Architectural Glass Doors

Architectural glass is glass used as a structural element, as opposed to merely decorative or inserted in hole in the wall for the sole purpose of providing light and a way to see out. Thus architectural glass doors are doors wherein the glass is an integral structural element of the door.

door sweeps for exterior doors

There are many options when choosing glass for your architectural glass doors, although it may be wise to choose from safety glass types, which include toughened, reinforced and laminated glasses.

EXTERIOR DOORS

Crown glass is the earliest style of glass window. It consisted of hot blown glass forced onto a round, flat sheet and cut to size. It was a very expensive mode of manufacture and could not be used to make large panes.

It is not ideal for architectural glass applications, as it is not particularly strong compared to newer glass technologies. Also, it is expensive. It is still used for restoring old buildings, however, as it has a unique look that cannot be obtained through any other process.

Glass blocks or glass bricks are often used as architectural glass in building walls and partitions, but are not ideal for doors as they tend to be very thick and very heavy. They could be used for doors, but this application is rare.

To make rolled plate glass, large amounts of molten glass are thrown on the cast iron bed of a rolling table, and rolled like dough. It is then trimmed roughly while hot and soft.

Figure rolled glass results when the plate is cast between two rollers, one of which carries a pattern. The resulting pattern will appear in high relief. It is usually whiter than clear glasses and can be laminated or toughened to produce a safety glass suitable for architectural glass doors. This may be an option if you want to combine strength with decorative properties, and a whiter, more opaque color for the sake of privacy.

90 percent of the world's flat glass is float glass. Molten glass is poured onto one end of a molten tin bath. The glass floats on the tin, and levels out as it spreads along the bath. The result is that the glass will be smooth on both sides. The glass cools slowly and solidifies as it travels over the molten tin.

A very small amount of tin becomes embedded on the side facing the tin, and this side is easier to make into a mirror. Molten glass floating on tin will normally spread out to a thickness of about 6mm. It is made thinner by stretching it as it cools, and thicker by squashing it as it cools.

Laminated glass is a safety glass that holds together when shattered. It is held in place by a layer wedged between layers of glass that prevents the glass from breaking into large, sharp dangerous pieces. It is often used in architectural applications. As an added bonus, it insulates better against sound and blocks 99 percent of ultraviolet light.

Architectural Glass Doors

SpecialtyDoors.com offers architectural doors, glass doors and many other types of interior and exterior doors for the home or business.

EXTERIOR DOORS

Exterior Architectural Aluminum Entry Doors & Custom Storefronts Add to Your Business' 'Curb Appeal'

Doors are more than just entrance ways to your business; they are invitations to shop.

exterior doors for home

There are certainly some things in life that we all take for granted. No matter how necessary, we still underestimate the value and need for many of the things that we use daily, often until we are forced to think about them by some situation or circumstance.

EXTERIOR DOORS

For example, I am sure we all would put shelter at the top of our list of necessities of life, along with food and clothing. Shelter is initially defined simply as a "roof over your head" and gradually more and more components of that shelter become increasingly important as our hierarchy of needs evolve (similar to Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs theory dated back to 1943). Wikipedia defines shelter as a "typically basic structure or building that covers or provides protection". And, we all know that this so-called 'structure or building' has an interior and and exterior.

As with a business, both a physical and a virtual (online) business, this interior and exterior must not just be functional (a means to store, protect, and display a product), but should also be used to its fullest, such as, to draw customers in and attract their attention to the items or services on display for sale, and to make feel like they must go inside to buy that item.

The exterior of a business has a countless number of design possibilities, yet will always consist of at least one entrance way, let's face it, you have to get inside somehow! What the doorway area looks like is an important part of the 'curb appeal' of your business. This appeal is created through the design, the quality, and the upkeep needed to maintain the desired look.

Here are some things to consider when making decisions about the front entrance to, and the overall curb appeal of, your business. Remember that first impressions do matter.

