Opticoat Flexipanels: Creating curves? We’ve got your covered!

We love curves as much as the person around the corner (someone had to say it!). But, let’s be real – we know how challenging they can be for cabinetmakers. And so, we set out to make curves easier.

That’s why we released our Optidoor FlexiPanel a few years ago – the first of its kind in New Zealand, flexible for curves – and a popular solution!

• Our FlexiPanel profiles are the same as our Optidoor & Opticoat linear door profiles, so you can order doors & FlexiPanel in matching profiles.
• Optidoor FlexiPanel is made with HDF (not MDF), and is painstakingly sanded prior to shipping to ensure the best results. HDF means the fibres are smaller and more dense, resulting in less sanding, and it will be easier to lacquer.
• Our profiles are fully customisable – want to increase the flat batten size? Reduce the width of the scallop? Our advanced ordering system gives you full control over your profiles!
• Our profiles are variable width, meaning the profile automatically adjusts to fit perfectly to the size of the panel every time, to avoid ugly flat bits. Each panel is custom made for your order.

Because, we believe that the small details matter.

And now, your FlexiPanel option just got even better with Opticoat, our thermoform product, made using the latest in automated coating technologies from Europe.

Picture this: You’re crafting a curved island. You’ve got a tight timeframe so want to use a pre-finished material instead of lacquering a curve. Opticoat FlexiPanel is available in 9 customisable profiles, with a short lead time of only 6 days.

And then you have some options:

• It can either be supplied as a fully flexible panel (approx. 5-7mm thick, depending on the profile)
• Or, we can manufacture the panel with a 100mm return on the edge, and just a small section of the panel flexible, so that you can wrap the panel around the curve and fit it along the ‘finished end’ of the island, with the 100mm wrap creating a tidy finished end. No need for butting panels up to each other. No tacky joins. Just a perfect curve with a finished, wrapped end panel, all in one. Simple!

Simply build your island base with a curve shape. Cover the curved section with thin-line or flexi-ply to create a solid base to glue the FlexiPanel to when it arrives. When the FlexiPanel arrives, attach using PVA (do not use solvent-based glues for this!).

Normally we recommend a minimum radius of 200mm, but some of the profiles are suitable for tighter curves. Contact us & we can guide you through the process!

Opticoat California Flexipanel Olive Grove Matte, and Latte Matte, with Timbalook Kaikoura shelves

Maximising Every Millimetre: Rethinking the Laundry Layout

A single sided roller door from Sage Doors enables this compact laundry to have everything it needs, including two lightweight fully removable 35L hampers.

Laundry spaces in New Zealand homes are often compressed into hallways or narrow utility zones, where door design can quietly compromise usability. Bi-fold doors project into the room, interrupting circulation and limiting access. Sliding doors can reduce this impact but typically leave one section closed off at any given time. In compact footprints, these small inefficiencies quickly become everyday frustrations.

Sage Doors’ single sided roller door addresses this directly. Designed for tight applications, it requires just 25mm on each side for the track, allowing the full opening to remain accessible without encroaching into the space. The result is a more usable, unobstructed laundry zone where circulation and access are not compromised by the door itself.

In this 1540mm wide laundry, that efficiency makes a tangible difference. The layout accommodates a washer and dryer, a compact sink, and integrated storage, demonstrating how considered product selection can unlock full functionality within a limited footprint. A Blum pull out shelf beneath the dryer adds a practical working surface without increasing the overall space required.

The laundry hampers make a difference too!

Also featured is the Concelo Laundry Hamper, designed to fit behind a 450mm wide door front. It includes two lightweight, fully removable 35L hampers, providing everything needed for efficient laundry sorting within a compact space.

Each hamper is designed to support better laundry conditions. Integrated ventilation promotes airflow, allowing damp fabrics to dry naturally. A solid base contains any residual moisture, protecting surrounding cabinetry. Moulded from virgin polypropylene, the hampers are durable, fully recyclable, and will not rust over time.

Like all Concelo products, the unit incorporates the Clip’n’Clean tray. This fully removable tray removes the common dirt trap between the hamper frame and door front, allowing the area to be wiped clean with ease and maintaining a higher standard of hygiene within the cabinet.

