Sliding doors: an elegant option to overcome the lack of space

Today, sliding doors are part of many homes, dividing or integrating different environments, with elegance and without taking up so much space.

Great allies for decoration, sliding doors move subtly horizontally, and can be used in all types and sizes of environments and, in the case of small environments, they also have the advantage of contributing to the optimization of space.

Currently, there are several models of sliding doors. But, the most used today are the large ones, which allow the door to be fixed to the ceiling and without a rail at the bottom (only a very discreet guide in the corner of the wall).

Sliding doors can also be made of different materials, such as wood or mdf with a lacquered finish, natural wood (smooth or with friezes), glass (in different colors) and others. Thus, they allow a thousand and one possibilities and please everyone!

How to use sliding doors in different environments

Sliding doors can be used in the kitchen, living rooms, bedrooms, outdoor areas and even bathrooms with different proposals and objectives. In general, each type of environment requires special attention when choosing.

Below you can find tips on how to choose the ideal sliding door for the different spaces of the house and you can be inspired by beautiful models!

Sliding doors for kitchens

Bet on many homes, sliding doors can be used to separate the kitchen from other rooms or even to integrate it into a stylish living room. The possibilities are endless!

Architect and interior designer Ana Rita Sousa e Silva, from AR Arquitetura & Design, explains that, in this case, it is important that the doors have a considerable opening, so that the appliances can pass through them. The material must also be water resistant and washable.

“The handle is another very important factor in this case, as it has to have a firm grip, it can’t be slippery or the hand can’t grasp it firmly… ‘cava’ handles, for example, are not a good option. Prefer the handle type ones”, highlights Ana Rita.

“As these are doors that will normally have an intense opening frequency, avoid recessed doors or doors with built-in rails that make maintenance difficult”, adds the architect.

Sliding doors for rooms

One of the most popular options, the sliding doors in the living room provide a modern and elegant environment, and can be made in the most varied materials, without restrictions.

Ana Rita highlights that, in the case of sliding doors for living rooms, there are no rules! “The important thing is to always think about the quality of materials and hardware, so that they have durability and are easy and light to operate”, she explains.

Sliding doors for bedrooms

They can be used to divide (or integrate) bedroom and bathroom or separate the bedroom from other rooms in the house. They are still widely used to give access to balconies integrated into the room, especially doors made of glass.

Ana Rita points out, however, that she does not recommend sliding doors for bedrooms, as they are not the best option for soundproofing. “But if you choose one, avoid exposed bearings or doors that don’t have a snap-in trim to isolate light and noise,” she advises.

Sliding doors for bathrooms

A widely used option today, the sliding door gives the bathroom an elegant look and is often the highlight of the environment.

Ana Rita explains that this type of door requires the same care in choosing a kitchen door. “But sliding bathroom doors must be even more resistant to moisture. Natural wood veneer doors are not recommended for these spaces, as they will easily be damaged by moisture and steam, and may even create fungi”, she guides.

Sliding doors for outdoor areas

Ana Rita explains that, in the case of sliding doors for outdoor areas, the frames must be made of aluminum, PVC or solid wood. “Today, I do not recommend solid wood because there are more resistant options that can give the same effect as wood and are much more efficient and durable”, she says.

“Anodized aluminum is a good option. Today there are also sophisticated PVC frames that receive a woody adhesive film and, in addition to having the wonderful appearance of natural wood, they have the function of insulating acoustically, thermally and hermetically”, adds the architect.

Advantages and disadvantages of sliding doors

If you are in doubt about whether or not to install this type of door in your house or apartment, learn about the main advantages of sliding doors:

Expansion and circulation: Ana Rita comments that the sliding doors expand spaces and facilitate circulation.

No conflict of doors or space: the architect emphasizes that, especially in small spaces, sliding doors are a very pertinent solution to avoid door conflicts. In addition, they generally take up less space than conventional doors.

Integration or division of environments: the main characteristic of sliding doors is the advantage of separating or integrating environments, maintaining the privacy of each one of them when necessary, as they act as walls when they are closed, or allowing the feeling of more spacious spaces. wide when open.

Functional and beautiful: in addition to having the advantage of dividing or integrating environments, sliding doors give a modern and elegant appearance to homes.

Despite these good reasons to invest in this model of door, Ana Rita says that the biggest disadvantage of sliding doors is the sound insulation. “That’s why I don’t recommend it for rooms or meeting rooms, in the case of corporate spaces”, she says.

In addition, sliding doors are custom-made with carpenters or specialist shops, so the cost is higher than in the case of smaller doors or fixed panels, and they require cleaning and maintenance of the rails and pulleys so that they work perfectly. .

How to clean and keep your sliding door in good condition

For sliding doors to work properly, the cleaning and lubrication of the rails and pulleys need to be constant. Otherwise, over time, different dirt can accumulate on the rails, even clogging the door. In this sense, some practical tips are:

• Pay attention to the quality of the hardware:: Ana Rita emphasizes that it is important to choose a good hardware when purchasing the door and keep it lubricated. “This will even prevent damage to the handles, which normally end up being wobbly due to the force applied when the track is not working in perfect conditions”, she says.
• Choose products and tools carefully: Never use abrasive products. Opt for a soft-bristled brush or brush and water with a mild detergent.
• First, clean with a vacuum cleaner: For cleaning, it is recommended to open the door as wide as possible and remove loose dirt with the help of a vacuum cleaner. For this, use a thin nozzle (facilitating the removal of residues).
• Clean the corners with a small brush: To reach the corners, which are difficult to reach, use, if necessary, a toothbrush also dipped in water with a mild detergent.
• A cloth always helps: After cleaning, use a dry (and lint-free) cloth to finish cleaning and dry the rails completely before lubricating.

Now you know: in addition to being great allies when dribbling the lack of space, sliding doors can be used in the most varied spaces (regardless of size), offering functionality and still providing elegance to environments.