An Entrance With Accessibility Requirements

PRL specifies a standard 10-inch bottom rail for Alumi Door to support accessibility requirements. Final compliance still depends on the complete entrance configuration, including clearances, opening force, threshold and hardware, as well as the requirements applicable to the project.

Sunny Lux does not use the standard Alumi Door bottom-rail configuration. When accessibility is required, its bottom detail, threshold, hardware and operation should be reviewed before the door is specified.

An Opening That Requires Field Adjustment

Sunny Lux provides up to 1/4 inch of jamb adjustment on each side and up to 1/4 inch of vertical hinge adjustment. A qualified installer can use these features to refine alignment, seal contact and locking engagement when minor field variations are present.

Alumi Door also provides adjustment, but the available movement depends on the selected hardware. Top and bottom pivots, hinges, closers, locks and strikes each have their own adjustment methods and limitations.

In both cases, the opening must be properly prepared. The frame should be installed plumb, level and square, with the necessary clearances and continuous perimeter sealant.

Performance and Options That Must Be Confirmed

Both products can form part of a thermally broken entrance, but thermal performance is determined by the complete assembly.

Relevant factors include:

• The door and frame configuration.
• The insulated glass unit and Low-E coating.
• Spacer and gas-fill selection.
• Threshold and perimeter seals.
• Entrance dimensions.
• Installation and perimeter sealant.

Sunny Lux has published performance results for a tested door configuration, including a U-factor of 0.40 BTU/h·ft²·°F. The figures used as an Alumi Door reference in PRL’s comparison materials come from a thermally broken 251DT storefront-framing specimen.

Because the specimens, dimensions and test conditions are different, these values should not be used to rank the products directly. Any required U-factor, air-infiltration rate, water-pressure rating or structural capacity must be confirmed for the exact assembly proposed for the project.

Impact-Resistant Glass

Both doors may be configured with impact-resistant glass, including applicable PRL Battle glazing options. Availability depends on the glass composition, dimensions, weight, door configuration and hardware.

When a project requires a specific impact rating or certification, the glass and framing must be reviewed as a complete assembly before pricing or ordering.

Smart Locks and Access Control

Alumi Door can accommodate various mechanical and electronic access solutions, depending on the stile and hardware preparation.

Sunny Lux may also support smart-lock or access-control preparation, but these components must coordinate with its four-point locking system. Compatibility should never be assumed based only on the lock manufacturer or door dimensions.

Finish and Color

Finish selection can affect cost, lead time and hardware coordination. Clear or dark bronze anodized finishes may be standard for certain configurations, while powder coat, Kynar, custom colors and different interior and exterior finishes can require additional preparation.

The door, frame and hardware may not use the same finish process. Each component should be confirmed before the order is finalized.

Choosing the Complete Aluminum Entrance

Alumi Door is suited to projects that require commercial hardware flexibility, storefront coordination and configurations for frequent use. Sunny Lux is intended for entrances where a fully mitered appearance, insulated glazing, perimeter seals and a coordinated multipoint locking system are central to the design.

Before selecting either product, the project team should establish:

• Entrance size, handing and swing direction.
• Single or double-door configuration.
• Expected traffic and required hardware.
• Glass thickness and thermal requirements.
• Accessibility and weather-exposure conditions.
• Impact-resistant glazing or access-control requirements.
• Finish and color.

PRL Glass & Aluminum can then review the door, frame, glass, hardware and finish as one coordinated entrance package. Contact PRL Glass & Aluminum to determine whether Alumi Door or Sunny Lux is the right fit for your next entrance project.