror 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 Mirror Doors with glass views allows you to see into the hall without opening the door. Interior Sliding Mirror Doors of wood are preferable to other materials.
Hollow Sliding Mirror Doors do not stand up to moisture as well as a solid Sliding Mirror Doors. Unfortunately, people use these types for bathrooms as well. These types of Sliding Mirror Doors come plain or stained so you can pick a color or stain of your choice. Painting the Sliding Mirror Doors with a latex paint ruins the wood finish. The gain of a hollow Sliding Mirror Doors is just beautiful and a stain brings out the natural beauty of the wood grain.
Interior sunroom Sliding Mirror Doors
All glass section Sliding Mirror 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 Mirror Doors and allows you to view the green foliage from anywhere in the house. These Sliding Mirror Doors usually close together in the center are called French Sliding Mirror Doors. French Sliding Mirror Doors add style to dens, sunrooms and closets anywhere in the home.
Interior Sliding Mirror Doors – some facts
A few types of designs for interior Sliding Mirror Doors like the mission style Sliding Mirror Doors, veneered flat panel Sliding Mirror Doors and café Sliding Mirror Doors. Glass Sliding Mirror Doors have beveled glass or grooved glass Sliding Mirror Doors. Different thicknesses of Sliding Mirror Doors in different widths provide for an assortment of ways you can design your interior space. Café Sliding Mirror Doors make nice kitchen Sliding Mirror Doors and add a little style to an already stylish kitchen. These Sliding Mirror Doors also look nice on a pantry opening into the kitchen.
Patio Sliding Mirror Doors
Wooden Sliding Mirror Doors have a tough fight to keep its stand among the deluge of vinyl Sliding Mirror Doors in today’s world of light weight Sliding Mirror Doors. The patio Sliding Mirror Doors or Sliding Mirror Doors as they originally became, accent any room allowing for a custom design. The patio Sliding Mirror Doors come hinged or sliding and the durable material allows a Sliding Mirror Doors anywhere for a wonderful view.
French style Sliding Mirror Doors
French style Sliding Mirror Doors are a popular style door for the patio door. This of course leads way to the traditional style offering a Sliding Mirror Doors made of wood and glass for a full exit to the patio or garden. The weak point with French Sliding Mirror Doors is that they do not stand up to severe weather conditions. The Sliding Mirror Doors open depending on your room design and preference.
Vinyl Sliding Mirror Doors for the patio
Vinyl Sliding Mirror Doors for patios, with a screen to keep out unwanted pests accent a room and allow brightness into the room. The top track Sliding Mirror Doors and the bottom track Sliding Mirror Doors appeal to homeowners wanting a choice of track designs. Sticking Sliding Mirror Doors tracks are a thing of the past with a top track Sliding Mirror Doors 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 finds homeowners a solution to all the needs in one easy to install door.
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About Sliding Closet doors
One of the amazing features of a closet Sliding Mirror Doors solution is the proprietary roller system that prevents the Sliding Mirror Doors from coming out of their tracks - ever!
You can choose from frosted glass Sliding Mirror Doors, milky finished glass Sliding Mirror Doors, mirror doors, clear glass Sliding Mirror 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. Everything’s open to imagination.
Sliding closet door
When you choose a sliding closet door from you can be sure it will enhance any room with style. You can select from a frosted sliding closet door, milky sliding closet door or clear sliding closet door when designing your wardrobe enclosure.
Sliding closet door 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.
There are manufacturers of Sliding Mirror Doors (with a proper search of the web!) that offer affordably priced, high safety incorporated Sliding Mirror Doors.
Sliding closet 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 quality Sliding Mirror Doors
Original designs and simple-to-install products have earned this anonymous Company a great reputation. All of the products 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 Mirror Doors, every product is regularly checked and updated using customer input and the very newest technology.
These features should come standard with your Sliding Mirror Doors 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 standard! Usually, Companies provide between 3 - 4 mm and do not always include tempered glass. Every millimeter counts! (Include a coating to resist finger prints on our tempered glass as a little bonus!).
Locking System - Get a locking system that ensures that the Sliding Mirror Doors will never come out of their tracks. This is the ultimate in safety.
Smooth Slide – A proprietary roller system is the safest to use. It will ensure that the Sliding Mirror Doors never come out of their tracks while you get a quiet and smooth slide every time.
Durability - The wheels of a Sliding Mirror Doors gear must be made of the best quality materials in the world that last for years to come.
Sliding Mirror Doors are a real passion with some Companies that make them. Be sure to find a specialist Sliding Mirror Doors Company that offers you the following –
* Personalized design to suit your requirements
* Trained, professional sales team
* High quality, long lasting products and a sustained focus on safety and functionality. Example, using superior quality tempered glass.
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* On-time delivery and usage of experienced installers.
An example of a Company making state-of-the-art Sliding Mirror Doors
This Company uses state of the art machinery to build Sliding Mirror Doors. The finest grades of aluminum are hand selected and mixed 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 especially by an internal design team and give safety, strength, durability and smooth sliding door control.
The design team at an anonymous Company does continuous research in order to provide customers with a variety of designs, finishes, styles and looks that are designed to save you, the customer, money and time.
This particular Co is experienced in the production of sliding closet doors and maintains that it uses a process that eliminates redundancies and optimizes the output of quality frames and Sliding Mirror Doors. This procedure saves the Co. money which it in turn is able to pass 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 Mirror Doors installed.
How does this Company build Sliding Mirror Doors?
This Company incorporates state of the art technology to build Sliding Mirror Doors to stringent standards. These high standards are maintained with every single step of the manufacturing process including, the Sliding Mirror Doors frame, glass, powder coatings, tracks, roller systems and final finishes. The final finished product (Sliding Mirror Doors) can be expected by the customer to give many, many years of trouble free service.
