BACK TO DIY

 

DIY Idea for Japanese Shoji-Style Sliding Doors

Barn-style doors are great and so are French doors, but if you are looking for doors that are unusual, stylish, and timeless, then take a look at this DIY idea for Japanese Shoji-style sliding doors.

18/07/2022

 

 

 

 

I am a huge fan of popular woodworking, and they have some great project guides on their website. The only downside of many of their projects is that they are far too detailed for the average DIY enthusiast - like me! However, from time to time a project comes along that I think everyone might enjoy and these Japanese Shoji-style doors are a great DIY idea for the home.

 

 

 

We have seen countless ideas for barn doors, and this has now started to fade out. French doors will always be a popular choice for homeowners, particularly those who prefer a more relaxed or casual style of decorating. But if your home is modern or contemporary, you might want to consider Japanese Shoji-style doors as an alternative. These doors are not something you can buy, so it is very much a DIY project you will have to do yourself. Having said that, there shouldn't be any problem sourcing the materials to make the doors or to substitute with local alternatives that are durable and better suited to our style of living with frosted or sandblasted glass or Plexiglas panels.

 

 

Simple design, clean lines and lightweight construction makes Shoji doors and screens the ideal choice for a modern or contemporary home.

 

 

 

 

What are Japanese Shoji Doors?

Found in traditional Japanese homes, shoji doors and windows are sliding partition doors that incorporate a latticework hardwood frame and thin muntins. These doors are fitted with a translucent paper that, although not locally available, can be substituted with other materials to give the same effect. Shoji doors can be made using bamboo or light hardwoods.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rather than have window treatments on windows, Shoji screens and doors are fitted with a translucent paper that provides privacy and provide a feeling of open spaces and tranquillity. Shoji screens and doors are also used as partitions rather than solid walls.

 

 

Use Japanese Shoji screens or doors to section off an open space without the hassle of any messy or time-consuming building work. The added advantage is that these screens and doors allow natural light to flow throughout the space.

 

 

 

 

Shoji screen doors, with their clean lines and minimalistic aesthetics, are ideal for the modern or contemporary home.

 

 

 

 

You will find detailed instructions on assembling and installing a pair of Japanese Shoji-styles sliding doors at this link: https://www.popularwoodworking.com/article/shoji-style-sliding-doors/ which you can copy and paste into the search bar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Substitute with locally available materials

 

  • For the door frame and door assembly, you can substitute with almost any type of hardwood, bamboo board, or veneered plywood and this also applies to the muntins (horizontal or vertical dividers fitted into the door panels.
  • A practical substitute for the translucent paper and one that is far safer is to use safety glass with frosted or sandblasted finish, or you can use Plexiglas if there are young children in the home.
  • All components for hanging the Shoji doors can be found at Builders or larger hardware retailers.

 

 

 

 

 

back to top