Finished in Timbalook Rangitoto and Opticoat Vanilla Cupcake with inset handles, the space remains simple and considered, proof that careful design decisions, not additional space, often deliver the best result.

Opticoat®: the Thermoform Solution

When Sage Doors first set out to make Opticoat® thermoform doors nearly 4 years ago, they knew the market needed some solutions. What transpired was 2.5 years of research & development, a factory extension, and investing into a world-class fully automated system.

Now, 18 months after we introduced Opticoat® to the market, it is proving to be well-loved by cabinetmakers who are choosing to use it. Why? Because it provides the solutions they have been wanting.

Short 6-day lead time: We work hard to keep our lead times short. After your order is placed, processing begins right away, with our normal lead time being 6 days. A large percentage of orders in our factory leave prior to their scheduled dispatch date. We invested in a Wenhomer 3000 Series Press (ie, the top of the range press) along with a fully automated line for the full process. We’re committed to short lead times & have the machinery, processes & team to support it.

Extra-long panels: Opticoat® is available up to 3100mm long – let’s face it, what kitchens are limited to 2400 high in 2026?! We can press 3100 long for your long panel requirements, suitable for both tall end panels, or wide bar back panels.

tall panels at 3100 long

End panel wrap options: We have different application types for different design needs – 100mm wrap for fixed end panels, or variable wrap which ensures that you can have a fully wrapped end panel with no joins on the back.

Flexipanel for curves – Flexible panels are available in the same linear door profiles, for ease of consistency across your design. Our Flexipanels are available either as a fully flexible panel (approx. 4-6mm thick, depending on the profile), or can be supplied flexible for the curved section, with the rest of the panel 18mm thick with fully wrapped ends, for ease of installation and to ensure a seamless finish with no joins (if you’ve experienced this, you’ll know how helpful this is!).

curves can be used on islands, but or for this coffee nook arch

18mm and 22mm thick doors: 22mm thick doors feel that little bit classier – but that’s not all! Using a specialised HDF substrate from Europe, the 22mm can also help reduce bowing, and, when required, ensure enough depth for a door straightener to easily be fitted. We recommend 22mm for large doors, that are more prone to bowing.

Variable thickness: We can build up any thickness end panels that you require. 150mm chunky island end panels? No problem, and they can easily be ordered online.

Three handle styles – Opticoat® handles are unique to our range, with our J-Handle being our all-in-one handle-less look, with no backing rail required in the cabinet. The Inset Handle option gives you the ability to customise the position and length of the handle section. And our Profile Handle features a gentle scallop along the edge of the door for a subtle yet grippy finger pull.

Seamlessly integrated handles

Get in touch with Sage Doors for more information and samples!

Earlier this year, we announced the launch of Opticoat® – our thermoformed door products, made using the latest in automated coating technology from Europe.

Today, we are excited to further expand these opportunities with our newest addition, the Opticoat Handles.

Opticoat Handles are available in 3 different style options:

Profile Handle: Featuring a sleek and subtle ‘shark nose’ detail along the full edge, available on both 18mm and 22mm thick door styles. The Profile Handle requires the use of a backing rail in the cabinet, which does reduce the capacity of the drawer, which is why we also have the…

Sage Doors Opticoat Profile Handle Almond Matte

J Handle: The J Handle is a handy all-in-one option for maximising drawer capacity. As no backing rail required in the carcass, it provides the seamless handle-less look, with full use of the drawer space. This handle is only available on 22mm thick doors.

Sage Doors Opticoat J Handle with Opticoat 22mm Texas Vanilla Cupcake Satin

Inset Handle: The Inset Handle is similar to the J Handle, but the length and position is fully adjustable. This makes it perfect for tall doors (you can set the handle length and position), vanities (you can have a left & right door, with the handle meeting in the middle) and doors where you want a custom width handle. This handle is only available on 22mm thick doors.

Sage Doors Opticoat inset handle Opticoat Texas 22mm Milk Satin

These 3 different handle options can either be used on their own, or used together throughout the project. For example, on a kitchen with J Handles, the top drawer front could have a Profile Handle on the bottom edge, with the J Handle below creating the backing rail element required. And then the Inset Handles could be customised as required for the tall cabinets.