Reputed Companies will use the best possible grade of material in the construction of Sliding Mirror Doors. It is always advisable to seek strong yet light frames for your Sliding Mirror Doors and be sure to use rolling parts that are of superior quality to ensure trouble free performance of your Sliding Mirror Doors.
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 Mirror Doors quite often.
The folks at this Company, always pays meticulous attention to detail and offer knowledgeable service to the customers about Sliding Mirror Doors.
What about safety?
The design and focus on safety will give you years of peace of mind for your family.
These features come standard with our product line and you are never charged more for things we feel should be included - like safety!
• Tempered Glass - We are the only company that supplies 5 mm thick tempered glass standard! Other companies provide between 3 - 4 mm and do not always include tempered glass. Every millimeter counts! (We also add a coating to resist finger prints on our tempered glass as a little bonus!).
• Locking System - Patent pending - We give you a locking system that ensures the doors will never come out of their tracks. This is the ultimate in safety.
• Smooth Slide - Patent pending - Our proprietary roller system is the safest on the market. It will ensure that the doors never come out of their tracks while you always get a quiet and smooth slide every time.
• Durability - The wheels are made of the best quality materials in the world that last for years.
Do we have a Quality Control System in Place?
Our quality control systems and team are on duty 24 hours a day because we believe that giving you the highes quality possible is vital.
We use:
• The highest quality aluminum materials
• The safest tempered glass
• The most durable wheels
• The strongest locking system to keep the doors in their tracks
• The proprietary roller system
• The most sturdy tracks
• The most efficient assembly line
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• Care is taken to pack & label all of our products securely to ensure that they land at the specified destination in good condition.
Our aim is to make sure everything goes right during the production process from beginning to end.
Is there a minimum width for our Sliding Mirror Doors?
All of our doors are made in 4 different widths. This variety will offer solutions to 99% of the closets and niches in America today.
You can choose the door size and the number of doors you wish to enclose a closet or doorway. For example you may wish to use 3 (24" x 80" ) doors to close the closet space.
24" x 80" (96" )
32" x 80" (96" )
36" x 80" (96" )
40" x 80" (96" )
are the common choices.
Is there a maximum height for our closet doors?
Sliding Mirror Doors are normally built from floor to the top of the wardrobe opening to optimize space.
In the event that a ceiling is over this height, we can add a cover.
What is the Best Way To Measure the Closet Opening?
Measure the space before you go shopping. Standard doors are 80" or 96" tall & your closet opening may be smaller than that.
A door probably can be sized to fit if the opening is not exactly standard. In situations where you need something special, we can make a custom door especially to fit the unique closet space you have!
Measure horizontally across both the top and bottom of the opening, as well as vertically on each side in order to determine what size door to use.
Measure horizontally across both the top and bottom of the opening, as well as vertically on each side to determine what size door to use. Use the smaller of each of your vertical and horizontal measurements.
For example, if the left vertical measurement is 80 1/2" and the right vertical measurement is 80 1/4" , use 80 1/4" for the vertical measurement when determining your door size.
You may find that the door opening is not square. In that case, it will be necessary to bring it in line. This is not difficult and, unless the doorway is significantly unique in shape, will probably be taken care of simply by leveling the tracks used in the installation. You can cover small misalignments along the door jambs with decorative trim.
About Sliding Mirror Doors
Frosted glass is transparent by definition. Light may enter, but visibility will be blurry for objects more than 6 inches away from the sliding glass door only strong, bright colors will be apparent.
If you wish your closet contents remain obscured you may opt for our milky glass Sliding Mirror Doors paneling, which will still let light in but will conceal the contents of the closet entirely.
How thick are the doors?
The Sliding Mirror Doors Company manufactures doors that are 1 ¼ inches thick. Glass Sliding Mirror Doors use 5 mm (0.2" ) thick tempered glass (far thicker than the industry standard) and mirror Sliding Mirror Doors have a special layer on the inside to prevent shattering.
How Much Do The Doors Weigh?
Size Weight
24" x 80" 34 lbs
30" x 80" 42 lbs
36" x 80" 50 lbs
40" x 80" 55 lbs
Size Weight
24" x 96" 45 lbs
30" x 96" 55 lbs
36" x 96" 64 lbs
40" x 96" 71 lbs
Purchasing Info
How much do the doors cost?
The cost of our doors is comparable to 1/2 the cost of other European designed doors but with the same level of quality. We can offer such good pricing because all we do is interior closet doors! That is our specialty.However, since the Sliding Mirror Doors Company operates through a vast network of distributors, we do not quote prices on our web-site. Prices can be verified at your nearest Company Showroom or dealership. Prices include product, service and support.
Where can I Purchase Your Products?
We sell our products through local dealerships. Select the one nearest to you.
How I can become a dealer/ Showroom Partner?
Are your doors in standard sizes or can they be custom?
The Sliding Mirror Doors Company manufactures both standard-sized doors and custom-sized doors. Both standard and custom-sized doors cost the same however, you should be prepared for a longer waiting period for custom-sized doors, since they take more time to construct.
To see whether you need custom or standard-sized doors, you may click on " door calculator" , or We also suggest you read the article on doors
How To Select The Right Number Of Doors To Fill My Closet Opening?
Typical Space Height is always 80" to 81" and 96" to 97"
DOOR SIZE Use 2 DOORS Use 3 DOORS Use 4 DOORS
24" DOORS Width: 48" to 49" Width: 72" to 74" Width: 96" to 99"
30" DOORS Width: 60" to 61" Width: 90" to 92" Width: 120" to 123"
36" DOORS Width: 72" to 73" Width: 108" to 110" Width: 144" to 147"
40" DOORS Width: 80" to 81" Width: 120" to 122" Width: 160" to 163"
How many Sliding Mirror Doors will slide to which direction?
