There is more to sliding door hardware than what meets the eye. The portal of entry from one space to another can be considered simple to most. Still, a special few understand the importance of choosing the right functionality, albeit through hardware, to achieve success in commercial, hospitality, and residential design projects.
Here at KLEIN, we are laser-focused on the door system’s hardware including the frame, tracks, and braking system. For over 90 years, we have engineered our hardware with the following values in mind:
- User Experience
- Ease of installation
- Quality
- Durability
- Luxury
Being in business for almost a century is a big deal, but we were definitely not the first to integrate sliding door systems. In fact, sliding elements to organize spaces come from traditional Japanese design.
We believe when you slide open a KLEIN sliding door hardware system, the glide is so gentle and soft that it almost feels effortless. We also offer braking systems in our products to limit abrupt slamming that leads to stress on the system.
But sliding door systems are put into place by architects and designers for more reasons than the desire for a non-traditional swing door. In this article, we will discuss the main benefits of sliding doors, how they operate, where to purchase and spec them, what to expect during installation, and how sliding door hardware can use sustainable materials.
Many Benefits of Sliding Door Systems
Sliding door systems come with many benefits for both the design team and the end user.
Here are only some of the other main reasons to consider sliding doors in your commercial, hospitality, or residential space.
#1 – To allow the flow of natural light.
Studies have shown that natural light can boost moods and lower energy costs. Sliding door systems are designed in a way to use any type of door you see fit, wood panel or glass for example.
When you think of how easy it is for light to flow through rooms with natural light through wide openings and glass panels, you start to see how much energy you can save on both heating and electricity to brighten the space. Not only that, but studies have shown that you will feel better with the presence of sunlight in your day.
#2 – To provide sound dampening effects between rooms.
A door and walls are put in place to separate rooms to give purpose to specific tasks. Sliding door systems aid in dampening unwanted sounds to accommodate needs. Task switching is made easy with sliding doors, where you can open up a space to invite others in or close it off to allow time for focus.
Commonly needed in commercial spaces, the interest in acoustical benefits is crucial for productivity. It is up to the architects and interior designers to find solutions that limit distraction while encouraging visual communication and instilling company culture. Glass partition systems and panels are a great solution to this challenge.
#3 – To increase usable square footage.
One of the biggest benefits that come into play with sliding door systems is the wide opening solutions to a room without sacrificing space.
The most common door that we think of in the United States is a swing door. Depending on the size, you will lose a good bit of usable space while the door is open. When it comes to tiny office partitions, hotel rooms, and apartments, every single inch of the space matters.
How Sliding Door Systems Hardware Works Together
When it comes to sliding door hardware, we suggest considering the three important details that can make or break the design flow of a room: The frame, tracks, and brakes.
Starting with the frame, it’s crucial to note if a metal or a wooden frame would fit the space or does it need a more minimal option with a recessed look.
For the tracks, you will need to consider what kind of door panel you are needing – a nice, heavy barn door, or maybe a glass panel. Once you have decided on the material for the door, you can determine if you need a telescopic system that collapses in layers for wide openings, or maybe instead a track that supports pocket doors.
Lastly, consider adding breaks to your system if you expect slamming to occur, especially with sliding door hardware that supports glass panels. Not only does it help limit abrupt loud noises, but it will also protect your door system from normal wear and tear.
To learn more about the different types of sliding doors available, visit our products page.
Where should you buy sliding door hardware?
Where to buy your sliding door systems comes down to the details of your project. A hardware store may carry a few options for people who are interested in installing a sliding door to their home, for example.
For architects and designers, we encourage you to schedule a free consultation with our KLEIN representatives to learn about the many systems we offer in the US. As a leading supplier to design professionals all over the states, we place priority on reliable customer service and playing support to ensure your building projects are a great success.
Installing Sliding Door Hardware
If you are an installer, you probably have experienced complicated instructions to systems. Here at KLEIN, we take pride in engineering sliding door hardware that is simple to put together.
For example, our all-wood oak system that has been all the talk since release, NATURE, was designed in a way that doesn’t require a millworker. We believe it is so simple, that anyone can successfully put it together.
Be sure to check out our YouTube channel to watch install videos of our systems.
Materials Used in Our Sliding Door Systems
There are two main materials that are used in our sliding door hardware: aluminum and wood.
Aluminum is a durable, yet lightweight material that reliably supports door operations. As one of the more traditional metals used for sliding door systems, we offer several customizations to fit the aesthetic you are looking for: silver, bronze, and matte black. Check out our beloved telescopic system in different finishes to get a feel for the look.
Wood is another material we use, specifically in our award-winning NATURE line. The oak-wood look and feel of a sliding door give users a truly unique experience.
If you are a design professional wanting to get your hands on our materials for a potential product, we do offer samples through Material Bank.
Eco-friendly Practices Meet Sliding Door Hardware
As a company, we wholefully feel the responsibility to be a sustainable provider of sliding door hardware to ensure our systems can experience a long-term life cycle AND have options for keeping the materials out of the landfill.
Our systems, such as LITE+ which uses aluminum as its hardware, are designed in a way to support recyclability. NATURE, our all-wood system, on the other hand, uses responsible forests that guarantee traceability. Both of these systems have earned the recognition of the Cradle to Cradle certification.
Contact Us Today
Here at KLEIN, it is our promise to help you choose the best sliding system hardware for your next project. We offer virtual lunch and learns, CEU courses, as well as a generic consultation.
Get in touch with us today to learn more.
Comments are closed