Let one consider that sliding wardrobes were invented by the French, or rather, by Napoleon, who was tired of the mess in the barracks, and others – that the Germans were in need of rational and roomy furniture. The result is important for us. In fact now a piece of furniture that helps us optimally organize our storage space.
Sliding Wardrobe Internal Filling
The more thought you put into what is inside your wardrobe the more practically it will be.
Can you imagine life without a wardrobe. Out stuff would be everywhere. Even worse, writers would be in a world of hurt. Indeed, where they would locate the entrance to the magical land and a place to hide family secrets?
But it’s all a fantasy. Realities such as the lack in the right place at least one cabinet is able to disorganize the life of the whole family. Judge yourself. If the wardrobe is not provided in the hallway, it remains to arrange the coats and jackets on hangers out in the open. It is uncomfortable and unsightly. There is no wardrobe in the bedroom – hence, we are looking for numerous clothes and the trappings of a comfortable life in the dressers and nightstands. Probably continue the story about what life would be like in the absence of cabinet, is not necessary. Much more interesting is to talk about life in their presence.
Partially built-in closets
Partially built-in closets can be supplemented with side shelves. So we will provide additional storage space. The alternative to the dressing elevator is the clothes bar, located on the analogous height, and a special handle with “hook” at the end, by means of which a hanger can be lowered to the required level and raise the back.
- To begin we visit (virtually or in reality) a few companies in the production of these pieces of furniture. So we will find out what is included in the proposals and a preliminary assessment of the cost of services.
- If the company is the official dealer of foreign firms, for clarity we call the office.
- When we define the manufacturer, we call the constructor. He will choose the place to install the cabinet and will list options for its decoration and filling, and lastly he will gather the final “measurements.”
- Already in the salon, we should be proposed a project and after its refinement and agreement – estimates for manufacturing. After that we will have only to pay the bill and wait for delivery. Waiting may take up to 1.5 months.
- When the wardrobe finally is collected, we check it over and then sign the sheet saying we have received and approve the wardrobe.
Design
As shown by time and experience, closet, or rather, sliding wardrobes are the best “administrators” of space.
First, a piece of furniture is designed and manufactured for a specific space and specific needs. Do you need a wardrobe? Please feel free. What do you think, maybe, it should provide the shelves for shoes? No problem.
Secondly, there is always a choice: you can order a fully built-in wardrobe and save some material of the walls, or to give preference to a stand-alone subject and when you move take it with you. Naturally, previously you need to make it out.
Thirdly, the doors of the closet coupe are usually sliding. And they, as you know, “eat” less space than hinged. But best of all they keep things in order. After all, no matter how simple the model of the “guardian of things”, this simplicity is only apparent. In fact, there are many components: body (if it is provided), doors, rails, “filling”. Let’s try together to choose the items of our future sliding wardrobe.
In Profile and Full Face
If you use a niche or alcove as a closet, then at our disposal will be a full dressing room.
The bonded screeds or the corners of the side panels (walls), the roof and the floor (or, more simply, frame) need to the sliding wardrobe only if it is a stand-alone piece of furniture. The chipboard usually serves as the material for the manufacture (Commander made in Canada, Stanley made in UK) and rarely – MDF (Estrade, Villa made in Finland; Hülsta made in Germany) or solid wood (LUMI; Paolo Marchetti made in Italy). Melamine or laminate (chipboard), plywood (chipboard and MDF) are offered as furnishing. The ends of the panels are covered by the PVC edges (particleboard, MDF) or by the edging made of natural wood (MDF).
If the room is not too large, you can select the corner wardrobe. Thanks to this solution at our disposal will be a kind of mini-dressing room. Elements of filling allow to place in the closet, not only clothes and shoes, but also small items. Divided into appropriate compartments drawers to store a tie, socks, handkerchiefs and scarves.
The door of the wardrobe is also a “compound” design. The frame profile is made of steel or aluminum holds a panel. For reference, if the firm makes wardrobes, it is not necessary that it also produces and profiles. The total weight of the structure, as well as the load on the individual elements of wardrobe can be reduced by making the main door leaf thinner than the housing.
Materials
Many openly work with the products of third-party companies. Among the latter, we note Raumplus (Germany) and DSH (Canada), the frame of which are quite deserved popularity as the masters of wardrobes structure. Companies Mr.Doors and Simplex (Russia) have their own steel profiles. Profile of aluminum is more expensive, but also not uncommon in the range of the manufacturers of wardrobes.
This material is the basis in the products under the brand Komandor, Stanley and Neves (France) commend in companies LUMI, Mr.Doors and Simplex. The factory Estrade works with MDF, wood, or rather, with its own system of wooden profiles called Arborum – LUMI.
The complete absence of natural light in the dressing room can be offset by rational distribution of several special halogen lamps.The basis for the filling elements can become not only a partition from chipboard, but also the aluminum studs on which thanks to furniture fittings placed drawers, shelves and various hangers. If the sliding wardrobe is designed for the living room, it is possible to add a corner cupboard and shelving. There is always a place not only for pictures but also for technology.