The number of Sliding Mirror Doors you will need depends of the size of the opening space that needs to be installed, as well as the number of tracks to be laid-down.
For a rough estimate, you can click on " door calculator" , and don't forget to read the article on measuring.
Is it possible to use the dividers with your mirrored door?
The 6-piece divider can be purchased with Sliding Mirror Doors Company sliding glass doors. They can also be used with mirror doors, but this is not recommended, since it hides part of the mirror.
Also, the reflection of the mirror will expose the underside of the dividers, which may seem to some unattractive.
Are Sliding Mirror Doors suspended from the ceiling?
We NEVER suspend doors from the ceiling. Some of the more inexpensive doors you may see on the market today are top-hung. However, our doors all use a bottom track to support the weight and keep the door sliding smoothly for years.
What do we mean by Proprietary?
The things that make our doors unique, safe and technologically advanced are proprietary.
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Do you support commercial applications?
Why choose us?
The years of experience in solid craftsmanship, providing highly durable materials and great service are what places us above the rest.
We take pride in having our doors in many homes that were custom built with our doors specified on the contracts.
We offer a complete line of sliding closet doors for bedrooms, guest closets, entry ways and hallways.
Our SAFE design will offer years of peace of mind to any home owner.
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Home builders / Architects and Contractors can feel comfortable with the many safety features that are always viewed as an asset.
Our ordering system is EASY and connected nationwide to provide accurate and fast service. We can respond to your order requests right away and provide you with a confirmation quickly.
We are pleased to say that our on-time delivery rate is over 99% to date and reflects the shortest lead times in the industry.
We are committed to the on-going research and development that is vital to the growth and continuous improvement of our product line. Our objective is to achieve total customer satisfaction and as a result earn total customer loyalty.
If you are a homeowner:
Our Safe design will give you years of peace of mind for your family.
Our proprietary roller system gives quiet, smooth slide control.
The doors will never come out of their tracks.
The lead time is the shortest in the industry.
Makes the whole processing of designing & ordering just the right doors EASY and FAST.
Do you ship world wide? Inter-state?
We have distributors throughout the continental United States. We ship to any state, and even abroad.
How is my order shipped?
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We are particular in making sure your order is packaged and shipped in a way that protects every piece. We use a reputable shipping company to ensure that your product will arrive undamaged and in perfect condition.
How long will it take?
Our typical turn around time for stock items is one week from time of order. For any item we design and create to meet your custom specifications, the lead time is generally 10 - 12 weeks. We guarantee our delivery dates at the time of your order. Our customers have been pleased with the delivery schedules and dates.
What is your pricing for delivery?
Since we operatethrough a vast network of distributors, we do not price for delivery alone. Prices include product, installation, service and support. Prices vary from state to state, and can be verified at your nearest Dealership.
Is it complicated to install the Sliding Mirror Doors?
We supply on each set of Sliding Mirror Doors that we ship, a very easy step by step instructor booklet, in our website you can also see the installing instruction in a movie version and also in PDF version.
In addition, you can call for more details.
Never the less we have professional installers who will be happy to install the Sliding Mirror Doors at your home.
Is it possible to install lower track over carpet?
Sliding Glass Door tracks can be fitted on any kind of flooring,
including carpets. For thick shag carpeting, our fitters will usually place a silicon coating under the rails for additional sturdiness.
The History of Doors
The reference term ‘door’ usually refers to an opening or a movable panel(s) which closes this opening. On the otherhand the reference to a ‘doorway’ is to an opening. Doors are usually wood framed for a close fit and when a wood frame is used, the following terms are used to describe the structure – ‘jambs’ (two vertical) on the two sides and a ‘head jamb’ (also known as a lintel) are used. A door that uses in excess of one movable panel is usually called a ‘leaf’. It goes without saying that doors are found in all types of cages, cupboards, vehicles etc, etc.
Door – Its design and purpose
In most cases, the front door of a residential house is often decorated. The decoration is usually to signify ‘an open invitation’. A door will generally be hinged on a side and are universal in buildings of all types. Doors are nearly universal in structures of all kinds allowing access between the inside and outside, or any internal areas such as rooms and are also used for ventilation.
Conversely, a door closure is a preventive mechanism to hinder or reduce the flow of air, (such as air drafts) privacy and the reduction of noise levels and for the regulation of access when combined with various types of locks.
Types of doors
A door may be designed to open in many different ways such as sliding along its tracks, pivot on hinges, fold in two or even rotate. A Sliding Mirror Doors will usually move horizontally (or vertically as in the movies!) In the case of rotation, the axis of rotation is usually vertical. Doors usually have very specific names, depending upon the purpose of their use. The most common type of door is made of a single panel that fills an entire doorway and is hinged on a side to enable the door to be opened in one direction but not the other.
The following are a listing of different types of doors -
Trap door – Is usually accessed via a ladder and is on the same plane as of a floor or ceiling.
Stable door (Dutch doors) – Is usually divided in equal half, horizontally. The top half of the door is usually opened to feed the animal while the bottom half is kept closed to retain the animal.
Swing door – This is a type of door that incorporates a special type of hinge which allows it to open inwards or outwards - in any direction and is generally sprung in a manner to keep it closed automatically.
A swing door has special hinges that allow it to open either outwards or inwards, and is usually sprung to keep it closed. Saloon doors are a pair of lightweight swing doors often found in public bars. Saloon doors, also known as cafe doors, often use double action hinges, which will return the door to the center, regardless of which direction it is opened, due to the double action springs in the doors.
A blind door is a door with no visible trim or operable components, it is designed to blend with the adjacent wall in all finishes, visually to be a part of the wall, a disguised door.
