I'm building some cabinets which need large slab hickory doors. I'm matching some existing cabinets so I must use the slab design. I know about the problems associated with expansion, distortion, etc. as my whole kitchen uses slabs. I've fought through the expansion issues using hinges that adjust enough to allow for seasonal differences. The existing doors use two battens on the backside for stability. It's a pain but "you know who" likes the design so that's what we're going to use.
Anyway, back to the problem at hand. The cabinets will be approximately 60 wide x 36 high. To maximize the size of the opening, I'm just using one partition down the center. This makes the doors about 28 x 36. I want to fold each door in the middle so they are manageable. The problem is, if I hinge each door in the middle, I can't install battens on the backside for stability. They will get in the way when I try to fold up the door. Do you think I need to stabilize a door which is about 14 x 36? I can use narrow pieces, alternating grain orientation, etc. to help stabilize. I will finish both side to prevent warping. I cannot use a breadboard design because it won't look good with the other pieces. Any other ways to prevent warp that keeps the backside flush? I haven't found any hinges that would accomodate the battens. I'm not opposed to some sort of steel reinforcement if that would do the trick.
Thanks