Hufcor Operable Walls: Replacement & Spec Alternatives
Modernfold has the ability to meet or exceed any Hufcor spec or product.
Hufcor Inc. stopped manufacturing at its Janesville, Wisconsin plant in 2021 and entered receivership in 2022. Panelfold Inc. of Miami stopped manufacturing in November 2019. Both companies' North American operations have closed. LG2 services and replaces existing Hufcor and Panelfold walls.
Specifying or replacing a Hufcor wall? Modernfold offers equivalent or better performance in 3" and 4" folding panel walls and acoustic glass, specified and installed by LG2, LLC, a Modernfold authorized distributor in Grand Rapids, across Michigan.
Modernfold has designed and built operable walls since 1925 and offers a full range of solid panel and glass operable walls. When a project names Hufcor, in a specification or on an existing wall, Modernfold Acousti-Seal® panels and Modernfold glass walls match the configuration and meet or exceed the published STC.
The same goes for older Moderco and Panelfold operable walls. Just like with Hufcor, replacing the panels and keeping the existing track is an option: new Modernfold panels go on the existing overhead track, so the ceiling stays closed.
Company status, with dated sources, is in our Hufcor and Panelfold replacement options guide.
This page covers two situations:
- Replacing an existing Hufcor wall (or a Moderco or Panelfold wall) with a Modernfold system.
- Finding the Modernfold equivalent for a spec written around a Hufcor configuration or STC rating.
Replacing an existing Hufcor wall with Modernfold
Owners usually replace an older operable wall during a renovation: the room program has changed, the space needs more (or different) sound control, the owner wants glass, or the finishes no longer suit the room. There are two ways to replace a Hufcor operable partition with Modernfold, and both work for Moderco and Panelfold walls too.
Panel replacement with track retrofit
New Modernfold panels are retrofitted to your existing Hufcor overhead track, so the ceiling does not need to be opened up. It is a significant cost savings compared with full-system replacement, with no ceiling demolition and far less mess, and the job stays cleaner, faster and less disruptive.
Moderco or Panelfold wall? Replacing the panels and keeping the existing track is an option with Moderco and Panelfold walls as well, the same way it works for Hufcor.
- Significant cost savings compared with full-system replacement
- No ceiling demolition
- Less mess and disruption in the building
- A shorter install
Full system replacement
The existing track and panels are both replaced with a complete Modernfold system (track, trolleys, panels and seals) designed for the opening. This is the route when the existing track isn't suitable, or when the renovation changes the layout, stack location or operation.
LG2 evaluates the condition of the existing track first, then recommends the option that fits the wall.
- 01
Survey the opening
LG2 records the opening width and height, the stack location and pocket, and the ceiling and structure above the existing track.
- 02
Evaluate the existing track
LG2 checks the condition of the existing overhead track first. That decides whether new panels can be retrofitted to it or the track should be replaced, with the structural engineer confirming support for the new wall.
- 03
Choose configuration, STC and finish
Single or paired panels, or glass, selected for today's room program rather than simply copying the old wall.
- 04
Remove and install
The old panels come out and new Modernfold panels go in, on the retrofitted existing track or on new track, followed by adjustment and owner training.
More on structure in our guide to operable wall overhead support and beam deflection.
Architect's guide: Modernfold equivalents to common Hufcor spec types
Find the Hufcor series in your spec or on the existing wall, then match the configuration, operation and STC. Earlier Hufcor model numbers are listed under each series.
| Hufcor model | Type | Hufcor published STC | Modernfold equivalent | Modernfold published STC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series 631Earlier: 5600R, 5604R, 6603, 6604 | 3" individual (omni) panels, manual | 41, 43, 47, 49, 51 | Acousti-Seal® Premier® or Legacy™ single panel (3") | Premier™ 28 / 47 / 50 · Legacy™ 50 / 52 |
| Series 632Earlier: 5500R, 5504R, 6503, 6504 | 3" paired panels, manual | 41, 43, 47, 49, 51 | Acousti-Seal® Premier® or Legacy™ paired panel (3") | Premier™ 28 / 47 / 50 · Legacy™ 50 / 52 |
| Series 641Earlier: 6600, 6700, 7600, 7700 | 4" individual (omni) panels, manual | 43, 47, 49, 52, 54, 55, 56 | Acousti-Seal® Encore® single panel (4") | 52 / 54 / 56 |
| Series 642Earlier: 6500, 7500 | 4" paired panels, manual | 43, 47, 49, 52, 54, 55, 56 | Acousti-Seal® Encore® paired panel (4") | 52 / 54 / 56 |
| GU Series | Acoustic glass, individual panels, up to 12' | Up to 46 | Acousti-Clear double-pane glass | Up to 51 (45 or 51) |
| GF Series | Low-profile acoustic glass, panels under 2" thick | Not listed | Acousti-Clear, or PureView fully framed, by the STC required | Acousti-Clear up to 51 (45 or 51) · PureView framed 33 / 35 / 37 |
| GL Series | Frameless glass, individual or paired panels | Not listed | PureView frameless single-pane glass | 15 frameless |
Hufcor model numbers and STC ratings are taken from Hufcor's published literature; “earlier” numbers are the pre-600 Series models Hufcor lists as replaced by each series. Not every STC is available with every face or option. Confirm the rating for the exact configuration with the lab report.