An up-and-over door is often used in garages. Instead of hinges it has a mechanism, often counterbalanced or sprung, that allows it to be lifted so that it rests horizontally above the opening. Also known as an overhead door.
A barn door is a door on a barn. It is often/always found on barns, and because of a barn's immense size (often) doors are subsequently big for utility.
A French door, also called a French window, is a door that has multiple windows (" lights" ) set into it, the full length of the door. Traditional French doors are assembled from individual small pieces of glass and mullions. These doors are also known as true divided lite[sic] French doors. French doors made of double-pane glass (on exterior doors for insulation reasons) may have a decorative grille embedded between the panes, or may also be true divided lite French doors. The decorative grille may also be superimposed on top of single pane of glass in the door.
A louver door has fixed or movable wooden fins (often called slats or louvers) which permit open ventilation whilst preserving privacy and preventing the passage of light to the interior. Being relatively weak structures, they are most commonly used for wardrobes and drying rooms, where security is of less importance than good ventilation, although a very similar structure is commonly used to form window shutters.
A flush door is a completely smooth, panelled door, having plywood or MDF fixed over a light timber frame, the hollow parts of which are often filled with a cardboard core material. Flush doors are most commonly employed in the interior of a dwelling, although slightly more substantial versions are occasionally used as exterior doors, especially within hotels and other buildings containing many independent dwellings.
A ledge and brace door is a door made from multiple vertical planks fixed together by two horizontal planks (the ledges) and kept square by a diagonal plank (the brace).
Mechanism of the Sliding Mirror Doors of a lift
A garden door is any door that opens to a garden or backyard. It is often used specifically for double French doors in place of a sliding glass door. In such a configuration, it has the advantage of a very large opening for moving large objects in and out.
A pet door is an opening in a door to allow pets to enter and exit without the main door being opened. It may be simply covered by a rubber flap or it may be an actual door hinged on the top that the pet can push through. Pet doors may be mounted in a sliding glass door as a new (permanent or temporary) panel. Pet doors may be unidirectional, only allowing pets to exit. Pet doors may be electronic, only allowing pets with a special electronic tag to enter.
A bifold door is door unit that has 2 to 4 sections, folding in pairs. The doors can open from either side for one pair, or fold off both sides for two pairs. Wood is the most common material, and doors may also be metal or glass. Bifolds are most commonly made for closets, but may also be used as units between rooms.
A bypass door is a door unit that has 2 or more sections. The doors can slide from each direction on an overhead track, sliding past each other. They are most commonly used in closets, in order to access one side of the closet at a time. The doors in a bypass unit will overlap slightly, in order not to have a gap between them.
A pocket door is a door that slides on rails, rather than swinging on hinges, and, when opened, slides into an open cavity within a wall.
A sliding glass door is a door made of glass that slides open and sometimes has a screen. Sliding glass doors are common in many houses, particularly as an entrance to the backyard. Such doors are also popular for use for the entrances to commercial structures.
An ambulance door is a back door for a truck or van which consists of two full-height double doors which open outward from the center. Other types of door options for these vehicles are roll up doors, hatchback doors and tailgates.
A false door is a wall decoration that looks like a door. In ancient Egyptian architecture, this was a common element in a tomb, the false door representing a gate to the afterlife. They can also be found in the funerary architecture of the desert tribes (e.g., Libyan Ghirza). It may have influenced the mihrab in a mosque.
A revolving door is a type of door that typically consists of a structure with three or four panels that meet in the center and rotate one way about a vertical axis (sometimes the movement is not in a circle, but following a more complicated path, a combination of rotation and translation). Between the point of access and the point of exit the user walks between two moving panels. The door may be motorized or the user needs to push the front panel, and the space between two panels may be designed for multiple users or a single one. This door design is used primarily to maintain an air seal from the outside, thus minimizing leaking of climate controlled air from the building and the resulting expense of compensating for the loss. This type of door is also often seen as a mark of prestige and glamour for a building and it not unusual for neighbouring buildings to install their own revolving doors when a rival building gets one.
Automatic doors are powered open and closed, a door fitted with a spring to close it is not an automatic door. There are three methods by which an automatic door is activated.
1 - A sensor detects traffic is approaching. Sensors for automatic doors are generally:
• A pressure sensor - a floor mat which reacts to the pressure of someone standing on it.
• An infrared curtain or beam which shines invisible light onto sensors if someone or something blocks the beam the door can open.
• A motion sensor which uses low-power microwave radar.
• An electronic sensor (e.g. based on infrared or radio waves) can be triggered by something that someone carries, or is installed inside a vehicle. These are popular for garage doors.
2 - A switch is operated manually, perhaps after security checks. This can be a push button switch or a swipe card.
3 - The user pushes, or pulls the door, once the door detects the movement it completes the open and close cycle. These are also known as power-assisted doors.
In addition to activate sensors automatic doors are generally fitted with safety sensors. These are usually an infrared curtain or beam, but can be a pressure mat fitted on the swing side of the door. The purpose of the safety sensor is to prevent the door opening or slow its speed if an object is detected in its path whilst opening and to prevent the door closing or reactivate it if an object is detected in its path whilst closing.
Heron of Alexandria created the first automatic door.
Blast-proof doors, nuclear-blast proof doors, etc.
A tambour door is made of narrow horizontal slats and rolls up and down along vertical tracks and is typically found in entertainment centres and cabinets.Door components
A diagram illustrating the components of a panel door
A typical peephole in a door, allowing the person to see who is outside the door without opening it.
Door frames:
• Lintel - A horizontal beam above a door that supports the wall above it. (Also known as a header)
• Jambs - The vertical posts that form the sides of a door frame, where the hinges are mounted, and with which the bolt interacts.
• Sill - A horizontal beam below the door that supports the frame
• Doorstop - a thin slat built inside the frame to prevent a door from swinging through when closed, which might break the hinges.
