Copper doors

Archive of Older Topics Archive - Product Discussions #2
1

I need to find an exterior copper door and frame for a recreational facility on a state university campus. The application is an exit stair (read limited use) door. The nationally known design architect wants the door to blend in with the copper composite panels, complete with reveals in the door. The door could be wood or metal, because the interior will be painted. It’s a public project, so I also need at least 2 manufacturers. Anyone?

Google produced the following possiblities, but I am not sure if they will work. Anyone familiar with these companies?
Jaroff Custom Entryways
Woodwindows.com
Trustile

2

Curt:

Try Forms + Surfaces (www.forms-surfaces.com). Click on “Door Systems” then click on “Specialty.” They specifically list copper as a material they work with.

I was impressed with their variety and the way they present the information. Hope this helps.

3

This is for Joe Ginsberg, Inc. NYC who does special fabrications in metals , etc.

P 212.465.1077
F 212.465.1162

general information:
info@joeginsberg.com

information request:
inforeq@joeginsberg.com
or www.joeginsberg.com/email/a_submit.html

4

Is there any reason not to just apply the wall panel to the surface of an ordinary hollow metal door?

5

That’s an interesting idea, we would need a much wider reveal at the hinge side so it would clear the wall panel.

Thanks David and Anon for the suggestions.

6

Curt, You might also try the Copper Development Association.
Susan’s idea may be an option - I’ve done it.
Watch out for total weight of door! You will need a really good reinforced frame and I would suggest using wide throw hinges or extra heavy duty pivots to hang the door. This would reduce the amount of reveal necessary to clear the adjacent wall panel.

7

I just deleted woodwindows.com from 4specs - I am not sure what they are and they did not return my email or calls.

8

Some late night thoughts… Regarding attaching copper panels to steel doors, is there a dissimilar metals issue? I guess with proper detailing you can isolate. Still with an egress door, regardless of how seldom opened, the head condition opening to the weather is always a problem. Wondering if wood door wouldn’t be better than steel?

9

CDA is a great source. Here is a link to their manufacturer’s page.

http://www.copper.org/applications/architecture/manufacturers.html

A company by the name of Dawson has stainless steel and bronze entrances and storefront systems but I don’t know if they do copper as well.

10

I would suggest
Dawson and Ellison Bronze for custom bronze doors. Both on 4specs.com

We have specified and used both for custom work.

11

Curt, so now we have a request for a copper door spec, looking at copper clad doors - did you have any luck with your search and could you update on your results.

12

Actually, we may have already found one, a local company for us in South Florida - Next Door Company, known for their SS Doors also manufactures copper clad doors - will contact them and report back, but please any other manufacturer info is welcome.

13

Correction, Next Door Company does not manufactured copper clad doors, only stainless steel, although colored stainless steel is available…and the search goes on.

14

Jerome, Sorry for the delay. Things have been a little crazy and I wasn’t watching the site. I learned that you cannot get a rated door in copper, so we started talking to hollow metal manufacturers about the cladding option. As it turns out, another project that our company is working on was doing something similiar with aluminum. They were able to get a construction label for the door in lieu of a UL label and the Fire Dept and AHJ approved it. One of the main issues was that no cladding could come between the metal door and door stop.

As for manufacturers, the two Kenneth recommended were helpful.