The main entrance, including the door, legs and threshold, is the focal point of your client’s home. It sets the tone and the expectation for the rest of the house, and can add or detract from curb appeal. Entrances have been important since the Greeks. According to Jesse Nevins of Carolina Coast University, “To the ancient Greeks, doors were considered sacred and surrounded by superstition. So much so that doors and their component parts had their own deities. To the Greeks, a door was not simply a way of entering a building, but a holy place in itself worthy of the highest respect”.
Keeping doors, legs and thresholds in good shape while building or remodeling a home is important, and now it’s easier than ever. During construction, contractors will come through the door with the materials and equipment needed for the construction project. Each pass risks scratching or denting the driveway. Temporary protection must be in place prior to the start of construction and must include protection for all aspects of the driveway.
Doors can be protected with temporary cardboard door protectors available from a variety of manufacturers. Several protectors are not only made from recycled cardboard, but can also be completely reused and recycled, making these protectors truly eco-friendly. The first protector on the market and the most popular is DoorGuard. It is a truly ecological product that uses recycled cardboard for the protection of the door with natural rubber bands for fixing. Another popular protector is the Doorshield 1-2-3 product. This protector is not recyclable as it uses plastic velcro for fixing the door. These large protectors are most often purchased in pallet quantities for use in many commercial projects; however, they are also available in smaller quantities.
Door jambs are often dented or scratched during construction. There are several types of guards available that fit into the door frame and protect the jamb. These protectors can be made of molded plastic or cardboard. Pre-molded plastic guard works well for legs with standard door frame widths. For larger jambs, there are several wrap-around jamb protectors that work similarly but are not molded to an exact shell size. These reusable leg protectors provide excellent protection, however they are the most expensive leg protectors on the market. The less expensive cardboard protectors wrap around the legs in a similar way and cost considerably less than their plastic counterparts. These are available from a wide range of manufacturers, and can also be purchased online or at building supply stores.
Most entry door thresholds are made of metal or a combination of metal and wood. Metal thresholds often have black anodized coatings that scratch or dent easily. Wood thresholds can also get stained, scratched and dented. Some manufacturers have now made plastic covers to protect the exact dimensions of their sills and include the covers with the complete door unit. Other pre-molded protectors are available from online providers of temporary protection products. There are also a variety of tapes that can be used for threshold protection. Currently the best tape on the market, T-X268, is a special tape that combines UV chemicals in both the tape and the adhesive so it won’t break down in UV light. Additional tapes are also available for sill protection, including those made with blue polyvinyl chloride.
The cost of protecting doors, legs and thresholds is well worth the small investment. The average cost of a cardboard door guard, cardboard jamb guard and sill tape is less than 25.00. The cost to replace just one door can range from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Plus, many door and jamb protectors are reusable, so the long-term cost of protection is even less.
Experienced contractors recognize the importance of protecting entry doors, legs and thresholds. Doing so is a great way to increase customer satisfaction while minimizing workplace damage. Keeping a driveway in good shape during construction and remodeling is now easier and more cost-effective than ever.