The Opticoat® handle options can be used on a flat door or frame profiles, but are not suitable for linear profiles.

Opticoat is available up to 3100 long in all of our profiles, with options for full return panels with no join lines in the back of the panel. If you’d like samples of the product, or would like to learn more, get in touch with our team!

Many online ordering systems are off-the-shelf generic solutions that are customised to suit the company using it.

Not so with Sage Doors! We have a team of dedicated in-house software developers, who work full time on developing our online ordering portal and other company software. We spend this huge investment to create a system that you can love and is intuitive to use – because we value your time & experience!

If you’ve ever wished ordering cabinetry doors could be more transparent, Sage Doors has made it a reality. Our easy online ordering system gives you complete control — from selecting your door style, materials and dimensions, right through to the ability to custom programming any routing and drilling that you need. Essentially, like programming your own CNC, with zero investment required.

Designed for cabinetmakers, by cabinetmakers.

Our online portal has been developed specifically for kitchen manufacturers, with flexibility in mind:

• Log in anytime to create a new order or duplicate a previous one.
• Available on your computer, tablet or phone.
• Choose from our full range of door styles, colours, and finishes.
• Customise Optidoor and Opticoat profiles as required.
• 3D render shows of exactly what you’re ordering, including live updates as you adjust drilling, routing & customise profiles.
• Enter exact dimensions and see instant pricing.
• Option to import files from Cabinet Vision, Mozaik, Microvellum or CSV files to auto-populate your order.
• Auto-save feature, so if you accidentally close your browser, your changes won’t be lost.

Once you’ve placed your order, our team will check your order & send through an order confirmation &/or invoice. A shipment notification will be sent when your order is despatched, along with a link for you to use for tracking.

Whether you’re ordering a single replacement door or a full kitchen’s worth, our system makes it just as simple. There are no minimum order quantities. Just order what you need, when you need it.

Short lead times.

Efficiency and quick delivery times are important for us! Here’s what you can typically expect:

• Optidoor – 4 days
• Opticoat – 6 days
• Edged Doors (stock colours) – 4 days
• Non-stock colours – subject to material lead times
• Roller Doors – 4 days + material lead times

Contact us today if you’re a cabinetmaker & would like to set up a trade account.

July 2025

Sage Doors recently announced the launch of Timbalook® Ohakune and Papamoa – a product featuring the multi-award-winning Master Oak product from Unilin in Belgium.

Joining Sage Doors’ already established and well-loved Timbalook® range, Timbalook® Papamoa and Ohakune are an answer to what cabinetmakers and designers have been asking for – more colours in the Timbalook® range! When we first saw the Ohakune and Papamoa colours in Belgium before their official release, we immediately knew that we needed to add them to our range.

Timbalook® Ohakune and Papamoa are a veneer alternative, featuring the look and feel of a natural timber veneer, but with a more durable surface and greater colour stability than that of a veneer.

Every cabinetmaker will have experienced the stress of replacing an oak veneer door. Trying to get the veneer colour to match can add a lot of stress to an install. Timbalook® gives you a natural veneer look, without the colour matching stress of natural veneer – replacements are quick, simple and easy.

The Timbalook® range is highly scratch resistant and durable, making it ideal for busy family homes & commercial spaces, where you need a beautiful timber look with extra durability. The product is made using the same technology as the Quick Step laminate flooring – a product that is known for its durability.

The Timbalook® product features an extra-large sheet size of 2800x2070mm to allow for large panels, wall paneling, and horizontal grain options. The range is also available with our Shapes, Handles & Angles, including Profile Handles, Angled Edges, thick panels & shaped parts. With curves so popular in design, an HPL laminate is also available to make manufacturing curves easier.

The Timbalook® range is available with a quick four-day lead time all year around and can also be supplied pre-drilled for added convenience. Our online ordering software enables you to import Cabinet Vision, Microvellum, and Mozaik files, to auto-populate your order with all the drilling and routing as per your design. Alternatively, drilling can also easily be added online using our adjustable templates. Many cabinetmakers are choosing to order doors pre-drilled to save time during assembly.

