You don't mess with the ocean.
The ocean messes with you.
This Monday Minute will look at a few solutions we recommend when working on coastal projects.
(This just might end up as a two-parter because there are plenty of products, strategies, and trade-offs to consider. )
Designers love their Tectus hinges and want to use them everywhere on a project. But for exterior doors, and especially doors in coastal environments, you should consider just using the hinges you specified on your interior doors. For this, Simonswerk makes two SOLID STAINLESS STEEL models in Series 304 Stainless Steel.
As expected, these two models come at a premium cost (List $410//$802 each). To save money, some will push to see if they can get away with just using the regular powder-coated aluminum alloy hinges in the TECTUS system (plated finishes are not recommended at all). If salt is involved (or you are using this for an indoor chlorinated pool environment), there is no skimping without consequences.
If the door is on the ocean side of the house, even if the project is somewhat inland, there is no substitute. That door is going to need every chance you can give it.
There is something to be said for being "under cover" or set back under some heavy eaves, but Noreasters don't care where your door is, it's going to find it. There are many more issues we can get into in another Monday Minute, but the photo at the top shows what can happen when using the powder-coated aluminum alloy hinges. Also, standard Tectus coverplates are powder-coated steel and no matter that the powder-coat itself passes the high Grade 5 salt spray test, that salt and grit makes its way in. Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble.
SOLUTION :
TECTUS TE 526 3D & TE 626 3D A8
Three strategies :
Standard : TE 526/TE 626 hinges in Series 304 Stainless. For all exterior doors. Good corrosion resistance.
Extra Corrosion Resistance : Same hinges made in solid marine-grade Series 316 ($$$, long lead time)
Ocean, What Ocean? MegaYacht Deluxe Finish : the belt and suspenders version (or if you really need to match the Matte Black on the rest of the project) specify either of the above in 316 with the powder-coat finish. And, yes, that includes white.
Specs TE526/TE626 :
- 3-D Adjustable with a Hex Key
- Load Capacity: good to 220lbs/660lbs (with two installed).
- UL-Listed : both are 3-HOUR Fire-rated hinges.
- ENERGY Versions available for doors requiring Power Transfer.
- Stainless Steel Receivers available for metal frames.
- TE 626 3D A8 Only : Extra 1/4" throw for clad doors or to recess hinge slightly further into the door and frame.
Considerations :
• EXPOSURE: Having your door is under cover, under eaves, this helps. But it is not going to keep driving wind and rain and grit from making inroads.
• MAINTENANCE: Even Marine-Grade hardware can use a wipe down every once in a while. It's the tiny particles that remain on the surface of the hinge that become vectors for corrosion. Never clean with abrasives.
• GASKETS: Of course, good gaskets are necessary. An inswing door will place the gaskets between the hinge and the elements and certainly help protect them from direct exposure when closed.
• CONSIDER A PIVOT DOOR : Use the FritsJurgens System M on your exterior doors. Everything is made to be corrosion-resistant and the closer is hidden in the door. We can help with specifying this excellent option.
In a future Monday Minute we will go over corrosion-resistant PVD finishes.
By the way, BRONZE behaves beautifully in coastal environments.
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