
Frequently Asked Questions
What are shoji screens? ("show-gee")
The beauty of Shoji screens originated in Japan as lightweight, wood framed panels used primarily as sliding doors and room dividers. Initially, Shoji contained a grid on one side with a thin paper, which was replaced every Japanese New Year, glued to the back of the screens.
Cherry Tree Design has enhanced the charm of the original shoji designs with the utilization of solid American hardwoods and durable, washable facings. Our Shoji feature double sided grid, which may be removed for cleaning or to change the facing.
What is the most cost effective and quality-conscious way to build shoji?
Cherry Tree Design has been building and improving shoji design for over fifteen years and offers the following benefits over "home-built" shoji:
- We are familiar with the construction of shoji screens, so we save you and your contractor time and money by eliminating overrun on construction time and materials.
- Cherry Tree Design has perfected shoji craftsmanship and finishes, providing you with greater satisfaction in the finished product.
- Our design staff has done extensive research in order to provide our customers with a wide array of facings, grid styles and hardwoods, thereby saving our customers from doing costly investigative work.
- Shoji built by Cherry Tree Design frees the contractor's time and energy to do what he is best qualified for - overseeing construction.
How does Cherry Tree Design make its sliding doors and screens?
All our products are handcrafted in Bozeman, Montana. We hand-select the finest grade of solid American hardwoods - cherry, maple, walnut, oak and mahogany - for the frames of our doors. These woods are commonly found in the American home or office and, with their beautiful, natural grain and color, they offer an artistic element. In addition, we can source other hardwoods that are specified for a project, and develop custom finishing solutions to blend seamlessly with other elements of your interior.
Each piece of wood is selected for its straightness. Once the framework is cut close to the specified dimensions, it is then machined on special equipment to the final dimension, thus achieving maximum flatness. These critical steps allow for the least amount of bowing.
Matching hardwood is then chosen for the grid. Each grid piece is cut and sanded within 3 thousandths of an inch. Carefully milled pieces slide tightly into the half lap joints that hold the grid together.
Our shoji screens are carefully hand-sanded to eliminate cross-grain scratches and achieve a smooth finish. Next, two to three coats of furniture quality lacquer are applied with more hand sanding between each coat. The result is a furniture-quality satin finish.
Cherry Tree Design offers an extraordinary variety of durable, beautiful facings to complement its hardwoods, including vinyl backed papers, encapsulated papers, fiberglass, and acrylics. Samples of the facings can be ordered for your review.
Cherry Tree Design's attention to detail and supportive customer service team has earned us accolades from our customers.
What sets Cherry Design apart from other shoji and sliding door makers?
- Made in the USA
- Professional and timely service
- Design support to create the look that will best meet your project's requirements
- Solid American hardwoods, hand-selected for the best grain and color
- Furniture-quality finishes
- Exceptional, gapless joinery
- Removable back grid that allows for ease of changing the facing
- Strong custom packaging
- On-time delivery
- Line of complementary lighting by Cherry Tree Design
How much do Cherry Tree Design shoji screens cost?
Each shoji screen is made to be a beautiful, timeless investment in your home. The cost of shoji screens is comparable to the price of quality shutters or custom drapery. Our custom sliding doors and shoji are custom-built to fit your opening. To give you an idea of price, a standard 5' wide Patio Door opening covered by 2 custom screens would start at $649 per screen, plus tracking. Upper hanging track with matching wood trim typically costs $25 per linear foot.
Starting at just $399 per door for a 3-door set, Cherry Tree Design stock shoji are ideal for closet doors, room dividers, pocket doors or patio door coverings. 96” stock shoji is a perfect solution for a high ceiling room or large commercial space. Choose from a variety of styles and durable facing options. Over 90 different shoji packages are offered and include everything you need for installation.
How is my order shipped?
We are particular about making certain that you receive your product undamaged and on time. All screens are carefully packaged and shipped via a reputable trucking service.
How long will it take?
Our typical turn-around time is 4-8 weeks, with the added benefit of gauranteed delivery dates. Our customers have been pleased with the service and timely delivery we provide.
How to Use Sliding Doors and Shoji
"Shoji, a hallmark of Japanese interior
design, goes well with any decor."
— A Japanese Touch for Your Home by Koji Yagi.
We have shoji screens for a variety of uses in many American interiors: homes, offices, healthcare facilities, yachts, hotels, restaurants, and retail stores.
Moveable shoji screens are an easy and tasteful way to change the size, look, and shape of a room. Shoji screens provide solutions for many design problems. They are perfect for room dividers, window coverings, pocket doors, closet doors and freestanding screens. In addition, Cherry Tree Design makes hinged passage doors with the clean look of shoji.
Translucent sliding doors provide an easy and tasteful way to transform the size and shape of the room without the use of solid walls - allowing for light to transcend throughout the space.
Our shoji screens can be made in the style of Craftsman, Asian or Contemporary with the grid style that you select. Our design staff can assist you to make certain that your screens match or complement existing design elements in your home.
How to Install Sliding Doors & Shoji
Typically your contractor will install the screens. If you are handy, you may also be able to complete the installation steps. The panels are shipped with installation instructions and the required mounting hardware. Installing shoji is similar to putting in sliding closet doors.
How to Order Sliding Doors & Shoji Screens
Browsing through our Shoji | Doors | Partitions Gallery will give you some great ideas of the many options and applications for our sliding doors and shoji screens.

The best place to start designing your sliding door project is our online design tool,
Space Creator.
Our innovative, easy-to-use visualizer will help get your project up and running in just a few minutes. Space Creator allows you to quickly compare our in-stock packages and custom sliding doors to generate real-time, accurate representations of your vision.
- Once you've designed and customized your door system, just find the "Quote" button in the My Project panel to review a summary of your project.
- If you are designing a stock door project, you'll have the opportunity to place your order online through our secure checkout area.
- For custom projects, just submit the quote sheet to us through the online submission form, and we'll get back to you quickly to finalize the details of your project and provide you with a quote.
If you need more detailed help in selecting the shoji package for your application you may download our Measuring and Ordering Guide (below) for stock shoji to help familiarize yourself with the options available.
For detailed specifications of custom sliding doors and shoji screens, and for projects not covered in the Space Creator, download our Specifier's Guide (below), which outlines how to measure your opening, how sliding doors and shoji screens are constructed and grid options.
Once you've measured the area(s) you'd like to cover, you may submit your information via our online quote form. A Cherry Tree Design customer service representative will respond in a timely manner with a quote based on the information you've provided.
Following acceptance of the quote, we will have you, or your contractor, take exact measurements of the openings. With the final measurements and choices of wood and facing, we will finalize the cost of your project. A contract, outlining all details, will be sent to you for approval. Construction of your shoji will begin once the signed contract and deposit have been received.