By STC class
- Below STC 30
- PureView frameless glass (STC 15) or Acousti-Seal® Premier® (STC 28), for visual separation more than speech privacy.
- STC 30–40
- PureView fully framed glass (STC 33, 35 or 37).
- STC 45–47
- Acousti-Clear glass (STC 45, with a 51 option), or Acousti-Seal® Premier® panels (STC 47).
- STC 50–52
- Acousti-Seal® Premier® (50), Legacy™ (50 / 52), Encore™ (52), or Acousti-Clear glass (STC 51).
- STC 54–56
- Acousti-Seal® Encore® single or paired panels (STC 54 / 56).
For how ratings are tested, read STC ratings explained.
Updating the specification
- Name Modernfold and the series (for example Acousti-Seal® Legacy®) as the basis of design, or list it as an acceptable manufacturer.
- State the configuration (single or paired panels, or glass) and the stack location and pocket door type.
- Specify the STC the room needs, tested to ASTM E90 and classified per ASTM E413.
- Call out overhead support and deflection criteria for the track, confirmed by the structural engineer.
- List finishes, pass doors, and markerboard or glass panels.
LG2 provides Modernfold product data and helps with series selection and shop drawings. See the architect's operable wall checklist for the full list.
Related pages
FAQ
Hufcor replacement FAQ
- Is Modernfold comparable to Hufcor?
- Yes. Modernfold has built operable walls since 1925 and offers single and paired folding panel walls in 3" and 4" panels plus acoustic glass walls. Modernfold's published STC ratings meet or exceed the ratings Hufcor publishes for its 631, 632, 641 and 642 series: up to STC 52 in the 3" Legacy™ and STC 56 in the 4" Encore™. LG2 helps architects across Michigan name the matching Modernfold system.
- Can a Modernfold wall replace an existing Hufcor wall?
- Yes, in one of two ways. With panel replacement and track retrofit, new Modernfold panels are retrofitted to the existing Hufcor overhead track, so the ceiling does not need to be opened up. With full system replacement, the track and panels are both replaced. LG2 evaluates the existing track and the opening first and recommends the right option.
- Can you replace the panels on an existing Moderco or Panelfold wall and keep the track?
- Yes. Just like with Hufcor, replacing the panels and keeping the existing track is an option for Moderco and Panelfold operable walls. New Modernfold panels are retrofitted to the existing overhead track, so the ceiling stays closed, with the same cost savings and less disruption. LG2 evaluates the condition of the existing track first. If it isn't suitable, we recommend a full system replacement with new Modernfold track instead.
- Can you reuse our existing Hufcor track?
- Often, yes. New Modernfold panels can be retrofitted to the existing Hufcor overhead track, so the ceiling stays closed. That is a significant cost savings compared with full-system replacement, with no ceiling demolition, far less mess and disruption, and a shorter install. LG2 evaluates the condition of the existing track first. If it isn't suitable, we recommend a full system replacement with new Modernfold track instead.
- What is the Modernfold equivalent of a paired panel Hufcor spec?
- A 3" Hufcor Series 632 paired panel spec (STC 41 to 51) maps to Modernfold Acousti-Seal® Premier® or Legacy™ paired panels (STC 47 / 50 and 50 / 52). A 4" Series 642 paired spec (STC 43 to 56) maps to Acousti-Seal® Encore® paired panels (STC 52 / 54 / 56). Single panel specs (631, 641) map to Acousti-Seal® single panels in the same series.
- How do I match the STC in an older operable wall spec?
- Start with the STC the room actually needs, then pick the Modernfold series that publishes that rating: Premier™ up to 50, Legacy™ up to 52, Encore™ up to 56, and Acousti-Clear glass up to 51 (45 or 51). Specify STC tested to ASTM E90 and classified per ASTM E413, and ask for the lab report for the configuration you choose.
- Do you serve my area?
- LG2 handles Modernfold replacement walls and specification support across Michigan from our Grand Rapids office, including Grand Rapids, Holland, Zeeland, Grand Haven, Muskegon, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Benton Harbor and Big Rapids, as well as Lansing, East Lansing, Traverse City, Petoskey, Cadillac and Ludington. Call or send a message with your project location and we'll talk it through.
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