Installing sliding wardrobe doors is a great way to store your clothes and other valuables in your wardrobe – they keep them safe, fresh and clean. One of the best features of sliding doors is that they don’t take up space. By sliding from side to side instead of opening like a classic door, sliding doors help reclaim space.
Sliding wardrobe doors are two doors that slide when the wardrobe is opened wide. The door slides on a track located on top of the cabinet door. Another rail on the floor helps keep the door balanced. The trails are divided into two parallel rails: one in front of the other. This allows you to slide one door in front of the other. To open, one surface of the door is slid behind the other. So, even though the door opening is wide (usually around 200 cm), only half of that opening is accessible at any given time.
Types of sliding doors
Some styles of sliding wardrobe doors do not have a bottom rail. The door hangs freely or there is a small plastic guide to hold the door in place. Most sliding doors are hung from the top rail. Other styles slide over the top rail but are not suspended from it. Depending on the type of sliding doors you find, you can choose your mounting style – offset or flat. Some homeowners like to place the door in the center of the jamb for a shady, offset look. Others like to put the door on the front so that the door is flat or nearly flat with the walls adjacent, giving a smoother look.
Before start
If you already have a sliding wardrobe door, remove everything, including all rails. Rails are usually unique to each brand. Also remove all things from the closet, if possible. Also remember to clear the floor of objects.
Tools and materials needed
- saw
- cordless drill
- pencil
- hammer
- measure tape
- hand screwdriver
- permanent marker
- metal file
- set of sliding doors
- wooden strip (optional for installation on the carpet)
Instructions
Prepare the Upper Jamb
Make sure the top jamb (or door frame) is smooth, level, and free of nails or screws.
Measure Doors
Using a tape measure, measure the door opening horizontally both at the top and bottom, as the two values may be slightly different.
Cut Rails
Using a permanent marker on the back of each rail, mark the dimensions you just measured minus 3mm. Using a hand saw, cut the rail to length. Use a metal file to remove any sharp metal edges at the ends of the cut rails.
Check Top Rail Fit
Have a second person help you with this, they should hold the top rail in place as you assess its position. Center the rail so that the 3mm gap is split between each side (1.5mm per side). Depending on the installation mode, the rail will be placed closer to the front of the frame or towards its center. Make sure you keep the rail in the correct position. Some rails may have both a front and a back side.
Install the Top Rail
When you are satisfied with the position of the top rail, drill the pilot holes first, then fasten the rail with screws.
Tip: Use the screws provided in the kit. Other screws may protrude and interfere with the operation of the door.
Attach the Strip
Some sliding doors have a metal or plastic fascia strip that covers the front of the top rail. Usually, the facade strip is installed by hammering it in.
Install the Lower Rail
Screw the bottom rail to the floor. If you have a wooden floor, connect it directly with floor screws. If you have carpet, buy a 3mm wooden strip the size of the bottom track. Screw the wooden board and then attach the bottom rail to it.
Tip: Wooden planks for carpet installation can be found in the finishing and carpentry section.
Install the Cabinet Door
Stand inside the wardrobe. Ask the other person to tilt the first door towards you. Gently slide the door to the center of the wardrobe. Lift and place the guide wheels in the top rail. Slide the bottom edge of the door towards the inside towards the back of the cabinet. The spring-loaded guides at the bottom of the door should collapse as they slide over the high edge of the bottom rail. When they reach the center slot, they should click. The doors can be adjusted to align with the vertical edges of the frames. Typically, there are adjustment screws on the guide wheels that allow for a slight up-down adjustment.
