Free Technical Information for Building Inspectors, Contractors and Consumers. Code and Manufacturer's Information Resource
Doors
| DOORS: Fiberglass vs. wood and steel |
Unlike wood doors, fiberglass won't dent, crack, split or splinter. Unlike steel doors, fiberglass won't dent, rust or warp. Fiberglass also resists shrinking and swelling with temperature changes, allowing the finish to last three times longer than on a wood door. The solid polyurethane foam core offers five times greater insulation value than wood doors.
| Patio doors: |
Some like them swinging, some like them sliding – but they all like patio doors as beautiful complements to a home's décor with bright views of the outside and more natural light inside. Patio doors are striking additions to a home without sacrificing security or protection from the elements.
Determine Your Patio Style
There are two primary types of patio doors: hinged (swinging) or sliding. Which one you choose depends on your home's layout and style and how you plan to use the door.
Hinged patio doors offer classic French-door elegance, often fitting nicely in a kitchen connecting to a patio or a family room that leads to the deck. If interior space is at a premium, you might consider a hinged patio door that swings out. This type of door is ideal if you live in a climate with high wind and inclement weather, since winds simply push the door against the jamb, ensuring a tighter seal.
Select a Material that Can Withstand High Traffic
If your patio door is the gateway for children, pets, deliveries and more, you'll want to choose a material that can hold up to the high traffic and still look good. Fiberglass offers the ideal blend of beauty and durability.
Installing Your Patio Door
Installing a patio door can be a do-it-yourself project if you have the right tools for the job. Measure your opening carefully before purchasing your door to ensure a good fit. Patio doors come in a variety of sizes to meet your needs. Make sure to allow 3/8" on the sides and ½" at the head. Check all the wall surfaces to ensure they are plumb and check corners to ensure they are square.
Determine Your Patio Style
There are two primary types of patio doors: hinged (swinging) or sliding. Which one you choose depends on your home's layout and style and how you plan to use the door.
Hinged patio doors offer classic French-door elegance, often fitting nicely in a kitchen connecting to a patio or a family room that leads to the deck. If interior space is at a premium, you might consider a hinged patio door that swings out. This type of door is ideal if you live in a climate with high wind and inclement weather, since winds simply push the door against the jamb, ensuring a tighter seal.
Select a Material that Can Withstand High Traffic
If your patio door is the gateway for children, pets, deliveries and more, you'll want to choose a material that can hold up to the high traffic and still look good. Fiberglass offers the ideal blend of beauty and durability.
Installing Your Patio Door
Installing a patio door can be a do-it-yourself project if you have the right tools for the job. Measure your opening carefully before purchasing your door to ensure a good fit. Patio doors come in a variety of sizes to meet your needs. Make sure to allow 3/8" on the sides and ½" at the head. Check all the wall surfaces to ensure they are plumb and check corners to ensure they are square.
| Key Door Descriptors. |
Today’s entryway doors are fully integrated systems designed to provide problem-free performance and an attractive appearance.
To understand how these doors function, it is important to know what components go into a typical door system and the role that each plays.
Brick mould: The decorative molding used to finish the exterior face of a wood frame at the wall joint.
Casing: The interior trim molding around the door opening that covers the gap between the frame or jamb and the wall.
Doorlites: Decorative glass assemblies that are fitted into the door for added beauty and sunlight.
Sidelites: Fixed or assemblies that are attached adjacent to the door frame.
Transom: The decorative glass assembly that is installed above the door frame.
Drip Cap: A horizontal molding placed above the door to divert water away from the door frame.
Frame: The wood structure that encloses and supports the entire door system.
Insulated Foam Core: A material blown into fiberglass and steel doors to reduce their ability to conduct both heat and cold.
Hinge: The metal plate mounted on the door frame that anchors the door to the frame and allows the door to open and close freely.
Jamb: Vertical side and head trim that enhances the aesthetics of the frame assembly.
Panel: The raised or recessed, decorative section of a door that produces deep shadow lines.
Sill: The horizontal bottom frame of a door that supports the weight of the entire door system.
Weatherstripping: A fixed or adjustable seal along the edge of the door frame that keeps water, air and sound from penetrating a home.
Sweep: A weatherstripping attached to the bottom of the door.
To understand how these doors function, it is important to know what components go into a typical door system and the role that each plays.
Brick mould: The decorative molding used to finish the exterior face of a wood frame at the wall joint.
Casing: The interior trim molding around the door opening that covers the gap between the frame or jamb and the wall.
Doorlites: Decorative glass assemblies that are fitted into the door for added beauty and sunlight.
Sidelites: Fixed or assemblies that are attached adjacent to the door frame.
Transom: The decorative glass assembly that is installed above the door frame.
