FAQs

How to care for your aluminium front door

AFTER INSTALLATION

  • Do not attempt to completely open the door unless you have read the operating manual and followed the instructions therein.
  • Expansion gaps must be lift in floor screeds and timber floor finishes so the door threshold is not affected.
  • Protect finished surfaces from cement and any other forms of chemical which can discolour the finished surface.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

  • Doors should always be opened and closed in accordance with operating instructions. If you have misplaced the operating instructions, please contact us and we’ll be happy to replace.
  • The best method of cleaning is by regular washing of the door using a solution of warm water and mild detergent.  All surfaces should be cleaned using a soft cloth or sponge, using nothing harsher than natural bristle brushes.  Cleaning of window sections etc. can be conveniently carried out at the same time as glazing cleaning).
  • Stubborn marks on the powder coating may be removed with methylated spirits. Refer to the table for recommended cleaning intervals.
FINISH/LOCATION CLEANING INTERVAL
Normal environment with standard RAL coating or Anodise finish Clean and check every 6 months
Marine coating (or located above 1000m) Clean and check every month
Industrial environment Clean and check every month
Swimming and leisure pools Clean and check every month

How to survey and measure a door

HOW TO SURVEY A DOOR APERTURE

At Spitfire Doors we want to make it easy for you to choose and buy your aluminium entrance door. Here, we’ve put together some guidance and points to consider before ordering your door.

HOW TO SURVEY A DOOR APERTURE

Measure the width and height taking 3 measurements for each (see picture).
Take diagonal measurements to show if door aperture is square
Use the smallest width and height for the manufacturing size
Always deduct this fitting tolerance before placing your door order

CILLS AND THRESHOLDS

  • Will you need a sub-cill?
  • To avoid trip hazards, it is good practice to use a low threshold for an entrance door
  • When calculating the size, depth and projection of the sub-cill ensure there is adequate overhang of at least 50mm from the face of the building
  • Decide how the sub-cill will be fitted, taking into account any features such as horns
  • Following installation, plan how any making good will be carried out.

REVEALS AND HINGES

  • Note any difference between internal and external reveal sizes and check the door leaf will not be impeded by plaster, tiles or carpet when opening or closing.
  • We recommend taking a measurement between the skirting boards since this is usually the narrowest point of any door opening.
  • When you have calculated any difference between the internal and the external sizes, check if any part of the frame will be behind the plaster.
  • Also ensure the hinges will not be too close to the plaster line or that the glazing will not disappear behind the plaster line.
  • If there are foot mats behind the door on the inside, ensure the door leaf will not bind on the flooring when it opens.
  • Will the floor covering change in future? This may have an impact on the opening of the door.

ASK US FOR ADVICE – WE’RE HAPPY TO HELP

Call the Spitfire Doors team for advice about appropriate add-ons, cills, thresholds and furniture options.

HOW TO DETERMINE THE MANUFACTURING SIZE

With aluminium framing you should deduct 12mm from the smallest of your aperture measurements. When calculating height deductions make allowance for the thickness of any sealant or mortar bed at the sub-cill. Ensure the thickness of the internal plaster does not hide or obscure the frame or hinges. If so, order the appropriate add-on.

  • Is there any evidence of asbestos that may need to be removed or disturbed?
  • Is the aperture square and even to within 5mm height and width and 10mm diagonals?
  • Will any loads be carried by the building and not the doorset?
  • Is there a proper damp proof membrane in place?
  • Has the size of the sub-cill and method of fixing been determined?
  • Has the hinge side been determined when viewed from outside?
  • Will door function properly without binding on the floor?
  • Will the door hinges function without being fouled by plaster?
  • Is the size and configuration within the Spitfire Doors manufacturing limits?
  • Is the door design specification suitable for the location?
  • Will the new door installation comply with Building Regulations?
  • Has any additional hardware been specified?
  • Is the access for installation safe?
  • Has the fixing method been determined?
  • Has the extent of making good been agreed with the customer?
  • Is the door set being installed in a coastal or chemical environment?
See More FAQs...

Door Specification Comparison Table

FEATURES S-100 Series S-200 Series S-400 Timber Series S-500  Series Pivot
S-600 Series		 Pivot
S-700 Series
General Description A luxurious, affordable entrance door which can be manufactured to sizes much wider than a composite door. Premium aluminium door range of popular designs, with many customisable options. Strong, secure & built to last. Our exquisite timber door collection is crafted to perfection by merging advanced engineered timber layers with a robust wooden frame. Best door in Europe! Oversized doors, designed to make a grand opening statement. Ideal to replace a door and single side light. Massive doors, the ultimate entrance! An architects dream for a state of the art build.
To demonstrate the differences between our Door ranges, we have compared our luxury entrance doors to cars. An S-100 Series would be an energy efficient Volkswagen. An S-200 Series would be a high quality German saloon. An S-400 Timer Series door would be a high quality electric vehicle. An S-500 Series door would be a hand-built, premium luxury Black Badge. An S-600 Pivot door would be a high performance, high specification 4×4 An S-700 Pivot door would be an exotic supercar. Singularly focused on style & performance.
Document Q compliant No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
U Value W/m²k 0.77 for solid designs

