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Commercial Entry Doors

Last Post 30 Dec 2009 10:40 PM by tompos. 5 Replies.

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tompos

New Member

Posts:3

23 Dec 2009 04:13 PM
Does anyone have any recommendations on a good low U-value commerical entry door? Thank you, David Tompos, LEED AP www.ntainc.com

Bruce Frey User is Offline

Basic Member

Posts:429

28 Dec 2009 08:32 AM
Unfortunately, my experience is that "good low U-value" and "commerical entry door" are not usually used in the same sentence. Architectural metal framing with safety glass just is not a low U solution for a door. Well gasketed and thermally broken door frames are not usually very aesthetically pleasing, either. Air infiltration and the act of opening and closing the door are usually bigger problems than the U value of the door and frame, however. A vestibule helps if you have the room as does pressurizing the space (to eliminate/minimize infiltration). Bruce

tompos

New Member

Posts:3

28 Dec 2009 10:49 AM
I ask the question because we did an energy audit on our building and have identified areas of concern. The front and rear entry door where identifed because when it gets cold we will have about 1/8" of ice on the inside of the door. Unforunately we don't have room for a vestibule. We have already made several changes and expect to have our building recognized by Energy Star in the next couple months. I did find one however it only has an overall U-value of .66. http://www.vistawall.com I'm not sure I can justify the cost. I expect to get specs soon on another door that will not be available until June. Thank you for the information. David Tompos www.ntainc.com

Bruce Frey User is Offline

Basic Member

Posts:429

29 Dec 2009 11:13 AM
Vistawall says the door is thermally broken, but I sure do not see it in the details. To have that much ice, you must be way up north. Is your indoor humidity controlled? I lived in Minnesota for a few years and I don't ever remember having ice on the inside door hardware. Just as a lark, there was a thread about some "magic" nano-insulating clear paint on one of the forums...you could search for it. The stuff cannot have much insulation value, but it MIGHT provide enough of a radiant barrier to keep the surface temp of the door above the dew point. If you do find an aesthetically pleasing entrance door (I don't think Vistawall is very attrractive), please post it. Good luck, Bruce

Jesse Thompson User is Offline

New Member

Posts:89

29 Dec 2009 03:30 PM
The Kawneer IsoWeb products have good U values for aluminum storefront and windows (~0.35 or so), but I still don't see an IsoWeb entrance door system listed on their site. It would be worth a call to Kawneer to see what they recommend. It seems strange to have a weak link like that in a system that is so much better than typical "thermally broken" US aluminum storefront. http://www.kawneer.com/kawneer/north_america/en/product.asp?cat_id=1342&prod_id=1840

Jesse Thompson<br>Kaplan Thompson Architects<br>http://www.kaplanthompson.com/<br>Portland, ME<br><br>Beautiful, Sustainable, Attainable

tompos

New Member

Posts:3

30 Dec 2009 10:40 PM
I found a nice looking door here http://www.ykkap.com/commercial/advantage/energ_facade.asp with a u-value of .49. I'm being told it won't be available for a couple months.