Summary:
Handling, installation and finishing your Meranti external door
Quality acceptance – All doors should be inspected immediately upon receipt, prior to installing, to ensure that size and quality of each door is acceptable.
Storage and conditioning (acclimatisation) – Prior to installing the door should be stored in a ventilated, dry area and protected from moisture (from damp floor beneath the area on which doors are stored) and rain. Doors should be stored flat on three equally spaced bearers. It is advisable to allow the door to acclimatise/condition itself to ambient relative humidity in the locality where it will be fitted. Care should be taken to ensure central heating is not on high when the door is fitted as this will cause the door to shrink unevenly – heating should be increased gradually to allow the moisture evaporation in the timber structure of the door to equalise evenly.
Fittings – The door must not be fitted in new/recently plastered and bricked areas as these will substantially increase moisture in the area and increase risk of deterioration of the door. Such areas should be completely dry before installing the door. The width of the door can be reduced, if necessary, by trimming equally on both sides to a maximum of 10mm overall (5mm per side). Height reduction should preferably be restricted to a maximum of 10mm overall (5mm top & bottom). When cutting, preferably use a “plunge saw” to adjust the depth when cutting, 1st cut about 2.5mm deep to break the cross-grained timber slats and 2nd cut to cut through the door to its desired size. It is important to use a fine-tooth sawblade. Lock blocks are centrally provided on each edge of the door to allow for mortice or similar locks. It is recommended that the door be hung using three good quality 100mm hinges.
As timber is a naturally grown product there will be a tendency for movement with changes in temperature and humidity. Warp, bow, twist or cupping shall not be accepted as defect unless it exceeds accepted norms of 6.35mm in the plane of the door.
Finishing – The door should be treated prior to fitting with a suitable sealing coat and a minimum of two coats of quality hardwood timber finishing product or paint, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly before applying the next coat. It is very important to check with your paint supplier for a suitable choice of finishing material for the door and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. All six sides and cut-outs for locks, hinges, etc. must be well treated before fitting the door.
The door must be re-treated regularly according to the treatment manufacturer’s instructions.
Colour variation – Timber is a naturally grown material, with its own characteristics and subject to variation in colour and grain appearance. Therefore, variation of grain and colour is not acceptable as a reason for exchange or rejection.
Conditions of sales – The manufacturer/supplier of the door will not be liable for any incidental charges or expenses as a result of bad handling, storage, fitting, installation or treatment. In the unlikely event that the door proves unacceptable due to manufacturer’s defect, liability shall not, in any case, exceed the cost of the door.
Guarantee – BB and 15P Doors are guaranteed for full external exposure. Tested in accordance with SANS 6182:2017 for Class 1 Full Exterior Timber Doors.
ENGINEERED AND VENEERED DOOR GUIDELINES
Quality acceptance – All doors should be inspected immediately upon receipt, prior to installing, to ensure that size and quality of each is acceptable.
Storage and conditioning (acclimatisation) – Prior to installing the door should be stored in a ventilated, dry area and protected from moisture (from damp floor beneath the area on which doors are stored) and rain. Doors should be stored flat on three equally spaced bearers. It is advisable to allow the door to acclimatise/condition itself to ambient relative humidity in the locality where it will be fitted. Care should be taken to ensure central heating is not on high when the door is fitted as this will cause the door to shrink unevenly – heating should be increased gradually to allow the moisture evaporation in the timber structure of the door to equalise evenly. The door must not be subjected to extremes of dryness or humidity and/or sudden changes in ambient moisture levels.
Fitting – The door must not be fitted in new/recently plastered and bricked areas as these will substantially increase moisture in the area and increase risk of deterioration of the door. Such areas should be completely dry before installing the door. The width of the door can be reduced, if necessary, by trimming equally on both sides to a maximum of 10mm overall (5mm per side). Height reduction should preferably be restricted to the bottom of the door, to a maximum of 10mm. Locks should not be fitted where cross-rails meet the vertical styles, as this may cause weakening or opening of the joint. It is recommended that the door be hung using three good quality 100mm hinges.(fire doors 4 hinges)
As timber is a naturally grown product there will be a tendency for movement with changes in temperature and humidity. Warp, bow, twist or cupping shall not be accepted as defect unless it exceeds accepted norms of 6,35mm in the plane of the door.
Finishing – The door should be treated prior to fitting with a suitable sealing coat and a minimum of two coats of quality hardwood timber finishing product or paint, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly before applying the next coat. It is very important to check with your paint supplier for a suitable choice of finishing material for the door and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. All six sides and cut-outs for locks, hinges, etc. must be well treated before fitting the door. Yacht-quality varnish should not be used. Water- or solvent-based treatments are not recommended.
The door must be re-treated regularly according to the treatment manufacturer’s instructions.
It is recommended that dark colours be avoided for sides of doors that face direct sun.
Colour variation - Timber is a naturally grown material, with its own characteristics and subject to variation in colour and grain appearance. Therefore, variation of grain and colour is not acceptable as a reason for exchange or rejection.
Condition of sale – The manufacturer/supplier of the door will not be liable for any incidental charges or expenses as a result of bad handling, storage, fitting, installation or treatment. In the unlikely event that the door proves unacceptable due to manufacturer’s defect, liability shall not, in any case, exceed the cost of the door.
One Year Full Value Guarantee - GNT meranti-veneered doors are guaranteed against manufacturing defect for full weather exposure for one year.
The guarantee is subject to thorough treatment on all six sides prior to installation and regularly thereafter with a suitable oil-based exterior wood coating. This treatment MUST also include cut areas for trimming, hinges, locks and handles before final installation and hanging of the door.
Doors included in this range are -
- “Elite” meranti-veneered panel doors, including bolection
- “Elite” meranti-veneered unglazed glass-panel options, and
- “Elite” BB and 15P Horizontal Slatted solid meranti doors
Three Year Proportional Guarantee - The above listed doors carry an ADDITIONAL PROPORTIONAL manufacturing defect guarantee for 3 years after purchase date. The additional guarantee for years 2 and 3 is subject to proof that the doors have had correct maintenance and treatment after installation. If the door fails for reasons attributed to manufacturing defect after year one, Esstee meranti-veneered doors will be covered by a pro-rata guarantee for the years 2 and 3.
Water-based, PVA, enamel and polyurethane/varnish systems are not recommended.
Superficial veneer cracking is not considered to be a manufacturing defect.
The full guarantee and proportional guarantee is limited to the purchase value of the door.