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how does therma tru do it?

lettusbee | Posted in General Discussion on August 28, 2008 07:14am

I recently installed two Therma Tru Fiberglss entry doors for a homeowner who bought them at Lowes.  Both of them had the same problem with the hinge. 

Every time I install a door from the big box stores, or from BMC west, they have problems like the one shown in this picture.  Also, several of the hinge screws were driven at an angle, causing the heads to protrude from the hinge leaf. 

What’s the point of mass producing these things if you can’t provide cnc quality?

The reason I am griping, is because of the consistency of the same types of problems, from every source I use. 

I am picking on Therma Tru because I buy their products the most, and from several different vendors.

Any suppliers out there have an answer?

David

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  1. User avater
    loucarabasi | Aug 28, 2008 11:23am | #1

    That pizz's me off too. Drive a 2 1/2 screw on that one.

     

    -Lou

  2. Piffin | Aug 28, 2008 02:08pm | #2

    That is one of several complaints I have seen consistently in T doors, but to be fair, TT does not sell the mounted door, it is their local distributor who sets them into the jambs.

    Still, with hinges that have an alignment tab I have to think they are using eleven year old minimum wage drunks to place those hinges and screws, as often as this happens.

    Another prob is that the head and threshold pieces vary in length to almost 1/4" diff, with 3/16s being the norm for them, making it impossible to install a door square with both legs plumb

     

     

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    1. BoJangles | Aug 28, 2008 02:24pm | #3

      That's exactly what I find on every one of them.  I show it to the bozo they send out to deal with all the other problems, and he says it's the first time he has ever seen it or he pulls out a tape measure that reads what he wants it to read.

      The last door I put in two days ago had two of the hinges set with the locating tabs on top of the cutout.

      I have to explain to people that it's impossible to install one of these doors with an even reveal because of the way the jambs are constructed.  The metal cladding is a whole other problem.

      They must have 95% of the US market for doors.  I can't even get another brand door from our local suppliers....3 big companies!!

      I can almost guarantee that I will have to spend extra effort trying to fix/repair what they send you.

      You would think they would have run themselves out of business by now.

      1. Piffin | Aug 28, 2008 02:51pm | #6

        Exactly. I refuse to buy TT doors.At trade shows and at the yard, I see their reps and tell them why. They all have that same amazed line, "Reaally? I've never seen that before!" even if I have told the same guy in the past. Selective denial is contagious I guess in their ranks.Even when I have had them replace whole doors for the same problem, they all claim it has never happened before.My other big problem with them has been weakness at the knob cutout allowing the door to flex and bow there. 

         

        Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

        1. frammer52 | Aug 28, 2008 09:41pm | #8

          I used to do business with Bradco out of Syracuse.  They had a doorshop setup and never had a problem.  Bought the same door from other stores, what a difference!

    2. Marson | Aug 28, 2008 02:24pm | #4

      "Another prob is that the head and threshold pieces vary in length to almost 1/4" diff, with 3/16s being the norm for them, making it impossible to install a door square with both legs plumb"That's been a pet peeve of mine for a long time. I've seen it on other brands, including some pricey ones. It's the result of a pretty common theme IMO: getting more and more product out of fewer and lower skilled workers. It ain't like they got Norm Abrams putting those hinges on at the factory.

  3. raymond128 | Aug 28, 2008 02:37pm | #5

    I know how you feel.

    you price out the door install and suddenly you find yourself tweaking and customizing the door so it works well.

    Been there done that. Here is one for ya.

    Bought some exterior doors recently for 2 different jobs. 1 from Home depot and the other from my lumberyard. Both therma tru.

    Both had issues with the latch plate mortise being too small to just drop on the new latch plate for the door knob. Si called the lumberyard and they put me in touch with the supplier. I told them that their CNC router was off by 1/32 · i know it's not much but enough not fit the plate in.. so far since then i think they may have fixed the problem.

    Ray;)

  4. 5brown1 | Aug 28, 2008 04:06pm | #7

    I wouldn't buy a door from them again. Reps have been out two times to try to get the hinges right. The door still rubs at the top side.
    One rep called someone while trying to get it fixed and said "Whoever build this door need a talking too". Great- I'm sure glad I now own it.
    They also have had to replace the glass in the door and both sidelites.
    They must have and incredible markup to cover all the time spent trying to correct errors.

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