The Width
Will the sliding wardrobe stretch from wall to wall, or it will take only a small corner of the hall, depends on the situation: free space, number of family members and cost.
Of the value of the chosen profile depends on its service life. For a more accessible under the price of the steel frame it is approximately seven years for aluminum – about 25 years. Time, however, which the profile will serve in solid wood, depends on several factors. The quality of the raw material processing namely – drying, finishing, affects a lot. Its role plays operating conditions of furniture. If the indoor humidity is high and ventilation is poor, the wood, and with it the closet, will be deformed. However, eco-style fans can restrict a frame of aluminum or MDF. Among proposed for these frames coatings not only plastic sheet and the paints and varnishes, but also veneer (Ecalum, LUMI).
The Height
In order to fully use the amount allocated for storage, closets design up to the ceiling. But the doors are, unfortunately, limited in height. A maximum is in the range of 2.5 to 2.7 meters from different manufacturers. If the ceiling in the room is higher than can be closed “residue” by false panels or to make a mezzanine with separate doors.
The second component of the doors of the sliding wardrobe is the already mentioned panel or facade. An example of an economy version can serve as laminated or veneered chipboard. Among other proposals is MDF, plastic, metal, mirror and glass. With the last two, it should be noted; manufacturers of the sliding wardrobes literally experiment tirelessly. Decorate them with colored plates, tinted, coated engraving, decorate by sandblasting. It happens that for such purposes even attracted famous artists. However, the cost of their services is very high. And this can not be ignored, stopping glance at author’s works.
And one more note: the design of panels directly depends on the material of the profile. Aluminum withstands greater load, hence inlay of the door leaf can be more intricate and combine dissimilar materials, and in any combinations.
Like on Rails
The door of the sliding wardrobe is equipped mandatory with a system of sliding or rolling. For reference, the manufacturers use both names. What to prefer is a matter of taste. The system represents a carriage with rollers built into the frame, and plastic or metal tracks (rails) that move the door leaf. In addition, the design of the carriage provides the special adjustable mechanisms that allow exposing the door without distortions. And the most “advanced” mechanisms are provided with shock absorbing springs. These springs are called the anti-jumping and prevent “jumping” of the guide rollers. Thus, even when hitting something the door remains on the right place.
In order to diversify the design of the door panels it is possible through a combination of materials.
Sliding systems
Buyer can choose between two systems of sliding: the bottom or floor rolling mechanism, and upper or roller suspension. More often the doors of the sliding wardrobe are equipped with the mechanism of the floor rolling. The principle of its operation is as follows: built into the door frame rollers with ball bearing mechanism, roll down the metal rails, attached to the bottom of the cabinet, or the floor of the room. At the top of the frame there are wheels. Which together with the upper rail hold the leaf from dropping.
What about the shoes?
Cell shoe racks are easy to use – just wipe them with a cloth. A storage system is built. Usually on the base of steel rails and transverse connecting strips. Special fittings, such as mounted baskets, drawers and shelves are made for clothes. Models of the sliding wardrobes are made from solid works. Not only the frame, but also a number of elements of filling. Door panels of processed glass are used.
An important element of the sliding door wardrobe is the built-in lights that can be placed inside.
The upper system differs by the absence of the lower sliding rail. The entire load is on the top. Not only the storage systems are equipped by them, but also the interior partitions which have solid size and weight. However, disadvantages of this option are still there. When wardrobes miss the housing the ceiling in the apartment is not aligned properly. When using roller suspension it could problems.
Laid Out on Shelves
If placed parallel to the wall, the width of the cabinet will not be less than 60 cm. Even if it is between millimeters, the bar is perpendicular to the wall.
The filling of the sliding door wardrobe entirely depends on our desires. Economical option this is the fixed shelves made of laminated chipboard plus uneven bars for clothes. If there aren’t any problems with finances, you can pay attention to metal (cell) baskets and pull-out shelves. Here, as in the case of frames: the majority of producers of the sliding wardrobes does not produce independently mobile storage system, and use the product of the specialized factories.
Who makes them
Deserving of attention are the companies Vibo (Italy), Elfa (Sweden), Reval and Incomaq (Brazil), Lemax (China). Another option is the mobile storage system (“Antonius” from IKEA, Sweden; Norscan from Mr.Doors). They include a variety of consoles, shelves, rails and sections with and without wheels. Construction can be complemented and reorganized. These systems were designed for dressing rooms.
The framework for a sliding door wardrobe or a dressing room can become even plasterboard partitions. In order to store trousers, skirts and ties are ideal special sliding hangers.The more partitions and drawers, as well as special content elements, the more expensive will cost the wardrobe.
But we want to provide in the closet something besides the traditional drawers and shelves, because the range of the proposals is unusually wide.
What’s in a wardrobe
There are the usual swivel and telescopic shelves for shoes, the sliding and swivel hangers for trousers, the carousel for shoulder pads, various baskets for knitted fabric, drawers with dividers, carousel, rolling, hanging holders for neckties, scarves and belts, mechanical and electrical dressing rooms elevators and rods. All storage space is organized.
