~ British Woodworking Federation Guidelines
for Internal
and External Door Installation, Treatment and Care.
This information is produced courtesy of the British
Woodworking Federation.
NOTE: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of advice given, the Federation cannot accept liability for loss or damage arising from the use of the information supplied.
NOTE: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of advice given, the Federation cannot accept liability for loss or damage arising from the use of the information supplied.
Care of Timber
Doors on Site
Internal and external doors and door-sets may be
supplied `in the white’, with a primer or stain base coat applied or as fully
finished components. Each type needs careful handling and protection although
the actual requirements vary. After delivery it is vital that doors are
correctly treated to ensure that the moisture content is appropriate for the
situation and that they are not physically damaged in unloading, storage and
installation. Good practice avoids damage, maintains quality and saves money.
Delivery and
Storage
Check doors at the time of delivery. All components
should be checked at the time of delivery to ensure that they are in accordance
with the order schedule, the delivery is complete and that the components,
including any protective packaging, are not damaged. Doors manufactured in
accordance with BS1186: Parts 1 and 2: ‘Quality of timber and workmanship in
joinery’ are made from timber with a moisture content between 10% and 19%
depending upon their type and location. For long term performance of the door
and finish, it is important that the appropriate moisture content is maintained
during storage on site and during the construction process. Wherever possible
the sequence of deliveries should be coordinated to site requirements in order
that doors are not kept on site unfixed for longer than necessary.
Handle Doors
Carefully
Doors and door-sets should be handled carefully to avoid
physical damage (do not lift by glazing bars) and to keep them clean. When door
leaves are protected by shrink-wrapping or other packaging this should be kept
in place as long as possible.
Doors delivered in the white should be sealed or knotted
and primed on all faces and edges immediately after delivery.
Never hang a door before applying a protective coating.
Store doors under cover in a dry ventilated building.
Doors should be stored flat (never on edge or on end) on
a level surface and kept clear of the floor on at least three level bearers.
The bearers should be longer than the width of the doors.
Doors should be protected from dirt and damage but
without restricting air circulation.
Natural finish doors should be stacked so that they are
not partly exposed to daylight and opaque wrappings must not be torn.
Exposure to ultra violet light can cause fading or
discolouration of timber veneers.
Whenever possible store doors and door-sets in the
sequence they will be needed with codes or identifying marks visible to avoid
double handling. Avoid dragging them across each other in the stack.
Doors which have projecting sills or have the hardware
fitted must have spacers between them in the stack to avoid damage.
Protect doors during site operations.
Ensure that the moisture content of the wood is kept
close to the level at which it was when the door was manufactured.
Internal doors must be conditioned to the service
conditions before fixing. They must be protected from abnormal heat, extreme
dryness humid conditions or sudden changes of temperature or humidity.
Doors should not be stored or fitted in the building
until the wet trades are finished and dried out.
Treat doors like a piece of furniture.
Factory finished door frames or door linings should
ideally be fitted into preformed openings and not built in to masonry walls.
Pre-finished doors should retain their protective
packaging until the latest possible time, ideally until after internal
decorations have been completed.
If it is necessary to separate the doors from door-sets,
each door and frame should be given an identification mark so that the correct
door is returned to the frame.
Installation
Doors should be fitted square, true and plumb and fixed
in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions or the project
specification.
Three hinges should be fitted to all external doors,
doors weighing more than 20 kilograms and internal doors where large
differences of temperature or humidity on opposing faces can be expected (e.g.
bathrooms and airing cupboards).
Mortices for locks must not be cut through joints in the
door framing as this will impair performance of the rail joint.
If any part of an external door or door frame is cut or
drilled, swab the newly exposed timber with suitable preservative material and
recoat with primer or stain.
Fire resisting doors should not be altered on site.
Cutting of glazing apertures on site must not be carried out without the
approval of the door manufacturer and the local Fire Officer.
Ideally, the door frame should be set well back from the
outer face of the wall or else be protected by a canopy. If not, the head of
the frame should be provided with a projecting head drip.
External doors opening outwards should be particularly
well protected. Glazed panels in doors must satisfy the requirements in respect
of safety glass. Bead glazing must be correctly fitted using compound or
glazing tapes to both sides of the glass.
Finishing
External doors and frames with factory applied primer or
base coat stain should have at least one of the finishing coats applied as soon
as possible after delivery or installation. The back of external frames should
be coated before installation.
