Building the Future

WARRANTY & MAINTENANCE

Florida Impact Door Systems Inc. (FIDSI) warrants all door assemblies it manufactures under this warranty (except doors expressly excluded from this warranty) for one year from the date and time of shipment to be free of defects in materials and/or workmanship which would render its products unserviceable or unfit for their ordinary and recommended use. It is essential for the proper performance of exterior wood entries to read through this document in all its parts to understand the various products offered and the conditions required for their successful application. Warranties and limitations described herein extend only to the original purchaser at retail and may not be transferred. In the event of a dispute regarding warranty and/or other applicable issues arising out of any product purchase transaction, all parties involved agree to binding arbitration by a rated arbitration agency with specific industry knowledge and located within Palm Beach County, Florida.

OUR PRODUCTS ARE SHIPPED WITH REQUIRED ‘AUTHENTICATION LABELS’ WHICH INCORPORATE SERIAL NUMBERS NECESSARY TO VALIDATE YOUR DOOR PURCHASE, ALWAYS REFER TO THE SERIAL NUMBER WHEN SUBMITTING A CLAIM OF WARRANTY. TO INSURE WARRANTY AUTHENTICATION, WE REQUIRE THE LABELS BE PERMANENTLY FIXED ON THE PRODUCT AS REQUIRED BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND REFERRED TO IN ANY CLAIM OF WARRANTY.

The ‘Authentication Label’ provided refers to our product approvals which can be found and printed in their entirety from the State of Florida Product Approval on-line site under the name ‘Lag Design of Florida’. In the event a product is judged to require service and falls within the scope of the manufacturer’s warranty FIDSI, at its option, agrees to: (1) repair any door without charge, (2) replace any door without charge in whatever stage of fitting and/or finishing it was originally supplied at time
of delivery, or (3) refund the price received by the manufacturer for the unit in question. However, written notice of any claim under this warranty must be communicated to the manufacturer promptly when discovered. The buyer agrees to thoroughly inspect all products provided by FIDSI at time of delivery by an authorized representative and sign our shipping statement. In cases concerning physical surface damage FIDSI requires photo documentation of all claims. Inspection should be made before installation to validate claims for; surface damage, breakage, or missing parts to be covered by this warranty. If a defect is discovered at shipment, then Installation should be deferred until a determination is made by FIDSI as to the course of resolution. In the case of a defect found during installation or later and is of the nature where the defect could not have been found at the initial inspection (i.e. such as a problem with mechanical operations), notice must be given no later than 10 days thereafter and be accompanied with photo documentation if possible. Documentation through fax, standard mail or electronic mail with time and date are required to initiate a warranty claim. Phone conversations, voice-mails or other audio messages are not considered valid notification. The manufacturer shall not be liable for or required to reimburse costs for doors repaired or replaced without its prior written consent.

Action on any claim for warp or shrinkage may be deferred, at the option of the manufacturer, for a period not to exceed a maximum of 6 months from date of claim to permit conditioning of millwork to humidity and temperature. If a door has been installed prior to such claim being made, the door must remain hung in the original installation during the period of deferment. Issues regarding locks or other mechanical operators supplied to the manufacturer by third parties may be re-directed by FIDSI to those entities for service and resolution. In the event specialty parts were provided and installed by third parties, it shall be the responsibility of those entities and/or their service personnel to address issues first and communicate with FIDSI directly to insure satisfactory resolution. Unsatisfactory operations or appearance caused by failure to follow handling, finishing or installation instructions and recommendations set forth herein may not, at FIDSI’s option, be covered by this warranty.

The utility or structural strength of the door must not be impaired in the fitting of the door by the application of hardware or cutting and altering the door for lights, louvers, panels or any other special details. Alterations by others that affect the good and efficient operation of the original product as shipped, with-out consultation with FIDSI, may void this warranty. At the direction of the manufacturer, the buyer shall return all products directly to an authorized factory location for credit, repair or replacement. Shipping costs for repairs or replacements to and from our factory or from third parties are not covered in this warranty agreement and shall be the responsibility of others unless otherwise agreed to in writing. Florida Impact Door Systems Inc. will not be responsible for and will not pay any cost to remove defective doors or to install new or repaired doors and shall not be held responsible for any related finishing costs or consequential repairs or damage in the effort to satisfy a warranty issue.

Failure to comply with all Handling, Installation and Finishing instructions or recommendations will void warranty.

