Frequently Asked Questions
If you don't find an answer to your specific question, call us toll-free
at 1-800-THERMATRU.
General
-
Finishing
-
Patio Doors
-
Warranties
-
Building Codes -
Tru-Defense™
What is the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of your doorlite?
For the impact rated doorlites and decorative doorlites tests to measure SHGC are currently impossible to conduct. As testing laboratories develop test methods for these products we will get the appropriate data. For now, use the default value.
Where can I find insulation (R/U) values for Therma-Tru doors?
Performance data for our doors can be found by clicking here.
Do Therma-Tru products meet the new Texas Energy Code requirements for air infiltration?
The IRC / IECC requirements relative to fenestration products are as follows: Allowable maximum air infiltration rates of 0.5 when tested to ASTM E283. WE ARE AT 0.04
Do Therma-Tru products meet the Texas Energy Code for U-values?
The IRC / IECC requirements relative to fenestration products are as follows: The U-Factor of fenestration shall be determined in accordance with NFRC 100 by an accredited independent laboratory and labeled and certified by the manufacturer. WITH OUR NEW LABELS WE MEET THIS REQUIREMENT. Maximum glazing U-Factors of .90 to .35 (depending on heating degree days) WE MEET THIS REQUIREMENT ALBEIT ANYTHING UNDER .37 WOULD REQUIRE LOW-E Opaque doors require a maximum U-Factor of 0.35. WE ARE AT 0.14 In area's with heating degree-days less than 3500, the SHGC shall not exceed 0.40. WE ARE AT 0.36 OR BETTER.
Do Therma-Tru products meet the new Solar Heat Gain Coefficient requirements in the Texas Energy Code?
The IRC / IECC requirements relative to fenestration products are as follows: The SHGC of fenestration shall be determined in accordance with NFRC 200 by an accredited independent laboratory and labeled and certified by the manufacturer. WITH OUR NEW LABELS WE MEET THIS REQUIREMENT.
What are the Texas Energy Codes?
The Texas Energy Code has adopted Chapter 11 of the 2000 International Residential Code, which corresponds to Chapter 6 of the 2000 International Energy Conservation Code for single-family residential construction. Texas Senate Bills 365 and 5 effectively adopted the IRC state wide in Texas on September 1 last year. On September 1 this year, all municipalities are required to adopt and enforce Chapter 11 of the 2000 IRC / Chapter 6 of the 2000 IECC.
Where can I get the Therma-Tru Florida Building Code Approvals CD-ROM?
We do not offer the CD-Rom any longer, but have all of the current Florida Building Code Approvals and Engineering Certificates available here.
Can I get cut-and-paste CAD drawings of the products?
Yes, the .dxf drawings can be found here.
Are the approvals on your website?
Yes, they are available on the website
here.
What is the u-value of your hurricane door for National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC)?
The only doors that meet the definitions of "fenestration" are the doors with doorlites larger than 22" x 36" half-lites. Therma-Tru has not tested the new hurricane doors. For now, use the default value of 0.55 BTU.hr-1.ft-2.oF-1.
What is the Design Pressure rating of your doors?
Therma-Tru has tested over 75 different entry systems. Doors are not individually rated, but must be rated with the doorlites, astragal, weatherstrip, sill, and jamb systems specified. The results of Therma-Tru's tests are available here.
What is the Design Pressure rating of your sill or threshold?
Therma-Tru has tested over 75 different entry systems. Sills are not individually rated, but must be rated with the doorlites, weatherstrip, sill, and jamb systems specified. The results of Therma-Tru's tests are available here.
What is the Design Pressure rating of your astragal?
Therma-Tru has tested over 75 different entry systems. Astragals are not individually rated, but must be rated with the doorlites, weatherstrip, sill, and jamb systems specified. The results of Florida Building Code Approvals and Engineering Certificates available here.
I have a component approval of someone else’s sill. Can I still use your approval?
No. There is no such thing as a component approval in the Florida Building Code. Therma-Tru has tested its products. If you choose someone else’s product, Therma-Tru cannot warrant the entry and the Therma-Tru approval does not cover that system with the other sill.
If I use a Therma-Tru entry system, does that mean that during a hurricane or high wind that I will not have leaks?
No. The entry system was tested to meet a certain test standard, and selected to meet the particular code in your area. Many other variables, however, come into play. Assuming that your entry was properly installed, and the architect properly specified the performance for wind load (DP rating), water infiltration, and impact resistance, a Therma-Tru system should perform well in these high wind and water situations.
If I use a Therma-Tru impact resistant entry system, does that mean that my glass won't break when debris hits it?
No. The entry system is designed to prevent significant air leakage into the house when struck by debris. Preventing significant air leakage into the house minimizes the chance of the roof being blown off. The glass may break when struck and the door may be severely damaged, but significant air leakage should not occur. Homeowners' insurance should cover replacement of damaged doors, a much more inexpensive solution than replacing the roof and possibly the whole house.
Can a homeowner get an insurance rate reduction for using impact resistant entry system products?
Some insurance companies are beginning to offer reductions in premiums for impact resistant products. See your local insurance agents for details.
Are there other advantages to impact rated hurricane doors?