The Timbalook® range is priced at an accessible price-point, typically lower than that of an acrylic product. With nine colours available, at a fraction of the cost, time and headache of a natural veneer, but with the same natural look and feel, the Timbalook® will help you finish your kitchens faster, with a lower cost & less stress.

Get in touch with Sage Doors for samples!

Bringing Nature Indoors

For years, cabinetmakers in NZ have been asking Sage Doors for a premium coated door product; in March 2025, after 2.5 years of development and research, Sage Doors launched Opticoat® – coated profile doors made using the latest in automated coating technologies from Europe.

Sage Doors recently shared the release of their latest product: New Zealand’s newest coated profile doors, aptly named Opticoat® to represent what it is: coated profile doors with options.

“Opticoat is the culmination of a long journey of R&D, with collaboration from global experts, to create a product that the industry has been asking us for the past 10 years. Coated doors offer a greater durability over a lacquered finish, with the added benefit of the product having shorter lead times and being easy to replace if a door is damaged during install,” says Sage Doors Operations Manager, Lydia Posthuma.

“We’re not here to imitate, we’re here to innovate. We’re doing things a bit differently. Our profiles are different, our colour range is different, and our machinery is different. Very different!”.

And, those differences are a good thing – read on to learn more!

The manufacturing process: Opticoat® doors are coated in a new state-of-the-art facility, featuring a fully automated system from Europe. The system is also in a controlled environment, to enable fine control over all aspects of production.

The Door Profiles: Opticoat® features a range of 27 door profiles and 5 edge profiles, similar to that of the existing Optidoor range. All of the profiles can be customized to the needs of your design, by adjusting the frame sizes, adding mid-rails, and even customizing the linear profiles to suit your desired profile. In the same way as the Optidoor profiles, the linear profiles are also ‘variable width’, meaning that the profile will automatically adjust to fit to the size of the panel, to avoid any ugly flat bits on the edges of your panel.

Taking coated doors to new heights: Opticoat® is available at 3100mm long, for added flexibility in your designs.

Double Sided Panels: Double sided panels are available, with options for either a fixed 100mm return (suitable for fixed end panels) or a variable return, where you can order the depth of the return according to the needs of your design.

The Colour Range: Opticoat® is available in a range of 23 colours across satin, texture, matte, gloss and woodgrain finishes. The matte surface is a new development internationally, for added resistance and durability.

Profile Handles: Opticoat® is available with 3 integrated handle options, ensuring the product is also suitable for handle-less modern designs.

With Opticoat® already being used in homes around New Zealand, the feedback has been positive. “It’s actually really good!” says Jimmy the Joiner, a cabinetmaker who was among the first to order the new product. “We’re really happy with the finish & love our new doors!” says Nick, who used the product in his own home during the testing phase.

Sage Doors is excited to continue expanding the Opticoat® range and listening to the needs of cabinetmakers around New Zealand. For more information or samples, contact Sage Doors.

This durable, pre-coated cabinet door range boasts customisable profiles and increased panel length for true design freedom.

The release of Sage Doors’ newest collection, Opticoat, is a big moment for cabinetmakers and interior designers alike.

“Cabinetmakers around New Zealand have been asking us to manufacture this product for over 10 years. Now, after two and a half years of development, including building extra factory space and commissioning custom machinery from Europe, we’re finally releasing Opticoat!” Sage Doors Operations Manager, Lydia Posthuma, says.

One of the key reasons this Kiwi family-owned business has been so successful is their proactive approach to industry feedback. By listening to the needs of local cabinetmakers, the Sage Doors team has been able to find solutions that re-define how coated doors are perceived and manufactured.

The new Opticoat range is a great example. Offering a selection of contemporary, traditional, and custom profiles pre-coated with a durable pre-finished coating, cabinetmakers can simply order and install without worrying about damage or drying time. It’s also available in 23 colours with the choice of satin, texture, woodgrain, gloss, and matte finishes for design flexibility.

“Opticoat doors are available with a standard door thickness of either 18mm or 22mm thick. 22mm gives a sense of style and class to your design and physically helps to keep the door straighter, especially for narrower door frame styles. Thicker options are also available for end panels and shelves, when required.”

