Roundtable on Doors
Posted
01/1/2010
Doors are the part of the building envelope that receives the
most hands-on treatment from its occupants. Metal Construction News
asked industry experts about current issues and future trends
facing this market segment.
MCN: Why should a builder choose a metal door
as opposed to an alternative material?What are the advantages of a
metal door?
Scott Blue: Durability and strength standout as the
primary reasons why metal is the material of choice. In particular,
metal doors are best suited for large door openings.
Our doors are engineered for each specific application by
mechanical engineers paying strict adherence to IBC2006 building
codes, while designing the door in RISA analysis software. Couple
these larger door opportunities with high wind load requirements
and the care and design method utilized is even more critical. We
have designed doors to withstand wind loads of up to 250 mph.
These demands require the door to have tremendous integrity and to
perform under extreme conditions. Metal doors are up to the
task.
Rita Kogoy: The benefits and advantages are the
security. People automatically associate metal with a stronger,
more secure product. Rolling steel products typically have
extremely long life spans. There are doors out there that have been
operating for 50, 60, 70 years. Engineering-wise, they just keep on
operating.
Also, rolling steel can fit into spaces that other types of doors
can't, as it has very low head-room requirements. Other products
out there fit a variety of niches, but rolling steel has its own
specific pocket and there are certain requirements that definitely
lend themselves to a rolling steel application.
MCN: What are the newest innovations in exterior
doors (materials, coatings, finishes, insulation, hinges, closures,
etc.)?
Blue: Our aluminum doors utilize a unique construction
process. Lighter weight than comparable steel products, yet
incredibly strong, aluminum is aesthetically more pleasing than
steel and, in areas on the coast where corrosion is a concern and
rust is pervasive, the aluminum construction provides a rust-free
solution.
Architects, engineers and end users continue to push the envelope
and ask door manufacturers like Wilson to help solve their
design/door opening challenges. With our build-to-order philosophy
and unique, engineered solutions, tackling these challenges will
very likely give birth to the next innovation.
Kogoy: We work really hard here to offer alternatives
that meet safety design requirements; all kinds of different
ratings for specific products. We work very hard to make sure there
are safety standards in place that not all other products can
meet.
Wind load is a huge issue for us right now; operable wind load. Not
only having doors that can withstand high wind pressure but can
operate in specific wind pressures. Another issue is seismic
calculations for earthquake-prone areas. Right now we are working
on having seismic calculations down to very close zip code areas,
so we can have provable calculations for very specific regulations
in those areas.
MCN: Where does the growth for exterior metal
doors lie? What new market segments are ripe for your product(s) to
enter and explore?
Blue: Wilson has produced metal doors for the aviation
industry since 1956. Increasingly however, we have applied our
doors and technology to the industrial, commercial and residential
markets. We expect this to continue.
Kogoy: Sustainability is a huge issue right now, for
everyone; making products more energy efficient. We have a very
long-life product, which lends itself to the sustainable market.
Materials and packaging-everything that goes into the door, making
those as sustainable as possible-that's a big focus right
now.
Ultra high-cycle is another one. Having doors that operate in
intense, extreme conditions.
MCN: What role do metal exterior doors playing the
'green' building movement?
Blue: Metal doors like ours can have a fairly
significant impact on LEED status and further a project's green
goals. First the doors are manufactured of recyclable
material-aluminum and steel. As well, the doors can easily be
removed and reused on another building, another plus toward
garnering LEED points.
As for functionality, the doors have been used on exterior openings
to allow fresh air in throughout the warm summer months, limiting
the need for air conditioning. Our Premier and Valu-Tec bi-fold
doors and hydraulic doors can also act as a shade/canopy when in
the open position. In the cool winter and fall months the doors can
provide warmth from the sun by skinning the doors with a
translucent plastic or glass.
This significantly cuts down the need for heating and can provide
almost one-third of the desired heat for an adjacent space.
Lastly,Wilson's door seals have been described as "refrigerator
tight," limiting energy loss. These benefits can help enhance a
projects' green status and contribute to its LEED point
total.
MCN: What advancements/changes do you expect to
see in the exterior metal door market over the next 12 to 24
months?
Blue: Wilson will continue to play its role in
satisfying the increased interest in sustainable architecture and
construction. Going forward, Wilson's five different unique doors
will fill the need for a practical, durable large exterior door
solution. They'll play a role in ensuring that the building is
tightly sealed to prevent energy loss, create a more comfortable
working environment and reduce waste. Wind load considerations will
continue to be a requirement, particularly in coastal construction.
Though we have had mild hurricane seasons over the past couple
years, the long range predictions are for rougher weather. Large
openings have to be protected to minimize losses from these
incidences. Wilson has an on-going program geared towards meeting
requirements for high wind conditions by providing doors that can
weather these storms yet are able to enhance the look of the
facility.
Kogoy: Sustainability and LEED-that's a big issue
right now. There's a demand for more energy-efficient products.
Both the operator performing at optimum cycle ability and producing
the proper R-value calculations, where applicable.
MCN: What sets your product(s) apart from your
competitors?
Scott
Blue,
Marketing Coordinator,
Roundtable Cornell Iron Works
Blue: Innovation, longevity, performance, breadth of
product. Wilson's made-to-order philosophy versus a cookie-cutter
approach.Additionally, our customer service is unparalleled- we
treat clients as partners and not simply as a sales opportunity. We
have degreed engineers on staff. We don't farm our engineering out
or have on staff non-degreed "sales engineers" engineer your
product.
Rita
Kogoy,
President,
Wilson Doors
Kogoy: We offer a full line of products, not just a
"onesie-twosie," you can get this or that from us. We offer a full
range of closure solutions, from rolling steel to our new transform
line which is also metal, in a side-folding partition. That gives
architects and specifiers an alternative where there has previously
only been one manufacturer [of side-folding partitions] in the
market. Now we have a viable equal to offer people. And innovative
solutions that no one else can offer the market. We have specific
products that meet the needs of the market as far as design
applications go, and we give people solutions.
Wilson Doors
Elkhorn, Wis.
www.wilsondoors.com
Cornell Iron Works
Mountaintop, Pa.
www.cornelliron.com
www.cornelliron.com; www.wilsondoors.com