About Sliding Door Gear

Door and window hardware comprises a palette of elements necessary for turning an ordinary panel into a functional feature. Different openings designs require unique sets of hardware that allow proper installation and add value in the style and appearance. 

Sliding door gear is used in the installation of various gliding panels, including popular interior barn doors and glass wardrobe barriers. It comes in several convenient types, each constructed to make maneuvering of the heavy panels as effortless as possible. 

Types of Sliding Door Hardware  

The necessary components of interior barn door hardware include seven different pieces: sliding door rail, rollers, and hangers, accompanied by jump blocks, door guides, standoffs, and stops. Each piece plays a role in keeping the door panel safely attached while ensuring proper system functionality, supported by bolts, hooks, and other elements.

Sliding Door Rail  

This sturdy, heavy-duty bar is also known as a sliding door track. It mounts above the door opening to hold the weight of the panel and let it slide along.

Sliding Door Rollers     

After the rail is fixed in place, the rollers are installed over it to put the door into motion and open/close it smoothly. The minimum number of rollers is two.

Hangers  

The purpose of the hangers is to attach to the door panel and keep it safely suspended. They are available in a range of designs, materials, and finishes to suit different design schemes. 

Guide     

These elements prevent the door from swinging. They are fixed to the floor to keep the door panel on track.

Door Stop    

A door stop can be fixed to the rail or to the guide. Its role is to prevent the door from getting too far and derailing.    

Jump Block  

Another security piece attaches to the top of the panel. It’s typically made of metal or plastic, in a square or round shape. As the name indicates, jump blocks serve to prevent the door from vertical derailing.   

Standoff     

A standoff or a spacer is placed behind the rail to form a gap between and prevent the panel from damaging the wall.     

Connectors

Connectors are used in situations when one rail cannot bridge the gap. They connect two or more rails, end to end.

Supporting Equipment

Sliding Door Handles and Pulls

Adding a pull handle to the barn door, or any other similar panel, simplifies the maneuvering making it easier to perform frequently.  Sliding door pulls are handles or knobs designed to be affixed to a sliding door, allowing for easy and convenient opening and closing of the door.

Cavity slider handle

A cavity slider handle is a type of sliding door handle designed for cavity sliders that slide into a wall, creating a seamless look; these handles are typically flush with the surface of the door, easy to operate, and come in various styles and finishes to match the door and the surrounding decor.

Clavos     

Decorative nails are a cost-effective and easy way to add more style and character to the barn door system. They can be installed around panel edges or arranged to form an artistic pattern.     

Faux Hinge Straps     

This is another convenient and chic piece that enhances the aesthetics of barn sliding systems. Decorative hinge straps attach to the outer edges of the panel, making it appear more traditional in style and function.     

Privacy Locks     

If the sliding door is installed on the entrance to the bathroom or a bedroom, it should provide some added privacy, such as the possibility to lock it from the inside. Several types of sliding door locks are available on the market, including hasps, hook latches, teardrop locks, and pocket door locks.

Hardware Systems Design

Depending on the dimensional needs and available space, single, double, or even triple panelled doors can be installed. A single panel glides along a single rail, while bi-parting doors can bypass one another, disappear into a pocket hidden in the wall, or open as an assemblage of interior shutters.:

• Standard system: This scheme comprises a hanger installed on either side of a single panel, allowing it to operate along one interrupted track.
• Bi-parting system: This system contains a single rail and two separate panels that pass in front of the wall. A minimum of four hangers is necessary to keep the panels securely attached to the rail.
• Bypass system: Two or more rails and double or triple panels compose the bypass system. Typically, the panels are organised to pass in front of/behind each other. Each panel needs a set of at least two rollers and two hangers on each end. Depending on the specific panel weight, it’s possible to purchase either light- or heavy-duty versions of the sets. 
• Shutter Door System: This system is typically applied to support cabinetry or window panels. A selection of different styles varies from rustic to contemporary, each available in either standard, bi-parting, or bypassing options. 

Materials and Finishes

It’s possible to customise the entire design of the sliding door by carefully selected features. A variety of materials, colours and finishes is available in the market, including:

• Stainless steel
• Bronze
• Dark oil-rubbed
• Rustic black
• Black steel
• Matte black
• Black powder coated
• Industrial

Things to Consider Before Buying Sliding Door Gear

Unprotected or poorly installed sliding hardware can cause a variety of issues. It’s therefore essential to choose quality pieces with a guarantee, made from durable materials. Professional installation is strongly recommended. 

It’s also vital to ensure that the selected gear is suitable for the particular application. Apart from the weight holding capacity and overall convenience, the system needs to be suited for the location. If the application is external, all gear should be made of rust-resistant, weatherproof materials, while the system as a whole should provide high levels of security.

Most sliding panel applications use a top hung system. However, it’s also possible to use only bottom rails if the overhead structural support is restricted or unavailable.