“When Sage Doors started 40 years ago, we were only manufacturing ‘flat’ doors with no profiles,” Lydia explains. “We then added paintable profile doors to our collection, which gave cabinetmakers a larger range to choose from. Now, with the addition of Opticoat, cabinetmakers can order pre-coated doors with a great range of profiles, making their installs — and lives — easier.”

A fully-automated manufacturing process.

To achieve the quality and finish they wanted for the Opticoat range, Sage Doors commissioned custom machinery from Europe. With no space in their existing factory, Sage Doors built an additional wing to fit the new production line. This purpose-built space is temperature-controlled year-round, ensuring a consistent product.

“The process to create Opticoat includes 16 phases, all automated, allowing us to control every detail of production,” Lydia says.

“Opticoat’s durable coating doesn’t chip easily like a traditional lacquer surface typically would, which is a great advantage for cabinetmakers. Our new manufacturing facilities also mean we can manufacture panels up to 3.1 metres long, opening up a whole world of design possibilities. Every profile is fully customisable when ordering, so if you like the look of one of our traditional designs but want to tweak it slightly to fit your space, you totally can!”

Breathtaking interior design is a composite of small moments — a unique texture on a kitchen cabinet paired with an elegant stone benchtop. Standalone, these elements may seem simple, but together they paint an intriguing picture that lingers long after you leave the space. By expanding their offering to give cabinetmakers, interior designers, and homeowners the option to customise their cabinet doors, Sage Doors are facilitating the creation of truly memorable spaces.

Sage Doors’ new Opticoat collection is exactly what cabinet-makers want.

Opticoat is made using the latest in Automated coating technologies from Europe. The process is fully automated from start to finish, to ensure fine control in every aspect of production to ensure consistency from start to finish.

With 27 customisable profiles, 23 colours in a range of satin, texture, woodgrain, gloss and matte available, there is something to suit every design.

With the ability to press panels at 3100mm long, we’re taking coated panels to new heights.

Sage Doors: Opening Opportunities to Current Trends

It’s always exciting to share with you the latest trends from around the world of kitchen design. Recently, I had the amazing opportunity to attend Salone del Mobile (Eurocucina) and visit a number of our suppliers in Europe. My travels were full of ideas, design, products and the latest trends in kitchen and interior design!

Let me fill you in on some of the key trends that stood out, including timber, texture, lines, curves, colour, and matte finishes. While these elements are not completely new, they’re continuing to be a key focus in current design trends internationally.

Let’s dive into how Sage Doors can help you incorporate these trends into your kitchen designs.

Timber and Textures: Bringing Nature Indoors

Nature-inspired design is still having a major moment. Timber and veneer, in particular, is in high demand, and it’s all about creating that warm, organic feel. Our Timbalook range is perfect for this trend. It offers a natural-looking synchronised picture and texture, making it an excellent and durable alternative to veneer. When you want to incorporate a curve into your design with a woodgrain, our flexible 1mm laminate option in Timbalook Ruakaka and Kaikoura makes it simple! Whether you’re working with high ceilings or horizontal grains, the large sheet size of 2800×2070 makes Timbalook an easy solution.

Textures are another big hit, with woodgrains, concretes, and stones all creating this feel. Our Lookcrete product is a great solution for this. It provides a natural-looking concrete texture with a hand-trowelled finish. It is durable and simple to work with, making it a practical solution for everyday use.

Lines and Curves: A Modern Aesthetic

Linear profiles and curves continue to dominate interior design, with many arched windows, softly curved walls, and curves throughout kitchen design. These profiles add an organic or modern vibe to a space, depending on the profile used. Our Optidoor range is the perfect solution for this trend. Both doors and flexible panels are available in the same customisable profiles­­­ to keep a consistent look across the design, and make it easy for the cabinetmaker.

Colour: Bold and Organic

When it comes to colour, think bold or organic! There’s a surge in vibrant hues like dusk pink, burnt orange, dark green, teal, blue, and yellow, as well as varying tones of greige and warm off-white tones. Imagine a kitchen where the benchtop, doors, handles, taps, and splashback are colour-blocked in one striking colour. It might not be your taste, but it sure provides a statement & personality to your design!

