L.E. Johnson Announces Movable Wall PanelsMovable Walls: Change Your Floorplan in Minutes

While the walls of your home still can't talk, they can move – thanks to advances in track technology and new thinking about how living spaces can be defined. The result is rooms that can serve multiple purposes and be virtually redesigned by simply sliding a wall panel.

"American families' lifestyles often change, whether it's a life change such as a teen going off to college or just a day-to-day change like wanting an open kitchen for a special party," says Steve Johnson, Vice President of L.E. Johnson Products, Inc. "Demand is growing for homes that are more flexible and easier to adapt to changing space needs."

Sliding and pocket doors have long been the architectural solution of choice for small spaces where a swinging door would be in the way. Now, homeowners and designers are applying that concept of convenience to more expansive spaces, using the latest hardware technology – capable of moving multiple 300-pound panels – to increase floorplan flexibility.

L.E. Johnson

"Sliding panels of wood, metal, glass or fabric are becoming popular design tools for multi-use spaces," Johnson says. "For example, in a urban loft, characterized by great open spaces and uninterrupted visual flow, you may choose to place sliding panels between kitchen and living room spaces as an alternative to a half wall or pass through. The panels could be left open for buffet style entertaining that requires an open flow and closed to create a more intimate space at other times."

Sliding wall panels are also useful in defining spaces in the large, open floorplans popular in modern home design. In a finished basement, sliding panels are an easy, versatile alternative to fixed walls. Panels can be used to open a basement rec room for parties. Or they can create privacy and division when the room is being used for two different purposes at once – such as a home office for parents and a play area for children.

Finally, improvements in the hardware that moves sliding doors have mitigated concerns over sticking and track jumping. Johnson's Series 200MD Multi Pass Hardware, for example, offers a track system that can handle individual door panels weighing up to 300 pounds with widths up to 48 "each and prepackaged in a set of three. The hardware can also be ordered up to accommodate four panels side-by-side in a space. (Track lengths up to 192") Special orders are available. The Series 200 MD comes with a lifetime guarantee and comes with a heavy duty extruded aluminum I-beam track, four wheel ball bearing hangers with 1 "wheels and a heavy duty guide with steel reinforced nylon posts. To learn more, visit www.johnsonhardware.com and click on Multi Pass Hardware to learn about the Series 200 MD or call 800-837-5664.

"This modern track technology, and new thinking about how to use movable walls, can help a family ensure they don't outgrow their floorplan as their lifestyle needs change," Johnson says.