PRODUCT INFORMATION & WARRANTY

1 – Deflections in Door Panels – Wood doors are susceptible to expansion and contraction caused by humidity and temperature variations. Natural movements of wood include but are not limited to; small surface checking, small joint cracks, raised grain and expansion, contraction or movement of panels; and cannot be warranted against. Warp shall not be considered a defect unless it exceeds 1/4 inch in the vertical plane of a door unit where the height is six-foot eight-inches, 3/8 inch in an eight-foot unit, or 1/2 inch in a ten-foot unit. Warp is defined as any distortion in the door itself, and does not refer to the relation of the door to the frame or jamb in which it is hung. The term warp shall include bow, cup and twist. In measuring the amount of warp present in a door, the following method shall be used. Bow, cup and twist shall be measured by placing a straightedge, taut wire or string on the suspected concave face of the door at any angle (i.e., horizontally, vertically, diagonally), with the door in its installed position. The measurement of bow, cup and twist shall be made at the point of maximum distance between the bottom of the straightedge, taut wire or string and the face of the door. Warranty tolerances referred to in this paragraph cover stile and rail constructed doors only. Warranty against warp does not extend to 2-1/4” thick doors that are wider than 3’6” or higher than 9’0”. Any doors wider than 3’6” and/or taller than 9’0” are excluded from warranty regarding warp. For flush doors see “Addendum A”.

2 – Oversized Doors – Panels over 8ft. in height must have a factory installed multi-point lock OR an approved alternate that (1) restrains the door slab along the strike edge from top to bottom, (2) properly engages approved reinforcing strike-plates, and (3) regularly engages when the door is put into the locked position. When installing large panel doors during dry periods allow period while the door(s) acclimate to the new environment to prevent distortions due to sudden initial climatic changes. approximately 3/16” clearance at strike sides for swelling of larger doors during future damp weather periods. After installation lock door(s) down for a ‘break-in’ (5 day) period while the door(s) acclimate to the new environment to prevent distortions due to sudden initial climatic changes.

3 – Weather Exposure and Proper Installation – Exterior wood doors must be protected from habitually harsh conditions such as direct sun and rain for long life and continuous good operation. For example, unobstructed eastern or western exposures provide ample opportunity for the rising or setting sun to beat down on dark colored doors for long periods daily.

Established industry standards concerning warranty issues surrounding weather exposure default uniformly to the requirement of an adequate overhang as the accepted rule. Overhangs or other means of weather protection must be critically evaluated to counter adverse effects from direct exposure where wood entries are concerned. The standard rule for calculating a proper overhang projection is the distance outward from the structure above the door equal to the distance from the base of the door to the base of the overhang. Alternate means of acceptable weather protection that shield exterior doors can be introduced to provide shade and protect against soaking rains. Please consult with your local door professional or contact FIDSI directly to discuss this important issue before submitting a warranty claim for problems resulting from harsh weather exposure.

When installing pre-hung units, it is important to maintain 1/8” reveals (gaps) between doors and jambs at top & sides to allow for proper hinge and lockset operations. It is important to note that multipoint locks in most assemblies have an anti-slam feature which will not allow lock engagement when the door is in the open position. It is necessary to maintain a proper gap to sufficiently depress the slam latch against the jamb-strike to allow lock operation when door is in the closed position. Lock cylinders will not engage properly if top and bottom shoot-bolts become obstructed and do not fully extend, therefore it is necessary to check and remove debris especially from the lower shoot-bolt strike well so that locking bolts extend completely. Shims used at all screw connections should be installed to avoid twisting the jamb out of square to the door panel. If using provided wood plugs to cover screw holes orient the plug grain in the same direction as the field grain and tap into place using a flat block to keep plugs flush, install without glue if future access is necessary. It is the responsibility of the installer to familiarize themselves with product installation instructions and to follow ‘good carpentry practices’. Depending on seasonal influences it may sometimes be necessary to return to adjust parts of the assembly at some later date to maintain good operation. This is not considered a defect in the product manufacture. Avoid placing cooling or heating registers too near a door to avoid warp, twist, and checking on the panel faces from excessive drying.

4 – Glazed Units – Hurricane impact glazing is performed at our factory using a proprietary glazing method. Our glass is certified and installed in doors made at our factory by our technicians. Glass cleaning may be necessary at delivery and special-order glass may require specific cleaning instructions (inquire when placing order). Small scratches, bubbles or other imperfections in glass that cannot be readily seen when the door is in the upright position are not considered defects. Refer to Glass Manufacturer Association manual for specifications.

5 – Out-of-Plumb Conditions – For proper door operations it is necessary to insure that the jamb legs either side of a double or single door are in-line with each other and are equally plumb or level. If this condition is not met, the door or doors will not meet against the jamb/frame equally and either the top or bottom will appear out of level. Rough openings are often imperfect; therefore you may want to consult with an installer and may need to adjust your jamb depths to compensate for this condition when ordering your door. Out-of-Plumb conditions at the site are the responsibility of the buyer and not warranted by FIDSI.

