Custom-manufactured folding-stack aluminium doors fabricated in Durban and installed across the greater Durban area. Configurations up to 7 panels, with weather sealing specified for subtropical conditions and safety glazing to SANS 10400-N. Free site measure before any quote.
STACKING
Sliding doors open about half the span. Stacking doors open all of it. That distinction matters in Durban, where the subtropical climate makes indoor-outdoor living a year-round option, and where the architectural goal is often to remove the wall between a living area and a patio entirely. Folding-stack systems use multiple panels hinged together, running on top-and-bottom rolling hardware and folding back into a compact stack at one or both ends of the opening. Frame profile, hardware, weather sealing and glass are not generic — they depend on the opening size, the exposure and how the door will be used. Our process starts with a site measure, then a written specification. Fabrication happens in our Durban facility; installation is handled on site by our own teams.
Two different ways to open a wall. The choice is driven by how much of the wall you want to remove.
| Parameter | Sliding System | Folding-Stack System |
|---|---|---|
| Panel operation | Slides on one or two tracks; panels overlap | Hinged panels fold back into a compact stack |
| Clear opening | Usually about half the span | Entire span can be opened |
| Panels in the system | Typically 2 to 4 | Commonly 3 to 7 |
| Hardware | Rollers on bottom track (or top-hung) | Top and bottom rolling hardware; hinges between panels |
| Stacking position | Panels overlap in place | Panels fold to one side or both sides |
| Threshold | Track runs across the opening | Track runs across the opening; recessed-track options for flush thresholds |
| Weather sealing | Double-draft seals on perimeter | Perimeter seals plus inter-panel seals; drainage detailing matters more |
| Typical application | Single patio doors, standard openings | Wide entertainment openings, wraparound corners |
| Considerations | Straightforward fit in standard openings | Opening size, panel count, hardware and stack position all affect the design |
Which system is appropriate is determined during the site measure. The table above outlines common differences — not a universal specification for every job. Frame depth, glass thickness, hardware and finish are confirmed per opening.
Stacking doors are built in fixed panel counts. The layout that suits your opening depends on how wide it is, where the stack sits, and how you want traffic to move through it.
All three panels fold to one side. Suits narrower patio openings where a full clear span is wanted.
Two panels fold to each side, meeting in the middle. Common for medium-width openings where central passage is preferred.
All five panels fold to one side. Suits wider openings where one end of the wall is the natural stack position.
Seven panels folding to both ends of a wide span. Often specified where the wall being opened is particularly wide.
The configuration is confirmed during the site measure. Not every layout suits every opening — panel count, glass weight and hardware selection all affect what is practical. Corner configurations are designed separately.
Two considerations that matter in Durban more than in most of South Africa.
This is the section of the National Building Regulations that governs glazing safety. Safety glazing is required in defined areas — including doors, sidelights and glazing within 500mm of the floor. The glass type and thickness depend on the pane size and its location. We specify glazing to meet these requirements for the actual opening.
Durban's summer storms bring heavy, wind-driven rain. For stacking doors, drainage detailing matters as much as the frame itself — track drainage channels, weeps and perimeter seals need to handle water that would otherwise pool at the threshold. Coastal properties also face salt air, which affects hardware material selection. These factors are assessed during the site measure.
Correct installation affects performance as much as the product itself — particularly on stacking doors, where every panel must align with the one before it. Setting blocks, drainage, expansion gaps and weather sealing all matter. Our installers work to standard industry practice for aluminium door installation in residential settings, with the specification confirmed in the written quote.
What is included in a Bluminium stacking door order, and what is specified per project.
Options such as soft-close hardware, marine-grade rollers, recessed tracks, thicker glass or double glazing are specified per project — they are not included in every job by default. The quote lists what is included for your specific opening.
The same process whether it is a 3-panel patio door or a 7-panel split-stack.
We visit the property, measure the full opening and confirm the panel count, stack position and hardware type that suits the span.
An itemised quote covering panel count, glass, finish and installation. Options for soft-close and drainage detailing are listed.
Panels are cut, welded, glazed and finished in our Durban facility. This keeps fabrication quality-controlled and consistent — not outsourced to a third party.
