Introduction
Exterior doors are usually solid wood or insulated metal doors,
designed to provide privacy, some protection from the weather and intruders,
and can add architectural appeal. Main exterior doors (front) are usually 36
inches wide and 1 2/3 inches thick, while secondary exterior doors (back
door and garage access door) are usually 27 to 32 to inches wide and 1 3/8
inches thick. Interior doors in modern construction are often
hollow-core wood doors and designed to provide privacy and help reduce sound
transmission within the home. Interior doors are usually 27 to 32 to
inches wide and 1 3/8 inches thick. It is important not to use interior
doors for exterior applications because they have a tendency
to delaminate when exposed to exterior elements.
Door Types
Doors are secured to a frame that consists of a head jamb, to side jambs,
and stops (against which the door closes). Doors are secured to the
frame by either metal hinges or set in tracks. Door knobs and locking
mechanisms are usually not include with the door and must be purchase
separately. The type of the doors are
- Wood flush door is flat on both sides and can be either a a
solid core or a hollow-core. The solid-core flush (interior or
exterior) door is made of wood blocks or composition material formed
into a solid piece. The hollow-core flush (interior) door is a
veneered plywood surface attached to wood cross braces or cardboard
strips.
- Metal flush door is a metal clad door, usually used for the
exterior, consists of a steel faced panel with an insulated core.
A thermal-break is usually installed between the door and interior steel
frame to prevent condensation. These doors are popular, especially as
main entry doors to the residence and as the fire separator door from the
attached garage to the living space.
- Panel (interior or exterior) door consists of a wood frame,
enclosing flat or raised wood panels. Exterior panel doors may
substitute wood panels with glass panes.
- Sliding glass door has a wood, metal, and/or vinyl frame
and
casing with two (single or double pane) glass panels. The door
slides on a track and usually has a thermal-break to reduce
condensation.
Common Defects
- Binding or improper fit. Binding, door sticks or does not fit in
the door frame, can usually be corrected by planning, sanding or trimming the
door, or shimming the
hinges for better alignment.
- The most frequently discovered defects are missing
or misaligned strike plates and loose locksets.
- Holes or dents in the doors particularly in paneled and hollow-core doors.
- Rot/deterioration from moisture and insects most
frequently exists at exterior door jambs, sills and thresholds.
- Deteriorated ill fitting or missing weather stripping . A good method
to check the fit is to
close the door and observe from the interior. Signs of light reflecting
through at the doorsill or jambs suggest that the door is not fit
properly.
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Windows Main Page
Walls
and Ceilings Main Page
Floors Main Page
Common Interior Defects
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