Currently, we provide shoji design consultation services including concept imagery, full specifications, and site prep guidance. For select projects, we may also provide a fabrication quote.

A shoji screen, (pronounced “show-jee”), is a lightweight, translucent panel originally used in Japanese homes to divide up interior space. In traditional installations, shoji screens slide on wooden tracks, top and bottom. A softwood, such as cedar or spruce is used, with a delicate rice paper insert glued to the inner gridwork on one side.

Shoji screens are typically used as window coverings and interior doors. They make good office partitions, skylight covers, cabinet doors and headboards. With their simple clean lines they are a natural for specialty shaped windows — round, arch top or rake windows.

We build our panels from select hardwoods for exceptional durability. Instead of traditional rice paper, we offer a range of long-lasting insert materials including recycled-content options, laminated papers, and fabrics. We use metal tracks for strength and smooth operation, concealed with wood for a traditional look. Each panel is individually hand-crafted: frame members are milled separately for flatness, grids use tight half-lap joinery, and there are no nails in the frame construction. Panels feature a fully visible front and back grid, eased edges, and furniture-quality finishes from hand-rubbed oils to specialty waterborne lacquers. The result is a carefully built, long-lasting shoji installation that is as functional as it is beautiful.

The Design Shoji difference? Careful construction, premium materials and meticulous finishes to assure lasting performance from your panels.

Durable, hidden hardware is a Design Shoji trademark. Your installed shoji should operate smoothly for years to come, whatever installation style you choose. For typical sliding installations we offer an aluminum top track system in clear aluminum, anodized colors, or our exclusive wood-covered units for the durability of metal combined with the beauty of natural wood. A floor guide is optional, either nylon guides or a continuous wooden floor track.

For a more traditional look, we can offer wood top and bottom tracks with a variety of edge and spacing details that will ensure a perfect fit. With our rubber-wheeled sheave system, you can enjoy the look and feel of traditional wood tracks without the high maintenance. Our exclusive low profile track system is only 3/8” – 5/8” tall for a clean, minimalist look.
 Accordion fold, bifold, and shutter style hardware are also available. Need more? Vertical sash movement, telescoping track, and even curved or motorized tracks are offered.


Whatever your hardware requirements, please ask. If it doesn’t exist, we will do our best to design something that will work for you.

Please contact us with the width and height you’d like the panels to cover. Then we can determine the number of panels you need, the best hardware type, and the exact materials you will need

All of our work is custom so if you don’t see what you need, please ask! We design and build all types of architectural panels and hardware systems — that is why our name is DESIGN Shoji. We love creating shoji doors that will satisfy our clients’ unique tastes and wishes.
We’ve built weatherproofed panels for yachts, sound-deadening panels for hotels, black-out panels for schools, interior partitions for hospitals, and acoustically transparent panels for audiophiles. Whether your need is for custom grilles, angled or arched panels, light covers or movable grids, give us a call.

For consultation services, 2-4 weeks.

For fabrication, 10-16 weeks.

Please let us know your delivery needs. We do our best to accommodate your schedule.

We recommend you make arrangements to have the panels picked up at our shop in Northern California. We no longer ship panels due to an unacceptable increase in freight damage.

Installing shoji is similar to putting in sliding closet doors; we suggest a carpenter, handyman or shutter installer. We will work to make sure they understand every detail of the process before the panels are created. We have really fine-tuned long-distance consultations to make sure your panels will fit perfectly.