Door construction


When selecting the door construction, you should consider the following aspects:

  • Building type.

  • Frequency level.

  • Abuse level.

  • Security level.


Openings in high frequency, high abuse or high security areas require a full flush continuously welded door. Since the edge of the door is reinforced and continuously welded, a door that is fully continuously welded is stronger than a standard lock seam on edge door. A lock seam on edge door is only spot welded at the top and the bottom of the door edge, without edge reinforcements.

The term "full flush"  means there is no visible seam on the face of the door. A vertical seam may be permitted on the door edges if the door is not qualified as a seamless door. A seamless door has no visible seams on the vertical edges, for more esthetic value.



References:


ANSI A250.4: Test Procedure and Acceptance Criteria for Physical Endurance for Steel Doors, Frames, Frame Anchors and Hardware Reinforcings.
NAAMM/HMMA 861: Guide Specification for Commercial Hollow Metal Doors and Frames.
NAAMM/HMMA 863: Guide Specification for Detention Security Hollow Metal Doors and Frames.


Products & Solutions:
de La Fontaine Industries offers the following options:


Full flush lock seam on edge door with visible seams.

Info: No channel reinforcement in door edges. Visible seam on vertical edges.
Recommended application: Standard openings.
Benefit: Economical.
Limitations: Not recommended for doors in high abuse, high frequency or high security areas.
Comment: Does not qualify as a seamless door.

Full flush lock seam on edge door with intermittently welded seams and filled edges.

Info: No channel reinforcement in door edges. No visible seam on vertical edges.
Recommended application: Standard openings.
Benefit: More esthetic value.
Limitations: Not recommended for doors in high frequency, high abuse or high security areas.
Comments: Qualifies as a seamless door. More expensive than a lock seam on edge door by approximately $60.

Full flush with continuously welded seams.

Info: Channel reinforcements in door edges. No visible seam on vertical edges.
Recommended applications: High frequency, high abuse or high security areas.
Benefits: Heavy duty construction with esthetic value.
Limitation: None.
Comments: Qualifies as a seamless door. More expensive than an intermittently welded seam and filled edge door by approximately $80.
Stile and Rail door.

Info: Visible seams on door faces.
Recommended applications: High frequency or high abuse areas.
Benefits: Heavy duty construction with esthetic value.
Limitation: None.
Comments: Recommended for full glass doors. Higher price than a fully welded door.
© 2010 de la Fontaine