Archive for the ‘Door types/specifications’ Category

Doors and school security go hand in hand, as every teacher, administrator, and PTA parent knows. Doors must be strong, durable, and reliable in order to keep schools physically safe, and Special-Lite doors have long met these key requirements. But Special-Lite goes a step further by manufacturing doors that protect students from the unseen risk of harmful emission.

For instance, Special-Lite doors were the first exterior entrance products to be GreenGuard Certified through the Greenguard Environmental Institute (GEI), which means they were the first to seriously address the impact that doors can have on indoor air quality.

Because doors can emit volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde and phthalates, Special-Lite took action and eliminated the issue with its GreenGuard Certified doors. Special-Lite doors have stood up to rigorous testing, including GEI’s Children & Schools Standard, and have created a product that is safe for all, and especially for children. Special-Lite’s attention to safety, in every sense of the word, makes it a great choice for schools.

On February 4th, TruStile announced the launch of a new and improved version of its TruCAD Door Design Software. The new application has been completely redesigned to work on any computer operating system or web browser, including Mac and Firefox. In addition to its cross platform flexibility, TruCAD has been upgraded to include exciting new design options and visualization tools.

Visit TruCAD today to test drive the new features and functionality.

To learn more about TruStile Doors and their unmatched offering of premium stile and rail MDF and wood door visit www.TruStile.com/

Special-Lite is now offering 6-panel AMP (Acrylic Modified Polyester) Colonial Doors with smooth AMP face sheets without the wood grain texture. This version of the SL-18, identified by the model number SL-18S, combines the aesthetics of traditional styling with the performance, durability and reduced maintenance made possible by modern engineering and materials.

The SL-18S is available in custom sizes from a minimum of 30″ x 80″ to a maximum size of 42″ x 88″ and it can be factory-painted just about any color. Smooth colonial AMP face sheets can also be fabricated into 1-3/4″ panels for side lites and transoms.

 The new Smooth Colonial Door is constructed exactly the same as the SL-18, just without the wood grain texture. It is also backed by the same Limited Lifetime warranty as all of Special-Lite’s AMP/FRP doors.

For more information please visit http://www.special-lite.com/

Energy efficiency is a top driver behind sustainable design across all industries. And improving the heating and cooling of buildings with thermally efficient components can save you money in the peak of winter and summer. So for your next project, consider using Special-Lite’s flush doors for their thermally efficient components.

Though your doors make up a small point of surface area on a structure, they play an important part in the energy efficiency of your building. When selecting exterior doors, pay attention to the components that limit the exchange of heat from one side of the door to the other. For example, the Special-Lite SL-17 FRP doors have a poured-in-place urethane core with a minimum five pounds per cubic foot density, which ensures thermal insulation.

Special-Lite has tested its FRP Flush Doors for thermal efficiency. The U-value shows how well a material allows heat to pass and is generally listed between zero and one for doors. The lower the number, the better. The R-value is the reciprocal of the U-value and shows how well a material resists the flow of heat through it. This higher this number, the better.

Other important aspects of thermal doors include:

• Properly sealed construction
• Proper insulation
• Thermally improved framing

Also note that adding lites to doors can significantly reduce the effectiveness of thermal doors because glass provides hot and cold air to pass through easier. Flush doors and insulated side panels are ideal for thermal efficiency.

Check out Special-Lite’s white paper about how to select a green door, which includes information about thermal doors by clicking here.

When creating sustainable buildings, many builders, architects and project managers look to the LEED green-building rating system. But because the credit-based system doesn’t have explicit specifications for entrances, decision makers must rely on general recommendations for sustainable doors and entrances.

One major requirement of a sustainable component is that the product be used in a way that prevents premature failure and unplanned maintenance and replacement. Other factors that work in tandem include:

Doors. The ideal door should efficiently distribute the stressful forces of motion by being rigid enough to keep the building secure. It should not be too heavy and rigid, but rather lightweight and flexible, so as not to quickly wear out the hardware. Doors will also need to be durable enough to withstand everyday abuses (kicks, shoves, bumps, etc.) as well as focused attempts to damage or breach the door.

Framing and Hardware. Keep in mind that the framing and hardware are just as important to sustainability as the door is. If the framing components and hardware wear out, the door may get out of alignment and fail to latch properly. This could create leaks that can affect weather resistance and thermal efficiency.

Thermal Efficiency. Exterior doors play an important role in the overall energy efficiency of a building, so be sure to select components that limit thermal exchange. Proper thermal doors will keep warm air in during winter and out during summer.

Glass. Though it is nice to incorporate into the facade, glass is not the most efficient thermal material. It does not limit thermal exchange (the transfer of heat from one side of the door to the other) very well. If you must use glass in doors, make sure it is insulated and at least one inch thick. You’ll be glad when the power bill comes!

VOCs. You may not think of exterior doors affecting indoor air quality, but part of every exterior door faces into the building. So choose products that have earned indoor air quality accreditations from a third-party verifier such as GREENGUARD or Scientific Certification Systems. By reducing formaldehydes, phthalates, VOCs and other pollutant emissions you’re helping to improve indoor air quality that can affect worker productivity and health.

Special-Lite’s doors are perfect for your next project because of their exclusive design. The FRP doors are manufactured from aluminum alloy, sized and configured for maximum strength without unnecessary, non-functional bulk. The result is a durable door able to withstand everyday abuses without excess weight on the hardware.

The doors also come with a poured-in-place urethane core that ensures impact resistance, flexural strength and thermal insulation. And if you want one with lites in it, Special-Lite offers 1/4″, 1/2″ or 1″ custom glazing.

As for improving indoor air quality, Special-Lite’s entire product line has earned the GREENGUARD Certification, including the stringent Children & Schools standard. This means any of the company’s doors, frames and panels can help buildings qualify for the low-emitting materials LEED credit for Indoor Environmental Quality under the Materials and Resources section. Click here for more information about Special-Lite’s certification.