Construction and Materials
Worldwide Door Components offers a range of door components designed to enhance the functionality and durability of doors. These components primarily include thresholds, weatherstripping, door sweeps, and astragals.
The materials and construction methods employed for these products are geared towards providing effective sealing, protection against the elements, and longevity.
Thresholds
Thresholds from Worldwide Door Components are typically constructed from robust materials designed to withstand foot traffic and environmental exposure. Common materials include:
- Aluminum: Known for its strength, corrosion resistance, and durability.
- Bronze: Offers excellent wear resistance and a premium aesthetic.
- Brass: Provides good durability and an attractive finish.
- Stainless Steel: Offers superior corrosion resistance and is ideal for harsh environments.
Construction often involves extruding or casting these metals into specific profiles that ensure a tight seal with the bottom of the door and the flooring. Designs may incorporate features like drip edges to direct water away from the interior, or channels for integrating weatherstripping for a more complete seal.
Weatherstrip
Weatherstripping is crucial for preventing air, water, and pest infiltration. Worldwide Door Components utilizes materials and designs that offer flexibility and resilience.
- Vinyl: A common choice for its flexibility, weather resistance, and cost-effectiveness. It can be extruded into various shapes for different door types and sealing applications.
- Rubber: Offers excellent elasticity and durability, providing a tight seal even with uneven surfaces. EPDM rubber is frequently used for its resistance to UV rays and extreme temperatures.
- Felt: Used in some applications for its ability to compress and seal, particularly against sliding doors or in applications where a softer seal is desired.
Construction methods often involve extrusion to create profiles that can be snapped, screwed, or adhered to the door frame or door itself. Designs can include fin seals, tubular seals, or angled profiles to achieve optimal sealing against different door gaps.
Door Sweeps
Door sweeps are attached to the bottom of a door to seal the gap between the door and the threshold or floor. These are designed for efficient sealing against drafts, light, and noise.
- Aluminum: Often used for the main body of the sweep, providing a sturdy mounting surface.
- Vinyl or Rubber: These flexible materials form the sealing edge of the sweep, making contact with the floor or threshold.
- Brush (Nylon or Polypropylene): In some designs, brush sweeps are used, offering effective sealing against dust and debris while allowing for greater tolerance to uneven surfaces.
Construction typically involves an extruded metal channel that holds a flexible sealing material. They are designed for easy attachment to the bottom of the door via screws.
Astragals
Astragals are vertical molding strips applied to the meeting stile of a pair of doors. They provide an additional seal and can also add structural support and enhance security.
- Aluminum: Frequently used for its strength, durability, and resistance to the elements.
- Steel: Offers enhanced strength and security, especially for commercial applications.
- Vinyl or Rubber Inserts: Many astragals incorporate vinyl or rubber bulb seals or fin seals along their sealing edge to create a tighter barrier against air and water infiltration.
These components are typically extruded into profiles that offer a surface for weatherstripping and a secure mounting point to the door stiles. The design aims to overlap the meeting point of the two doors, ensuring a continuous seal.
