Custom-manufactured folding-stack aluminium doors fabricated in Durban and installed across Durban North, Glenashley and La Lucia. Marine-grade finishes, configurations up to 7 panels, and safety glazing to SANS 10400-N. Free site measure before any quote.
STACKING
Durban North sits on the coastal ridge just north of the Umgeni River mouth. That means properties here face a specific combination of exposure — salt air, wind-driven rain, and the humidity of a subtropical coastal climate — that inland suburbs don't. Stacking doors open the whole wall rather than just part of it, which suits the architectural style of the area's sea-facing homes. But the frame, hardware, weather sealing and glass need to be specified for the actual exposure. 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 |
| Hardware — coastal exposure | Standard rollers; stainless upgrade available | Stainless rollers and marine-grade components typically specified for exposed sites |
| 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 |
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 more in Durban North 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 North's coastal exposure combines salt spray, high humidity and wind-driven rain. 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 near-coastal properties. For sea-facing properties in La Lucia and Glenashley, glass thickness and frame profile may also be upgraded to suit wind exposure.
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. Coastal-grade options are listed so you can see what is included.
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 Durban North and surrounding coastal suburbs. Below is what we commonly encounter in each area.
Durban North's coastal exposure is not uniform. A sea-facing property in La Lucia has different requirements from an inland home in Park Hill or a river-mouth property in Umgeni Park. The notes below describe common patterns — they are not assumptions about every property. The site measure confirms what is actually needed.
Sea-facing residential zones with direct marine exposure. Salt spray and wind-driven rain are the dominant environmental factors. Stainless hardware, coastal-grade finishes and drainage detailing matter more here than almost anywhere else on the page.
Mix of larger family homes with expansive openings and newer builds. Multi-track systems and larger glass panels are common. Retrofit measurement matters where older apertures have been altered by previous renovations.
Higher-lying residential streets with more exposure to wind-driven rain than the beachfront. Weather sealing, drainage, thicker glass and heavier hardware are more likely to be specified here. Wind pressure on wide openings is the dominant concern.
Proximity to the Umgeni River mouth means slightly higher humidity than the beachfront streets. Retrofit measurement matters, particularly on older properties where existing apertures may not suit a stacking system without adjustment.
Questions that come up when specifying a stacking door for a coastal property.
Stacking door 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. In Durban North, where sea-facing openings often call for wider spans, 5 and 7-panel configurations are common. The panel count, stack position and hardware type are confirmed during the site measure.
A sliding door runs on one or two tracks and overlaps panels — the clear opening is usually limited to about half the total span. 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 North’s coastal exposure combines salt spray, high humidity and wind-driven rain. 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 near-coastal properties. For beachfront properties in La Lucia and Glenashley, glass thickness and frame profile may also be upgraded to suit wind exposure.
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. The right specification depends on the location of the door, the pane size and the exposure.
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. This is a common request for coastal properties with views in two directions. 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, but coastal properties benefit from a slightly more regular routine. A freshwater rinse every few months helps remove salt deposits. 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, and silicone-based lubricant on rollers and hinges helps with smooth operation. The specific hardware fitted determines the exact routine.
Detailed guides on the technical decisions behind coastal stacking door quotes.
Tell us roughly how wide the opening is, whether the property is sea-facing, 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.
