Guide for Trade Door Orders Made Simple

A sliding wardrobe door order can look straightforward on a plan, then become costly when an out-of-level floor, a proud skirting board or an unfinished lining appears on site. This guide for trade door orders is designed to help joiners, installers and developers turn a client brief into a clear, buildable specification - with fewer assumptions between survey, manufacture and fitting.

Made-to-measure doors give you much more design freedom than off-the-shelf furniture, but they also require disciplined information. A good order is not simply a width and height. It records the finished opening, the chosen system, the panel layout, the surrounding furniture and the conditions in which the doors will run.

Start the survey with the finished opening

Measure only when the aperture is as close as possible to its final condition. If flooring, plastering, skirting, architrave or a bulkhead is still to be completed, record what remains and agree who is responsible for allowing for it. A measurement taken before carpet, laminate or tile is installed can change the finished door height enough to affect adjustment and operation.

Take the opening width at the top, middle and bottom. Measure the height on the left, centre and right, then identify the smallest usable dimensions. Do not assume a new-build opening is square simply because it is newly formed. Check the diagonals where practical, and use a long level or laser to assess the floor, ceiling and side walls.

For a wall-to-wall installation, also establish what the tracks and door frames will fix to. Solid, straight fixing surfaces make for a cleaner result. Where walls are uneven, a scribe panel, infill or purpose-made lining may be needed. That decision belongs in the quotation and order, not in a rushed fitting conversation.

Record obstructions, not just dimensions

A drawing should show more than the aperture. Note sockets, switches, radiators, coving, loft hatches, pipe boxing, window boards and any return walls close to the doors. Consider the projection of handles, bedside furniture and drawers opposite the wardrobe too. Sliding doors save swing space, but they still need a practical route of travel and access to the interior.

If the project includes a sloping ceiling, angled return or alcove, supply a clear sketch with dimensions and photographs. Bespoke does not mean every shape can be resolved with a standard track and frame arrangement. Early discussion gives the supplier a chance to confirm what is achievable before materials are released.

A guide for trade door orders: specify the system first

Door sizes cannot be separated from the track system. The top and bottom track, frame profile, number of doors and overlap all influence the manufactured size. Never apply a generic height or width deduction from a previous job. Different systems have different allowances, and the correct calculation should follow the selected product's fitting guidance.

Start by confirming whether the project needs two, three, four or five doors. Door count affects both the visual rhythm and the usable access width. Two wide doors can suit a simple bedroom run, while three or four doors may offer easier access across a larger dressing area. However, more doors also mean more overlaps and narrower individual panels.

Choose the frame and track finish alongside the room scheme. Silver, white, black and complementary metallic tones can each work well, but the choice should relate to handles, lighting, bedside furniture and interior fittings. A darker frame creates definition around pale panels; a lighter frame can make the run feel quieter and more integrated.

For DoorsDirect orders, provide the finished opening measurements, chosen range, door configuration and fixing context so the required manufacturing dimensions can be confirmed against the system. That extra check is particularly valuable where a client has requested a premium panel combination or a non-standard layout.

Make panel layouts work in the room

Panel design is where a wardrobe changes from storage to part of the room's architecture. Yet the most decorative option is not always the most suitable for the job. Mirror panels increase reflected light and can make a compact bedroom feel larger, but they need thoughtful positioning if the wardrobe faces a bed or strong morning sunlight. Coloured glass, textured finishes and wood-effect panels bring character, while plainer combinations are often the safest choice for rental developments or broad buyer appeal.

Ask the client to approve the panel order from left to right, viewed from the front. This is essential for asymmetrical designs, mixed finishes and patterned materials. A simple elevation drawing prevents avoidable disputes when the doors arrive in the intended order but not the one imagined on site.

Sample ordering is worthwhile when the finish will sit beside existing flooring, painted walls or fitted joinery. Screens and printed brochures are useful starting points, but they cannot reliably show every undertone, texture or sheen. Samples also help developers and designers secure approval before multiple plots are committed.

Consider weight, use and maintenance

Premium materials can create an impressive result, but they may add weight and require more careful handling during installation. Confirm that access routes, parking arrangements and safe lifting plans are realistic, especially for upper-floor flats or restricted developments. For family homes, consider the balance between appearance and day-to-day maintenance. A finish that looks excellent under showroom lighting should also suit the way the room will be used.

Plan the interior around the doors

Sliding doors and wardrobe interiors must be designed together. Check the depth of the interior against the door system and make sure hanging rails, drawers and pull-out accessories will clear the doors in their running position. A deep drawer that cannot fully open because it meets a door overlap is an avoidable specification failure.

Discuss how the client actually uses the wardrobe. Full-length hanging, double hanging, shelves, shoe storage and drawer space all compete for the same volume. For a main bedroom, a mix of long and short hanging often provides better value than a uniform rail. In a guest room or development plot, simpler adjustable shelving may be more flexible and easier to maintain.

Allow for the thickness of back panels, end panels and fillers where relevant. If interiors are being built on site rather than supplied as a coordinated package, confirm the finished depth and position of every component before ordering the doors. The face line of the interior should look intentional once the doors are closed.

Confirm site readiness before manufacture

A reliable order process includes a final checkpoint before manufacture begins. Revisit the site if the original survey was completed before second fix, flooring or decoration. This is especially sensible on multi-trade programmes, where one late change can alter an opening after the wardrobe package has been agreed.

Confirm that the floor is finished and sound, the ceiling line is known, walls are ready for fixings and the installation area is clear. If a track will sit on carpet, understand the system's requirements and whether a firm, level base is needed beneath it. A track fitted over an unstable surface may affect door alignment over time.

At this stage, verify the client-approved finish, frame colour, panel layout, handing where applicable, interior configuration and delivery contact. Put changes in writing. Verbal amendments made during a busy site visit are easily missed, particularly when several rooms or plots are being supplied.

Build delivery and installation into the programme

Bespoke doors are manufactured for a specific order, so programme planning matters. Avoid arranging delivery before the room is secure, dry and ready to receive the goods. Panels and tracks should be stored flat or in accordance with their handling guidance, protected from site traffic, damp and plaster dust.

Check access before delivery: vehicle restrictions, timed slots, gated sites, stairs, lifts and a safe route from unloading point to room. A nationwide delivery service is useful only when the receiving team is prepared and someone can inspect the consignment. Check quantities, labels and visible condition promptly, then report any issue before installation starts.

During fitting, keep protective films in place until the work is substantially complete. Set and level the tracks carefully, follow the system-specific adjustment process and test every door through its full travel. The finished doors should run smoothly, align evenly and give the client comfortable access to the storage behind them.

A well-prepared trade order protects your margin as much as it protects the finished look. Measure the final conditions, specify rather than assume, and leave time for one last site check. That is how a made-to-measure wardrobe arrives as a fitting solution, not a fitting problem.