Whilst one door may look similar to the next, the reality is that not all doors are equal. Doors can be made in several different ways using different materials and techniques. This structure is hidden from view, and when the doors are first installed, it can be hard to tell the difference. But as they are subjected to the rigors of everyday use, the cheaper doors can quickly start to fail and may need to be replaced just months after they were installed. We all know that remedial work can quickly eat into profit margins, so supplying doors that are going to stand the test of time is key.
In this two-part series of emails, we will look at some of the different door structures that are available and highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Commodity doors
The cheapest option is the hollow-core door. It is essentially a corrugated cardboard door sandwiched between two thin sheets of veneered fibreboard with thin strips of timber around the edge. It is light and flimsy and if you kick it, it will break. At Performance Doors, we don’t sell hollow-core doors.
The next level up from hollow-core doors is a mass-produced stock door with a low-density chipboard core, offered in a limited range of standard sizes. This is typical of the doors you might buy from the DIY sheds. They are acceptable for light residential use but will not last long in a commercial environment. At Performance Doors we don’t sell cheap stock doors either.
Performance Doors that perform brilliantly
Our entry level door is the Firedoors Performance door, which has a high-quality particleboard core, four edges lipped in solid hardwood and a wide choice of veneered, laminated or painted finishes. As with all our doors and doorsets, they are made-to-measure for a perfect fit. This specification is perfect for the less trafficked doors in a commercial setting.
Our comprehensive range of made-to-measure doors includes a variety of other options too, including the Noberne Performance Duraplus door. This stile and rail door has a high-quality performance core set within a solid timber sub-frame. The four edges are lipped in solid hardwood and beneath your chosen finish is a high-density sub-face material. This durable door is designed to withstand knocks and kicks and is suitable for frequent use areas in public and commercial buildings.
Multiple levels of performance
Because all our doors are bespoke, we can also combine these different door structures with other performance criteria like fire, smoke and acoustic performance. The Noberne Performance dB Plus door, for example, is a really robust door that can be specified to achieve a 60-minute fire safety certification, high acoustic performance and smoke control as required.
More details on all of these doors and more can be found on our website – just follow the link at the end of this email.
Next week, we will look further at the merits of bespoke doors over stock doors, and how we can help ensure each door on a project is fit for purpose, enabling you to specify performance where you need it and save money where the performance is less critical.
Call the experienced team at Performance Doors for expert advice. We are fully operational after the pandemic lockdown, and welcome enquiries for fire doors, acoustic doors, hygiene doors, security doors, x-ray doors and more. Contact us for more details on 01244 551360 or enquiries@performancedoors.co.uk
