Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Convert A Shoji Screen Into Bifold Closet Doors

Shoji are used as doors, windows and room dividers.


Shoji are usually flat doors that slide open and closed, but they are also available as folding room dividers similar to bi-fold doors. The room dividers usually have three or four panels connected by folding hinges. Use these shoji dividers as closet doors to create elegant décor instead of simple wood or metal doors. Since shoji are made of thin washi paper, they are delicate. When turning them into closet doors, it is necessary to keep the process as simple as possible or risk destroying the screens. Does this Spark an idea?


Instructions


1. Hold the screen up to the closet with the front facing out. Fold the screen to the left and then to the right and decide which direction works best. If you prefer opening the door to the left, you will attach the wheel to the bottom right corner. If you prefer opening the door to the right, you will attach the wheel to the bottom left corner.


2. Fold the screen in the direction desired and look at the first fold. This is the fold between the first two panels. The first panel is the one that attaches to the closet wall. If this fold goes inside the closet, you need right-hand hinges. If the fold is outside, you need left-hand hinges. Most hinges are reversible, so make sure to turn them the correct way before installing.


3. Rest the screen on the work surface with the front facing down. You can fold the screen, leaving only the panel with the corner for the caster open.


4. Spread metal epoxy on one side of the square stem of the caster. Press the caster, glue side down, on the vertical frame of the chosen corner so that the wheel sits just below the bottom of the screen. Do not glue the caster to the paper. Let the glue dry according to the directions provided with the glue.


5. Place a screw inside the center hole on the stem of the caster. Drill the screw into the frame of the shoji. Drill very slowly so the screen does not break.


6. Measure 12 inches down from the top of the closet and along the side of the closet where the hinges belong. Place one of the hinges against the closet wall and mark the holes with a pencil. Repeat with the bottom of the wall and measure up 12 inches.


7. Repeat with the shoji screen. Measure 12 inches from top and bottom and mark the holes for the screws with a pencil.


8. Hold the screen up to the closet to make sure the marks line up evenly.


9. Remove the pin from a hinge. Press one side of the hinge to the wall, lining up the holes with the marks. Drill the hinge in place using the screws and drill. Repeat with the second hinge.


10. Drill the other half of the hinge to the shoji screen, lining up the holes on the hinge with the marks. Drill very slowly and carefully. Repeat with the last half.


11. Hold the screen up to the closet and line up the hinges. Slide the pins back into place.

Tags: Repeat with, Hold screen, Hold screen closet, room dividers, screen closet