25 best sliding doors to partition your spaces

Do you need to fit out a fairly small space and want to save space? Functional, the sliding doors is ideal for optimizing space by avoiding the clearance surface of conventional doors. You can gain up to 2 m² in this way.

It is a solution that is also very interesting in the case where the closure is not essential as in a living room, because the circulation is simple and fluid. The sliding door comes in different forms which have their advantages and their disadvantages: telescopic sliding doors, pocket, semi-hinged, corner, surface or retractable.

We suggest you review the different existing systems so that you can make your choice according to your needs. The principle that makes it possible to make a sliding door is simple: the leaf is attached to two carriages on wheels which slide in rails at the bottom and at the top.

You will find two main categories of sliding doors: the pocket sliding door and the surface sliding doors . Both can be fitted with motorization and automation. There are custom models that offer the possibility of partitioning according to your needs. It is an interesting solution to conceal an office, a guest room or an open kitchen.

A few questions are important to determine your choice, in particular concerning the installation constraints within the framework of the pocket door for example, the partition must be sufficiently thick, it is also good to know if there is enough room along the wall when the door slides … We must also think about the nature of the panel, solid or glazed.

sliding doors: a reasonable and practical choice

We suggest you review the different existing systems so that you can make your choice according to your needs. The principle that makes it possible to make a sliding door is simple: the leaf is attached to two carriages on wheels which slide in rails at the bottom and at the top.

You will find two main categories of sliding doors: the pocket sliding door and the surface sliding door . Both can be fitted with motorization and automation. There are custom models that offer the possibility of partitioning according to your needs. It is an interesting solution to conceal an office, a guest room or an open kitchen.

mounted sliding door: a reasonable and practical choice

This sliding glass door is mounted on a rail which is fixed in the wall. Its opaque glass makes it possible to isolate a place while allowing light to be kept. It is a popular arrangement to separate the bathroom from the bedroom, for example.

Inexpensive and easy to install, the surface mounted sliding door is functional. The leaf slides along the wall and therefore remains visible even when the door is open. The rail is fixed to the wall or to the ceiling and it can either be dressed in wood, metal or remained visible.

Its quick installation and its very affordable price are these main advantages. You can purchase the rails as a kit which includes hardware, stops, bottom guide and bracket. You cut them to the size you need, if ever the space is very large, you put them end to end. The aesthetics of the visible rails is much more acceptable nowadays with original designs and stainless steel decorations for example.

Metal or wood cladding can be painted to go unnoticed in your decor. The major disadvantage is the clutter of the door against the wall when it is open, you cannot put a socket or switch there. They sometimes play the role of removable partitions , but in this case, they are most of the time made to measure. It is possible to put eight leaves on several rails. The tracks can be installed on the ceiling, on the floor or on the wall.

The industrial sliding door is not only very functional, but it also brings a lot of character to a space. With its partly high windows, it lets light through to benefit from more light on one side or the other.

The retractable sliding door called pocket sliding door: very decorative

The sliding pocket door disappears into the partition when opened. It works thanks to a rail fixed to the ceiling which is in this case in aluminum.

It is a rail which guides the pocket door, however if it is very heavy, it is preferable to put two rails and especially one at the bottom in the hidden part so that the correct operation is ensured. There are versions of sliding door with telescopic pocket (that is to say with two tracks), curved or semi-swing.

It has some advantages and in particular its small size since it disappears in the partition which makes it possible to place a piece of furniture on each side of the partition or a switch. It is a system that interior designers are fond of, because the impression of space is important. However, they have a higher price and a longer exposure time. It is also necessary to consider the finishing work such as painting, upholstery, plasterboard.

The installation requires a certain

There are two kinds of installation: you create a new partition or if you put it against an existing wall, replacing an existing hinged door. There are also systems that can be directly attached to the metal structure of a plasterboard partition. These are possible solutions for renovation.

In the context of new construction: installation is easy if it occurs when the partition is created. However, it is preferable to avoid load-bearing walls. It is necessary to count a width twice as important as in the realization of a swing door.

The different retractable sliding doors

They allow the necessary space in the partition to be halved. They can be declined in two or four panels according to your needs. They are held by two rails which requires a greater thickness of the partition. Finishing fittings require special attention and a lot of work.

Semi-swing retractable sliding doors

Semi-swing pocket sliding doors are ideal when you have a narrow partition, as only one part of the door disappears into the wall. The other remains swinging, but being less bulky than a classic swing. It’s a very personal choice.

Curved pocket sliding doors

These are high-end and custom-made doors. They are magnificent and aesthetically, they offer a spectacular result. They can be large without problem. It is certainly the best way to save a few square meters.This sliding corner door is very pretty and makes it possible to soften the angle which would have been less aesthetic otherwise.

The sliding corner door adapts to somewhat particular configurations like here, it is a perfectly functional solution which is also an interesting decorative option and saves space.

How to choose the type of leaf?

The wall or wall-mounted sliding door is one of the elements of the house as functional as it is elegant. You have a wide selection of panels with decorations of different materials. Honeycomb panels are the least expensive. Wood can be embellished with leather, metal, textiles, mosaics, designs .

If you need to keep the light : windows are ideal for this type of sliding door. Depending on your needs and the places where the doors are placed, it can be colored glass, one-way mirror, patterned glass … However, you should know that glass walls require a hanging system adapted to their thickness. Beyond 8 mm in thickness, think of a yoke system molded in the glass.

If the function of your sliding door is also to isolate noise: in this case it is wise to opt for an insulating panel with a peripheral seal.Always remember to choose your sliding door according to your decorative style.