Drip Cap: A horizontal molding placed above the door to divert water away from the door frame.
Frame: The wood structure that encloses and supports the entire door system.
Insulated Foam Core: A material blown into fiberglass and steel doors to reduce their ability to conduct both heat and cold.
Hinge: The metal plate mounted on the door frame that anchors the door to the frame and allows the door to open and close freely.
Jamb: Vertical side and head trim that enhances the aesthetics of the frame assembly.
Panel: The raised or recessed, decorative section of a door that produces deep shadow lines.
Sill: The horizontal bottom frame of a door that supports the weight of the entire door system.
Weatherstripping: A fixed or adjustable seal along the edge of the door frame that keeps water, air and sound from penetrating a home.
Sweep: A weatherstripping attached to the bottom of the door.
| Finishing a fiberglass door in three simple steps: |
You bought a fiberglass door for performance and durability, now you want to make it look great. But, typical wood stains won't absorb on fiberglass and can leave you with streaks and drips.
First: Prep the door. Using a clean, dry rag, clean the entire surface with the mineral spirits provided in the kit or an all-purpose cleaner. After rinsing, allow the door to dry completely. Then use masking tape to cover any glass, and remove or mask hinges, lock hardware and weatherstripping. Do not use turpentine and do not sand the door.
Second: Stain the door. Dip the staining cloth in the stain and rub the stain on the door in a circular motion. Apply the stain to the panels. Next, stain the "rails" or short, horizontal sections. Finally, stain the long vertical stiles that run along the left and right sides of the door.
To obtain a light stain, wait about five minutes and then brush the stain out strongly with the tips of a natural bristle brush. For a dark stain, wait about ten minutes and brush the stain lightly. Feather the stain in the direction of the grain to obtain a uniform color. Wipe any excess stain from the brush onto a dry cloth.
Third: Seal the door. Allow the stain to dry for 48 hours. Then apply a very thin coat of protective topcoat/sealer. Wet only the tip of the brush and brush in the direction of the grain. Cover all door surfaces, working in the same order in which you applied the stain. The surfaces should look wet, but not milky. Wait three hours for the first coat to dry. Then apply a second, very thin, even coat.
First: Prep the door. Using a clean, dry rag, clean the entire surface with the mineral spirits provided in the kit or an all-purpose cleaner. After rinsing, allow the door to dry completely. Then use masking tape to cover any glass, and remove or mask hinges, lock hardware and weatherstripping. Do not use turpentine and do not sand the door.
Second: Stain the door. Dip the staining cloth in the stain and rub the stain on the door in a circular motion. Apply the stain to the panels. Next, stain the "rails" or short, horizontal sections. Finally, stain the long vertical stiles that run along the left and right sides of the door.
To obtain a light stain, wait about five minutes and then brush the stain out strongly with the tips of a natural bristle brush. For a dark stain, wait about ten minutes and brush the stain lightly. Feather the stain in the direction of the grain to obtain a uniform color. Wipe any excess stain from the brush onto a dry cloth.
Third: Seal the door. Allow the stain to dry for 48 hours. Then apply a very thin coat of protective topcoat/sealer. Wet only the tip of the brush and brush in the direction of the grain. Cover all door surfaces, working in the same order in which you applied the stain. The surfaces should look wet, but not milky. Wait three hours for the first coat to dry. Then apply a second, very thin, even coat.
| Curb Appeal: |
"Curb appeal" is a term often used when a house goes up for sale. But it also describes the first impression your home makes on family, friends and other visitors while you are living there.
Many things can contribute to curb appeal — the landscaping around the house, the quality of the paint job and, perhaps most important of all, the front door system that serves as the front entryway to your home.
If the front entryway to your home is a little worse for wear, you might want to enhance its appearance by replacing the front door system. And for lasting curb appeal, one of the best choices you can make is to upgrade to one of the new front door (s).
While it's true that an attractive front door system is just one facet of a home's curb appeal, many real estate experts agree that it is a very important element. So if you're not satisfied with the appearance of your entryway, you might want to consider a sure investment in a state-of-the-art door system. They come in a wide range of styles to match virtually any type of architecture.
Many things can contribute to curb appeal — the landscaping around the house, the quality of the paint job and, perhaps most important of all, the front door system that serves as the front entryway to your home.
If the front entryway to your home is a little worse for wear, you might want to enhance its appearance by replacing the front door system. And for lasting curb appeal, one of the best choices you can make is to upgrade to one of the new front door (s).
While it's true that an attractive front door system is just one facet of a home's curb appeal, many real estate experts agree that it is a very important element. So if you're not satisfied with the appearance of your entryway, you might want to consider a sure investment in a state-of-the-art door system. They come in a wide range of styles to match virtually any type of architecture.
