Tag: Smith & DeShields

How to Personalize Your Home with Smith & DeShields Baseboards

Posted on February 22, 2023 by - News

Good moulding can make or break a home’s aesthetic appeal, and no store carries a greater selection of baseboards than Smith & DeShields. We offer a vast selection of baseboards to compliment your home décor in varying sizes, styles and materials. Should you not find what you are looking for in our extensive in-stock selection, we are happy to order it for you!

Quality permeates every facet of our business, and it’s no different when it comes to choosing top-quality moulding manufacturers. From modern to painted – here’s how to personalize your home with custom Smith & DeShields baseboards.

Modern Baseboards

Simple. Elegant. Sleek. Low-profile, modern baseboards rise above traditional expectations of curved or rounded baseboards, instead featuring a flat surface. This style better suits homes with a modern design to them but without going 100 percent minimalist. Flat baseboards add a sense of maturity and luxury to the walls without being too elaborate. This look works well with taller baseboards — at least 6 inches or even higher — for added dimension.

Flat baseboards are not just for airy all-white spaces. The style makes a perfect counterpoint to richly patterned wallpaper.

The deep white baseboard provides a bit of a visual break, rather than fighting for attention. Add interest by choosing a slightly curved baseboard beam wider at the bottom than at the top. Or perhaps soften the corners on your basic flat baseboard by finishing them with a length of quarter-round trim.

Painted Baseboards

If a home lacks color, add color down at the floor level rather than opting for a classic white baseboard. A seamless color, no matter what the color may be, helps draw the eye toward fine details throughout the room that you never noticed before.

Architectural Baseboards

Sometimes architectural details like door profiles and window trim are key features that make a room feel rich and welcoming. Architectural baseboards in any home create a functional and stylish design sure to impress all.

Baseboards can be applied, flushed, or revealed. According to Arch Daily, an architectural design website, all three designs create a very unique artistic look. For example:

  • Applied: The most common type, these baseboards are the easiest to install, usually by gluing or nailing them to the wall. When the finish of the floor or wall is not particularly well done, this may be the most appropriate option to provide a better look to the overall interior.
  • Flushed: Unlike the previous option, this baseboard is flush with the wall, without any protrusions. Thus, it fulfills the function of the baseboard without the accumulation of dirt and permits a more minimalist finish. Its installation, however, requires more careful labor and detailing during the project.
  • Revealed: The reveal or floating baseboard creates a negative at the junction between the floor and the wall, giving the impression that the wall is floating. An aluminum profile is usually installed to achieve this effect, which can be painted later. There are some cases where the niche is painted black to highlight the indentation further.

Our Top-Quality Vendors

Choose from our unparalleled selection of doors, hardware, moulding and other architectural accents and building supplies. Many of which are in stock, available immediately, and local exclusives to Smith & DeShields. Quality permeates every facet of our business, and it’s no different when it comes to choosing top-quality moulding manufacturers.

Smith & DeShields

Modern, Painted, or Architectural, trust Smith & DeShields with all your baseboard needs.

For over 65 years, Smith & DeShields has been well-respected for evolving its product lines to match the latest technology, designs, and hardware that stand the test of time. Contractors, architects, and homeowners alike are invited to experience the wide variety of quality products showcased in each of our four Florida showrooms. Visit SmithandDeShields.com to learn more.

All About Exterior Doors with Glass Panels from Smith & DeShields

Posted on January 19, 2023 by - News

While aesthetics are certainly important, your front door should be able to stand the test of time, weather and would-be intruders. At Smith & DeShields, we have a wide variety of doors to suit all your needs, whether it be interior or exterior doors, simple or fancy, impact-resistant and more. With your safety in mind, our exterior doors are Florida building code compliant. We pride ourselves on the quality of products we offer which is why we only work with top-quality vendors. Here is why Smith & DeShields exterior doors are head and shoulders above the rest!


