194 CHAPTERFIFTEEN
The sides of the door frame are called the jambs;the
horizontal pieces at the top are called the heads.Features
available on the frames include a head 4 inches wide (usually
about 2 inches), lead lining for X-ray frames, anchors for
existing walls, base anchors, a sound-retardant strip placed
against the stop, weatherstripping, and various anchors.
Fire-rated frames are usually required with fire-rated doors.
When frames are ordered, the size and type of the door,
the hardware to be used, and the swing of the door all must
be known. Standard frames may be acceptable on some jobs,
but often special frames must be made.
Steel frames are primed coated at the factory and must be
finished on the job. Aluminum, bronze, brass, and stainless
steel have factory-applied finishes, but have to be protected
from damage on the job site. Wood frames are available
primed and prefinished.
When steel frames are used in masonry construction, it
is critical that the frames be installed as the masonry is laid,
which means that the frames will be required very early in the
construction process. Because door frames for most com-
mercial buildings must be specially made from approved
shop drawings and coordinated with the doors and hardware
used, the estimator must be keenly aware of this item and
how it may affect the flow of progress on the project.
15–7 Hardware
The hardware required on a project is divided into two cate-
gories: rough and finished.Rough hardwarecomprises the
bolts, screws, nails, small anchors, and any other miscella-
neous fasteners. This type of hardware is not included in the
hardware schedule, but it is often required for installation of
the doors and frames.Finished hardwareis the hardware that
is exposed in the finished building and includes items such
as hinges (butts), hinge pins, door-closing devices, locks and
latches, locking bolts, kickplates, and other miscellaneous
articles. Special hardware, such as panic hardware, is
required on exit doors.
Finished hardware for doors is either completely sched-
uled in the specifications, or a cash allowance is made for the
purchase of the hardware. If a cash allowance is made, this
amount is included in the estimate (plus sales taxes, etc.) only
for the purchase of materials. When hardware is completely
scheduled in the specification or on the drawings, this sched-
ule should be sent to a hardware supplier for a price. Only on
small projects will the estimator figure a price on hardware,
unless the firm is experienced in this type of estimating. The
cost for installation of finished hardware will vary depending
on what type and how much hardware is required on each
door, and whether the door has been premachined.
15–8 Accessories
Items that may be required to complete the job include
weatherstripping, sound control, light control, and saddles.
The specifications and details will spell out what is required.
A list containing each item must be made. The takeoff for
accessories should be made in linear feet or the number of
each size piece, for example, “five saddles, 3 0 long.”
Weatherstripping for the jambs and head may be metal
springs, interlocking shapes, felt or sponge, neoprene in a
metal frame, and woven pile. At the bottom of the door
(sill), the weatherstripping may be part of the saddle,
attached to the door, or both. It is available in the same basic
types as used for jambs and heads, but the attachment may
be different. Metals used for weatherstripping may be alu-
minum, bronze, or stainless steel.
Saddles (thresholds) are most commonly wood, alu-
minum, or bronze. Various shapes, heights, and widths may be
specified. Sound control and light control usually employ felt
or sponge neoprene in aluminum, stainless steel, or bronze
housing. The sill protection is usually automatic, closing at the
sill; but at the jambs and head, it is usually adjustable.15–9 CHECKLIST FOR
DOORS AND FRAMES
- Sizes and number required
- Frame and core types specified
- Face veneer specified (wood and veneer doors)
- Prefinished or job finished (if so, specify the finish)
- Prehung or job-hung (if so, specific installer)
- Special requirements
(a) louvers
(b) windows
(c) fire rating
(d) lead lining
(e) sound control - Type, size, style of frame, and the number of each required
- Method of attachment of the frame to the surrounding
construction - Finish required on the frame and who will apply it
- Hardware—types required and installer
- Accessories—types required and time to install them
Everything takes time and costs money. At the construc-
tion site or in the factory, someone must do every job so that
all requirements, materials, and labor hours will be included
in the estimate.
15–10 Glass
Glass is the most common material to be glazed into the
frames for windows, curtain walls, storefronts, and doors.
The most commonly used types are plate glass, clear window
glass, wire glass, and patterned glass. Clear window glass is
available in thicknesses of 0.085 to 2.30 inches; the maxi-
mum size varies with the thickness and type. Generally avail-
able as single and double strength, heavy sheet and picture
glass with various qualities are available in each classifica-
tion. Clear window glass has a characteristic surface wave
that is more apparent in the larger sizes.