6 – Radius and Other Millwork Accessories – DO NOT CUT ACCESSORY MOULDINGS before inspecting for proper fit prior to installation. Any part(s) provided by FIDSI requiring alteration or replacement or returned for credit must be received by FIDSI in original condition. FIDSI will not issue credits for return or replacement of parts that have been finished, altered, cut or damaged. If it is confirmed that replacement parts are required FIDSI will endeavor to replace parts on a priority basis, although parts requiring finishes will require extra time.

Generally, ‘spring-points’ in half-circle shapes are located at the radius (radius = 1/2 the diameter) point determined by the unit’s overall width or diameter. Installation of radius casings and other similar mouldings as well as permanent jamb extensions or other attachments should be made relative to this principle. It is equally important to see that the jamb installation is made with the jamb square to the door panel to insure accessory mouldings fit properly. Inspect that all required parts are present and verify their location(s) prior to installation to insure against lost time due to misapplications and the expense of unnecessary replacement due to mis-cuts.

7 – Wood Characteristics, Appearance and Limitations – Our products are built using hardwoods from reputable mills. We do not use wood products containing engineered composites, plywood, or surface veneers unless otherwise specified. Solid wood parts naturally show some grain and color variation from one piece to another. We strive to balance wood colors and grains at assembly and apply finishes to homogenize overall appearance. When millwork is purchased raw buyers must accept that differences wood grains and color variety are relative and part of the beauty associated with solid-wood products. Natural characteristics including small knots and blemishes, variations in grain color and texture, including sap and mineral streak or grain pattern are native to any natural wood species and are not considered defects. Solid wood items assembled and installed in one setting can often look different in another setting depending on positions of light and shading. Small scratches or rub marks on raw wood products that can be removed with light sanding are not considered defects. Work pieces shipped from our factory without finish are sanded to a standard 120 grit. For best results, we recommend sanding to 230 grit to prepare surfaces before applying sealers.

When requested, wood samples are provided by FISDI, finished or raw. Smaller samples show general characteristics and are not intended to imply exact uniformity of the work as a whole. Although FIDSI endeavors to assemble work pieces to avoid extremes in color and grain variation and FIDSI does not extend the warranty to include differences in color or grain appearance. Unless specifically addressed within the purchase contract no exact color or grain match guarantee is made.

Stile and rail doors are constructed using ‘floating panels’ which are constructed from triple laminated solid Mahogany and are guaranteed to be “split-thru-proof”. Separations at stile and rail connections greater that 1/16” inch are considered warrantable. Panels between stiles and rails are designed to ‘float’ and can be re-aligned, subsequently, minor panel misalignments or shrinkage is not considered a defect. Floating panels wider than 16” perpendicular to the grain or longer than 48 inches along the grain are not warrantied against checking or separations on glue-joints. We do not offer warranties on wood Fire Doors due to potential temperature differences and climate on either side of the door.

8 – Finishing – We encourage ordering products to include our factory finishing services. Purchasing our products with our factory finish further insures a harmonious blending of wood colors within the natural palate and well as long life. Our finishing products are proprietary and specifically formulated to deliver best results. Unless otherwise requested in the purchase order, finish sheen defaults are provided in a ‘satin’ luster. Color selection can be made from our stain charts on-line and sample pieces are available through the Dealer. Upon request physical stain samples can be provided and custom finishes are available at additional cost. FIDSI does not recommend choosing dark colors for finishing where doors are exposed to sunlight that may cause splitting in larger panels, checking and panel warp. When units are finished at our factory all parts receive our protective finish coatings which are formulated for elasticity, durability and incorporate UV blocking agents to help reduce the rate of fading. Factory preparation includes removal of all hardware prior to sanding work-pieces to 230 grit and application of stain plus a minimum of 3 sealing coats plus application of a seal coating to the underside of ALL unexposed surfaces to include beneath hinges and strikes, inside all mortise pockets, on all hidden jamb and trim faces to reduce moisture infiltration, and especially top and bottom of the door slab. It is important to recognize that it may not be possible to finish these critical areas of raw millwork on the job-site once your unit has been installed without disassembly of components. Problems due to inadequate finish protection may void portions of the warranty.

