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As a repeated part of the built environment, sliding and swinging door systems can be essential to maximizing the value of a planned space. In this Q+A, Tysen Gannon, LEED AP, explains key considerations for specifying doors within a value-driven design framework.
Q. Why are doors essential to a value-driven approach to architecture?
A. Doors are an essential functional element of a building’s design, and their performing to expectations for the service life of a building is of critical importance. When architects, owners and specifiers carefully consider both first and ongoing costs around door solutions, they can choose products that deliver well beyond their initial installation.
For example, hardware for both sliding and swinging door systems, in particular, can be an expensive line item in an architectural budget. Properly specified, quality products that consider the needs of the facility can reduce a facility’s total cost of ownership. This is because emergency door repairs and downtime can incur serious costs as well as problems in terms of security and operations.
Q. How should an owner or architect choose a door manufacturer?
A. Optimally, an owner will choose sliding and swinging door systems that offer the greatest value in terms of total costs of ownership. That frequently means paying a bit more upfront for quality door solutions that realize lowered maintenance costs, fewer replacements and repairs and less hassle in troubleshooting systems.
Owners and specifiers can more easily achieve this by finding products with a proven track record of use in their specific project type. For instance, a barn door designed for corporate interiors typically would not work in a healthcare setting. Likewise, multifamily lock solutions most often would not be suitable for public facilities.
Manufacturers who develop high-quality sliding and swinging door systems generally have extensive internal and third-party product testing to support their claims of quality, a long list of completed projects, competitive warranties, sample installations and references.
A door manufacturer’s length of tenure can be an important indicator as well, as owners benefit from companies that will support their products for the long haul and have developed key relationships based on a track record of success.
Q. How does choosing a manufacturer with both sliding and swinging door systems support a cost-efficient design?
A. There is a clear efficiency in working with one supplier throughout the design and construction process when it comes to door systems.
Doors are technically complex from a code compliance and functionality standpoint, so working with one consultant to facilitate specification of all door systems provides time and simplicity advantages. Integrating swing and sliding doors with storefront systems or framing solutions can have technical complexities in the detailing and in constructability as well. As such, a single source solution allows architects to know the aesthetic and profiles will remain consistent throughout a project, minimizing design changes or possible challenges in the field. Finally, there are economies of scale to be realized by sourcing all door systems from a single manufacturer.
Q. How do high-quality swinging door systems deliver value beyond installation?
A. The choice between sliding and swinging door systems comes down to design, code requirements and functional needs.
Swing doors are of the standard choice in most applications. Code is written around the use of swing doors, and they are required in higher occupancy areas for egress purposes. Sliding doors offer significant space savings when compared to swing doors however and can be a valuable tool for optimizing space efficiency in areas where there are 10 occupants or less or when they are used to supplement egress openings.
Sliding and swinging door systems can now both meet many of the same functional needs of a space offering options such as smoke ratings, Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings, self-closers, positive latching and access control integration. In terms of first costs, swing door hardware tends to be somewhat less expensive than sliding doors. However, if projects are designed around the use of sliders, the return on investment (ROI) from the space savings can easily be an equalizer, especially when spatial constraints are a challenge.
Hardware and installation practices can be key in a value-driven approach
Whether swing or sliding door systems, or some mix of the two, are the right choice for a project, it is important to specify quality hardware that is up to the needs of the facility. Doing so can help reduce reworks and repairs during the service life of the built environment.
Additionally, making efforts to ensure quality installation will be provided can further drive a value-driven approach to construction. Project stakeholders can achieve this through practices like requiring certified installers, specifying wall and floor tolerance limits and partnering with manufacturers who have extensive product portfolios and support capabilities.
