Many schools, churches, hotels and conference centers still have Hufcor or Panelfold operable walls. Like any operable wall, they wear: trolleys and seals age, panels get damaged, and the wall gets harder to move or lets more sound through.
Both companies' North American operations have since closed (see the dated status notes below), so owners often ask what their options are. When a wall wears out you have three realistic paths: repair and service the existing wall, replace the panels while keeping the existing overhead track, or replace the whole system. This guide compares them. LG2 is an authorized Modernfold distributor and installer, so the replacement options below use Modernfold; for the full model-by-model mapping, see our Hufcor replacement and spec alternatives page.
Company status: Hufcor and Panelfold
Hufcor
Hufcor Inc. stopped manufacturing at its Janesville, Wisconsin facility in 2021 (WARN notice, June 2021) and entered court-appointed receivership in Wisconsin in 2022.
Wisconsin DWD WARN notice (June 2, 2021); Wisconsin Examiner (Aug. 19, 2022)
Panelfold
Panelfold Inc. of Miami, Florida stopped manufacturing in November 2019 (WARN notice, September 2019).
South Florida Business Journal (Sept. 6, 2019)
Replacing or servicing Hufcor and Panelfold walls
An older Hufcor or Panelfold wall doesn't have to be torn out. LG2 services existing operable walls, including Hufcor and Panelfold, and the right path depends on the condition of the track and panels:
- Service and repair: adjusting the wall and replacing worn seals, trolleys and hardware where parts can be matched or sourced.
- New Modernfold panels on the existing track: new panels retrofitted to the existing overhead track so the ceiling stays closed, when the track is in good condition.
- Full system replacement: new Modernfold track, support and panels when the track or structure is worn or the opening changes.
See service and repair or send photos of the wall, track and labels through our contact page.
Signs it's time to decide
- Panels drag, stick or need several people to move.
- Noticeable sound leaking between rooms, often from worn top and bottom seals.
- Damaged, warped or delaminating panel skins or broken hinges.
- Trolleys, track or seal parts that are worn or hard to source.
- A change in how the room is used, such as needing better sound separation or a glass wall.
The three options compared
Repair and service
- What changes
- Adjust, replace seals, trolleys or hardware
- Ceiling work
- None
- Sound performance
- Restores what's left of the original design
- Best when
- Panels and track are sound; problems are adjustment or wear parts
- Disruption
- Lowest
New panels, existing track
- What changes
- New Modernfold panels retrofitted to the existing overhead track
- Ceiling work
- Ceiling stays closed
- Sound performance
- Set by the new panels' published STC
- Best when
- Track is in good condition but panels are worn or STC needs to change
- Disruption
- Moderate; shorter install than full replacement
Full system replacement
- What changes
- New track, support and panels
- Ceiling work
- Ceiling opened to replace track and support
- Sound performance
- Set by the new system's published STC
- Best when
- Track or structure is worn, or the layout or opening changes
- Disruption
- Highest
Matching sound performance (STC)
Start with the STC the room needs today, not just the number on the old wall. Modernfold publishes STC ratings for each series, tested to ASTM E90 and classified per ASTM E413. Ask for the lab report for the configuration you choose.
| Needed STC | Modernfold option |
|---|---|
| 30–40 | PureView fully framed glass (STC 33 / 35 / 37) |
| 45–47 | Acousti-Clear glass (STC 45, with a 51 option), or Acousti-Seal Premier panels (STC 47) |
| 50–52 | Acousti-Seal Premier (50), Legacy (50 / 52), Encore (52), or Acousti-Clear glass (STC 51) |
| 54–56 | Acousti-Seal Encore single or paired panels (STC 54 / 56) |
More on ratings in STC ratings for operable walls.
Site survey checklist
- Existing manufacturer, series and any nameplate or label information.
- Opening width and height, and number of panels.
- Panel type: individual (omni) or paired, 3" or 4" thick, manual or electric.
- Track type and condition, and how it's supported from the structure.
- Stack location and storage pocket dimensions.
- Existing sound seal condition and the wall and ceiling above the track.
- Pass doors, finishes and any glass panels.
- The STC the space needs now.
- Photos of the wall, track, stack and any labels.
Send photos and dimensions through our contact page. Product data and Modernfold guide specs are on our tech data page.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- Is Hufcor still in business?
- Hufcor Inc. stopped manufacturing at its Janesville, Wisconsin facility in 2021 (WARN notice, June 2021) and entered court-appointed receivership in Wisconsin in 2022. Whatever wall you have, LG2 can service it, retrofit new Modernfold panels to the existing track, or replace the full system.
- Is Panelfold still in business?
- Panelfold Inc. of Miami stopped manufacturing in November 2019 (WARN notice, September 2019). LG2 services existing Panelfold walls and can retrofit new Modernfold panels to the existing track or replace the full system.
- Can LG2 service an existing Panelfold or Hufcor wall?
- Yes. LG2 services existing operable walls, including Hufcor and Panelfold, and can retrofit new Modernfold panels to an existing track or replace the full system.
- Can a Hufcor operable wall be repaired instead of replaced?
- Often, yes. If the track and panels are in good condition, adjusting the wall and replacing worn seals, trolleys or hardware can restore operation. LG2 evaluates the wall first.
- Can new panels go on an existing Hufcor track?
- In many cases, yes. New Modernfold panels can be retrofitted to the existing Hufcor overhead track so the ceiling stays closed. LG2 checks the track's condition first; if it isn't suitable, we recommend full system replacement.
- What is the Modernfold equivalent of a Hufcor wall?
- It depends on panel thickness, configuration and STC. 3" Hufcor 631 and 632 walls generally map to Acousti-Seal Premier or Legacy panels, and 4" 641 and 642 walls to Acousti-Seal Encore. The full table is on LG2's Hufcor replacement page.
- Does this work for Moderco or Panelfold walls too?
- Yes. The same options of service and repair, panel replacement on the existing track, or full replacement apply to Moderco and Panelfold operable walls.
- Who replaces Hufcor and Panelfold operable walls in Michigan?
- LG2, an authorized Modernfold distributor and installer, surveys, specifies and installs replacement operable walls in Michigan. Send photos and dimensions or call 616-295-1585.
Sources
- WARN notice: Hufcor Inc., Janesville facility (June 2, 2021). Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.
- Janesville manufacturer that fled to Mexico is selling off its assets (Aug. 19, 2022). Wisconsin Examiner.
- Manufacturer to shut down, lay off employees if it can't find a buyer (Sept. 6, 2019). South Florida Business Journal.
- Acousti-Seal and Acousti-Clear operable walls. Modernfold.
- ASTM E90 and ASTM E413 (sound transmission test and classification). ASTM International. As referenced in manufacturers' published STC ratings.