Doors FAQ
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Handing Inswing vs Outswing and Left Hand / Right Hand
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Glossary of Door Terms
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Parts of a Door
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Frame Options (Wood, Framesaver, Composite/PVC)
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Can I Replace just the slab on my door?
*Source – https://learn.reeb.com/knowledge-base/door-unit-construction/#handing
Here’s some door terminology:
- Door system – a door slab & frame assembly, with slab pre-hung in the frame
- Frame – an assembly of structural parts used to fasten a door to a structure
- Keyway – the slot in a lock in which the key is inserted
- Lite – a framed piece of glass within a door slab, sidelight or transom
- Rail – the horizontal pieces of a door slab
- Sidelight – fixed, usually rectangular, decorative glass on either or both sides of a door system
- Slab – the operating part of a door system
- Stile – the vertical pieces of a door slab
- Sweep – flexible seal material attached to the bottom of a door slab
- Threshold – bottom component of a door system
- Transom – decorative glass above a door system
*Source http://en.jeld-wen.ca/blog/2013/08/30/anatomy-of-a-door/
When discussing frames, we usually reference the 3 main styles, Wood, Composite/pvc, and Rot Proof frames. Our Standard choice is a Rot Proof frame as it combines the benefits of the previous two. The two most common rot proof frames we use are Framesaver and Duraframe.
Yes, on both interior and exterior doors, just the slab can be replaced. However, we do caution that a new slab is only as good as the frame you put it into. Therefore if a frame is out of square or rotting, we recommend replacing the complete unit. Additionally, many vendors stock doors with the hinges already routed, and it may or may not line up with the existing door frames. Standard sizes also vary between manufacturers. A door without hinge or bore prep is recommended, and the ability prep in the field is necessary. When requesting Slab pricing, you will need the actual slab dimensions in inches, not just a call size like 3/0 x 6/8.
Exterior
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Door Materials
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Smooth vs Textured Fiberglass
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Requirements for wood doors
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What is sticking?
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If the glass is broken in my door, do I need to buy a new door?
Steel, Fiberglass, Wood, aluminum clad, and Aluminum are the main door materials available for exterior doors. Each option has its pros and cons, and through a series of questions, we can help determine which option would be best for you.
There are the two skin options for fiberglass doors, Smooth and Textured. The most popular option is smooth as most people paint their doors, and a textured option allows one to stain the door. Textured can also be painted, however a textured skin usually costs more. With textured skins, there are multiple grain styles such as Fir, Mahogany, and Oak, and gel stain kits are usually available from the manufacturer.
Don’t be surprised if when you ask for a wood door, we respond with “you like maintenance?” The appearance of a wood door at times can be unmatched, however they do require regular refinishing, and without the right set up, could reduce the life of the door. Most wood door companies require an overhang at least half the height of the door to maintain a warranty. This usually means about a 4′. There are options that do not require the overhang though. Let us help determine if a wood door is the right option for you.
*Source https://www.simpsondoor.com/literature/pdfs/sticking-profile-data-sheet.pdf
As with most Fiberglass and Steel doors, if your door has a raised plastic moulding around the glass, you most likely have a door insert. As long as this insert has plugs that can be removed to access the screws, you should be able to replace the insert. Wood doors may or may not have glass stops which would determine if the glass can be replaced.
Interior
Both options have their benefits, and sometimes it comes down to personal preference. Typically if you want a door with glass or if you want to stain the door, we will consider wood options. Hollow Core moulded doors tend to be more budget friendly, and we suggest solid core for bedrooms or anywhere someone might want to block noise.
*Source Masonite
The door between the house and the garage, per codes needs to be a 20 minute fire rated door. With most interior moulded doors, we can order a thicker door that matches the other doors in the house in an exterior frame to meet this code. Steel doors are also used to meet this rating.
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Contact Us
- 2916 Sidco Drive, Nashville, TN 37204
- Phone: (615) 834-9292
- E-mail: [email protected]