What Are the 5 Key Types of Interior & Exterior Sliding Doors?

Struggling to choose the right sliding door? A wrong decision can compromise your space’s style and function. Understanding the key types makes finding the perfect fit for your project simple.

The five main types of sliding doors are bi-folding, patio, pocket, stacker, and bypass (or barn) doors. Each type uses a unique roller system and offers distinct benefits for space-saving, aesthetics, and functionality, suitable for both interior and exterior applications.

As a industry professionals specializing in sliding door hardware, I’ve seen how the right system can transform a space. The rollers, tracks, and mechanisms are the heart of any sliding door, determining its smoothness, durability, and overall feel. Let’s look at each of these five main types. We’ll explore how they work and what makes them unique. This will help you select the best hardware for your specific needs, whether you are a door manufacturer, a contractor, or a distributor.

How Do Bi-Folding Doors Maximize Your Opening Space?

Want a wide, unobstructed opening? Standard doors can’t deliver. Bi-folding doors solve this by folding away completely, seamlessly connecting your indoor and outdoor areas with an impressive, clear view.

Bi-folding doors consist of multiple panels hinged together that fold like an accordion. They run on a track, and our high-quality roller and hinge systems allow them to glide and stack neatly to one or both sides, opening up nearly the entire width of the frame.

When we manufacture the hardware for bi-folding doors, the focus is on strength and precision. These doors can be heavy, especially with double-glazed glass panels. The top-hung or bottom-rolling systems must support this weight smoothly for years. The quality of the pivots, hinges, and rollers is everything. A poor-quality system will sag, stick, or fail over time. That’s why we build our components to handle heavy loads and frequent use.

Key Hardware Considerations

The choice between a top-hung or bottom-rolling system¹ is critical. A top-hung system carries the weight from the top track, requiring a strong overhead structure. A bottom-rolling system¹ puts the weight on the floor track, which is often easier to install.

Pros and Cons of Bi-Folding Doors

Is a Classic Sliding Patio Door Still a Good Choice?

You need a simple, space-saving door for patio access. But are traditional sliders outdated? With modern hardware, like our soft-close lifter wheels, they offer sleek, quiet, and effortless operation.

A sliding patio door is a timeless choice that features one or more panels that slide horizontally along a track. At least one panel is fixed, while the other glides over it. This design is incredibly space-efficient, as the door doesn’t swing open into your living area.

The beauty of a classic patio door is its simplicity. But simple doesn’t mean low-tech. As a hardware manufacturer, we’ve focused on perfecting the user experience. Our latest systems, like the soft-close lifting wheels, make these doors feel luxurious. A gentle push is all it takes for the door to glide and then softly close itself. This prevents slamming and adds a touch of modern convenience. The quality of the rollers is key here. We use durable materials to ensure the rollers can handle heavy glass panels and constant use without wearing out. This ensures a smooth, quiet glide for the life of thedoor.

Choosing the Right Rollers

Heavy-duty rollers² are essential for large glass panels to prevent sticking and ensure easy movement. We offer customizable options, including different materials and load capacities, to match the specific weight and size of your door panels.

Patio Door System Features

How Do Pocket Sliding Doors Create a Minimalist Look?

You want an open, clean space but a swinging door gets in the way. Pocket doors solve this by disappearing entirely into the wall, giving you a completely unobstructed and minimalist aesthetic.

Pocket sliding doors are the ultimate space-savers. They work by sliding on a track into a hidden compartment, or "pocket," inside the adjacent wall. This makes the doorway completely clear when the door is open, which is perfect for creating a seamless flow between rooms.

From a hardware standpoint, a pocket door system must be reliable because once the wall is closed up, access is difficult. This is why we tell our B2B clients, like door factory purchasers, that the quality of the track and rollers is non-negotiable. Our pocket door hardware kits are designed for long-term durability. We use high-quality steel tracks and ball-bearing rollers that provide a consistently smooth and quiet glide. We also offer soft-close mechanisms for pocket doors. This feature is very popular, as it prevents the door from slamming into the frame inside the wall and ensures it closes gently every time.

Installation and Hardware

The system is installed during construction, before the drywall goes up. The track is mounted within the wall frame, and the rollers are attached to the top of the door.

Pocket Door Advantages⁴ and Disadvantages

When Should You Choose a Stacker Sliding Door?

You have a very wide opening but don’t want panels folding into your living space. Stacker doors are the perfect solution. They slide and stack neatly behind one another, maximizing your view.

Stacker sliding doors are ideal for extra-wide openings, like those connecting a large living room to an outdoor area. They typically have three or more panels that slide on parallel tracks. As you open the door, the moving panels slide and stack behind a single fixed panel.

The engineering behind stacker door hardware is all about managing multiple panels on parallel tracks. For our clients, we emphasize the need for robust, high-performance roller systems. Each panel needs its own set of durable rollers that can handle the weight and provide a smooth, easy glide. The tracks must be perfectly aligned to prevent the doors from jamming or becoming difficult to move. We manufacture our stacker door hardware with precision to ensure all components work together flawlessly. This creates a system where even large, heavy doors can be opened and closed with minimal effort. This design gives you about two-thirds of a clear opening, which is a great compromise between a standard patio door and a bi-fold door.

Stacker Door Configuration

They can be configured to stack on the left or the right side, depending on your room layout and preference. This flexibility makes them a versatile choice for custom home builders⁶ and contractors.

Stacker Door Quick Comparison

Why Are Bypass (Barn) Doors So Popular for Interiors?

Need to cover a wide opening but lack the space for a swinging door? Bypass and barn doors solve this by sliding along a wall, adding a functional and stylish focal point.

Bypass doors feature two or more panels that slide on parallel tracks, allowing them to pass in front of each other. Barn doors are a type of bypass system that uses a single track, with the door sliding along the face of the wall. Both are great for wide closets, pantries, or room dividers.

The popularity of barn doors has put a spotlight on the hardware. It’s not just functional; it’s a major design element. As a manufacturer, we produce a huge variety of styles, from rustic black steel to sleek stainless steel. The key components are the track, the hangers with rollers, and the floor guide. The quality of the rollers determines how smoothly and quietly the door operates. Our barn door kits are a top seller for distributors and contractors because they include everything needed for an easy installation. The visual appeal of the exposed hardware is a huge part of the charm, so we ensure our finishes are perfect and the designs are stylish.

Key Differences

Bypass doors are best for closets, where you only need access to one side at a time. Barn doors⁸ are great as a statement piece for separating two rooms, as they leave the entire opening clear when slid to one side.

Barn Door Hardware Styles⁹

Conclusion

Choosing the right sliding door depends on your space and style. From bi-folds to barn doors, each type has unique hardware that defines its function. We can help you succeed.