I’m remodeling by adding to my family room and building an adjacent covered patio. The passage way from the family room to the patio is 18′-6″ wide by 8′ high. I want to use a Nana type system but my architect says I shouldn’t use the hanging type which Nana and all the others out there are that I could find on the internet. He says he’s had trouble with it binding up when opening or closing.
So, are there any similar systems where the weight of the panels is on the floor? Seems to me the hanging type would bind less but what do I know? I figured the center of gravity is below the support (hanging hardware). I like the folding type because when it’s all folded to one side, the profile is small. I get more open-ness to the outside.
The alternative is a sliding type system where the panels would stack parallel to one side. I here there are systems like this out there but I can’t find them. Can anyone recommend anything? I think I could live with this type if the panels were wood-framed glass. I could still see through the stacked glass.
Thanks,
Bruce
Replies
Can't really recommend anything but Hafele probably carries a system you would like. They are the distributors for Hawa hardware (from Germany, I think). They have quality hardware for both sliding and folding doors.
http://www.hafele.com/us/services/4457.asp
Be prepared to pay big $$
Thanks Chucky. This seems to be the closest to what I'm looking for.
I can't suggest any products as I've never hung folding doors that size. But for closets I use Jonson's hardware, which is a hanging type. Jobs where I used these years ago are still working fine. Just my 2 cents worth.
http://www.johnsonhardware.com/fdindex.htm I use the 1700 type for closet doors, but obviously they're not heavy enough for your application.
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Edited 5/1/2008 11:23 pm by Ted W.
Thanks Ted W. You're right...I couldn't use this for this application. However, I have another application that your recommendation could used.
Thanks!
Might read through this thread:
http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&msg=104065.1
I posted some pics of a 12' opening I did the doors for . Used Johnson hardware IIRC . Also bottom guides in a track . Doors were meant to have glass but for privacy reason we didn't use it.
dovetail, the pocket type is not what I'm looking for but thanks anyway. Nice work though.
My friend uses the folding door system, stacks to one side. I've seen it with maybe 50' of glass on the beach in Malibu. Spectacular effect, but then you need that in a $l6 million dollar spec. house. I think it was the Nana system. This house ended up in one of their brochures.
Believe me, I don't have a home like that but, I'd like to come home everyday and be a little soothed by that effect.
We had a project where we tried to use the NANA wall, but ended up not using it because I could not get pricing or technical info from them. It may have been due to the fact that the local sales rep changed twice during the period we were investigating the product, but information was slow.
Bruce
Hiker, I kind of had the same thing happen. I got a quote from a local rep and then called him back a few months later for more information and he said he wasn't doing Nana or any product like it any more. Oh, well.
On p.66 of this month's issue of FineHomebuilding (actually, the "Houses Annual Issue", Summer 2008, No. 195), there is a good example of glass/wood folding doors for an exterior wall. No manufacturer is listed but you might get some info from the magazine or even contact the author/architect. His web site is listed.
Chucky, I don't have that magazine yet so I'll have to go to the book store to check it out. I subscribe to Finewoodworking which is how I can get into Breaktime but I frequent this website for its great ideas.
Thanks.
Well, if you have the online subscription, the article is here:
http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/how-to/articles/home-design-for-privacy-and-light-on-small-lot.aspx?ac=fp
Thanks Chucky but wouldn't let me in. I guess you have to subscribe to each magazine's .com.
I think that Marvin has a line of doors like what you are looking for.
"It is what it is."
ChicagoMike, I couldn't find where the openings could be as large as I wanted, 18'6". Perhaps I don't know where to look on the site?
I am trying to locat the link for you.
"It is what it is."
I found the brochure, nanawall.com 800 873-5673 My friend has used this system on several homes and to my knowledge no problems.
Thanks everyone. I decided to use a top mounted system such as Nana or Hafele. I just told my architect I wanted the hanging type and so he spec'd a beam that could handle the weight and we're good to go. Now, I just need to decide on what system to use. I like the Hafele system because a local door contractor can order the hardware and make the doors and install them.
Bruce