Location:
7845 89th St
Indianapolis, IN 46256

Store Hours:
Mon – Fri 8:00 – 5:00
Saturday: By Appointment
Sunday: Closed

To mortise means to rout or groove a space to accept the hinge. When a hinge is mortised correctly, the hinge face is flush on the edge of the door and an the rabbet of the frame. On standard hinges, a 1/16" gap will exist between the two hinge leaves when the door is closed and in the frame.

A solid core door is, as the name implies, one in which the structural inner part of the door is solid. This inner core can be made of a variety of materials. These include a mineral-based material (used in fire-rated doors), particleboard, wood blocks or composition materials. A hollow core door denotes an assembly using strips or other units of material with intervening hollow cells. Whether hollow or solid core, all doors then have face panels on the exterior.

Storm doors can be used, but should NOT be used in conjunction with doors painted or stained with dark colors or in areas of high heat or intense sun exposure. We strongly recommend using a vented storm door which allows the trapped heat to escape, prolonging the life and performance of your door. Improper storm door applications can void the warranty on your entry door.

"Slab" refers to the door without anything having been done to it. It is a blank without hinge prep or door knob prep. "Prehung" means the door has been prepared, mounted on a frame, with hinges, and prepared for door knob and strike

Handing for lever door sets is determined by standing outside facing the door. If the hinges are on the left hand side, you need a left handed lever set. If the hinges are on the right hand side, you need a right handed lever set.

Living finish has no protective coatings, and it is designed to change with time and use. The finish may rub off when it is frequently used and darkens where it is not. This is considered to be a normal evolution of the finish and cannot be considered as a defect. Any item or liquid that comes into contact with the finish can affect the color. With time, living finishes will vary in color and tone, adding character and uniqueness.

Many hardware items are made of pure brass. Brass is a fairly soft metal and it is weatherproof, and can be used inside or outside the house. Brass has to be used with great care around salt water, because this can make it corrode. Brass plated, is steel that has been coated with brass and it is not weatherproof.

A good, vented fireplace will do two things to combat these problems. It uses outside air to fuel combustion. It then vents the resulting fumes and pollutants back outside.

Direct vent fireplaces can expel virtually all of the moisture, carbon monoxide, and other unhealthy byproducts, leaving your indoor air just as clean as when you lit the fire. Newer, more sophisticated models can actually improve your indoor air quality. They can bring fresh air in while expelling the stale and unhealthy. A direct vent fireplace with a heat recovery ventilator will draw fresh air into your home, creating a more comfortable and healthier environment for you and your family. The same ventilator will act as a dehumidifier, actually removing some moisture from the indoor air, thus reducing the risk of mold and mildew.

Unvented fireplaces add to the pollution in your home. The fire consumes indoor oxygen and exhausts fumes, soot, and odors, back into your home. You breathe the end result of this.

Unvented gas fireplaces can result in as much as a quart of water released into the air per hour of operation. The moisture can condense on window glass, making it difficult to see out. More problematically, the moisture can find its way under carpet, leading to mold and mildew.

For these reasons, many builders will refuse to install unvented fireplaces in homes.

Depends on the insert and the fireplace. If you have a masonry fireplace that was built with the home, an insert shouldn't be a problem. If you have a prefab fireplace, you'll need to be more careful. Make sure the insert is rated for use with your model of fireplace. You may need to call the manufacturer of your prefab fireplace to make sure.

Yes, this is actually something you can do yourself. You can buy fireplace mortar in an easy to use caulking tube. Chisel away the old mortar, spray the area with water to get rid of the dust and help the new mortar adhere, and apply the mortar. The first fire will cure it.

Yes. If your house is too airtight to get a good fire going without opening a window, you can install an "outside air kit." This kit draws in air from the outside to help the fire burn, and allows you to keep all your windows closed. You can get this kit from the manufacturer of your prefab fireplace or from a brick yard for your masonry fireplace. Many certified chimney sweeps sell them and will install them as well.

One reason a fireplace will smoke is lack of air. It's easy to check if if that is the problem. Open a nearby window to create a draft and see what happens. If this is the problem, the air coming in the window will feed the fire and allow it to burn hotter and cleaner, sending smoke up the chimney. In an airtight home, you may need to open a window just a smidge any time you have a fire, an upstairs window is best.