• Architrave - The decorative molding that outlines a door frame. (called an Archivolt if the door is arched). Called door casing or brickmold in North America.
Related hardware:
• Handles:
o Doorknob - A knob or lever on an axle that is rotated to release the bolt.
o Door handle - A fixed handle, usually accompanied with a latch to release the bolt, on some doors (such as car doors) the latch is incorporated into a hinged handle that releases when pulled on. A handleset is composed of the exterior handle (including escutcheon), an independent deadbolt, and the interior package (knob or lever)
o Crash bar - A spring-loaded bar that is mounted horizontally on the side of the door that opens outward. When pushed upon, the bolt is released. This device is mandatory in most fire exits. Many of these doors are one-way, and cannot be opened from the outside. To use this device on a two-way door, another type of handle must be mounted on the opposite side. (Also known as a " panic bar" or " cross-bar" )
• Fasteners:
o Latch - A device that allows one to fasten a door, but doesn't necessarily require an external handle
o Lock - A device that prevents access by those without a key or combination.
o Bolt - A (nearly always) metal shaft usually internal to the door that extends into the jamb to fasten a door.
? Latchbolt - A bolt that has an angled surface which acts as a ramp to push the bolt in while the door is being closed. By the use of a latchbolt, a door can be closed without having to operate the handle.
? Deadbolt - Deadbolts usually extend deeper into the frame and are not automatically retractable the way latchbolts are. They are typically manipulated with a lock on the outside and either a lock or a latch on the inside. Deadbolts are generally used for security purposes on external doors.
o Strike - A plate with a hole in the middle made to receive a bolt. If the strike is for a latchbolt, it typically also includes a small ramped area to help the bolt move inward while the door is being closed. (Also known as a " strikeplate" )
o Crossbar - A historically common, but now obsolete and overly primitive fastener consisting simply of a plank or beam mounted to one side of a door by a set of cleats. The board can be slid past the frame to block the door. Alternatively, the bar can be a separate piece that is placed into open cleats or hooks, extending across the frame on both sides. On a set of double doors, the same principle works, but needn't extend past the frame. The bar simply extends into another set of cleats on the other door such as to interfere with the door opening. Note that this device is essentially the opposite of the crash bar (see above), in that it effectively makes the door one-way when in use. (Also known as a bolt note the polysemy with bolt and cross bar above)
• Hinge - A component that attaches one edge of a door to the frame, while allowing the other edge to swing from it. It usually consists of a pair of plates, each with a set of open cylindrical rings (the knuckles) attached to them. The knuckles of the two plates are offset from each other and mesh together. A hinge pin is then placed through the two sets of knuckles and usually fixed, to combine the plates and make the hinge a single unit. One door usually has about three hinges, but it can vary.
Panel doors (doors built with frame and panel, construction, also called stile and rail doors):
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• Stiles - Vertical boards that run the full height of a door and compose its right and left edges. The hinges are mounted to the fixed side (known as the " hanging stile" ), and the handle, lock, bolt, and/or latch are mounted on the swinging side (known as the " latch stile" ).
• Rails - Horizontal boards at the top, bottom, and optionally in the middle of a door that joins the two stiles and split the door into two or more rows of panels. The " top rail" and " bottom rail" are named for their positions. The bottom rail is also known as " kick rail" . A middle rail at the height of the bolt is known as the " lock rail" , other middle rails are commonly known as " cross rails" .
• Mullions - Smaller optional vertical boards that run between two rails, and split the door into two or more columns of panels.
• Panels - Large, wider boards used to fill the space between the stiles, rails, and mullions. The panels typically fit into grooves in the other pieces, and help to keep the door rigid. Panels may be flat, or in raised panel designs.
• Lites - Pieces of glass used in place of a panel, essentially giving the door a window. (also known as a " lights" )
Plank and batten doors (an older design consisting primarily of vertical slats):
• Planks - Vertical boards that extend the full height of the door, and are placed side by side filling the door's width.
• Battens - Smaller slats that extend horizontally across the door which the planks are affixed to. The battens hold the planks together. Sometimes a long diagonal slat or two are also implemented to prevent the door from skewing. On some doors, especially antique ones, the battens are replaced with iron bars that are often built into the hinges as extensions of the door-side plates.
Flush doors (many modern doors, including most interior doors):
• Stiles and rails - As above, but usually smaller. They form the outside edges of the door.
• Core material: Material within the door used simply to fill space, provide rigidity and reduce druminess.
o Hollow-core - Often consists of a lattice or honeycomb made of corrugated cardboard, or thin wooden slats. Can also be built with staggered wooden blocks. Hollow-core flush doors are commonly used as interior doors.
? Lock block - A solid block of wood mounted within a hollow-core flush door near the bolt to provide a solid and stable location for mounting the door's hardware.
o Stave-core - Consists of wooden slats stacked upon one another in a manner similar to a plank & batten door (though the slats are usually thinner) or the wooden-block hollow-core (except that the space is entirely filled).
o Solid-core - Can consist of low-density particle board or foam used to completely fill the space within the door. Solid-core flush doors (especially foam-core ones) are commonly used as exterior doors because they provide more insulation and strength.
• Skin - The front and back faces of the door are then covered with wood veneer, thin plywood, sheet metal, fiberglass, or vinyl. The wooden materials are usually layered with the grain alternating direction between layers to prevent warping. The skin of a flush door is sometimes molded (in the case of metal, fiberglass, or vinyl), or molding can be added (to wood) to give the appearance of a panel door, though the construction underneath differs greatly. Fiberglass and metal-faced doors are sometimes given a layer of cellulose so that they may be stained to look like real wood.
Door swing directions diagram.
