Obviously at P C Henderson we’re huge advocates of sliding door hardware and the many benefits it brings:

  • Increased floor space
  • Creates a unique feature in your home
  • Aesthetically pleasing
  • Easier mobility from room to room
  • Creation of flexible living spaces when used as room dividers
  • Great storage solution
  • Increased natural light

….the list goes on.

With such a vast product range to choose from it can become a little daunting knowing where to start. To help, we’ve put together a 10 step how to guide on choosing your perfect sliding or folding door hardware solution for your project.

Step 1: Internal or external?

This has got to be the main starting point. If choosing an external system make sure that you’re purchasing a weather and corrosion proof system as well as high in security features. At P C Henderson we offer systems that are made from marine grade 316 stainless steel to provide optimum weather resistance.

Step 2:  Decide how you want it to operate

P C Henderson provides a vast range of hardware that goes much further than simply ‘sliding’ or ‘folding’. There’s pocket doors, bi-parting sliding doors, single sliding doors, end folding, centre folding, round the corner, automated, multi-directional. It’s important that you know what you want your doors to do. You’ll also need to know how many doors you’re catering for.

Step 3:  Where will the weight of the doors be carried?

A top hung system carries the weight of the doors at the top usually supported by a large upper beam. If your project requires heavy doors and does not have sufficient support for this type of installation, a bottom rolling system may be more suitable. This type of system carries the weight of the doors at the bottom, negating the need for any major structural support.

Step 4: Face fixed or soffit fixed?

This is basically the description given as to where the track is positioned. Face Fixed is where the track is attached to the side of the wall (sliding applications only). Soffit fixed is where the track is attached to the lintel (within the opening).

Step 5: Measure up

You will need to know the opening width, opening height along with the door thickness. The specification tables provided for each of our products can then help in assisting you with what product is suitable for your measurements.

Step 6: Choose your material

It’s important that you pick hardware that can cater for the type of door material you’re using. For example at P C Henderson we have specific hardware that is suitable for glass doors and then other hardware that is only suitable for wooden or metal doors.

Step 7: How heavy are your doors?

You need to establish the weight of a single door to ensure the system you have chosen is capable of taking its weight. P C Henderson has a wide variety of hardware systems that can cater for small cupboard doors weighing up to 9kg right up to large industrial systems which can cater for doors weighing 2000kg plus.

Step 8: What length of track do you need?

With face fixed tracks, as a general rule, you need a track which is double the width of the opening. With soffit fixed you require a track that is the same length as the width of the opening.

Step 9: Choose Your Hardware

Now you have the above information you should have a shortlist of hardware which is appropriate. You can order some of our residential kit packs online and the rest of our products can be purchased over the phone or by setting up an account. Our expert sales team can double check all your information to ensure you’re getting the best system suitable for you. We also have an expert specification tool which is a piece of software which takes you through the steps mentioned above and provides you with a list of recommended products, you can use that here.

Step 10: Choose Your Accessories

Whether you require handles, flush pulls, door stops, door sensors, fittings kits of any other kind of accessory, we have a wide range available at www.pchenderson.com/accessories

If you require any assistance at all in choosing your sliding door hardware call our sales team on +44 (0) 191 377 7345 or email sales@pchenderson.com.