Painted doors provided by FIDSI typically receive one coat of prime and a minimum two coats of oil-based paint. Please note that areas on sanded wood surfaces containing course grain patterns will often show through painted finishes. We note that many fiberglass doors now incorporate wood simulated graining in their solid color products as an enhancement. If it is the intent of the end-user to completely eliminate wood grain patterns from showing in the final painted finished product it is necessary for the manufacturer to take additional steps in the finishing process. It shall be the responsibility of the buyer to specifically request the ‘grain-filler’ option on the purchase order to receive the painted finish free of ‘grain expression’, otherwise it will not be considered a defect and/or warranty item. Doors painted black carry no warranty.

When products are shipped without a finish we recommend sealing doors as soon as possible. Units without proper finish protection may suffer from sudden climactic changes or can be negatively affected due to other issues such as oxidation, raised grain, swelling or shrinkage of components, discoloration, panel checks, and panel distortions. FIDSI does not warranty doors against extreme color variations or other appearance issues when finished by third parties. It shall be the responsibility of the purchaser to provide proof of a proper finish within no more than ten days from date of shipment. Doors should not be considered ready for finishing when received. Before finishing, door surfaces must be clean and dry. Standard preparation steps include (but are not limited to) removal of handling marks, raised grain or cross grain scratches, burnishes or machining marks, and any other undesirable blemish by sanding all surfaces in the direction of the grain as well as filling and sanding nail holes where mouldings have been mechanically applied. To prevent imbalances in appearance, the consistency of finish must be applied on both sides of the door(s) equally. After sealing and/or staining, exterior doors must receive at least two coats of high quality spar varnish (or similar product) which should be applied to all surfaces, edges and cutouts for hardware, including under hinges. Lacquers, urethanes, or water based products are not recommended for exterior wood finishes. When painting doors, prime entire door including all edges and cutouts with a high-quality oil-based primer, then apply at least two coats of high quality oil based exterior paint. Exterior finishes can deteriorate relatively quickly depending on weather exposures and must be maintained. Inspect doors periodically and refinish as needed. Edge sealing is particularly important. Primer is not a sealer. Stain is usually applied prior to sealing and should not be considered an adequate sealer. Some species of wood contain a chemical (oak particularly) which reacts unfavorably with certain finishes. Where possible, the surface should be tested for such unfavorable reaction. If doors are stored for more than one week, the entire door including all 6 surfaces (edges, top, bottom, front and back) and cutouts for hardware must be sealed.

Particular attention must be paid when finishing doors with glass. All finish coats must flow from the wood surface of the door onto the glass by 1/16” and remain indefinitely. Occasional touch ups may be necessary.

Parts that are shipped wrapped in bundles or in plastic must be separated at delivery so that the finished faces are not in contact with each other. Our proprietary finishes are designed to remain elastic and cure more slowly than lacquers or urethanes, therefore finish faces may become damaged when stored touching faces together. Receiving the product without a finish may, at the option of the manufacturer, void the warranty against the climactic problems mentioned above in this document.

9 – Proper Storage and Handling – When door products are shipped and stored at the site it is necessary to protect them by following common sense guidelines. Handle doors with care using clean gloves avoiding water, oil and dirt. Do not place millwork in high humidity areas or where they would be exposed to direct sunlight. Cover to keep clean, but provide air circulation around all faces. Do not lean door panels against walls as this encourages warp. Do not wrap doors or millwork in plastic or any material that will not allow the wood to breath. If you must store doors for a short period place them on their long edge with dunnage to prevent contact with the floor and support them in the vertical position at their ends. Doors stored for long periods of time must be restrained on a flat surface. Door units that have been installed into their openings but where there is on-going construction should be protected from abuse and accidental damage by closing and fully engaging all locks, curtaining off and rerouting traffic to other access point. Make sure any protection provided allows for regular ventilation and do not tightly cover with plywood or plastic sheathing or similar coverings as this is likely to cause moisture build-up and may distort the panels.
Parts that are shipped wrapped in bundles or in plastic must be separated at delivery so that the finished faces are not in contact with each other prior to installation.

10 – Care & Maintenance – When wood entry-door units are first installed make sure the door locks are fully engaged overnight or when the door is not in use. We recommend keeping them in full lock-down for a week to adjust to the surrounding environment and level of moisture and allow them to acclimate to their environment. When there is a climatic imbalance, newly installed door panels may move out of alignment to the jamb and/or lock strikes and require corrective action. If your door was received with our factory finish, we recommend applying ‘orange oil’ soon after the initial installation and once a month for the following 3 months, using a 12 oz. pump-sprayer and allow oil to be absorbed for +/- 20 minutes before wiping it off from the interior and exterior surfaces to insure long life and avoid panel checking during dry seasons. Afterwards apply oil once a year or as needed for appearances and to rejuvenate the finish. Larger panels require more frequent applications of oil especially at their perimeters to allow oil to be absorbed at the end grain behind the panel stops. Dehydration during dry-air climate cycles causes panel shrinkage leading to checks and surface splits on larger floating panels, therefore the regular application of light oils to replace moisture mass loss is critical and should become part of a regular maintenance program.