Yes, they function year-round as increased security against forced entry. Impact resistant fiberglass with doorlites, offer doors that resist rusting in the salt air, as well as reduced sound transmission from the outside.
What are the sound transmission coefficients (STC ratings) of your hurricane doors and doorlites?
STC ratings are done on systems not individual components. Therma-Tru has not measured the STC rating for any of its hurricane products. Use the standard ratings for the non-hurricane, general-purpose entry systems.
How are your frames attached to the rest of the house?
Therma-Tru tested its entry systems with "two-by" buck construction. Therefore, for the approvals to be valid, similar "two-by" buck construction is required. "One-by" buck construction has not been tested by Therma-Tru.
Can Therma-Tru test a configuration, which a builder needs?
Therma-Tru understands the desire of builders to use specific configurations. However, testing and associated approvals cost in excess of $20,000 each. In addition, some configurations just do not work, especially at high wind loads. Therefore, a builder should make the business case to his/her Therma-Tru Territory Manager or distributor for testing of specific configurations.
Does Therma-Tru have shutters for sale?
No. We recommend that shutters be purchased locally. Transportation costs are prohibitive.
What are the warranties on the hurricane doors?
The warranties follow the same warranties for the non-hurricane rated doors: Classic-Craft and Fiber-Classic limited lifetime, Smooth-Star: limited 20 yr, Premium steel limited 10 yr, Construction Series steel limited 2 yr.
Are there hurricane code approved, rated fire door products?
All Construction Series and Premium Series steel doors are 20 minute, neutral pressure rated as well as impact rated to DP 67 when placed in a Therma-Tru 20 min fire frame system. There are not yet any 90-minute rated systems, positive or neutral pressure rated. The neutral rated tests are ASTM E-152, UL10B. The positive pressure tests are ASTM E2074-00 and UL10C.
If I cut my door down in height, can I still be approved?
Yes or no. Minor trimming of the edge of a door to fit will not affect the approval. Any modification that significantly alters the structure of the door (ex. re-railing) will invalidate the approval. In that case it is better to arrange a special order door made to height or modify the opening height into which a standard door can be placed.
Can I put a peep site in my door and keep the approval?
In general, yes. A standard hemispherical peep site would be smaller than the maximum damage hole allowed during an impact test. Think then about the application. The tested ratings of the door systems are essentially completely maxed out. The peep site will degrade the DP rating slightly, so if you want to put a peep site into a door, allow a margin of design error in specifying the DP rating of the door system that you want. For example, if the architect specifies a DP55 system, with a peep site in it select a system that is rated DP57 or higher.
Can I put a mail slot in my door and keep the approval?
In general, no. A typical mail slot is larger than the maximum damage hole allowed during an impact test. In addition, it provides a stress focus thereby weakening the overall door structural strength.
What locks are allowed in the approval?
Therma-Tru qualified using a Kwik-Set brand Grade 2 lock. It will be up to your local code official to determine if any or all Grade 2, GS-161 cylinder locks are permitted.
Can I use a full mortise lock and keep the approval?
No. Therma-Tru qualified using a Kwik-Set brand Grade 2 lock.
Can I use an ANSI T-strike lock and keep the approval?
No. Therma-Tru qualified using a Kwik-Set brand Grade 2 lock.
I need a door for a 130 (140, 150) mph wind zone. Does Therma-Tru have a system to fit my need?
Likely yes; however, all of Therma-Tru's products are rated by "Design Pressure" rather than wind speed. The architect or engineer of record for the project is responsible for and should be able to supply you with design pressure (DP) ratings required for the door system.
What wind zone am I in?
It is best that you contact you architect or builder of record. The calculations are very complex and include (a) the density of housing around the house, (b) the average roof height, (c) the position of the door on the house, and (d) closeness to the shore.
I am buying my Therma-Tru door through Home Depot (Lowe’s or any other big box retailer). I am told that I have to have a DP rating certificate. Do you supply them?
No. It is best that you contact you architect or builder of record. The calculations are very complex and include (a) the density of housing around the house, (b) the average roof height, (c) the position of the door on the house, and (d) closeness to the shore.
Who determines the DP rating for my house?
Your architect or engineer of record. The DP rating for door systems varies on a single house depending on where on the wall the door system is located.
Are transoms rated?
No. None of our transom systems were tested. The reason was primarily economic and the number of transomed units sold in Florida. There is probably no reason why the unit could not yield 'good DP ratings.'
Can I use both shutters and impact rated door systems on my house?
Yes, assuming all entry systems meet their respective Design Pressure, Water Infiltration, and Impact Resistance Ratings.
What is the water infiltration requirement?
In all counties but Dade, the water infiltration resistance requirement is a minimum of 2.86 psi (pounds-force/ square inch). In Dade County it is 15% of the Design Pressure. The 2.86 psi requirement means that an entry must stop an approximately 1.5" column of water. Our sills are that high. Since Dade has DP ratings on the order of 67, the sills need to stop a 2" high column of water. Therefore, there are special sills for Dade installations.
Can I get a public access sill that meets the 2.86-psf water infiltration requirements?
No and Yes. A 2.86-psf water infiltration requirement requires a 1.5" sill. A public access sill may only be .5" high. To make this work, there must be an ADA compliant ramp on either side of the public access sill with the sill raised up at least 1" off of the subfloor.
