Roundtable on Exterior Doors
Stefan Schumacher,
Posted
04/01/2010
1. How can exterior doors enhance a building
aesthetically? What might architects consider when evaluating the
importance of doors on a given project?
Schweiss,
Owner, Schweiss Doors, Fairfax, Minn., www.bifold.com: We
truly custom manufacture each door as a custom door. We design
around the customers' needs and how they envision their door to
blend in with the rest of the building structure, making the door
and building seamless, adding beauty to the building structure, yet
making the doors very functional.
Burnham,
Vice President of Sales, Hörmann Flexon LLC, Leetsdale, Pa.,
www.hormann-flexon.com: High-performance doors,
specifically, can aesthetically enhance a building. The new
generation of high-performance security doors with aluminum slats
and/or the galvanized steel slats are available in many color
choices, as well as with varying amounts of vision area, that
easily coordinates with any building color scheme and safety
requirement. Architects will look at the appearance of the door,
along with its speed and potential operating/maintenance cost.
Using high performance security doors will allow for energy
savings, security and longevity.
Parker,
President, Hydroswing Inc., Cottonwood, Minn.,
www.hydroswing.com: When a door is chosen for a structure it
is a mixture of form versus function, and for many years there has
been conflict in this ratio. [Architects have now been enabled] to
have form where they used to have to compromise function and they
can now have function where they used to compromise form. It has
been incredible to unleash the architectural minds upon our
product,seeing our doors' increasing size, trading out wall space
for moveable door real estate, seeing doors completely disguised so
no one even knows a door exists. Not to mention the ability to lift
huge expanses of glass, and what once would have been wall, at the
touch of a button.
Landgraff,
Technical Sales Manager, Door Engineering and Manufacturing LLC,
Kasota, Minn., www.doorengineering.com: The exterior doors
on a building act as the first point of entry for visitors,
employees,vehicles or machinery, and are often where the first
impression of the company is formed. It's important the doors
reflect the company and complement the building and its
surroundings aesthetically. Architects should consider where these
doors are located on the building and who/what will be using the
doors. With today's technology, doors can be glazed, clad with many
materials and powder coated a variety of custom and standard
colors. An architect's desired look can always be accomplished by
working with the manufacturer and its designers.
2. Are there new trends or innovations in the exterior
door industry to be aware of right now or for the
future?
Schweiss: Schweiss is on the cutting edge of custom
designer doors, our customers' are demanding something different to
make their building stand out, unique to say the least. Schweiss
has been doing a great job of carrying out the customers dreams and
providing a door that is functional in every which way. In the door
business you must have a product that stands out or you will be
left out. We understand and are very aware the door industry wants
more and Schweiss' goal is to custom design a door that is superior
and very custom, "one of a kind," a door that you cannot buy off
the shelf.
Burnham: A new style of exterior, high-performance
door will be introduced by Hörmann Flexon this year. The
Speed-Guardian 4000 U high-speed security door, with an opening
speed of up to 120inches (3,048 mm) per second, has an insulated
10-inch (254-mm) foam-in-place panel with an R-Value of 12.4. The
superior insulating quality, along with the fast opening speed,
promotes energy savings. Many companies are looking for doors that
help them save energy and provide sustainability.
Parker: There is definitely a visible progression in
perception, which allows for increased innovation by the end user.
Architects are able to design a building which does not have to be
aesthetically compromised by the door system and that door system's
limitations, especially when we look at doors over 15 feet (5 m)
wide. The one-piece Hydraulic door system is literally open season
for the architect to consider the door his real estate for
uninterrupted visual and structural harmony. For Hydroswing
specifically, we are using better and more advanced materials which
allow for increased efficiencies in production, allowing better
pricing.
Landgraff: With trends and technology evolving daily
in the industrial, commercial and aviation door markets, Door
Engineering and Manufacturing is always conducting research and
design to meet clients' needs. Solar-powered technology, as well as
fenestration security/monitoring systems, are just two examples of
progressive products to watch for in the future.
3. What can doors add to a facility in terms of
sustainability (insulation, water/air leakage, fire protection,
etc.)?
Schweiss: Schweiss manufactures a robust door,loading
it up with any type of building products to blend in with the
building structure. The components Schweiss uses on their doors
[are] truly industrial, but have a look pleasing to the eye when
Schweiss finishes the completed door project, that will make your
building one of a kind. Schweiss Doors seal extremely tight against
all weather conditions, it looks like a moving wall that forms a
canopy when in the open position.
