Maintenance Matters: How to Keep Door Hardware Running Smoothly

David Knollman, Brio business development manager at Allegion UK, provides a how-to-guide outlining the essential maintenance and care steps for sliding and folding door applications.

As modern architecture continues to embrace open plan living, space saving convenience and indoor and outdoor interconnectivity, sliding and folding doors have surged in popularity. These systems deliver style and versatility across a variety of projects, but all too often, one key detail is widely overlooked.

Behind the seamless operation and sleek appearance of sliding and folding doors, there’s a concealed truth. Where these modern door systems exude elegance, many users neglect that they, like any precision mechanism, demand regular care and maintenance. In fact, the difference between doors that simply look good upon installation and those that perform smoothly for longer periods of time lies in how you care for the hidden parts, explains David Knollman:

“Hardware is a core component of any door system, a fact perhaps more evident with sliding and folding doors. From the tracks, rollers and pivots to the hangers, hinges and bolts that hold them all together, each part is instrumental when operating the contemporary systems found throughout our residential and high-end commercial spaces.

“However, even the most durable door hardware is subject to deterioration. Everyday use can impact a system’s condition, with hardware becoming even more worn and tired in harsh and demanding settings. With this in mind, there is value in developing a greater understanding of the common issues and correct care and maintenance procedures that can extend the life of sliding and folding door systems. Neglecting hardware, on the other hand, can lead to a range of avoidable issues, such as:

·        Track and roller degradation: Over time, dirt, grit and salt can build up in tracks, increasing the door’s resistance under movement, which wears down bearings and causes uneven motion.

·        Misalignment: As buildings gradually settle - or through repeated use - sliding and folding panels can shift, with loose fastenings or misaligned rollers causing doors to drag and making them difficult to open and close.