Aluminium folding-stack doors fabricated in Durban and installed across Port Shepstone and the lower South Coast. Marine-grade finishes, SANS 10400-N safety glazing and configurations up to 7 panels. Free site measure before any quote.
STACKING
Port Shepstone sits at the commercial heart of the lower South Coast, with industrial hubs around Marburg and Riverview feeding a coastal residential belt that stretches from Umtentweni through Shelly Beach and down to Sunwich Port. Salt spray, wind-driven rain and persistent humidity shape how a stacking door needs to be specified in this environment. Marine-grade powder coating is used on the frame finish to resist salt-air corrosion. Track drainage channels, dual-seal EPDM weather gaskets and stainless steel double-bogey rollers are commonly specified for near-coastal properties. 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 |
| Maximum leaf width | Commonly up to 2.4m per panel | Commonly up to 900mm per leaf |
| Maximum system height | Varies by system | Custom up to 3000mm |
| Hardware | Rollers on bottom track (or top-hung) | Stainless steel double-bogey rollers; top and bottom rolling; hinges between panels |
| Stacking position | Panels overlap in place | Panels fold to one side or both sides |
| Weather sealing | Double-draft seals on perimeter | Perimeter seals plus inter-panel seals; drainage detailing matters more |
| Security | Standard multi-point locking | Mortice locks and double-action flush bolts typically specified |
| 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, with wind-loading calculated for the specific elevation and height above grade.
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 on the South Coast more 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. Standard laminated safety glass of 6.38mm thickness is commonly specified for coastal stacking door panels, with thicker laminated or toughened units available where the exposure or acoustic requirement warrants it. Glass thickness is calculated per pane for the specific opening.
Port Shepstone sits on the lower South Coast with direct marine exposure. Salt spray, humidity and wind-driven rain all affect the door over time. Marine-grade powder coating is used on the frame finish to resist salt-air corrosion. Track drainage channels, dual-seal EPDM weather gaskets and stainless steel double-bogey rollers are commonly specified for near-coastal properties. For sea-facing openings, 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. Compliance documentation is available on handover where required.
What is included in a Bluminium stacking door order, and what is specified per project.
Options such as soft-close hardware, thicker laminated glass, double glazing, recessed tracks or marine-grade hardware upgrades 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 note the orientation, height above grade and exposure. This determines the panel count, stack position and hardware type.
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 Port Shepstone and the surrounding lower South Coast communities. Below is what we commonly encounter in each area.
Coastal exposure changes across the Port Shepstone node. A sea-facing property in Shelly Beach has different requirements from a sheltered home in Umtentweni or a commercial property near the Marburg industrial belt. The notes below describe common patterns — they are not assumptions about every property. The site measure confirms what is actually needed.
Port Shepstone Central and the Marburg/Riverview industrial corridor anchor the local logistics and manufacturing footprint. Property types range from established residential to light-commercial. Openings here often run wider than the standard residential patio — multi-panel configurations are common where the goal is to open a commercial courtyard or residential entertainment area onto a garden.
Sea-facing properties with direct marine exposure. Salt spray, humidity and wind-driven rain are the dominant environmental factors. Marine-grade powder coating, stainless steel double-bogey rollers and drainage detailing matter more here than anywhere else on the page. Openings often run wider than inland equivalents, with 5 and 7-panel configurations common for full-width patio integration.
Elevated residential areas with more exposure to wind-driven rain than the CBD. Weather sealing, drainage, thicker glass and heavier hardware are more likely to be specified here. Many older homes have non-standard opening sizes — retrofit measurement matters, and custom sizing is typically required rather than a stock size.
Smaller coastal nodes with a mix of permanent homes and holiday properties. Long-term durability and low-maintenance operation matter here, particularly for properties that stand empty for extended periods. Security hardware is often specified higher for the same reason. Smooth rollers that do not bind during humid months are a common consideration.
Questions that come up when specifying a stacking door on the lower South Coast.
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. Maximum leaf width is typically around 900mm, and system heights can be customised up to 3000mm. 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. Corner configurations are also available. The panel count, stack position and corner arrangement are confirmed during the site measure.
Port Shepstone sits on the lower South Coast with direct marine exposure, and that shapes how the door is specified. Marine-grade powder coating is used on the frame finish to resist salt-air corrosion. Track drainage channels, dual-seal EPDM weather gaskets and stainless steel double-bogey rollers are commonly specified for near-coastal properties. For sea-facing openings, glass thickness and frame profile may also be upgraded to suit wind exposure. Regular maintenance — a freshwater rinse every few months — helps remove salt deposits that can build up on the hardware.
Yes — every stacking door system is fabricated to size. Panel count, panel width, stack position and glass specification are all determined by the actual opening, not by a fixed catalogue size. For older Port Shepstone homes with non-standard apertures, the site measure identifies whether the existing opening can be used as-is or needs adjustment. Estate guideline compliance is also confirmed during specification where relevant.
Aluminium stacking doors generally need very little maintenance, though 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 and salt prevents binding. A periodic wipe-down with a damp cloth and mild detergent keeps frames clean. Silicone-based lubricant on rollers and hinges helps with smooth operation. Checking the perimeter and inter-panel seals once a year keeps water and draughts out. The specific hardware fitted determines the exact routine.
Safety glazing is a legal requirement in defined areas under SANS 10400 Part N — including doors, sidelights and glazing within 500mm of the floor. Standard laminated safety glass of 6.38mm thickness is commonly specified for coastal stacking door panels, with thicker laminated or toughened units available where the exposure or acoustic requirement warrants it. Double glazing can be specified for thermal insulation or condensation control. Glass thickness is calculated per pane against wind-loading for the specific elevation and height above grade.
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.
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. Share rough opening dimensions or architectural plans via WhatsApp and 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.
