Pathfinder Church finds an Easy Way to Update Exterior Entrances
Originally dedicated in 1959, the home of Pathfinder Church has seen a lot of change in the last half-century. A couple of major additions were added as membership grew along with the community, and several minor refresh projects were undertaken along the way. But by 2013, with changes in technology and worship styles, the time had come for a major update to the sanctuary. Included in the renovation plan was the removal of two walls flanking the stage, which would expose to the seated congregation, a view of two emergency exit doors. At some point more than twenty years ago the original doors were replaced with Special-Lite SL-16 Aluminum Flush doors. These doors, while a little beat up, were still perfectly functional, but in their newly exposed locations, they needed to be replaced. Having enjoyed decades of trouble-free service from the SL-16 doors, Pathfinder naturally wanted to stay with Special-Lite Doors for the replacements.
Preparing the Openings for New Doors
The original hollow metal frames were still structurally sound but had shifted over the years to become out of plumb and square. Removing the frames carried the risk of damaging adjoining original brick and block walls, which would require expensive repairs and delays in a very tight project timeline and budget. To prepare the exterior openings for new doors, Special-Lite Insert Frames were used. The insert frame sits inside of, and anchors to, the existing hollow metal frame, which allows it to be shimmed as required to bring each opening back to a plumb and square condition.
The Perfect Door–Either Way You Look At It
With the inside of the new exterior doors immediately adjacent to the pews, our SL-19 Rustic Wood Grain Door was a natural choice, in an oak stain finish to match the woodwork in the sanctuary. But for the outside of these doors, our SL-17 FRP door with through-colored face sheets matching the exterior trim was the better choice. Fortunately for Pathfinder Church, Special-Lite can do that. The new doors installed were hybrid FRP doors that meet their needs perfectly.
Application:
Worship Facility
Location:
Portage, MI
Products:
SL-19 Rustic Wood Grain FRP/Aluminum Hybrid Doors
SL-17 Pebble Grain FRP/Aluminum Hybrid Doors
Insert Frame with Capping System