Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Know About the Making of Aluminum Vents Louvers

Aluminum louver vents are widely recognized and used as a sustainable means to bring down heating and cooling costs. An efficient aid to ventilation, they provide an effective system for regulating climate within a building by guiding fresh air toward its interiors and ushering stale air outward. Contractors usually design louver vents to fit into commercial structures, residential homes, and even industrial constructions. They come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and even material built and finish. Because of its low cost, aluminum is one of the most popular materials used to make louvers, but besides cost, aluminum also offers several advantages that makes it a good choice for this application. A louver’s make should also depend on the elements being used to build the structure’s framework.

Aluminum is the perfect choice of material for a louver vent because it is versatile enough to match a building’s requirement. It can be formed into unconventional shapes, depending on the designated space, without much difficulty. Different kinds of louvers can also be fabricated from the material, depending on the type of ventilation system that the building needs.

Naturally more lightweight than other metals like steel or copper, aluminum is still one of the strongest and most durable metals that fits the purpose of louver vents perfectly. It provides high strength to weight ratio, which is essential for this application. A little maintenance is also required when using aluminum to create louver vents. Highly resistant to rust and corrosion, louver vent designs made out of aluminum tend to have a long life. They keep their structure and appearance intact despite the elements. Additionally, louvers that are made out of aluminum have aesthetic flexibility, thanks to the metal’s lightweight and formable nature. Aluminum also accepts different types of coatings, making it perfect for enhancing the building’s appearance.

Few Unique Places to Install Roof Access Hatches

Albeit not designed for daily use, access hatches should be designed for convenience, especially since they lead to important locations that you may need to get to during emergencies. Access panels are built to give you a way to get to fixtures, valves, ducts, switchboards, wires, pipes, and safes installed behind your walls, ceiling, or floor. These are spaces that you don’t necessarily need access to on a daily basis. Because of the nature of their use, access hatches don’t usually have handles, frames, or knobs that protrude. Instead, they have a recessed keyhole or some locking mechanism that activates a latch release. This allows for seamless interior décor and appearance as well as uninterrupted foot traffic (for floor access panels). 

Roof hatches are typically designed to provide access to a roof deck or to ductwork in the ceiling. However, there are other creative ways that you can use a roof hatch to add to your home’s function and aesthetics:

• You may choose to install your roof access hatch over unconventional areas of your home like the living room and equip the installation with a polycarbonate dome. This will allow your roof hatch to act as a skylight and provide more natural light to enter the area below. Not only does this add to your home’s aesthetics, it can also provide substantial energy savings as you get to maximize the amount of light that comes into the home.

• A louvered vent installed in the curb of your roof hatch can also provide additional ventilation in areas where you might need to let air circulate more. Potential areas for this kind of installation would be corner rooms, kitchens, and basement areas.

• Roof hatches can also be equipped with fusible links, which make them double as a smoke hatch that you can open to allow smoke to escape in case of a fire.

Difference between Architectural Hinges and Double Swing Hinges

Architectural hinge is a general term used to classify door hinges that are used in various architectural applications. Some of the most common types of architectural hinges you will find in hardware stores include:

Spring hinges – These are architectural hinges that are spring-loaded and designed to provide assistance in the opening or closing of hinge leaves. The spring serves as a critical component of the hinge and it works by applying force, which secures the leaves closed or keep the hinge opened.

Barrel hinges – A barrel hinge includes a sectional barrel, which is secured by a pivot. The barrel with a hollow cylinder-shaped section receives the bearing force applied to the pivot. Some models have screw-shaped sections used to fasten or drive the pivot.

Pivot hinges – Pivot hinges swivel in openings down the floor and at the top of the door frame. These type of hinges are most commonly found in dry stone buildings of the ancient times and more rarely in wooden buildings. Also known as haar-hung doors, these are low-cost alternatives for hinging light weight doors.

Butt/mortise hinges – These hinges usually come in threes or fours, and are inset or mortised into the door frame and the door. Most architectural butt hinges are made out of steel, especially when used indoors. Mortise hinges that are meant for exterior use are commonly made out of stainless steel or brass, which are more resistant to corrosion.

A double acting hinge, otherwise known as a double swing hinge on the other hand, is a special type of architectural hinge that is designed to allow doors to swing at a 90-degree angle in both directions. This eliminates the risk of pivot doors to split on impact and provides a practical solution for corridor doors that receive great traffic and are constantly exposed to impact damage.

Benefits of Installing a Fire Rated Louver Door Over Traditional Doors

Today’s airtight building construction methods create a real challenge for those interested in maintaining indoor air quality. While heavily insulated, well-sealed rooms and doors keep costly conditioned air inside, they also prevent the replenishing of stale, potentially contaminated indoor air with fresh air from outside. This is where vented louvers come into play as devices to promote a freer air exchange without compromising heating and cooling efficiency. Installing a fire rated louver door over traditional doors in commercial, industrial and some residential settings is the superior choice in many scenarios.