Door swings
Door swings, or handing, are always determined from the outside (ie. outside to inside, or public to private).
• Left hand (LH): If the hinges are on the left and the door opens in, it's a left hand door. You push the door with your left hand.
• Right hand (RH): If the hinges are on the right and the door opens in, it's a right hand door. You push the door with your right hand.
• Left hand reverse (LHR): If the hinges are on the left and the door opens out, it's a left hand reverse door. You pull the door with your left hand.
• Right hand reverse (RHR): If the hinges are on the right and the door opens out, it's a right hand reverse door. You pull the door with your right hand.
Another way to determine door " handing" is to imagine yourself standing in the doorway with your back against the hinges. Swing your right or left arm in the way that the door swings. If you swing your left arm then the door is left handed. Swing your right arm and it is right handed. This method does not require a reference such as " from the outside" or " from the inside" .
The earliest records are those represented in the paintings of the Egyptian tombs, in which they are shown as single or double doors, each in a single piece of wood. In Egypt, where the climate is intensely dry, there would be no fear of their warping, but in other countries it would be necessary to frame them, which according to Vitruvius (iv. 6.) was done with stiles (sea/si) and rails (see: Frame and panel): the spaces enclosed being filled with panels (tympana) let into grooves made in the stiles and rails. The stiles were the vertical boards, one of which, tenoned or hinged, is known as the hanging stile, the other as the middle or meeting stile. The horizontal cross pieces are the top rail, bottom rail, and middle or intermediate rails. The most ancient doors were in timber, those made for King Solomon's temple being in olive wood (I Kings vi. 31-35), which were carved and overlaid with gold. The doors dwelt upon in Homer would appear to have been cased in silver or brass. Besides Olive wood, elm, cedar, oak and cypress were used.
All ancient doors were hung by pivots at the top and bottom of the hanging stile which worked in sockets in the lintel and sill, the latter being always in some hard stone such as basalt or granite. Those found at Nippur by Dr. Hilprecht, dating from 2000 B.C. were in dolerite. The tenons of the gates at Balawat were sheathed with bronze (now in the British Museum). These doors or gates were hung in two leaves, each about 8 ft.4 in. wide and 27 ft. high they were encased with bronze bands or strips, 10 in. high, covered with repouss decoration of figures, etc. The wood doors would seem to have been about 3 in. thick, but the hanging stile was over 14 inches diameter. Other sheathings of various sizes in bronze have been found, which proves this to have been the universal method adopted to protect the wood pivots. In the Hauran in Syria, where timber is scarce the doors were made in stone, and one measuring 5 ft. 4 in. by 2 ft. 7 in. is in the British Museum the band on the meeting stile shows that it was one of the leaves of a double door. At Kuffeir near Bostra in Syria, Burckhardt found stone doors, 9 to 10 ft. high, being the entrance doors of the town. In Etruria many stone doors are referred to by Dennis.
The ancient Greek and Roman doors were either single doors , double doors or folding doors, in the last case the leaves were hinged and folded back. In Eumachia, is a painting of a door with three leaves. In the tomb of Theron at Agrigentum there is a single four-panel door carved in stone. In the Blundell collection is a bas-relief of a temple with double doors, each leaf with five panels. Among existing examples, the bronze doors in the church of SS. Cosmas and Damiano, in Rome, are important examples of Roman metal work of the best period they are in two leaves, each with two panels, and are framed in bronze. Those of the Pantheon are similar in design, with narrow horizontal panels in addition, at the top, bottom and middle. Two other bronze doors of the Roman period are in the Lateran Basilica.
The doors of the church of the Nativity at Bethlehem (6th century) are covered with plates of bronze, cut out in patterns:
those of Hagia Sophia at Constantinople, of the 8th and 9th century, are wrought in bronze, and the west doors of the cathedral of Aix-la-Chapelle (9th century), of similar manufacture, were probably brought from Constantinople, as also some of those in St. Marks, Venice.
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Of the 11th and 12th centuries there are numerous examples of bronze doors, the earliest being one at Hildesheim, Germany (1015). Of others in South Italy and Sicily, the following are the finest: in Sant Andrea, Amalfi (1060) Salerno (1099) Canosa (1111) Troia, two doors (1119 and 1124) Ravello (1179), by Barisano of Trani, who also made doors for Trani cathedral and in Monreale and Pisa cathedrals, by Bonano of Pisa. In all these cases the hanging stile had pivots at the top and bottom. The exact period when the hinge was substituted is not quite known, but the change apparently brought about another method of strengthening and decorating doors, viz, with wrought-iron bands of infinite varieties of design. As a rule three bands from which the ornamental work springs constitute the hinges, which have rings outside the hanging stiles fitting on to vertical tenons run into the masonry or wooden frame. There is an early example of the 12th century in Lincoln in France the metal work of the doors of Notre Dame at Paris is perhaps the most beautiful in execution, but examples are endless throughout France and England.
Returning to Italy, the most celebrated doors are those of the Battistero di San Giovanni (Florence), which together with the door frames are all in bronze, the borders of the latter being perhaps the most remarkable: the modeling of the figures, birds and foliage of the south doorway, by Andrea Pisano (1330), and of the east doorway by Ghiberti (1425-1452), are of great beauty in the north door (1402-1424) Ghiberti adopted the same scheme of design for the paneling and figure subjects in them as Andrea Pisano, but in the east door the rectangular panels are all filled, with bas-reliefs, in which Scripture subjects are illustrated with innumerable figures, these being probably the gates of Paradise of which Michelangelo speaks.
The doors of the mosques in Cairo were of two kinds those which, externally, were cased with sheets of bronze or iron, cut out in decorative patterns, and incised or inlaid, with bosses in relief and those in wood, which were framed with interlaced designs of the square and diamond, this latter description of work being Coptic in its origin. The doors of the palace at Palermo, which were made by Saracenic workmen for the Normans, are fine examples and in good preservation. A somewhat similar decorative class of door to these latter is found in Verona, where the edges of the stiles and rails are beveled and notched.