Things to Consider

Shelter starts with protection from the elements, but goes on to include safety and security, too. Safety and security applies to your business at all times, i.e., before, during, and after work hours During the business day, you want your customers to feel safe in the neighborhood that your business is situated in, as well as inside your store (e.g., safe from crime, injury, fire, etc.). After hours you want to safeguard your business, inventory, paperwork and reputation with a good security system. ADT has an online questionnaire that can give you an idea of what to consider for your security needs based on some basic criteria, i.e., size of business; number of employees; number of doors; and type of ceiling. Their solutions cover a broad range of security issues, including: burglary; employee productivity; employee theft; vendor theft; robbery / assault; vandalism; worker's comp; slip and fall liability; drugs in the workplace; shoplifting; workplace violence / harassment; perishable spoilage; flood detection; outside safety; and intellectual property loss. Note: Keep in mind that it is important to have a solid Internet Security System in place for your online business as well.   Get a strong door so a wolf can not come and threaten to 'huff and puff and blow your door down'. Just like the story of "The Three Little Pigs" consider what kind of door is appropriate for your needs, yet still easy enough to maintain. Know how durable the door and its components (lock, hinges, etc) need to be (heavy or light traffic area)? How concerned are you about things like: break-ins; vandalism; or extreme weather or natural disasters? Typical materials for business doors include: steel, aluminum, and wood. When looking for a steel or aluminum door manufacturer, be aware of the further distinction there among: industrial, residential, and commercial and institutional markets.  Know what type of maintenance your Entry Door requires. For your curb appeal to be effective, not only do you need a solid and appealing door design, but you need to keep it looking neat and clean, too. How often do you need to clean or polish your door (especially glass or shiny areas)? How often do you need to paint or re-finish the surfaces? Will it hold up to heavy traffic? Is it weather-resistant? Is it energy efficient or insulated enough? Will it hold up to use or abuse, regarding scratches or dents? Keep a clean appearance both inside and outside of your store, including the doorway. A sloppily maintained facility will overshadow and negatively impact the best of products. First impressions matter.   Choose a custom-made front entry door / storefront instead of a standard manufactured door. Even if you are working with a limited budget, it may still be worthwhile to invest in custom-made entry ways, rather than going with generics, especially if you invest in materials and a design that is expected to hold up well over time. Consider consulting with an expert or specialist in the type of door you are considering. A company like Steiner Doors, who specializes in custom architectural aluminum door and window designs, has the experience to recommend an appropriate style for your business and can even incorporate your logo and/or street address into the front entry door's design. These doors can be made to architects' specifications with styles ranging from French Doors, to Herculite Doors, to Custom Aluminum Front Entry Doors (that do not have an industrial look), to Architectural Doors (with styles from the 30's and 40's, a great fit for some cities), to Custom Retail Aluminum Storefronts.   Your physical location is an asset, use it wisely. Especially if you have chosen to establish your business in a big town or big city, both for the fancy address, but also for the 'foot traffic', be sure that you do not squander that investment by not using your facility as the promotional opportunity that it can be. Use your facility to sponsor free or invitation-only after-hour events, such as: an Open House; a gallery exhibit; a frequent customer 'Meet and Greet'; a new product line debut; a media invitational; etc. When choosing this option, have some finger food or hors d'oeuvres on hand, and also some promotional products imprinted with your logo and business contact information. Whether it is for an exclusive after-hours audience or as a contest for regular day-time customers, invest in a quality promotional products such as: promotional apparel & caps; promotional bags & totes; pens; key chains; etc.    Learn key door terminology so that you know what to ask for. It seems like every single object in the world has an industry or association devoted to it. For doors, that holds true. Within this door industry, there is also important terminology to be familiar with. Some door manufacturer's and door industry group's that list glossaries or key terminology lists & FAQs on their websites include: Lowe's; Peachtree; and the Window & Door Manufacturers Association.  Tips & Tactics 

Choose a door that is inviting or intriguing, To get an idea of how different impressions can be given by doors, think of how some "doors" have been portrayed in TV and film, such as how doors were depicted in Pixar's Monsters, Inc. animated movie, where children feared what was behind their bedroom doors; or in Alice in Wonderland when Alice was trying to find the right door to get out; or the door in the Twilight Zone introduction that you 'unlock with the key of imagination'. Windows are an element of your entrance way design that should be both decorative and functional. Depending on the size of your entrance way, whether it is a single or double door, or it is part of an entire store front including display windows, there are many options for your design. For example, think about whether or not your design might consist of: a solid metal or wood door; or just a metal frame around glass panels; or instead all glass with an imbedded or imprinted design; or a blend of metal structure with glass components within the design. The combinations and design possibilities are endless. If you are investing in a custom-made entrance way, choose a design that is timeless and one that you expect will remain relevant as your business grows. Keep in mind, too, that should you want to incorporate your logo (and/or perhaps also a building address number) within your door or physical store front area, that the design of that logo should be simple and of an appropriate size that it is legible to those that pass by, and that it is doable by the manufacturer. A metal cutout design probably can not incorporate an as elaborate or highly intricate design or color scheme as easily or as legibly as perhaps an imprinted version might be able to accomplish. Relevant industry groups and publications include: Door & Window Magazine, International Door Association (IDA), Window & Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA), National Fenstration Rating Council (NFRC), and Door & Window Manufacturer (DWM) Magazine. 