Our teams fit, align and test every panel in the stack on site. Stacking systems require precise panel-to-panel alignment, which is confirmed before handover.
We fabricate in Durban and install across the greater Durban area. Below is what we commonly encounter in each zone.
Durban's property types differ significantly between the coastal strip, the inland hills and the southern industrial belt. A beachfront home in the coastal band has different requirements from a character home in Glenwood or a commercial property in Jacobs. The notes below describe common patterns — they are not assumptions about every property. The site measure confirms what is actually needed.
Sea-facing and near-coastal properties where salt air, wind exposure and expansive views are the dominant factors. Marine-grade powder coating, stainless hardware and drainage detailing matter most. Wider openings and larger glass panels are commonly specified where the goal is to maximise the view and the indoor-outdoor transition.
Established residential neighbourhoods with a mix of character homes and newer builds. Stacking systems are often specified where an old timber or narrow sliding door is being replaced with a wider opening. Retrofit measurement matters here — not every existing aperture suits a stacking system without adjustment.
Properties closer to the harbour and industrial corridor. Openings here often need to handle higher traffic volume, which affects hardware selection. Security locking, durability under frequent use and functional partitioning are common priorities. Standard residential and heavier-duty configurations are both specified depending on the property.
Beyond the Durban metro, installation teams are deployed across the wider KZN region. Coastal suburbs and inland areas have very different exposure profiles, so the specification process remains the same: site measure, written quote, then a system designed for the actual opening and exposure.
Questions that come up when specifying a stacking door for a coastal, urban or commercial property.
Systems are commonly fabricated in configurations up to 7 panels, with the practical panel count depending on the opening width and how much clear glass area is wanted. The number of panels affects not only the size of the opening but also how the stack behaves when open — a 3-panel system folds differently to a 5 or 7-panel one. Panel count and layout are confirmed during the site measure.
A sliding door typically runs on one or two tracks and overlaps panels — the clear opening is usually limited to about half the total span, and some of the wall is still glass when the door is open. A stacking door folds panels back on hinged joints into a compact stack at one or both ends, so the entire span can be opened. Stacking systems suit wider architectural openings where the goal is to remove the wall between interior and exterior, rather than simply providing passage.
Durban’s subtropical climate combines high humidity, salt air on the coastal strip and heavy summer downpours. That means drainage detailing, weather seals and hardware material matter as much as the frame itself. Track drainage channels, double-draft perimeter seals and stainless or marine-grade rollers are commonly specified for coastal properties. On the inland hills — Berea, Morningside — wind-driven rain during summer storms is the dominant exposure. The site measure determines what is appropriate.
Safety glazing is a legal requirement in defined areas under SANS 10400 Part N — including doors, sidelights and glazing within 500mm of the floor. Toughened safety glass is commonly specified for stacking door panels. Laminated safety glass is often chosen where an extra security layer or improved acoustic performance is useful — including coastal properties where the sound of surf may be a factor. Double glazing can be specified for thermal insulation or condensation control. Panel size and location determine the required thickness.
Yes — corner configurations are available and are often specified where the goal is to open up two walls of a living space to an outdoor area. Corner stacking systems use a corner post assembly that allows panels from two sides to fold and stack independently. The corner arrangement is designed during the specification stage and confirmed during the site measure.
After the site measure and written quote, fabrication typically takes 2–4 weeks depending on the system, panel count and finish. Stacking systems with more panels or corner configurations may take longer. Installation of a standard residential stacking door is often completed in a single day, though larger systems may require additional time. A firmer timeline is confirmed with the quote.
Aluminium stacking doors generally need little maintenance. Keeping the bottom track free of grit helps the rollers and hinges run smoothly. A periodic wipe-down with a damp cloth and mild detergent keeps frames clean. In coastal areas, a freshwater rinse every few months helps remove salt deposits. Rollers, hinges and tracks may benefit from a silicone-based lubricant occasionally. The specific hardware fitted determines the exact routine.
Detailed guides on the technical decisions behind stacking door quotes.
Tell us roughly how wide the opening is, whether the property is coastal or inland, and how you want traffic to move through the door. We will arrange a site measure, confirm the panel count and stack position that suit the span, and provide a written quote. No obligation.
If a stacking door is not the right fit for the opening, one of these may be.
