Replacement of shoji screen
Toward the end of the year, we have received many requests for the replacement of shoji screen・ branes.
Today, I would like to explain about the re-covering of shoji screens.
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First, dust and debris are carefully brushed off.
Since it is usually difficult to clean, if you look closely, you will see that there is a surprisingly large amount of dirt.
If you wipe with water suddenly, the dust will dissolve in the water and become a
This can cause yellowing ・ discoloration after reupholstering, so please be careful.
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Then, clean off the existing paper.
Add water to the braid and let it sit for a while.
Starch glue, which has been used for stretching shoji screens for a long time, is now used as the base material for the starch paste.
If the paper is stretched using starch glue, which has been used to stretch shoji screens for a long time, the paper will peel off smoothly, as shown in the photo.
If you try to peel it off immediately after adding water, the hardened glue will not be sufficiently moistened, and the paper will not be able to be peeled off.
The glue is not loosened, and the paper will easily remain on the kumiko.
Rarely, DIYers use a strong chemical glue like a bond.
In rare cases, shoji paper is applied by DIYers using a strong chemical glue like a bond.
In such cases, it may take several hours to remove a sheet of shoji screen.
shoji screen is designed to be maintained through periodic reupholstering.
The shoji screen is a fixture designed to be maintained by periodic reupholstering.
When DIY, please anticipate the replacement of these fittings!
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Now, after removing the existing shoji paper, the remaining glue on the braid is carefully scraped off.
If there is old glue left on the surface, it will become hard to remove it as time passes after the new shoji paper is applied.
If the old glue remains on the paper, after the new shoji paper is applied, the glue scum will come out and cause yellowing or discoloration only in the braided area.
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After the glue was scraped off, the surface was wiped with water.
As mentioned earlier, even a small amount of dirt can cause discoloration over time.
In any case, carefully remove the stain down to the smallest detail.
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After wiping with water, let dry.
Dry thoroughly.
On rainy or humid days, peel off the old SHOJI PAPER, while it is not dry enough,
If the old shoji paper is peeled off and new shoji paper is laid over it when it is not dry enough, the scum will come out and discolor it.
After drying, glue is applied to the kumiko.
Use the right amount, without pooling or snatching.
After the glue is applied, the paper is stretched.
A sheet of handmade shoji paper is called a 2 x 3 sheet, which is 2 shaku (60 cm) long x 3 shaku (90 cm) wide, and is stretched by joining the sheets together.
Machine-made shoji paper is rolled and stretched seamlessly.
After cutting the overhanging paper, let it dry to complete the process.
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As a side note, these is a common story in older homes, although I used to (PREVIOUSLY) remove the shoji screen and reupholster it myself,
However, as time goes by, the shoji screen can no longer be removed, and the replacement is no longer possible.
In the case of wooden houses, the cause may be that the entire house tilted over the years, or the weight of the second floor lowered the duckway.
In such cases, you can use a jack to push up the duckway and remove the shoji screen.
The removed shoji screen is dimensioned so that it can be removed smoothly.
Also, there is a house where the braid of the SHOJI SCREEN is broken.
I often see houses with broken braids of shoji screens.
If the broken part is missing, add wood and glue it back together.
Now the paper is beautifully tiled again.
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I hope you have learned something about shoji screen reupholstery.
By the way, all the photos of shoji screens we have introduced so far were of wooden bones,
However, many recent detached houses and condominiums have aluminum shoji screens.
Compared to wooden screens, aluminum screens are more durable and do not break bones.
Instead, the number of vertical and horizontal bones is often less than that of wood.
In the case of this type of shoji screen, if you try to reupholster it as it is, the glue allowance area around the perimeter may be too narrow or stepped,
If you try to replace the screen as it is, the glue allowance around the perimeter may be too narrow or there may be bumps.
Aluminum shoji screens have a separate outer frame and braid, so be sure to remove the outer frame and leave the braid alone before applying the paper.
Note that the mechanism for removing this outer frame varies depending on the manufacturer and other factors.
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When reupholstering shoji screens, be careful not to cause yellowing ・ discoloration over time.
Recently, there are many videos on youtube explaining how to reupholster a shoji screen,
If you have the materials and tools at a home improvement center, you can easily and beautifully reupholster the floor to some extent.
It is not so difficult to put up a shoji screen.
However, it is not so easy to maintain the beautiful condition of the new screen for a long time.
As mentioned earlier, yellowing and discoloration occur due to a complex combination of various causes.
Of course, it is not necessary to replace the shoji screen every year, as was the case in the old days.
But if you are going to spend a lot of money and effort to replace your shoji screen, you should do it yourself,
However, if you are going to spend a lot of money and effort on re-covering, it would be ideal to keep it as it is for as long as possible.
Whether you are replacing it yourself or hiring a professional, what kind of work will the company do?
Please check what kind of work the company will do before you order.
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Here are some examples of recent reupholstery work.
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Example 1.
these is an example of new shoji screen production, not replacement.
Most of the wood used for shoji screens in recent homes is imported spruce, which is inexpensive and easy to process.
The bones of traditional shoji screens are often made of cedar, cypress, and other materials, and as time goes by, the wood develops its own flavor or texture.
We are now in the process of replacing our existing spruce shoji screens with Japanese cypress shoji screens.
Some customers wish to replace their existing spruce shoji screens with Japanese cypress shoji screens.
these is an example of a customer’s request for a cypress shoji screen.
The grain of the wood is very beautiful.
The shoji paper is also made from high-grade Japanese paper made from kozo (paper mulberry).
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Second example.
these is the shoji screen of a newly built house, which I introduced in
By using a shoji screen with random braids or multiple layers of paper, you can create a slightly different space.
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Third example.
these is the third example of the replacement with “Warlon Sheet.”
Warlon Sheet” is a material made of Japanese paper laminated from both sides with vinyl chloride resin.
The material is laminated on both sides with vinyl chloride resin.
It does not tear like paper and is very durable.
There are many different types, but the texture is made by mixing natural ligament fibers and straining
The textured one is made by mixing natural ligament fibers.
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Example 4.
these is the same house as the third case.
The aforementioned Warlon sheet differs from regular shoji paper by having its surface laminated,
It is not breathable.
Therefore, its thermal insulation effect is higher than that of paper.
We have luxuriously covered both sides with such Warlon sheets.
these is a tailoring method similar to the one called “taiko-bari”.
Although there is no scientific data comparing this method with the normal one-sided “shoji screen,” we believe that it is definitely more effective in heat insulation.
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The word “reupholstery” refers to the inexpensive machine-made shoji paper,
There are three types of shoji paper: inexpensive machine-made shoji paper, shoji paper with a tear-resistant finish, and machine-made shoji paper made from the same raw materials (kozo) as handmade washi,
handmade shoji paper, and warlon sheets,
There are various types of paper, such as
If you are going to go to the trouble of reupholstering, “I don’t want to have to reupholster it again in two or three years,
If you are thinking, “I don’t want to have to replace it again in a couple of years,” or “I want to make a shoji screen those is a little more special,” we can help,
Please feel free to contact us.
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For more information on shoji screen replacement, please also see here.