By Stephani L. Miller
Homeowners' desire for greater flexibility between indoor and outdoor spaces is driving demand for larger window and door openings that allow for unobstructed views and access to the outdoors, a trend that is spurring the expansion of the multi-panel sliding and folding door category. Offering an alternative to installing several separate patio doors in a row, multi-panel doors utilize a series of hinged or sliding panels to completely open up a broad expanse of wall. Each panel slides or folds against its neighbor, typically stacking at the end of the door opening or disappearing into a wall pocket.
The category is experiencing a growth spurt as companies such as Jeld-Wen, Weather Shield, Marvin Windows & Doors, Loewen, and Eagle Windows & Doors/Vista Pointe have entered the multi-panel door market.
With the exception of Nana Wall Systems, the category originator that has been offering these systems for more than a decade, multi-panel sliding or folding doors have been previously primarily available through custom shops. To make these premium-style products more mainstream and feasible from a volume manufacturing standpoint, a few companies have standardized their multi-panel door systems' features and options rather than offering full custom design and fabrication.
 Creating a barrier-free interplay between indoor and outdoor spaces, multi-panel sliding and folding door systems are an in-demand feature for high-end homes. |
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