Suitable for bend wall

Sliding door systems suitable for curved walls: what are the options?

A curved inner wall gives an elegant look to an interior. In addition, a curve in the wall also gives a softer appearance than keeping everything angular. But what if you want a sliding door in such a round wall?

Often more is possible than you think, including with sliding door systems. Did you know, for example, that there are ready-made sliding door systems that are suitable for a curved wall? These systems are used for architecturally challenging designs.

Round requires less energy to look at. Fundamentally it gives no visual delay, so it works better. Sharp shapes are fundamental to conflict.” – Thomas van Rompay, psychologist and assistant professor at the University of Twente.

Why build with curved walls?

Building with straight walls is a lot easier, more efficient and cheaper. Yet natural and organic forms are increasingly emerging in architecture and building construction. This way of building has some advantages compared to traditional construction methods:

1. Appearance

One of the main benefits of building with round walls is that it can improve the aesthetic appearance of a building. Round walls add softness, movement and texture to the design. In addition, they can give an organic and natural look to the building. This can be especially important when building residential buildings, spas, wellness centers or other places where a relaxed and inviting atmosphere is desired.

2. Safety

In addition, round walls can offer a safety advantage. Round walls are less susceptible to structural damage such as cracks and subsidence, because the forces are more evenly distributed over the entire wall.

3. Energy saving

Another advantage of round walls is that they can save energy. Because there are fewer corners and edges, you have fewer thermal bridges in the room, which means less heat loss. This can lead to lower energy bills and better thermal insulation. In addition, building round walls with sustainable materials (such as clay, hemp or wood) can benefit the environment, because these materials are less harmful to the environment than traditional building materials (such as concrete and steel).

Curved sliding door systems in the wall

Most space is gained by building a sliding door system into the wall. Since the wall is available on both sides and you no longer have to turn a door (this saves an average of 1 m²!). In terms of soundproofing and draught-tightness, a built-in sliding door is almost the same as a revolving door. So how can you enjoy all the benefits of a recessed sliding door system in a circular wall? By purchasing a sliding door system that is suitable for a curved wall!

Round sliding door from Ermetika®: Arkimede

In 1996, Ermetika® was the first manufacturer to produce a built-in system suitable for a curved wall. It is therefore possible to have a 'round' sliding door disappear into the wall for the inside. They called this system Arkimede. The curved built-in system is available for a single round inner door, but a version is also available for a double door system. This allows for a beautiful en suite effect to be created.

Sliding door custom round

A challenge with curved sliding door systems is that the curvature of the walls can vary from project to project. That is why customization is often required with a curved sliding door system. For example, when registering the order for an Arkimede system, you can indicate which radius is required. Then Ermetika® will custom-produce the sliding door system for you.

A curved sliding door system can be ordered without a door. However, we recommend (if possible) to order the curved door at the same time. This way you are assured that the round sliding door has the same roundness as the curved sliding door system.

Curved rail systems

Less complex are the rail systems for bending the wall. This is because there are fewer elements that need to be bent. At BestFix we currently do not sell ready-made curved rail systems. We can, however, tell you how you can have a curved loose sliding door rail made. Basically you can take a normal sliding door track and bend it around. This seems simple enough, but it is important that you ask an expert to do this. Since the rail on the inside must still be dimensionally stable for the carriages.

There are companies that specialize in metal bending. We recommend working with such a party. It is also important to check whether the carriages are suitable for a curved rail. For many walkers there is a maximum curvature at which they can still walk.