A great entrance can be likened to a fine jewel that enhances its setting. Remember when you approached an entrance to a building and thought to yourself “wow, this really works!” Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Imagine visiting a retail store and expecting the entrance to look and feel high end, but what if it doesn’t? We might think maybe that this store is not all that it claims to be. So, how can we avoid this situation? By educating ourselves on what our options are so that we can make the right choices.
Entrances, above all else, must comply with building codes. Building codes such as ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) or requirements for hurricane zones impose restrictions that affect both the type of door and hardware chosen. In addition to meeting codes, entrances must function properly, which compels us to understand that they’re “systems” comprised of many components that have to work flawlessly together. Consider the example of a set of balanced entrance doors. The doors and the balance hardware function as one unit, providing a seamless opening and closing action that has just the right amount of force to remain closed when it is windy outside, as well as when there is positive inside air pressure attempting to blow them open.
An entrance should be appropriate for every building’s type and use. Here are some of factors to consider when selecting an entrance:
- The volume of traffic expected to pass through the entrance can affect not only the selection of the doors, but also the hardware. Is the entrance in a high traffic zone such as an airport or a stadium? If so, the hardware required by building codes may only work with certain types of doors. For example, some codes require the use of panics, but the panic devices themselves might require installation in only medium or wide stile doors, thus eliminating the possibility of a narrow stile doors.
- Are you working with a commercial, institutional or high-end residential building? Just knowing this fact alone can help you narrow down the types of doors and hardware to choose from. For example, some institutional government buildings require blast resistant entrances, which can shorten the list to just a few alternatives.
- Is complementing or matching the materials used on the outside of the building important? If we’re working with an all-glass building, should the entrance match or complement it? There are doors available that can do either. Maybe the building has a curtain wall that ties into a storefront system? If that’s so, then there are alternatives that can work in that situation, too.
- Climate as well as energy conservation are factors when determining a building’s entrance. Is the building in a colder climate where the loss of heat is a concern? If so, then thermal doors might fit the bill. Or, is the building in an area affected by high heat or gusty winds, or even hurricanes? These environmental conditions require certain types of doors. Hurricane zones, for example, require impact resistant doors.
- Are there ADA requirements that must be met? ADA requirements may vary and not only affect the choice of doors, but also the hardware.
- The building’s color scheme can affect the choice of doors, as well as the finish selection of the doors and hardware.
- Cost is an important factor that can impact our choices. Work closely with your door and hardware supplier to understand what’s possible given your budget. For example, maybe the design calls for stainless steel entrance doors, but they don’t fit in the budget. By working with the door manufacturer there is the possibility of dressing up less expensive aluminum doors with cladding so that you get the desired stainless steel look.
- Finally, hinges, threshold, type/thickness of glazing, closers, push/pull hardware, locks and panic hardware requirements should all be considered, because as we’ve mentioned, they can affect the selection of the doors.
There are entrances, doors and hardware available to fit every type and building use. Narrowing down the list of possible solutions helps us to select the right door and hardware system. Continuing to learn about new systems that are available, coupled with a good understanding of the current alternatives is tantamount in choosing an entrance that complements and even enhances its building.
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Greg Rewers is vice president of marketing for Los Angeles-based C.R. Laurence and U.S. Aluminum. To learn more, visit www.crl-arch.com, www.usalum.com and www.crlaurence.com.
