Shoji Doors

**mic-d** · 28th September 2023, 07:39 PM

Today I installed the two Shoji doors I made which zone off half of the house for energy efficiency. They're made with quartersawn E. dunnii (Killarney Ash, Dunn's White Gum) from Korora specialist timber and Australian Red Cedar I reclaimed from a tree lopper in the neighbours yard. Construction is fairly traditional following the instructions in Desmond King's book on Kumiko and Shoji, although I substituted Dominoes for M&T joints, but I did do the other part of the Jaguchi joint. It also has a cat flap for our superiors. Timber was dimensioned with machinery but handplane finished and left raw for better or worse, as was traditional. I mounted them bifold-style on a Centor system, rather than sliding, and they return into a pocket I created in the hallway wall so as not to intrude into the space. I'll add acrylic sheets with a film that mimics traditional rice or mulberry paper rather than the genuine stuff.
Cheers
Michael

**GRadice** · 29th September 2023, 06:55 AM

Very clever! I especially like the wall recess that keeps the doors out of the way. Such a clean look.

**John Samuel** · 29th September 2023, 06:15 PM

Impressive work!

**GraemeCook** · 30th September 2023, 04:22 PM

Delightful delicate minimalist work. Loved it.

**mic-d** · 16th October 2023, 03:35 PM

Today, I had the chance to laminate some 2mm acrylic sheets with rice paper. Despite a false start where I laminated an offcut of acrylic rather than the right stuff, it went well. Both acrylic and paper were sprayed with the spray adhesive (I used Soudal Contact), I placed dowels on the glue face of the acrylic, floated the paper over top and pressed them together from the middle outwards, removing dowels as I went. Trimmed excess paper with a sharp chisel and rolled the surface with a hard rubber roller. This was cheaper than having the acrylic printed with a rice paper pattern and cheaper than a static cling tint that mimicked rice paper. The Shoji rice paper was purchased from 'Japanache' on the Gold Coast and it is polyester reinforced so it is stronger than the traditional stuff which helps if you install the traditional way. If you're keen eyed and noticed a difference in the cat door you're right. They wouldn't go through the solid door so I had to install a clear training door that we'll gradually blank out until they are going through without visibility to the other side. Well, in theory because, cats.
Thanks for looking

IMG_9119.jpg IMG_9120.jpg

**John Samuel** · 16th October 2023, 06:01 PM

Very cool ... nice work too.

**mic-d** · 16th October 2023, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by John Samuel

Very cool ... nice work too.

Thanks John

**GRadice** · 18th October 2023, 03:38 AM

And how did you fix the acrylic/paper sandwich to the doors?

**mic-d** · 18th October 2023, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by GRadice

And how did you fix the acrylic/paper sandwich to the doors?

Temporarily with small brass clips screwed to the frame. In time I may spot some glue on the intersections (of the Kumiko) if it rattles but at the moment the clips seem to be enough. There is a 3x3mm rebate behind the Tsukeko which it sits in with space for an expansion gap. The Tsukeko is the fine frame the Kumiko is mounted in.

**AnthonySeiver** · 24th October 2023, 01:25 PM

Did your feline superior give it their pawprint of approval? To humans they are a beautiful pair of doors with attention to detail.

**mic-d** · 24th October 2023, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by AnthonySeiver

Did your feline superior give it their pawprint of approval? To humans they are a beautiful pair of doors with attention to detail.

Thanks. Yes they did, they use it without hesitation…

**shanesmith80** · 24th October 2023, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by mic-d

Temporarily with small brass clips screwed to the frame. In time I may spot some glue on the intersections (of the Kumiko) if it rattles but at the moment the clips seem to be enough. There is a 3x3mm rebate behind the Tsukeko which it sits in with space for an expansion gap. The Tsukeko is the fine frame the Kumiko is mounted in.

I would suggest against using any glue for the shoji to the acrylic. I put some small spots on when I did our door and it didn't last long. Although the acrylic panel is floating in rebates it still bows a little with seasonal movement but not enough to cause concern. Casts some nice shadows actually. Only problem, can see the ugly little glue spots behind the acrylic if you look hard enough, and I'm always looking..

And the doors look fantastic.

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