In the Renaissance period the Italian doors are quite simple, their architects trusting more to the doorways for effect but in France and Germany the contrary is the case, the doors being elaborately carved, especially in the Louis XIV and Louis XV periods, and sometimes with architectural features such as columns and entablatures with pediment and niches, the doorway being in plain masonry. While in Italy the tendency was to give scale by increasing the number of panels, in France the contrary seems to have been the rule and one of the great doors at Fontainebleau, which is in two leaves, is entirely carried out as if consisting of one great panel only.
The earliest Renaissance doors in France are those of the cathedral of St. Sauveur at Aix (1503) in the lower panels there are figures 3 ft. high in Gothic niches, and in the upper panels a double range of niches with figures about 2 ft. high with canopies over them, all carved in cedar. The south door of Beauvais cathedral is in some respects the finest in France the upper panels are carved in high relief with figure subjects and canopies over them. The doors of the church at Gisors (1575) are carved with figures in niches subdivided by classic pilasters superimposed. In St. Maclou at Rouen are three magnificently carved doors those by Jean Goujon have figures in niches on each side, and others in a group of great beauty in the center. The other doors, probably about forty to fifty years later, are enriched with bas-reliefs, landscapes, figures and elaborate interlaced borders.
About Closet Doors
In England in the 17th century the door panels were raised with bolection or projecting moldings, sometimes richly carved, round them in the 18th century the moldings worked on the stiles and rails were carved with the egg and tongue ornament.
The wide louvers and delicate trim moldings have made The Classic a favorite bifold door for many years.
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Heavy-duty, long life bifold
Easily installed–only a screwdriver required!
Patented Slimfold® hat and hardware system pre-installed
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-> Smooth and quiet operation
-> Breaks over center allowing maximum opening
-> Spring loaded guide rods for self-alignment
All installation hardware included with doors
Optional Bottomless Track Bracket
Available Colors: Bright White or Ivory
The wide louvers and delicate trim moldings have made The Classic a favorite bifold door for many years.
Deep profile louvers make this door a design winner. Perfect for Colonial, traditional, or contemporary decor.
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Heavy-duty, long life bifold
Easily installed–only a screwdriver required!
Patented Slimfold® hat and hardware system pre-installed
o Smooth and quiet operation
o Breaks over center allowing maximum opening
o Spring loaded guide rods for self-alignment
All installation hardware included with doors
Track: Prefinished Steel option is polished or mill finished aluminum
Optional " jump-proof" track hardware
Optional Bottomless Track Bracket
The combination of wide louvers and embossed panels make this door a favorite for all decors.
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Heavy-duty, long life bifold
Easily installed–only a screwdriver required!
Patented Slimfold® hat and hardware system pre-installed
o Smooth and quiet operation
o Breaks over center allowing maximum opening
o Spring loaded guide rods for self-alignment
All installation hardware included with doors
Track: Pre-finished Steel option is polished or mill finished aluminum
Optional " jump-proof" track hardware
Optional Bottomless Track Bracket
With the delicate trim moldings of the Classic, the Roanoke is ideal for a room with a six-panel entry door.
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Heavy-duty, long life bifold
Easily installed–only a screwdriver required!
Patented Slimfold® hat and hardware system pre-installed
o Smooth and quiet operation
o Breaks over center allowing maximum opening
o Spring loaded guide rods for self-alignment
All installation hardware included with doors
Track: Prefinished Steel option is polished or mill finished aluminum
Optional " jump-proof" track hardware
Optional Bottomless Track Bracket
The versatility of the Flush Door provides a wide range of finishing options. Painted, stenciled, wallpapered, or used with the pre-finished color, the Flush Door allows you to express your own style.
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Heavy-duty, long life bifold
Easily installed–only a screwdriver required!
Patented Slimfold® hat and hardware system pre-installed
o Smooth and quiet operation
o Breaks over center allowing maximum opening
o Spring loaded guide rods for self-alignment
All installation hardware included with doors
Track: Pre-finished Steel option is polished or mill finished aluminum
Optional " jump-proof" track hardware
Optional Bottomless Track Bracket
Deeply embossed panels give this door a rich, sculptured look that complements any decor.
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Heavy-duty, long life bifold
Easily installed–only a screwdriver required!
Patented Slimfold® hat and hardware system pre-installed
o Smooth and quiet operation
o Breaks over center allowing maximum opening
o Spring loaded guide rods for self-alignment
All installation hardware included with doors
Track: Pre-finished Steel option is polished or mill finished aluminum
Optional " jump-proof" track hardware
Optional Bottomless Track Bracket
Sliding Mirror Doors should glide easily and close evenly against a jamb. This
is true of an exterior slider and its screen door as well as of interior
bypassing sliders and pocket doors. Here's how to handle adjustments.
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Remove the door to repair a bent track and to inspect, lubricate and clean the rollers in the underside. Slide the operating panel into a half-open position. From indoors, lift the door up into the top track as far as it will go. Tilt the bottom out toward you and lower the door to the floor.
If the outside edge of the track is bent inward and rubbing against the door, tap it out with a block of wood and hammer. If it needs additional straightening, cut a block of wood to fit tightly in the channel and then hammer another block of wood against the outside face of the track.
Clean the tracks with a stiff brush or sponge and some soap and water, then clean and lubricate the rollers located in the bottom of the door. (You shouldn't oil or otherwise lubricate the lower track of a Sliding Mirror Doors. It's unnecessary, and the lubricant collects dirt.)
Reinstall the door panel. With the door almost closed, look for an even gap between the door and the jamb. Adjust if needed.