Over the course of time the door finish should be checked for signs of deterioration. If the finish appears to be clouding, dull, cracking at the joints or shrinking, then arrange for additional top-coat applications as soon as possible. A light sanding with additional coats early in the process is less costly and time-consuming than a full strip and sand down to bare wood to restore it later to original condition.

We provide our door products through our network of knowledgeable Dealers and rely on them to provide the correct products, information and service to the end-user. Service issues regarding general installation, operation and hardware as well as claims for warranty repairs and service should be first address to the Dealer for initial inspection and notification. Florida Impact Door Systems Inc has a vested interest in seeing that issues regarding our products are resolved quickly and without unnecessary cost or delay. Our dealers and their customers are valued for the trust and professionalism they put in us.

Wood doors are susceptible to expansion and contraction caused by variations in temperature and humidity. Natural movements of wood include but are not limited to; small surface checking, small joint cracks, raised grain, expansion and contraction, and movement of panels. This natural occurrence of wood movement cannot be warranted against since slight shrinking and expansion may occur under normal conditions and these deviations from perfection are not considered flaws. There are no warranties that extend beyond the foregoing, and the manufacturer’s sole responsibility under this warranty is as stated herein. It shall not be liable for consequential, indirect or incidental damages, or for any amount in excess of the manufacturer’s price for the shipment involved, whether the claim is for breach of warranty or negligence.

ADDENDUM: A
IMPACT RATED SINGLE PIECE LAMINATED MONOLITHIC FLUSH DOOR SLABS
THE IMPORTANCE OF PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE WHEN PURCHASING A FLUSH DOOR

Because of many requests by designers, architects and builders Florida Impact Door Systems, Inc. has taken the challenge to manufacture custom built ‘Hurricane-Impact’ engineered solid-wood flush exterior doors in select species that contain no veneers, composites or lesser quality wood species. Wood varieties whose grain structure and density are best suited for use in exterior millwork offering strength, workability and beauty, tend to be familiar woods such as Mahogany, Oak, and Cherry to name just a few. We begin the process of constructing these unique doors by creating a structural core edge-gluing a combination of full length wood strips and boards into one single piece creating an exceptionally strong core designed to resist bow or twist. The core becomes the foundation on which outer-facing finished single edge and face glued panels are pressure laminated. This results in an extremely strong, unblemished and near seamless outer face.

We strongly recommend installing solid wood flush face door panels only when they are adequately protected from direct sun and rain and sealed and finished at our factory. Overall moisture levels for our flush doors test at an average of 12%, depending on the season (wet or dry). It is important to recognize that unlike stile and rail doors, ‘flush-face’ slabs, due to their greater mass, are considered solid single monolithic panels which expand and contract at much slower rates than stile and rail doors of the same dimensions. When monolithic wood surfaces are exposed to fluctuations from solar heating or moisture they swell and shrink gradually. Prior to purchase careful consideration should be given to settings where exposure to high humidity levels and/or temperatures may make flush doors unsuitable, especially if there are no other mitigating conditions such as full shading or other protections. Fluctuating humidity levels and/or prolonged sun cause natural wood surfaces to first expand and contract when cooled. These fluctuations create surface movement as wood grains adjust from the stresses imposed. Since flush door slabs react slowly to changes in moisture and temperature, pronounced climactic fluctuations encourage the appearance of small random checks, cracks and splits as the stresses of expansion and contraction become too great for the wood grains to slowly self-adjust. The appearance of checks or surface splits does not compromise the structural strength or security of the panel and should not negatively affect operations. Properly placed flush face doors perform admirably when only subjected to slower climactic changes and always benefit from the application of a quality penetrating furniture oil (see Care & Maintenance #10 above). Oil application can help when small cracks first appear by replacing mass lost through drying/shrinking and at the same time helps seal the finished surface to restrict future checking.

We have developed a special finishing protocol that greatly reduces moisture transference and water-proofs the door after the staining process. We offer our standard warranty for our flush doors when we are consulted as to their proper exposure, finish and installation but cannot warrant against small surface checks or splits recognizing the natural forces in play. Instead we offer to repair our ‘Flush-face’ doors for splits and checks at no additional cost when delivered back to our factory location or in the field when possible with special arrangements. Please call for additional info.

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4900 N. Australian Ave
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Tel: (561) 841-8590

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