Parker: We seal and reduce heat bleed or the reverse
in cooled buildings. Where height of building is critical for cost
reduction, use criteria or other reasons we can deliver almost 100
percent of the buildings clear opening if required, not to mention,
what a fabulous sunshade when in the open position. Sustainability
with reduced building costs, heating/cooling bills and reduced
consumption and a very long life cycle drives our thinking and
development going forward. We not only add strength to the
structures we are installed within, we [conduct] Finite Element
Analysis [on] all our products for maximum building/door harmony
and strength over time. We have a full team of in-house engineers
with a growing special projects R&D department.We will be
launching a brand new product in the fall of 2010 that combines
roof/door and power, all in one opening structure. I dare not think
what the architects will see in this product which we cannot, not
to mention the reduced height, wastage and increased building
efficiency where roof and door are combined as a single
piece.
Landgraff: Door systems are available in a variety of
insulation thicknesses and weather-seal options to reduce air-flow
and increase energy efficiency. Sliding fire-rated door systems
offer fire protection for a variety of small and large openings.
Automated operating systems as well as door monitoring systems can
ensure door systems will be closed when they are not in use to
minimize heating and cooling losses.
4. How is the exterior door market doing generally? Do
architects sometimes try to cut costs with doors? Can that lead to
potential problems down the road?
Schweiss: Exterior door markets have been hot for the
Schweiss door team. Gone are the days of the cookie-cutter doors.
The architects who are looking for the easy way out are losing
ground. Today, customers want a unique door, something different
and functional.
Burnham: As in every industry, current times are
slower than desired. Architects will look at reducing costs by
specifying typical rolling and sectional doors even for use in
areas where there will be a lot of traffic and cycling of the door.
However, in high use, high traffic areas, typical rolling and
sectional doors have a life cycle of 100,000 cycles, with the
opening speeds of 8 to 10 inches (203 to 254 mm) per second, then
maintenance and costly repairs are required. High performance doors
are designed for high-cycle applications and have a 1 million cycle
life plus faster opening speeds of 80 inches (2,032 mm) per
second.
Parker: Hydroswing's growing market share of the
large door market has seen us advancing on markets which have
previously been over supplied with outdated products and thus we
have experienced growth even during these challenging times. As
architects, builders and customers have become careful with money
and funding, product value, not just price, is driving new markets
and existing customers in their choice. Hydroswing's whole business
model is built on the delivery of the most modern and efficient
systems possible,replacing the old and unsustainable "contraptions"
previously available, with high efficiency, best value and best
performance, eliminating in-life costs and issues for the end
user.
Landgraff: The industrial, commercial and aviation
door market has managed to remain relatively solid in the midst of
the country's economic hardships. There are always a handful of
architects who will look to inexpensive door alternatives in an
attempt to cut costs but these systems often require costly
maintenance and repairs in the future. Most architects rely on door
quality when determining which product to use. Quality door systems
may be more expensive initially, but because of the low maintenance
requirements an heavy-duty design and construction they will be
morecost effective in the future.
5. What is the best way to make sure you're getting a
quality door that is right for a given project?
Schweiss: It's all about offering choices. Schweiss
manufactures two styles of doors, both very different,yet alike.
Both doors are used to enhance your building project, to add value
and a sense of uniqueness to the entire project. Since we custom
manufacture each door to fit the project, Schweiss is full of ideas
when it comes to custom doors, and quality is foremost since each
door has my name on it.
Burnham: Do your homework in speaking with the
manufacturer's sales team, as they are experts and can recommend
the right door based upon the specific application. Also, try to
anticipate the volume and types of traffic that will be moving
through the door opening once the building is in operation. If the
door will be cycled several times an hour, a high-speed,
high-performance door is a smart choice.
Landgraff: Research, research, research. Meeting
directly with the manufacturer is a great way to determine which
door system is right for your project. At Door Engineering, we
enjoy meeting with owners and design professionals to show them
around our plant, take them to view some of our installed door
systems as well as answer any questions. The manufacturer's Web
site is a great tool for research. References, existing client
lists, testimonials and case studies are available online. AIA/CES
programs can also be an avenue to learn about the variety of door
systems available, and features and benefits of each, while earning
continuing education credits.