Installing Stainless Steel Doors The do's and don'ts Reprinted form Doors and Hardware magazine - September 1999 issue. Authored by John Schechter, president, Next Door Company. Manufacturing superior 100% stainless steel door products takes many steps, including precision engineering and specific fabrication requirements by experts. Once accomplished, the next step is essential in preserving the special qualities of stainless steel. Accurate installation of conventional doors demands care and skill. Precision is vital with stainless steel doors to preserve the materialÕs integrity, Extra care and proficiency during installation is necessary for two reasons. First, using stainless steel allows no room for mistakes. It is pre-finished and cannot be fixed aesthetically. If a wood or steel door is scratched or dented during shipping or installation, fillers and paint can be used to patch and repair the door. Stainless steel is very unforgiving; once marred, it cannot be easily repaired. Second, stainless steel has a very high-tensile strength. Working with a hard material requires special power tools, drill bits and experience specific to stainless steel. If care is not taken with stainless steel doors, drill bits, for example, can burn out and mar the door. Proper delivery When selecting stainless steel doors and frames, the end product is corrosion-resistant. Yet, the material requires special care to live up to its full potential and intent. Proper delivery is the first step toward a successful installation. DO     DON'T     Demand that the stainless steel supplier be responsible for packaging the door properly to protect it from damage under normal carrier conditions.       Remember to notify your supplier immediately upon encountering any problems.       Initiate any corrective work in the field on a damaged stainless steel door. Most companies have their own field representatives who are qualified to do expert repair work     Wait to file a claim when material is damaged in shipment. The consignee should notify the delivering carrier by telephone and in writing, insisting upon immediate inspection of the damaged material. Proper handling Whenever interacting with stainless steel, even when removing the door and frame from the crate, be sure to use caution. DO     DON'T     Carry and lift stainless steel doors. Avoid dragging materials.       Remove rings, tool belts, tools and any objects that may scratch the material or mar the finish.       Wear non-abrasive gloves when handling stainless steel and upon initial inspection of the delivered door.     Treat stainless steel doors like any other door. If you do, careless damage will likely occur. On-site storage Care must be exercised to protect products against physical damage or disfigurement. Pre-assembled doorframes, because they tend to be cumbersome and awkward, are susceptible to damage. Several tips on care may be useful. DO     DON'T     Adhere to the following rules to protect the stainless steel doors and frames and to guarantee the manufacturer's warrenty.       Store stainless steel doors and frames in an upright position on a flat, dry surface with heads uppermost.       Store all materials in a dry area undercover.       Place all material on planking or blocking, at least 4" off the ground, 2' off a paved area or floor slab.       Provide, by means of wood strips, a space of at least 1/4" between all units to permit air circulation.     Store more than three multi units together. This minimizes excess handling and the likelihood of damage in addition to easing selection from the group for installation.       Permit cardboard, paper containers or wrappings to become wet. If this happens, remove them immediately. Hanging doors and frames Experienced care and craftsmanship are essential in the hanging of metal doors. These tips will assist in installation of scratch-free, properly aligned stainless steel doors and frames. DO     DON'T     Deal with quality manufacturers who provide a protective layer of wrapping and ship stainless steel door products safely.       Keep the doors wrapped during installation and until construction is complete. Remove wrapping just before the building is turned over to the owner.       Brace the door and frame temporarily and test it to ensure proper alignment. Once it tests correctly the door can be permanently installed.       Use a quality drill when installing stainless.       Use cobalt bits and stainless steel taps for all drilling and tapping.       Use only stainless steel components (for example, screws and bolts) when installing stainless doors. Galvanic corrosion can occur from stainless steel coming into direct contact with other metals.       Remember that drilling into hard metal creates more friction, which can cause an improper drill bit to burn out or break and ultimately mar the door.       Consider the option from the manufacturer to receive pre-installed hardware.     Ignore the process of testing alignment, Any frames out of true alignment simply won't operate.       Forget that stainless steelÕs high-tensile strength requires particular tools for installation,       Allow any metal to come in contact with the stainless steel doors other than stainless steel itself. Zinc-plated fasteners, iron dust and copper can create rust that will stain the surface of the doors. Hire experienced stainless steel installers Just as experience is required in manufacturing stainless steel, several years of specific experience in hanging stainless steel doors is fundamental to a proper installation. For example, a Toyota mechanic would not be hired to work on a Rolls Royce. Stainless steel door installers need to be extra careful. Cleaning and maintenance of stainless steel Stainless steel requires a thorough cleaning only a few times a year with either soap and water or a non-abrasive detergent. DO     DON'T     Soak a sponge or cotton cloth with a neutral detergent or soap and water and wipe down the door to remove oil and construction debris.       Polish the door with a stainless steel cleaner to restore the sheen of the metal.       Rinse the door with water and wipe it dry with a cotton cloth for regular maintenance.       Clean in the same direction as the surface grain using a light, steady pressure.       Call on your quality manufacturer with any questions as they are your main resource for stainless steel information.     Use paper towels or other abrasive materials (such as Scotch Brite or steel wool) that may scratch the surface of the stainless steel door.       Use cleaning solutions that contain hydrochloric acid.       Use rags with zinc or any other metal product that may rust and stain the door. The market for stainless steel doors is growing, and customer demand continues to rise. Manufacturing a superior stainless steel door is the first step, and proper door installation is the final element in delivering one of the hottest products on the market today. [ back to press releases ] E-mail us for any further Questions   © 2005 Next Door Company. All rights reserved.