That runs: Sliding door rails
They make small rooms large and divide large rooms into smaller units if required: Sliding doors are true room magicians. The simple yet stylish solution to your space problems literally "hangs" on the tracks. Find out what options are available here:
5 Steps to Finding the Right Running Track
- Installation:
In front of the wall (visible, intentionally used as a design element) or within the wall (invisible, the Door disappears). - Installation:
Wall (easy to retrofit) or ceiling (maximum clearance height, sleek appearance). - Guidance:
Top-mounted track, Bottom guide prevents swaying – for quiet, smooth operation. - Comfort:
Soft-Close closes gently and protects Glass and fittings. - Appearance/Finish:
Graphite black (bold accent), Cashmere grey (softer), Satin stainless steel (subtle). Choose a matching bar handle or shell.
Visible sliding door running track: Showing off what holds it up
Choosing a visible running track makes a deliberate design statement. The running track runs in front of the wall, and the door leaf glides along it when open—both the mechanics and the design are equally visible. This isn’t a compromise, but a philosophy: function can be beautiful.
With visible running tracks, there are two basic variants. In a closed profile, the roller carriage runs inside the running track—only the slim track housing is visible from the outside. The result is a calm, minimalist look that blends unobtrusively into modern interiors. With an open fitting, however, the rollers run visibly on a tube. The door leaves are held in place with glass clamps or screwed directly to the rollers. This variant emphasizes the mechanics and gives the room an industrial, artisanal touch—ideal for loft, Bauhaus, or vintage concepts.
The upper running track bears the entire weight of the door leaf and can be mounted either on the wall or on the ceiling. An optional bottom guide keeps the door leaf on track—an important comfort factor, especially for doors with wide or double door leaves. All GRIFFWERK running tracks come standard with a soft-close mechanism: The door is gently slowed at the end of its travel and closes silently—this protects the Glass and fitting and is immediately noticeable in everyday use.
Selection Griffwerk Sliding door running tracks
Invisible sliding door track
An invisible Running track combines design with function: the door disappears IN the wall when opened. This variant of the Sliding door is suitable for small apartments or offices, where the wall space is needed for shelves or other furniture. This variant is also interesting for customers who do not want to put the design accents on the door: if the door disappears into the wall when needed, there remains space for pictures, wall hangings or wall tattoos.
The door can disappear with an invisible Running track in the cavity between two-shell drywall. But there are also modern wall pocket systems designed specifically for Sliding doors that disappear into the wall. Anyone who is renovating an apartment and designing it from scratch or tackling a new build can add such a system very easily.
Simple sliding door tracks as a design element
GRIFFWERK Glass sliding doors are available either with a surrounding frame or hanging on simple rails. The simple running track running visibly in front of the wall takes on a different characteristic depending on the material and color scheme: In Graphite black, the running track of the Sliding door stands out the most, especially against a white wall. It is then used very deliberately as a minimalist but expressive design element and goes particularly well with apartments in Industrial style, Bauhaus or loft. A simple Running track in Cashmere grey achieves the same effect in a toned-down, softer form. It stands out, but does not contrast too much with the surroundings. This variant is well suited for apartments in Ethno style, Hygge, Scandinavian or even Modern Country.
Simple Running track made of frosted Stainless steel is modern and restrained. It fits well into any modern home, but draws None attention to itself. This running track is the way to go to make a Glass sliding door running in front of the wall as invisible as possible. The accents are then on light, space and other Deco elements, while the door is limited to its functionality. It is precisely in this restraint of the Running track that its charisma on the design of the entire room lies. Choose the right Bar handle or shell for each Running track.
Open hardware with visible Rolls emphasizes the functionality of the Running track and can add a rustic touch to the home.
To ensure that Sliding doors open and close smoothly and quietly, we install a Soft-Close retractable mechanism on our Running tracks. The soft-close mechanism, with its damping, not only ensures quietness and the best functionality, but also ensures that the Sliding door stays intact longer.
Planning Sliding Door Running Tracks Correctly: Length, Load-bearing Capacity, and Wall Distance
Before you buy a running track, it’s worth considering three quick points—they’ll save you from having to make adjustments later and ensure that your sliding door runs perfectly from the start.
How long does the running track need to be? The running track length is determined by the door leaf width plus the opening distance. Rule of thumb: Running track length = door leaf width × 2. Example: A 90 cm wide door leaf requires a running track of at least 180 cm—this allows the door to open fully without restricting the passage width. Also plan for some extra space for end stops and the soft-close mechanism.
What load-bearing capacity do I need? The weight of the door leaf determines which track system you need. Lightweight glass doors up to approx. 50 kg can use a standard system. Heavy all-glass or designer doors can weigh significantly more—check the manufacturer’s specifications for the maximum load-bearing capacity before deciding on a system. GRIFFWERK PLANEO systems are designed for different weight classes and are clearly labeled.
What wall distance do I need to allow for? For wall-mounted tracks in front of the door, the door leaf requires sufficient wall distance so that it can slide smoothly. Take into account the thickness of the door leaf as well as any fittings, handles, or recesses. This is not an issue with ceiling installation—the door hangs freely, and the wall distance is determined solely by the track design.
Tip: Note down the door panel’s width, height, and weight before your consultation. With these three values, any running track in the GRIFFWERK range can be clearly identified.
The most frequently asked questions about Sliding door running tracks
What questions are most often asked about Running tracks? We found out using software that analyzes the questions people ask voice assistants from Apple, Google and others. We answer three of them here:
1. what are the Running track types?
Basically visible rails in front of the wall (closed profile or open rollers) and invisible systems in the wall (wall pocket). Visible rails make a design statement, invisible solutions have a maximum purist effect.
2. wall or ceiling mounting: which is better?
Wall mounting is often easy to retrofit (ideal for renovations). Ceiling mounting has a more planar effect and uses the full passage height - good for high rooms or if the technology should appear as quiet as possible.
3. do I need a floor guide?
Yes, a floor guide generally keeps the door leaf stable so that it does not swing. This noticeably improves operation, especially with wide or double-leaf doors.
4 What are the benefits of soft close?
The soft-close mechanism brakes the door at the end of the run and closes it quietly. This protects fittings and glass and prevents banging - a convenience plus in everyday life.
5 Which surface suits my style?
Graphite black creates clear contrasts (industrial/loft), cashmere gray has a softer effect (scandi/hygge), matt stainless steel is timeless and understated - ideal if the door is to remain visually in the background.