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- 1). Measure the space where the screen is needed. Shoji screens can be made for sliding doors, cabinet doors or even free-standing screens. The space where the screen is to be placed will need to be measured to ensure it will fit the area. Use a measuring tape and write down the length and height in inches.
- 2). Draw your design. This design should include the preferred size of rice paper squares, the type of wood and the color of the wood. Wood type, color and texture will change the ultimate appearance of the shoji screen.
- 3). Cut the wood. Traditional shoji screens will be made with hollow bamboo, but other lightweight woods can be used to fit other designs. The frame should measure to the measurements that were previously taken so that the screen will fit. The outer frame should have pieces of wood that are approximately 1 to 2 inches wide. Strips of wood that will make up the inner design should be measured and attached to the frame using wood glue. Typically, these smaller frames will form squares that are exactly equal in size.
- 4). Cut the rice paper to the appropriate square sizes. Most shoji screens will have squares that are approximately 4 inches by 4 inches, though the exact measurements will differ based on the preferred design.
- 5). Attach the rice paper with rice glue. Spray the glue with the water, misting it lightly, and then place the rice paper on the glue. Use a blow dryer to dry the area. The paper will be attached to the wood once it dries.
- 6). Add the elements needed to install the screen. A screen used for a sliding door will need to have sliders added to the bottom. The screen that is free-standing will need two more screens attached with movable pieces so that it can bend and be folded up. The specifics will vary on the project, but most screens will not need more than a few pieces.
- 7). Install the screen. A free-standing screen needs simply to be placed in the desired location. The typical sliding screen will be angled so that the sliders on the top of the screen fit into the appropriate sliders at the door and then pushed into place and angled so that the bottom sliders attach to the bottom. Once the top and bottom sliders are both in, it should slide easily. If it does not slide, remove the screen and try again; usually the absence of sliding indicates that the sliders are not positioned properly.
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