Fire rated louver doors are distinct designs meant to provide the benefits of both fire protection and enhanced ventilation. This type of heavy duty door is meant to provide protection from heat and smoke in the event of a fire, essentially serving as a temporary blocking point that may enable evacuation through other routes should a fire be right outside the door. Fire rated louvers are uniquely designed to work in conjunction with similar rated doors by offering their own built-in protection from heat and flames. These louvers have a special spring-loaded fusible link that provides protection in the event of a fire. If the link melts due to high temperatures, the action bar will close and lock all of the blades, enabling the louvers to stop smoke from reaching the interior of a room.
Fire rated louver doors are intended to provide these benefits:

• Enhanced security in the event of a fire – A fire-rated door can keep smoke and flames at bay for a time, providing people inside a room time to safely evacuate. This type of door is required by code in some buildings, but can make a smart choice as a matter of course. In a fire emergency, every second can count.

• Enhanced air ventilation – Fire rated louvers are meant to provide the best of both worlds. When there is no emergency, these louvers serve to promote improved indoor air quality by allowing for a better flow of air. The improved ventilation can help remove contaminants from indoor air while also promoting a more efficient circulation of conditioned air.

Fire rated doors are simply a must in many commercial and industrial settings to provide enhanced safety in an emergency. Fire rated louver doors provide the benefits of protection while also promoting better ventilation to improve indoor air quality. 


Points to Remember While Cleaning Aluminum Access Hatches

Aluminum access hatches are the preferred design for many residential, commercial and industrial settings. This design is favored not only for its eco-friendly and lightweight nature, but also because aluminum tends to be very simple to care for. Rust and corrosion resistant, this material can stand up to harsh conditions and still maintain its appearance nicely with only a little routine maintenance required.

If an aluminum access hatch is showing signs of dirt and debris build up, simple cleaning will generally restore its appearance. When performing this task, these tips can help ensure a hatch that stands the test of time without losing its looks:

Pay attention to manufacturer instructions – If special coating is used to give an aluminum access hatch a different color or texture, find out if the manufacturer has maintenance recommendations. If so, follow those instructions closely to ensure powder coating, for example, isn’t damaged during the cleaning process. 

Use only simple cleaners – If there are no special cleaning instructions for the hatch, basic but gentle cleansers will typically produce the best results. Mild dish or laundry detergent, for example, blended with water will removed dirt and grime from the hatch’s surface. If mold or mildew is present, a bleach solution can be beneficial.

Be careful with the cleaning tools – Avoid cloths, rags or sponges that are overly abrasive. Softer materials, such standard sponges or car-washing tools, will generally work quite well.

Don’t forget to rinse and dry – After using cleaning materials on the surface of the hatch, make sure to rinse off any remaining soap. Buffing the surface dry with a soft cloth or rag is also advised.

Take the time to also inspect parts – While cleaning off the aluminum features of an access hatch, also use the time to inspect other parts. Hinges and waterproofing gaskets, for example, should be wiped free of any dust, dirt or debris. 

Aluminum access hatches are designed to withstand the outdoor elements. Keeping them looking nice, however, does require routine maintenance every so often. A simple washing with a mild detergent can produce the desired results without damaging any decorative coatings that may be in place. 


Tips to Install Heavy Duty Pivot Hinges Perfectly

Heavy duty pivot hinges are the preferred mounting hardware for heavy commercial or industrial doors. When they are installed properly, these hinges provide the support heavy doors require while ensuring smooth opening and closing. This type of hardware also prevents heavier doors from closing too rapidly, which can result in accidents. Installing pivot hinges properly is the key to ensuring excellent performance and reliability.

While the directions for pivot hinge installation may vary somewhat based on the type selected and the intended application, these tips can help:

Be sure the right size hinge is selected – Pivot hinges may vary in their overall size. It is often recommended that about 1/8” of material is left on either side of a pivot hinge after it is fully installed and mortised. That means hinges should be selected that are about a quarter-inch smaller in width than the thickness of the surface that will be mortised be it the frame, box or door. Leaving less than an 1/8” on each size can compromise the integrity of the hanging job and may lead to damage to the door.

Make sure the weight rating is appropriate for the installation – Heavy duty pivot hinges are intended for use with weightier doors. Even so, it is important to understand the weight rating before selecting hinges. Especially heavy installations may require more than two hinges.

Follow templates and instruction closely – Most heavy duty pivot hinges will come with templates or instructions to guide installation. Follow these carefully to ensure the final installation is properly performed. Some pivot hinges will require the creation of a recess within the door frame itself, which may demand such tools as a butt marker and chisel, among others. 

Heavy duty pivot hinges are designed to deliver the support and smooth movement commercial and industrial doors require. To ensure a proper installation, it is critical to select the right size hinges for the door and the proper weight rating. Mounting instructions and templates are generally available to ensure proper installation based on the precise hinges selected. If a more complex installation, such as revolving door setup, is desired, it can be helpful to consult with professionals. That type of installation will require the use double-acting pivot hinges in a unique configuration.