Exterior Architectural Aluminum Entry Doors & Custom Storefronts Add to Your Business' 'Curb Appeal'

To partner with a reliable Custom Architectural Aluminum Door, Window, & Storefront maker, go to: SteinerDoors.com
To search the online catalogue of a reliable Promotional Product supplier, go to: ArtPromos.com

EXTERIOR DOORS

Exterior Architectural Moldings - How to Pick Your Window Trim and Wall Designs

Looking through a company's set of profiles you may be overwhelmed by the number of choices, and how similar each individual profile looks. At first glance, they do all seem to resemble one another, and it may lead you to thinking that you can pick any profile and stick it anywhere. Well, you can. But before you and your spouse decide to throw bar darts at the printed selection to decide which ones you'll use, read through this and you'll likely re-think, or atleast narrow your choices.

door sweeps for exterior doors

Cornices (also known as Crown Moldings) are usually placed at the intersection of soffits and walls. They provide a "finish" to the top of your wall and can make an otherwise boring-looking corner a focal point. More often they are larger at the top than bottom to give a tapered look.

EXTERIOR DOORS

Bands are the "chameleons" of moldings. They can be used almost anywhere, but work particularly well in the middle of walls so as to "break" the wall, or along the underside of building joints to mask their presence.

Headers are placed over the top of windows or doors and give them a sturdy sort of look. Often, they are larger and/or a different profile than the trims that run along-side the windows. Some may also contain a drip edge, which is an indent in the bottom of the molding to prevent water from running into the window joint. This helps to prevent water from infiltrating into your home through the window joint (but is not a solution to an improperly installed window!) and causing moisture damage. When compared to Trims and Sills, they protrude furthers and are in between in width.

Trims are used around windows or doors as a surround, or in a similar fashion to bands (the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably). They may run the entire perimeter of the window to give it a simple, clean look, or more commonly just between the Header and the Sill. They are usually flatter and narrower than Headers or Sills.

Sills are specifically designed for the base of windows, to help manage precipitation (such as snow) and protect themselves. When selecting sills in particular, it is prudent to ensure the profile has been designed according to EIFS Council recommendations; that is: "EIFS trim projecting out from the wall's vertical plane should be sloped a minimum rise over run of 6:12 for drainage (ASTM C1397, Standard Practice for Application of Class PB EIFS). The length of the slope must not exceed 300 mm, according to most EIFS manufacturer's specifications." This is particularly useful to note as most manufacturers do not comply with this recommendation. Sills are typically largest in size and protrude from the wall somewhere between Headers and Trims.

Stone Sills meant as a replacement for expensive, heavy concrete sills. Due to EIFS innovation, mouldings can be made which look like stone, but at 10% the weight (and sometimes cost!). Due to the manufacturing process, they can also be made in longer pieces which makes installation cheaper and easier. Architectural moldings may also be finished at the joints much nicer than concrete, to the point you can't even tell they're seperate pieces. Did I mention they're less expensive?

Baseboards may be placed along the termination of the EIFS (which should be well above grade [ground level]). Similar to Cornices, they provide a termination to the EIFS system and hide what may otherwise be an unsightly ending. With the right profile (projecting out from the building, with a drip edge), you may also help divert water away from the foundation of your house.

Pilasters may look like columns embedded in the wall, but are nothing more than vertical mouldings with caps and bases. They are popular at wall corners or at intervals along the wall to provide an illusion of "sturdiness" and are often associated with lavish greek architecture.

Columns are designed to fit around structural poles and posts. They don't do anything in the way of structural support so don't think they're going to hold up the roof over your head, but adding them will certainly make your home more impressive.

Quoins have become so commonplace on houses, it has become fashionable to add them without them serving any real purpose. Quoins will add an air of elegant design to your house by making it look better planned and sturdier.

Keystones may have been the key to holding up bridges and windows in the past, but serve more of a design purpose now than a structural one. Like Quoins, they have become commonplace in modern architecture and serve as a focal point for windows, doors and garages.

As you can see, your selection of moulding will not cause your home to either stand or fall, but can serve important design roles and should be used with a purpose in mind. In the end, it comes down to your own personal taste and what will accomplish the look you want. Don't be afraid to ask for a picture of a previous job with your moulding or 3D rendering on your selection if you are at all unsure of what the finished product will look like. No matter what you decide to go with though, adding exterior architectural mouldings to your home will bolster the essential first impression visitors and potential buyers get of your home.

Exterior Architectural Moldings - How to Pick Your Window Trim and Wall Designs

Jim Schwarznoff is a Construction Project Management student with an emphasis on the building envelope and exterior design. To see some examples of the moldings described in this article or more information on architectural moldings visit http://www.decoramould.com

EXTERIOR DOORS