3-Exterior Flush Solid Core Wood Door Specification.pdf

Exterior Flush Solid Core Wood Door Specification

1. General

● Door Type: Flush, Solid Core Wood Door Slab

● Application: Exterior (rated for exposure to weather, UV, and temperature fluctuations)

● Performance Standards (as applicable):

○ WDMA I.S. 1-A (Wood Door Manufacturers Association) for Extra Heavy Duty or Heavy Duty performance.

○ AWI (Architectural Woodwork Institute) or WI (Woodwork Institute) Standards.

○ Compliance with local building codes, including fire rating (e.g., 20-minute, if required) and wind/impact codes.

2. Product - Door Slab

● Construction: Three-ply or five-ply construction with premium wood veneers bonded to a solid core. Stiles and rails must be sized and constructed for adequate structural integrity.

● Core Material: Structural Composite Lumber (SCL), or other dimensionally stable and moisture-resistant solid core material designed for exterior use. Particleboard cores are generally not recommended for direct exterior exposure.

● Thickness: 1-3/4" (minimum), or 2-1/4" for high-end or custom applications.

● Veneer Species (Face): [e.g., Mahogany, Fir, Oak, or Medium Density Overlay (MDO)].

● Veneer Cut/Match (for Transparent Finish): [e.g., Plain Sliced, Quarter Sliced, Running Match].

● Adhesives: Type I (fully waterproof) bond adhesive required for exterior applications.

3. Product - Hardware & Prep

● Machining/Prep: Factory machining for hinges, locks, and any vision/louver kits.

● Hardware Reinforcement: Provide necessary blocking and reinforcement for hinge, lock, and closer locations.

● Hinges: [e.g., 4.5" x 4.5" Ball Bearing, Stainless Steel (recommended for outswing or coastal environments), or Heavy-Duty Commercial Hinges].

● Lock Prep: [e.g., Standard 161 cylindrical lock prep, 86 mortise lock prep, or multi-point lock system prep].

● Weatherstripping: Perimeter weatherstripping (including head, jamb, and astragal for pairs) suitable for exterior use and tested for air/water infiltration.

● Bottom Seal/Threshold: [e.g., Automatic door bottom, heavy-duty aluminum threshold with an integral thermal break, and adjustable sweep/sill].

● Hardware: Install new matching deadbolt and handle set (keyed to the owner's preference).

4. Finish (Site Prime and Paint)

A. General Requirements

● Finishing Window: All six sides (face, back, top, bottom, and vertical edges/stiles) of the door slab must be sealed/finished immediately after fitting and hanging, and no later than five (5) days from door receipt.

● Total Coats: Minimum of three (3) coats total (1 Primer coat + 2 Finish coats) is required on all six sides.

● Warranty Voidance: Failure to finish all six sides, use an inadequate overhang (typically less than $1/2$ the door height), or use a dark color on a door exposed to direct sunlight will void the door's warranty against warping and delamination.

B. Surface Preparation (Required)

● Cleaning: Clean all surfaces to remove dirt, oil, and contaminants.

● Sanding: Lightly sand all bare wood surfaces with fine-grit sandpaper (e.g., 220-grit) moving only with the grain. Remove all sanding dust completely.

● Filling/Patching: Fill all voids, minor defects, and nail holes with an exterior-grade wood filler and sand smooth.

● Caulking: Caulk all joints (around glass, where stiles/rails meet) with a flexible, exterior-grade, paintable sealant after priming and before applying the finish coat.

C. Primer Specification (1 Coat Minimum)

● Material: Premium, exterior-grade, stain-blocking primer.

○ For Wood Species with High Tannin Content (e.g., Oak, Redwood, Cedar, Mahogany): Use a Shellac-based or high-quality Oil-based primer to prevent tannin bleed.

● Application: Apply one (1) full coat evenly. Spot-prime knots or stained areas a second time as necessary. Follow the manufacturer’s specified dry and re-coat times.

D. Finish Paint Specification (2 Coats Minimum)

● Material: Premium 100% Acrylic Exterior Enamel (Latex) or high-quality Exterior

Alkyd Enamel (Oil-Based). Finish must be fully compatible with the primer.

● Sheen: [e.g., Semi-Gloss].

● Color: [Property to Specify Manufacturer and Color Name/Code].

● Application: Apply two (2) full coats. Sand lightly between coats (e.g., 320-grit) if needed for a smoother finish.

● Curing: The door must remain slightly ajar to allow for proper curing and prevent paint

"blocking" to weatherstripping (check manufacturer recommendations, often 24 hours).