No verticals in the grid...?

Although shoji are typically lightweight translucent doors with an inner interwoven horizontal and vertical grids unit, this project required a sliding panel with no verticals. 

As a result, oversized horizontals were needed.

Closely spaced horizontals were mortised into each end stile to create these extra large 6' wide x 10' tall doors.

 As you can imagine, the 1 x 1-1/4" grid members used resulted in the heaviest doors we have ever built, but this was necessary to keep them flat and structurally sound over time.  These sliding doors gave a sense of privacy while still allowing views of the garden beyond.

Commercial sliding hardware on the top and bottom was used for ease of operating these doors, each weighing about 200 pounds. Rift sawn white oak was chosen for strength and added beauty.