How Sliding Panels Work

The panels are attached to the hangers by Velcro. The Velcro is sewn to the back edge of the panel and the panels are attached by pressing the Velcro on the back of the panel to the other half of the Velcro on the hanger.

The panels are edge bound on all 4 sides. The panels can stretch, so it should not be expected that they will all be exactly the same length. We set a production tolerance of plus or minus ¼” on the length of the panels.

The panels are manufactured to have an overlap with each other. This overlap is about 2 ½”. This means that less light comes through in between the panels and also enhances privacy.

THE TRACK

The panels in the sliding panel system are attached to hangers by Velcro. The hangers run in channels in an aluminum track.

The panels have plastic tabs that hook each other so that when the first panel is pulled, it will engage the next panel and pull it after it.

Based on the number of panels, we use different sized tracks with different numbers of channels for the hangers to run in.

For One Way shades, based on the width of the shade, there will be either 3,4 or 5 panels. These will run in either a 3, 4 or 5 channel track as each hanger needs its own channel. The widths of these tracks vary and are listed in the Specifications page.

For Center Opening shades, based on the width of the shade, there will be either 4 or 6 panels. The 4 panel shade will run in a 4 channel track. The 6 panel shade will run in a 3 channel track (2 panels can run in each channel, as they do no need to pass each other).

We can also make custom panel configurations, up to 8 or 10 panels on a Center Opening. These will run in the 4 channel or 5 channel track.

The wand is attached by a hook to the leading edge of the hanger of the first moving panel. The panels are moved by either pushing or pulling the lead panel with the wand. The last panel is always stationary and is anchored to the end of the track.

BRACKETS

Sliding panels have two types of brackets. The bracket that attaches to the track is a swivel bracket. This bracket is used on its own for top mount applications (inside mount) or with an L bracket for wall mount (outside mount) applications.

For top mount, the swivel bracket is screwed directly into the ceiling or window frame.

For wall mount, the swivel bracket is attached to an L bracket with a nut and bolt and then the L bracket is attached to the wall.