To adjust one side of the door up or down as needed, insert a pry bar under the end of the door. Placing a small wood block under the bar for leverage, lift the door up while you turn the adjustment screw (see B), or hold the door up with a wedge.
Locate the wheel-height adjustment screws in the end (or sometimes the face) of the bottom rail. Turn these clockwise or counterclockwise to lower or raise the wheel, which in turn will align the door with the jamb.
With the closet light on and a screwdriver in hand, go inside the closet and close the door to observe how it meets the jamb.
Turn the adjusting screw, located on the back of each roller bracket, until you've aligned the door and jamb. Some cam-type assemblies adjust as you turn the screw. With other types, loosening the screw allows you to raise or lower the door via a slot in the hardware, then lock it into place by retightening the screw. You adjust still others by turning a hanger bolt from the trolley with an open-ended wrench (see " Pocket doors," below).
If the door meets the jamb evenly but rubs against the carpet, or conversely if the bottom of the door is too high to engage the floor guides, raise or lower both sides equally to achieve the desired height.
The door brackets on the top of the door hook onto hanger bolts suspended from a pair of two- or four-wheel trolleys that ride in the track. To access the hanger bolt for adjustment, remove the stop and the split (two-piece) head jamb on one side of the door. This can be quite tricky or easy, depending on how the door fastens together. If you see screws, remove them.
If you don't see any screws, carefully pry off the stop and look again for screws that may secure the split jamb to the frame of the pocket door. (Look for putty indentations that might indicate the location of the screws.)
If the casing is nailed to the jamb, it shouldn't be. Pry the pieces apart enough to cut the nails with a hacksaw blade, or drive each nail through the casing with a nail set and hammer.
Use an open-ended wrench to turn the hanger bolt and level the door. (If you don't have the thin open-ended wrench required to adjust the locknut on a four-wheel trolley, you can lift the door off the trolley, adjust the nut and rehang it. Test and repeat as needed.)
When you've properly adjusted the door, tighten the locknut, then reinstall the trim and touch up the paint as needed.
The most common problem with Sliding Mirror Doors is sticking. While that can be caused by a variety of things, it's not a difficult thing to fix. Here's a checklist.
1
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Check the floor track for dirt, leaves, pebbles, mildew or other junk that can obstruct the rollers. Also look for dents or dings that may cause the door to stick.
2
Squirt a little bit of powdered graphite into the rollers.
3
Rub a block of paraffin along the tracks.
4
Check the alignment of the latch if it's not catching properly. Loosen the screws and align the mount with the latch.
5
Replace the door if condensation causes fogging. It's not cost-effective in most cases to replace just the glass.
6
Check the weather stripping. Pressure-sensitive or stick-on weather stripping can be applied around a leaky Sliding Mirror Doors.
Clean the frame with denatured alcohol on a rag before applying weather stripping.
Vacuum the track periodically with a hose attachment.
If the door continues to stick and jar after these steps, call a glass company to have the nylon rollers replaced.
Keep things rolling by using a few maintenance steps to both cure and prevent problems with sliding closet doors.
Check the track that the doors ride on first. Make sure it is firmly attached, straight and undamaged.
Inspect rollers to make sure they are free-spinning and not excessively worn. Be sure that all rollers are on a parallel line.
Lubricate rollers with light oil if necessary.
Look for binding on the bottom edge of the doors when new carpeting is installed. You can solve this problem by trimming a small amount from the bottom of the door.
You shouldn't have to muscle a sliding patio door to get it to glide along its track. A slider should move easily enough for you to open it with one hand while balancing a round of drinks in the other. If you have a balky patio door or sliding screen that moves only when you jiggle it along the track, it's easy to get things rolling again with a quick tune-up.
Dirty rollers are the main reason Sliding Mirror Doors get stuck. " Mud, food, and hair get ground onto the track," says Joe who repairs about 80 sliders a year as service manager for Ring's End Lumber in Darien, Connecticut. " All that dirt clogs the rollers underneath the door." The remedy, which he demonstrates on the following pages, takes about an hour and works for wood, vinyl, and aluminum doors. Replacement parts — for anything from a faulty latch to torn weatherstripping — are available from retailers that sell new doors of the same make.
If you follow these steps and the door still doesn't slide, it may be a sign of a poor installation or an underlying structural problem, like an undersized header above the door or a rotten sill beneath it. Hire a remodeling contractor to diagnose the problem and make the necessary fixes. But if you get the old door sliding like new, it's simple to keep it that way: " Vacuum the track well whenever you clean the room," Giagnorio says.
1. Lay a drop cloth on the floor and pop off the two plugs covering the roller adjustment screws at the bottom of the sliding-door frame. (These are sometimes located in the edges of the door.) Insert a flathead screwdriver into each hole and turn the screw all the way counterclockwise (above). This retracts the rollers, lowering the door.
2. Outside, set up a couple of sawhorses with pads. Take down any removable grilles, shades, or drapes. Slide the door fully open and remove the head stop by backing out its screws (above). Don't leave the door unattended without a stop, it can fall.
While standing inside, lean the top of the sliding-door panel toward you and lift it off the bottom track (above). Set the panel on the sawhorses. Caution: Sliding Mirror Doors are heavy. Make sure to bend your knees to take the weight off your back, or recruit a helper.
Use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry each roller from its pocket in the bottom of the door (above). (Rollers are typically held in by friction and the weight of the door.) If they are bent or broken, replace them with new roller assemblies, which cost about $10 each.
Scrape any dirt from the wheels, then clean them with denatured alcohol and a rag. Lubricate only with silicone spray (above), which doesn't hold dirt. To reinstall, align each roller's adjustment screw with its access hole and tap in the assemblies with a hammer, usi