Management of oversize glass doors

Are doors getting bigger with large glass surfaces? How to structure them and, above all, how to accessorize them? Analysis and quick guide for an efficient door.

Architectures are more audacious

In our daily lives, we all happen to come across buildings with attractive shapes where the design of the façade covers a fundamental role. The building façade is the part that first appears to the visitor from far away. In order to make the experience of entering those buildings an unforgettable one, it is fundamental to walk through entrance doors thoroughly designed up to the slightest detail.

Architectural lines bring new requirements: large doors, larger and heavier glass doors. The door industry, as well as the façade systems one, is called upon more difficult challenges.

Types of door

In order to customise the entrance of the building we have several types of door available:

• Double shutter door
• Single shutter door
• Sliding door
• Glass door
• Wood door
• Steel door
• Etc.

Metal and glass doors

Since we are talking about steel-glass façades we will then focus on doors with metal profiles. The use of steel profiles with and without thermal break is nowadays used even when manufacturing the door itself. Architects require designing doors of increased height and width, often with double and triple glazing glass panels. The weight of these doors can often be very significant, thus stressing the hinges that move the whole system.

Components of a door with metal and glass shutters

The main components of a glass and metal door:

• Frame with steel profiles, with or without thermal break
• Glass panels, often with triple glazing and more
• Hinges
• Handles
• Locks
• Door retainers (on the wall or on the floor)
• Door self closers

Main problems related to oversized doors

Metal doors with large dimensions and high weight can cause a variety of technical challenges. These are the main problems which must be avoided:

• Unhinging
• Damage to the floor due to fretting of the door against the ground
• Difficulties in moving the door because of its weight
• Handling the mass of the door
• Weight of the door, typical of glass surfaces with significant dimensions.

Door hinges

We are sure you will agree with us: the fundamental component is and will always be the hinging system of the door. But what is a hinge? The hinge is the engine of the door!

There are several types of hinges, the most common one is the concealed hinge. It becomes even more appreciated when fitted with high-end finishings such as covers and caps for hinges, screws and brackets.

Concealed hinges can either have a single shaft or multiple shafts. Multiple shafts represent a weakness which can cause the door to fall off on its tip. Most hinge manufacturers require the installation of strengthening shims or an increase in the number of hinges used. Also not to be forgotten, International Standards only refer to single axis hinges. Multi axes hinges only have a proprietary protocol from the several regulatory bodies which is not comparable to the certification of the single axis type, although the data may seem comparable.

Are there any solutions to the problems presented? As of today, yes! Discover Sistema Dinamica !

Photo: Glasscon – www.glasscon.com