Hollow metal doors and frames have limitations in high-use, heavy-duty or corrosive environments. In these types of environments they rust, dent and deteriorate. They have so many maintenance issues that their lifespan is considerably shortened. It is a well-known fact that moisture is the enemy of every hollow metal door. Hollow metal doors have a welded design, the seams are visible and have a potential for a gap. The interior of the door will trap the moisture, permitting the door to rust from the inside out. Typically, a hollow metal door will begin to rust the day after they are manufactured. Therefore, metal doors must be painted after installation and the paint needs to be maintained year after year (or sooner in some cases). If the door is not painted on a regular basis the doors will deteriorate. Plus the interior of the door can harbor dust, dirt and bacteria.
Fiberglass doors are the only choice when corrosion is a concern. Fiberglass doors do not break down or corrode the way hollow metal doors do when exposed to water, corrosive materials or heavy usage. Chem-Pruf fiberglass doors are chemically welded assemblies, they have a monolithic design so there are no seams, gaps or cavities for bacteria or dirt to enter the interior of the door. FRP doors are manufactured with a permanent gel-coat finish, they provide a high degree of quality, consistency and reliability and the panel is virtually maintenance free.
Fiberglass door cores are typically electrically non-conductive and therefore eliminate galvanic corrosion, including concerns connected with coastal environments. They can also be appropriate for indoor water exposure in buildings such as car washes or facilities that require regular wash-downs. Do you know where else a fiberglass door should be used? Find out in my next blog!
Chem-Pruf Fiberglass Doors Don’t Rust!
Chem-Pruf Blog 