[ Page 1 of 12 ]

Advertising supplement provided by

Continuing Education Use the following learning objectives to focus your study while reading this month’s ARCHITECTURAL RECORD / AIA Continuing Education article. Learning Objective: After reading this article, you will be able to: 1. Learn a logical sequence in scheduling hardware. 2. Understand basic hardware applications. 3. Understand factors that affect hardware choices.

Doors — we use them countless times every day at home, at work and even when we go shopping or out to eat. They provide access as well as privacy and security.

On the outside, they seem remarkably simple and we rarely take note of them.

But doors are one of the most vital parts of any building and they are required to perform a number of tasks, from being aesthetically pleasing, to being fire-resistant as well as being sturdy enough to secure an area from unauthorized access. In order to meet all of the demands put on them, there are doors made from several different types of material as well as countless types of hardware for them — handles, hinges, kickplates, doorstops — the list goes on and on. Specifying the right door and hardware for the right job can be incredibly difficult and the choices may seem overwhelming, but becoming familiar with the terminology and types of hardware can make the process much easier. We’ll start by breaking the door down into sections:

• Specifying a door
• Hanging the door
• Securing the door
• Controlling the door
• Protecting the door

Going through these steps will help ensure that no piece of hardware is forgotten or overlooked.

 

Bronze gate latch for interior doors. Image Courtesy Sun Valley Bronze.