I am started door hardware today, and it got me thinking, why can't commercial door hardware be as simple as your residential hardware. All my locksets are mortised locks that need to be taken apart and changed for the door swing. We also got closers, panic bars with trim kits. One door has a panic exit device with exterior trim kit, weather strip, sweep, closer, and threshold! What are your hardware experiences?
Door hardware time!
1 - 20 of 43 Posts
Joined
·
49 Posts
Resi, hardware sucks.
Yeah, commercial hardware is more complicated but, think of the use that it will get. No way is a "Kwickset" going to hold up in an elementary school.
Also all door hardware should be specified with life safety in mind. Ergo panic bars etc.
Yeah, commercial hardware is more complicated but, think of the use that it will get. No way is a "Kwickset" going to hold up in an elementary school.
Also all door hardware should be specified with life safety in mind. Ergo panic bars etc.
Joined
·
7,076 Posts
Egress code requires doors to unlatch with a single action. A mortise lock meets that requirement (turning the knob unlocks and unlatches); your standard Kwik-Set or standard Schlage residential lockset doesn't.
Low-occupancy Group R buildings are specifically excepted, so we get residential door hardware.
Section 1008 in the California building codes and probably most other states too.
Low-occupancy Group R buildings are specifically excepted, so we get residential door hardware.
Section 1008 in the California building codes and probably most other states too.
I do understand that, What I am saying is you would think simplicity would be adapted into commercial door hardware. Like all brands to be a standard, but that is not the case. It would make it more time efficient just by being familiar with the measurements of where to drill and tap
Joined
·
7,076 Posts
Didn't mean to preach - I went and looked up the codes just so I could pretend I knew what I was talking about. Yes, I agree, definitely more proprietary systems in commercial. I have a pile of Schlage lock sets that I use in residential remodels. If a customer wants locks re-keyed or for some reason the hardware's going to take a beating, I just swap out the customer's locks for mine. The customer's locks go to the locksmith, or get put somewhere safe. It's only possible because residential locks are so standardized.
- Bob
I agree fully with your idea that there should be 1 or3 (whatever amount) of set dimensions for lock casing with what ever required mechanisims inside, and not 101..
It would make for more efficient fitting, easier replacement etc.
I think the main reason is in commercial work is there are so many factors such as many doors with diffrent uses ie.fire routes, restricted areas, one ways, etc
Then there are so many diffrent manufacturers with it being such big buisness.
And the biggest factor the architect with many differnt specs, ratings and finishes....
Installing hardware you don't spec yourself always turns into a real screwup aswell.
Joined
·
49 Posts
Yeah, it can go south in a hurry.
I just started an install on a local military base with a bunch of sound doors. First thing is we get busted because the supplier sent out stops made in China. A big no no because of the "buy American act".
Next thing I start hanging doors and the automatic door bottoms are wrong. Needless to say I am sitting at home doing paper work waiting for the correct ones to show up. Needles to say that the completion date has not moved.
I just started an install on a local military base with a bunch of sound doors. First thing is we get busted because the supplier sent out stops made in China. A big no no because of the "buy American act".
Next thing I start hanging doors and the automatic door bottoms are wrong. Needless to say I am sitting at home doing paper work waiting for the correct ones to show up. Needles to say that the completion date has not moved.
Joined
·
49 Posts
NeedlessTheRewster said:Yeah, it can go south in a hurry. I just started an install on a local military base with a bunch of sound doors. First thing is we get busted because the supplier sent out stops made in China. A big no no because of the "buy American act". Next thing I start hanging doors and the automatic door bottoms are wrong. Needless to say I am sitting at home doing paper work waiting for the correct ones to show up. Needles to say that the completion date has not moved.
Yes it is, vastly more time consuming though.
no way is it even close to being similar. I love hardware, I just got off a 4 month for and hardware job. I did a lot of complicated hardware that definitely tested your skills.
My point exactly, hardware is great work, but can be extremely challenging sometimes.
Does anyone that does commercial door hardware have any tips and tricks they could share?...I don't do it as often as a wish I could, so when I do it I'm not as efficient as I would like to be.
So I am looking for any suggestions as far as prepping doors for mortise lock sets, panic bars, and closers. Mainly steel doors, but I come across wood ones as well.
I can never mange to line my holes up exactly for a mortise lock set by using the supplied instructions.
Any help would be appreciated.
So I am looking for any suggestions as far as prepping doors for mortise lock sets, panic bars, and closers. Mainly steel doors, but I come across wood ones as well.
I can never mange to line my holes up exactly for a mortise lock set by using the supplied instructions.
Any help would be appreciated.
If your using the templates, don't. Use the numbers they give you to drill your holes, make sure you are right before you drill some doors are thousands of dollars and commercial hardware is very expensive. Take your time, and read the installation instructions. And if you can't do it you need to take an old set and practice at homeRyan03 said:
Because then you'd be out of a job.
1 - 20 of 43 Posts
Join the discussion