0.88 for glazed designs

Passive house on request

 0.9 0.9 – down to 0.59 passive house on request 0.6 – 0.9 (depending on door design) 0.9 0.9
Number of designs 40 200+ 36 400 + bespoke options 31 39
Flush Sash and Frame (externally) Yes Yes Yes with Flush 100mm profile Yes Yes Yes
Finishes * 18 Luxury Solar Shield Finishes RAL colours, Textured, Designer Effects, Wood Effects. RAL, Oil, Stain RAL colours, Textured, Wood Effects, Sparkle Paint, Glass, Concrete and many other luxury effects RAL colours, Textured, Designer Effects, Wood Effects, Glass Finishes, Mystique Effects (external slab only) RAL colours, Textured, Designer Effects, Wood Effects, Glass Finishes, Mystique Effects (external slab only)
10 year warranty

(ME = Marine Environments within 2000mm of the coastline)

 Repairability (10 in ME)

Functionality (5 in ME)

Tedee Unit 2 years

Tedee Profile Cylinder 10 years

 Repairability (10 in ME), Functionality (5 in ME), RAL Paint (5 in ME, must be Textured), Wood Effect Paint (5 in ME)

Tedee Unit 2 years

Tedee Profile Cylinder 10 years

 10 Years for Spruce and Oak

Vintage Reclaimed Timber doors – no warranty for timber

 Repairability (10 in ME), Functionality (5 in ME), RAL Paint (5 in ME, must be Textured), Wood Effect Paint (5 in ME) Repairability (10 in ME), Functionality (5 in ME), RAL Paint (5 in ME, must be Textured), Wood Effect Paint (5 in ME) Repairability (10 in ME), Functionality (5 in ME), RAL Paint (5 in ME, must be Textured), Wood Effect Paint (5 in ME)
Glass warranty in door and side lights 5 years 5 years 5 years 5 years 5 years 5 years
2 year warranty (1 year in ME) Hardware finish and Moving Parts Hardware finish, Moving Parts, Electronic components (fingerprint and LED Lights) Hardware finish, Moving Parts, Electronic Components (fingerprint and LED lights) Hardware finish, Moving Parts, Electronic components (fingerprint and LED Lights) Hardware finish, Moving Parts, Electronic components (fingerprint and LED Lights) Hardware finish, Moving Parts, Electronic components (fingerprint and LED Lights)
Minimum height 1806mm 1920mm 1999mm 1920mm 2000mm 2000mm
Minimum width 778mm 850mm (700mm on plain designs) 949mm 850mm 1000mm 1400mm
Maximum height 2476mm

Manufactured in 10mm increments

 

 2400mm 2700mm 2700mm, can be 2950mm if door is 1100mm wide or smaller 3000mm 3000mm*
Can be manufactured up to 4000mm tall on special request
Maximum width 1208mm 1150mm 1250mm 1250mm, can be 1400mm if the door is 2500mm high or smaller 1500mm 2000mm
European tests results RC2 + PAS24 RC2 + PAS24 RC2 Security

(FD30 when specified)

 RC3 + PAS24 RC2 + PAS24 RC3 + PAS24
Optional threshold packer height n/a n/a 25mm – Aluminium 30mm n/a n/a
Threshold clearance (with standard low threshold only) 15mm 12mm 10mm 15mm 27.9mm 28.2mm
Mobility Threshold (as standard) … Yes Yes Yes (Wheelchair accessible option) Yes Yes
Threshold Height 20mm 14.9mm 20mm 24.5mm 16.9mm 20mm
Door weather seals … 3 1 3 2 2
Glazing Triple Glazed Triple Glazed Laminated Double Laminated on 68mm, Triple Laminated on 100mm Triple Glazed Laminated Triple Glazed Laminated Double Glazed Laminated
Skin Thickness … 1.5mm It’s cross laminated timber with a timber skin. Can range between 5mm-40mm 3.0mm 1.5mm 3.0mm
Anti-Dilation layer (Patented system) … No No Yes No No
Fingerprint keyless entry No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Electronic Tedee Cylinder in Black or Silver Yes Yes No No No No
Arched Door Option No No Yes Yes No No
Electric Latch (compatible with most intercoms) No No Yes Yes No No
Colour Matched Aluminium Cill 150mm projection with a 25mm upstand.  Anodised Silver, Black Textured, Anthracite Textured or White Matt Yes, 25mm high Yes – Aluminium Only Yes, 25mm high – limited colours Yes, 25mm high Yes, 25mm high
Door thickness 64mm 78.5mm 68mm Rebated or 100mm Flush 95mm 80mm 113mm
LED lighting in handle No Yes (Recessed handle only) Yes Yes Yes (Recessed handle only) Yes (Recessed handle only)

* We cannot guarantee an exact colour match on our printed material and recommend that you request a colour swatch, available from Spitfire Doors

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