Custom-manufactured folding-stack aluminium doors fabricated in Durban and installed across Hibberdene and the lower South Coast. Marine-grade finishes, configurations up to 7 panels, and safety glazing to SANS 10400-N. Free site measure before any quote.
STACKING
Hibberdene sits on the KZN lower South Coast, midway between Durban and Port Shepstone. The town is characterised by a mix of permanent homes and holiday properties, many of them with sea-facing patios that make the most of the Indian Ocean view. Stacking doors open the whole wall rather than just part of it, which suits this kind of property. But salt spray, humidity and wind-driven rain all affect the frame, hardware and sealing over time. 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 |
| 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 on the KZN South Coast than inland.
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.
Hibberdene sits on the lower South Coast with direct marine exposure. Salt spray, humidity and wind-driven rain all affect the door over time. Track drainage channels, double-draft perimeter seals and stainless or marine-grade rollers are commonly specified for near-coastal properties. For sea-facing homes, 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 Hibberdene and the surrounding lower South Coast communities. Below is what we commonly encounter in each area.
Coastal exposure changes street by street on the lower South Coast. A sea-facing property in Hibberdene has different requirements from a holiday home in Umzumbe or a quieter residential property in Mtwalume. The notes below describe common patterns — they are not assumptions about every property. The site measure confirms what is actually needed.
Mix of permanent homes and holiday properties, many with sea-facing patios and wide glass exposures. Salt spray, humidity 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.
Beachfront area with a mix of larger holiday villas and rental properties. Wide openings onto verandas are common. Security hardware is often specified higher here, since many properties are not permanently occupied. Laminated glass is commonly chosen for the same reason.
Smaller coastal node with quieter residential character. Stacking systems are often specified where an existing patio or braai area is being opened up to the garden. Retrofit measurement matters here — older properties may have non-standard opening sizes.
Mixed residential and holiday properties further south. Long-term durability and low-maintenance operation matter here, particularly for properties that stand empty for extended periods. Smooth rollers that do not bind during humid months are a common consideration.
Questions that come up when specifying a stacking door for a coastal or holiday 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 Hibberdene, where sea-facing properties often have wide patio openings, 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.
Hibberdene sits on the KZN lower South Coast with direct marine exposure. That means salt spray, humidity and wind-driven rain all affect the door. Track drainage channels, double-draft perimeter seals and stainless or marine-grade rollers are commonly specified for near-coastal properties. For sea-facing homes, glass thickness and frame profile may also be upgraded to suit wind exposure. These factors are assessed during the site measure.
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.
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. 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 on the lower South Coast, 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.
