Winter 2007 Vol 5:2
|
|
||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
AMBICO’s origins in the mid-1950’s, were strongly based on the manufacture and supply of a standard wood door product. A mushrooming wood door market, the onslaught of wholesale outlets and big-box stores particularly home builder suppliers and hardware mega-stores, sent AMBICO on another path in manufacturing “openings” for the construction industry. It became evident that a family-owned, modest-sized, manufacturer could not compete with the “big-boys” who were rolling doors off their assembly-lines by the thousands and selling them at discounted prices through popular home hardware outlets.
When one door closes another opens. How appropriate! AMBICO identified a growing market for “specialized” door and door frame products – openings that were not, literally, run of the mill – openings that met rigid specifications and were required for very specialized and prestigious projects world-wide. AMBICO recognized this demand and switched gears. Today, AMBICO designs, engineers and fabricates the industry’s highest performing WOOD ACOUSTIC DOORS and WOOD BULLET RESISTANT doors. The rest is history and is the story behind a successful, world renowned and specialized door, frame and window manufacturer.
Two Types of Door Products
|
 |
|
As viewed through the window of the paint booth, an AMBICO painter applies a custom stain finish to a number of doors. |
|
|
AMBICO wood acoustic doors achieve the highest STC ratings in the industry, i.e. STC 51. As well, these products can be fire rated in accordance with UL10C, current positive pressure standards. Please click on www.ambico.com/products/w_acoustic.asp for further detailed information on this product.
AMBICO bullet resistant wood doors offer protection for firearms ranging from hand guns to high powered military assault rifles, i.e. UL752 Levels I through VIII. Please click on www.ambico.com/products/w_bullet.asp for further detailed information on this product.
Two Sides to the Story
There are two sides to any wood door, in particular, a performance rated door product: in the manufacture of the door core, the IN side, and, in an entirely separate process, the fabrication of the wood covering of the door, the OUT side. Each plays an important role in the production of a door that will meet the rigid specifications of architects and engineers.
There are numerous steps in the well-researched, painstakingly developed and thoroughly tested processes involved in the manufacture of the door core, and, in an entirely separate process, the fabrication of the outer, wood covering of the door. The final product results from a carefully engineered process where the two “sides” to the story are combined to produce the desired finished product.
The Core of the Matter
The Research and Development Division of AMBICO has spent many years developing and testing the components which, in the correct configurations, result in steel door or wood door and frame products attaining a required performance standard. AMBICO door and frame products have successfully met or exceeded rigorous standards and have been consistently and successfully tested at leading independent laboratories.
Core structures are proprietary. Suffice it to say that the R&D Team at AMBICO has developed steel door or wood and frame products which have performed incredibly in a number of product areas:
|
|
Don’t Judge a Door by its Cover
|
 |
|
Finished doors being prepared for shipping |
|
|
For years, AMBICO has prided itself in the production of beautiful door and frame products which give the appearance of custom, decorative, and architecturally exquisite entry systems – yet conceal the fact that in the door world, they meet the highest standards required for sound attenuation, or security (bullet and blast resistance), or safety (fire codes). In many instances one wood door may combine two or more of these characteristics.
Recently, AMBICO has been developing polyurethane coverings, veneers and stain/paint finishes that are revolutionizing the door industry.
AMBICO coatings meet the performance requirements of the Tr-6 level classification. 40-unit gloss topcoat is considered standard and is carried in stock.
Veneers
Almost any veneer species desired is available, including oak, mahogany, cherry, maple and birch. These veneers can be further customized through ranges of shading from very light to very dark, and even further by actual grain orientation.
The only limitation to the use of veneers is the availability of sheets no larger than 4’ x 8’. AMBICO does not manufacture stain grade wood doors with seams in the veneers -- over time, seams in the veneers have not proved visually satisfactory for the client.
Paint grade finishes allow for wood doors larger than 4’ x 8’ and these leafs can be seamed if necessary.
Stain Matching
|
 |
|
Every door is given personal attention by well-trained professionals in the art of wood finishing. |
|
|
The client’s existing décor is not compromised as AMBICO has developed stain matching to the client’s specifications, with infinite choices available.
Coating
The core for the door and the pre-finished door veneers are assembled through a sophisticated coating process.
Staining is completed once the desired color has been attained – the door covering is then prepared for a clear-coat application (one of the highest level coatings offered in architectural woodwork). This requires several coats and through the use of a process developed in house, the doors are coated seamlessly and free from imperfections. AMBICO recommends factory pre-applied hardware and glazing.
The following grid demonstrates the wide range of choices available in a sampling of veneer options, simply by varying the pigment of the stain. 
[ Return to Table of Contents ]
On Line Education
AMBICO continues its participation in the presentation of On Line Education for architects who are seeking annual certification. The AMBICO course, “Specialized Steel Doors and Frames”, is available on line through the AMBICO web site, www.ambico.com. Architects who qualify for accreditation by taking the AMBICO course receive 1.0 EU (Education Units) towards their certification. For more information regarding this on line education course, please contact Rae Ann McLoughlin or Pat Parker, through the “Contact Us” section of this newsletter.
Lunch ‘N Learns
As an accredited AIA Provider, AMBICO cooperates with architectural firms in presenting “face-to-face” continuing education courses. AMBICO Sales representatives will assist in organizing a “Lunch ‘N Learn”, provide a box lunch, and submit to AIA the names of all architects in attendance, so that they may obtain credits toward their annual accreditation.
For more information about hosting a “Lunch ‘N Learn” contact Rae Ann McLoughlin or Pat Parker through the “Contact Us” section of this newsletter.
[ Return to Table of Contents ]
The AMBICO “Company Store” contains a number of stock items at any given time. These are acoustic, stainless steel and bullet resistant products which are commonly required in the construction of certain types of building, i.e. schools, hotels, institutions, etc. In each issue of the AMBICO newsletter we highlight stock items which may be of particular interest to our customers and which are available for immediate shipping.
If you have an inquiry or request for any item which you may or may not believe to be “in stock”, simply make your inquiry by selecting our e-mail address and forward to the attention of Judah Silverman, Vice-President and Sales Manager of AMBICO at:specialized@ambico.com
Acoustic Wood (STC 50) Door with Steel Frame
Available in single 3’-0” x 7’-0” x 1 3/4” openings.
Doors are available in either birch paint grade, birch stain grade or oak stain grade.Doors are flush, templated for 4.5” x .180” (114 x 4.57mm) mortised hinges, cylindrical (161) lock and surface closer blocking. The units are supplied with all acoustic perimeter seals, door buttons, and thresholds.
Steel frames are available in 5 3/4” (146mm) or 7 1/8” (181mm) jamb depths. Frames with
non-standard jamb depths to suit stock doors will be made to order in 5-7 working days.
In stock doors are ready for immediate shipment and are subject to AMBICO’s unequalled “Expedited Delivery” program.
[ Return to Table of Contents ]
|
American Institute of Architects – AIA – San Antonio, TX – May 3 to 5 – Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center Door & Hardware Institute – Nashville, TN – Oct 15 to 20 – Gaylord Opryland Hotel If you think that it would be worthwhile for AMBICO plan personnel or representatives to attend a trade show, please send us information at: specialized@ambico.com We would be pleased to take a look! |
|||
| ||||
|
Ambico Limited 1120 Cummings Avenue Ottawa, ON Canada K1J 7R8 |
[ Return to Table of Contents ]