Use good
glazing practice
Glazing rebates and backs of beads should be sealed with
an appropriate sealant.
Ensure surfaces and edges are in good condition before
applying finishing coats. If the primer or base coat stain has deteriorated it
should be recoated before further finishing coats are applied.
Finishing of external doors and frames should be carried
out in dry weather using good exterior quality materials in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions.
On external doors, the finish should be an exterior
quality paint or a ‘high build’ stain. (‘Low build’ types of stain should not
be used on external doors.)
It should be noted that the use of dark coloured paint
or stain finishes on external doors, particularly if located on the south or
south west elevations of buildings, will result in high surface temperatures on
the door and can increase the risk of distortion and of resin exudation through
the finish.
Ensure all
Surfaces and Edges are Finished
It is important that all surfaces of doors are painted.
For external doors or other doors subject to wetting or take up of moisture it
is especially important that the full finishing system is applied to the top
and bottom edges of the door leaf. The bottom edge should be coated before
fitting the door.
Factory finished doors should be checked and any small
areas made good in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. The door
manufacturer may disclaim responsibility for any defect or failure that may
subsequently occur which is attributable to non-compliance either wholly or in
part with the advice given in this copy.
In addition to the recommendations of the British Wood
Working Federation given above, the following points regarding achieving a long
lasting finish to doors should be noted.
Getting the
Best Finish
The secret to a smooth finish is a series of sanding
stages (either work by hand or use an electric sander). Always work with the
grain and progressively change to a finer sandpaper. Make sure that sharp edges
are slightly rounded, especially on doors designed to endure weather
conditions, as these areas are where breakdown of any coating usually begins.
Note: Recommendations from the manufacturers of wood
stain and preservatives differ, for example some recommend a different base
coat preservative. It is essential that the manufacturer’s instructions are
followed closely. Below is a guide to ensuring the finished door is fully
protected and sealed. However, our recommended number of treatments is the
minimum required, irrespective of manufacturers recommendations. We do not recommend
the use of wax, polishes or treatment with oils. Varnish cannot be used on
external doors unless it is specified for such usage by the varnish
manufacturer.
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Recommended number of coats of preservative
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Recommended number of coasts of wood stain
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Exterior
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2
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3
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Interior
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1
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3
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Preparing and
Cleaning
Ensure all carpentry enabling the door to be fitted is
completed, remove any hinges or door furniture. Remove all dust and grease, by
wiping all surfaces with either white spirit or cellulose thinner, (check the
recommendations from the manufacturer of your preservative, stain or wood
stain). A vacuum cleaner with a small brush or nozzle will help you get into
all areas.
Remember to wipe down again after rubbing down.
Preserving
Untreated surfaces
Use TWO coats of a clear preservative for all exterior
woodwork, one coat for any interior woodwork that requires preserving. Follow
the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding application closely.
Applying Wood
Stains
Most wood stain is toxic and or flammable – Follow the
manufacturer’s instructions closely and consider the ventilation aspects of the
location where you will be working.
Choose the type of product you wish to use carefully.
Consider the product you will be applying the wood stain to. Do not use an
interior wood stain on an exterior door.
Important
Always treat the end grain and ensure that a good
treatment is applied to all surfaces. Pay close attention to top and bottom
edges, cut areas for lock and hinge housings and holes for letter plates.
Coat All Areas
Always apply the correct number of coats of wood stain
at the right time intervals as recommended by the manufacturers of the wood
stain. Always sand the door lightly between applying coats, and remember to
re-clean all surfaces.
Staining the
Surface
A number of differing treatments are available to change
the colour of the wood. If possible, save any off cuts to test the colour on,
if this is not possible, always test a less conspicuous small area before
applying the full covering. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding
application and ensure that the requisite amount of recommended coats is
applied. Remember the final colour is dependent on the type of wood being
treated.
Maintaining the
Door
Inspect the condition of all external joinery,
especially the decorative and glazing systems, at maximum intervals of one year
and carry out remedial work as required. Care should be taken to also follow
the recommendations on maintenance inspection from the manufacturers of the stain
or paint. Always follow the inspection regime that has the shortest interval of
inspection.
Overall
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The golden rules in achieving a fine long-lasting surface for your door, are, ensure you have enough time to do the job; consider where you will be working, the weather conditions (if applicable) and be fully aware of the manufacturers instructions before starting work.
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