Archive for March, 2010

We live in a world where everything is getting smaller, sleeker, and more efficient.  Our TVs, phones, computers, and MP3 players are all smaller, lighter and more powerful than ever.

So why do we still think that the only way to have a good, solid, durable door is for it to be as thick and as heavy as possible?

Special-Lite’s Fiberglass Reinforced Polyester (FRP) doors have challenged that old notion. These FRP doors are sleek and lightweight, thin and attractive, and even more efficient and durable than traditional doors.

Because of their low mass, Special-Lite’s FRP doors require less force to open and close, resulting in less wear and tear on their hardware and frames.  Because of their high compliance and elasticity, these doors have flexural strength, which allows them to absorb and bounce back from forces that might damage more rigid doors.

The proof, however, is in the testing.  Special-Lite has put these doors through rigorous tests in order to prove their strength and durability, including tests for endurance over several life spans, tests for endurance under hard and abusive conditions, and even tests for resilience and stamina under hurricane winds and explosive forces.  Under all of these conditions, Special-Lite’s FRP doors remained strong and functional, and only against a blast force of over 18,000 pounds within milliseconds did these doors sustain any damage at all.

Think of them as having heavyweight toughness without the weight.

Here’s a good article on the topic from Doors & Hardware.

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.