At Sage® Doors, we’re all about opening opportunities for you to keep ahead of the curve with the latest trends. Whether it’s through our versatile Timbalook range, the unique yet familiar tones of Lookcrete, or the customisable Optidoor profiles, we’re committed to providing you with top-quality, trend-forward products that help keep you on top of design trends!

Here’s to creating beautiful, modern spaces!

The latest innovation in kitchen and laundry storage solutions pays tribute to the past, but features an innovative new design, showcasing a slick, contemporary look.

When roller kitchen doors are mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind might be the clunky wooden doors of our grandparents’ era, which were often an undesirable feature of the kitchen space and sounded similar to a train making its way down the track when being opened or shut.

But the latest iteration of roller doors has very little in common with its predecessors. Sage Doors’ roller doors have been redesigned and updated to reflect contemporary kitchen and laundry design, and feature a seamless aesthetic that makes them an incredibly practical and beautiful addition to any interior.

“We have redesigned them and they’re now seamless and blend into the space,” shares Sage Doors’ Lydia Posthuma, “and they’re also a lot smoother and quieter to operate.”

The design offers a great space-saving solution in any space where easy accessibility is required. Roller Doors offer a great alternative to bi-fold doors, which swipe across the bench top and can make it difficult to access wall sockets or appliances.

“As a space-efficient alternative to a scullery space, many people are choosing to have under-bench drawers and then a wide roller door that comes down to the benchtop. This creates a space up to two metres wide for your appliances on the benchtop, and all your cooking and baking ingredients within each reach.”

This kind of set-up, whereby you can have your kettle right on the bench, for example, and roll the door up or down to access the space, is a great space-saving solution, especially in smaller kitchens. It’s becoming more and more popular with customers, who are now considering integrating roller doors into their kitchen designs.

“When people don’t realise what roller doors are and they haven’t considered using them they think they’re very old-fashioned. But when you explain the new stuff and the finishes available, people start opening up their mind to new possibilities.”

The design offers a great space-saving solution in any space where easy accessibility is required. Roller Doors offer a great alternative to bi-fold doors, which swipe across the bench top and can make it difficult to access wall sockets or appliances.

“As a space-efficient alternative to a scullery space, many people are choosing to have under-bench drawers and then a wide roller door that comes down to the benchtop. This creates a space up to two metres wide for your appliances on the benchtop, and all your cooking and baking ingredients within each reach.”

This kind of set-up, whereby you can have your kettle right on the bench, for example, and roll the door up or down to access the space, is a great space-saving solution, especially in smaller kitchens. It’s becoming more and more popular with customers, who are now considering integrating roller doors into their kitchen designs.

“When people don’t realise what roller doors are and they haven’t considered using them they think they’re very old-fashioned. But when you explain the new stuff and the finishes available, people start opening up their mind to new possibilities.”

Customisation of roller doors

Sage Doors’ roller doors can be made in any colour, in all standard cabinetry materials, such as melamine, lacquer, acrylic and any solid timber.

“Normally we would recommend that they are made in the same material as the cabinetry, so that they blend in seamlessly,” says Lydia.

For commercial applications, Sage Doors has also created an anodised aluminium option.

“Aluminium can be really good for commercial spaces – in shops, airports and schools. A lot of commercial spaces want that seamless space-saving door.”

Sage Doors’ anodised aluminium doors have also been specified for a unique project, for a company who needed discreet doors for apple-packing machines, “we made aluminium roller doors for the machines that went all over the world, which was completely different to how you’d usually use them in a kitchen.”

Installation & cost of roller doors

Installation of roller doors is far easier than many other types of space-saving doors. Essentially, the hardware gets screwed onto the carcass sides, or the wall on either side of the opening.

Nothing is mounted to the top of the cabinet, the spot just needs to be square and straight. The installer screws the tracks and brackets onto either side, and then the door itself clips in. Some tension is given to the roller and then the door is simply pulled down the tracks and the handle is screwed on. As everything is made-to-measure, it should be a quick process.

Each door is custom-made to measurement by Sage Doors to ensure it fits the spot perfectly.

In addition to being practical, seamless and easy to install, they’re also very reasonably priced in comparison to pocket-door solutions, which are often used for space-saving solutions.

“When a very large roller door is specified, people get the quote and they often ask ‘Is that all?’”

Written by the Archipro Editorial Team