The principal enemy of doors is excess exposure to moisture or dryness.  Having left our custody, we have no control over the conditions to which they are subjected and to avoid any subsequent cause for disappointment, we strongly advise the following advice is heeded.  If suitable care and treatment is not taken, stresses within wood may be released, resulting in movement or distortion such as swelling, warping, splitting or even discolouration. 

No liability will be accepted when problems are moisture related.

Storage

On receipt please store the doors, laid flat, fully supported off the floor with at least three full width bearers of the same dimensions in a dry fully ventilated area, with the protective packaging intact.  Doors supplied unfinished should be thoroughly sealed on all faces and edges prior to the commencement of any joinery work, although first sizing them may be to advantage.

Wood finishes

There are numerous brands on the market and we fear many are formulated to achieve a low market price rather than quality.  Be sure to select one to provide a lasting seal between component parts.  Avoid the use of water based finishes, using only good quality solvent based finishes that have recognised sealing properties, ensuring that it is fit for purpose for the situation and conditions in which your door is to be fitted.  Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and we recommend keeping a copy of the claims made for the product in the event it fails to perform.  It is vital all finishing systems are applied equally to both sides and edges at the same time.  Rapid changes in ambient moisture are extremely detrimental especially when unbalanced.  Danish oil is not suitable for use as a finish on any of our products.  The application of a base coat stain or a paint primer alone is not deemed to form a seal.

Installation

When trimming doors, reduce them equally and not excessively from the top and bottom for height, to the hanging edge only for the width, if minimal, but equally with the meeting edge if a greater amount is necessary.   Please note our FD30 fire doors have individual limitations in this respect and these cannot be exceeded.  Recesses for hinges (3 No 76mm or 100mm for internal doors and 3 No 100mm external) and mortices for latch/locks etc. should be cut to the minimum recommended sizes.  Panel door mortises should not be located at rail joints as this may seriously weaken therm.  On completion remove doors, taking off all ironmongery and treat every surface liberally with a number of coats before finally refitting, giving particular attention to all exposed end grain where the propensity for ingress/egress of moisture is far greater.

Safety Glass

To comply with building regulations all pre-glazed doors meet the requirements of the European standards.

Internal door specific

We strongly advise against the installation of all types of timber doors into a building with recent plastered or screeded areas.  Wet sites with enclosed unheated buildings represent extremely detrimental environments and must be thoroughly dry, without condensation, before doors are introduced.

External door specific

Even in times past, it was never advisable or intended that timber entrance doors be fully exposed to the worst elements of our climate, even if well coated.   A South/South Westerly elevation is the worst direction for the prevailing weather and exposure to the hottest sun and external doors can be seriously degraded.  We recommend they are set back from the front face of the building and covered by a canopy or porch way projecting not less than about 1.5m, regardless of elevation.  Always fit with a suitable weatherboard regardless of frame cil type fitted, to prevent droplets of moisture hanging from the door bottom.  Future maintenance is most important to retain good appearance over many years and we recommend washing down with warm water and detergent every two to three years and re-coating.

Quality Standards

All external and internal doors are supplied in accordance with BS EN 942:2007 “Timber in Joinery General Classification of Timber Quality” and BS 5278:1976/EN25: 1975 “Doors measurement of Dimensions and of Defects of Squareness of Door Leaves” / BS EN 951:1999 ”Door leaves.  Method for measurement of height, width, thickness and squareness”.   Any claims against warranty relating to manufacture will be assessed strictly in accordance with the criteria contained within.

Any claims against warranty relating to storage, handling or installation of any of our doors will be assessed against guidelines contained with BS8000 part 5:1990 and British Standard Code of Practice CP151.  Our terms and conditions of trading apply.