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David Axt
Posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2002 - 01:42 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

When specifying flush wood doors, do you use AWI Section 1300 or WDMA I.S. 1A?

How about stile/rail wood doors: AWI Section 1400 or WDMA I.S. 6A?

What are the differences between the industry standards?
Dave Metzger (Davemetzger)
Posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2002 - 02:05 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Dave:

Specify either WDMA or AWI--not both. AWI is oriented toward woodworker shops, and WDMA toward door manufacturers (tho many door manufacturers note that they comply with AWI as well as WDMA).

We generally use AWI for custom doors, unusual veneers, etc. In my opinion, WDMA is ok for standard flush doors and stile and rail doors for base building doors, but not custom work.

Both are similar but AWI is more restrictive--eg AWI premium grade doors use "AA" veneer faces (which allow fewer defects and hence are more expensive), and WDMA premium grade uses "A" veneers. In that sense, WDMA premium is more akin to AWI custom grade.

There's not a "right" and "wrong" here, just which standard is more suitble for the specifics of a given project. Each has its tradeoffs.
Tommy
Posted on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 10:05 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Same here.
If the project is in AZ, CA, NV or OR and they are custom doors or we want Premium Grade, we will refer to Woodwork Institute of California (WIC) Manual of Millwork. Standard doors are WDMA.
Michael D. Chambers FAIA FCSI CCS
New member
Username: Mcaspecs

Post Number: 1
Registered: 03-2002
Posted on Monday, March 25, 2002 - 06:29 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

The primary differences between AWI and WDMA is in the grades and veneer requirements. Cost difference between AA and A grade veneer is roughly 30%. There are some flitch width differences that could be a issue with certain wood species. As Dave Metzger indicated, spec one or the other.

WDMA has a draft revised IS 1A in review. If approved, it will dramatically differentiate between AWI and WDMA standards. Simply put, WDMA is using performance categories very similar to SDI. It will greatly simplify specifying since it will do away with the need to specify most internal components and materials. It is still in the initial stages, but watch for more news from WDMA.

If interested in more discussion on wood doors, read the wood door article in the February issue of CSI's Specifier magazine. It tries to address key issues that architects and specifiers need to consider when specifying flush wood doors. AWI is going to issue it as a tech data sheet.

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