Visibility

Glass panel doors let light travel between rooms, giving you varying levels of visibility where needed. The level of visibility or privacy you achieve is determined by the size and type of glass panels in the door design. Choose clear glass to immerse your entryway with natural light or a decorative or textured glass option to maintain optimal privacy. Smith & DeShields offers different types of glass to allow ranges of light in and creates the perfect ambiance for every entryway. There are many options and patterns to choose from, including:

  • Colonial
  • Diamond
  • Gothic
  • Prairie
  • Radius
  • Uneven
  • Vertical
  • Top-Down

Durability

Exterior glass doors are made with safety glass, known as tempered or laminated glass, to minimize the risk of breakage and injury. Sliding glass doors for patios are made with tempered glass for those same safety reasons. Glass options vary from each vendor, and they are all certified to withstand the test of time – as well as hurricanes — in Southwest Florida.

Quality

All doors from our vendors are built with the utmost quality, whether they’re glass paneled or not. Smith & DeShields hand selects all materials to ensure that our customers are satisfied with every product through to installation. We ensure that our glass is of the highest quality with each and every vendor listed below at Smith & DeShields.

Our Exterior Door Vendors

Exclusive Wood Doors

Exclusive Wood Doors follows a guiding principle that all their exterior doors are built solidly, producing lasting value as a result of exceptional craftsmanship. All of their wood products are made from solid wood with doors crafted in authentic stile and rail construction. Each piece is created individually with alternating grain patterns to ensure balance and stability in every door.

Milwork 360

Millwork 360 offers a variety of exterior doors ranging from sleek and modern to timeless and traditional. Millwork 360 creates custom exterior doors that add instant curb appeal and leave a lasting first impression. Their exterior doors are produced and created built-to-order, allowing them to create a tailored look while maintaining competitive pricing.

Signature Door Inc

Signature Door Inc. has repeatedly brought beauty and quality to the door-manufacturing industry. With technological changes, Signature Door continues to evolve, bringing higher standards of excellence and more customer options to the table with door and glass designs selected to satisfy a wide variety of architectural tastes.

PlastPro

PlastPro recognizes that doors aren’t just doors. They are a reflection of your home. PlastPro offers a variety of doors from fiberglass, to planking and specialty doors to help you find a door that represents you, makes you feel secure and fits your needs.

Therma-Tru

Therma-Tru offers entryway doors that look as good as wood but are more durable. Their fiberglass doors, nearly identical to wood, revolutionized the industry.

MasterGrain

MasterGrain’s premium line of fiberglass door systems components features authentic wood grain replication and combines beauty and high-quality construction to fiberglass doors.

Vintage Iron Doors

Vintage Iron Doors’ products have been approved as the strongest iron doors on the market. They also offer the large, engineered sizes and have an unlimited number of design options.

Clark Hall Doors

Clark Hall Doors offers fully customizable, hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind doors. They range in style from ornate, traditional, contemporary, craftsman and patio style doors.

Smith & DeShields

Because first impressions matter, your front door should be one that leaves a lasting impact; therefore, trust Smith & DeShields.

For over 65 years, Smith & DeShields has been well-respected for evolving its product lines to match the latest technology, designs, and hardware that stand the test of time. Contractors, architects, and homeowners alike are invited to experience the wide variety of quality products showcased in each of our four Florida showrooms.

Visit SmithandDeShields.com to learn more.

The Best Residential Door Hardware for Your Home

Posted on January 11, 2023 by - News

residential door hardware

Hardware is the finishing touch your door project needs, and you will find a wide selection of well-known manufacturers from which to choose at Smith & DeShields. We offer you competitive pricing and the best-in-the-industry experience. Because quality matters to us – and to our clients – we proudly note our top-quality vendors.

residential door hardware


Emtek

Emtek is committed to helping bring your personal style to life. Each order is custom assembled in their Southern California facility. There is no predetermined combination of knobs, levers, rosettes and finishes as customers can mix and match according to their individual tastes.

Baldwin Hardware

Since 1946, Baldwin Hardware has delivered modern luxury to discriminating homeowners, architects and designers through superior design, craftsmanship and functionality.

OMNIA Industries, Inc.

OMNIA Industries, Inc. has supplied the industry with architectural hardware that is stylishly designed yet exceptionally functional since 1964.

Ashley Norton

Ashley Norton is a leading manufacturer of solid bronze and solid brass architectural hardware. Their offerings include door and cabinet hardware in contemporary, transitional and traditional themes.

Rocky Mountain Hardware

Rocky Mountain Hardware offers hardware expertly crafted in America using only the finest art-grade bronze and precision-quality mechanisms. In fact, all products are backed by a lifetime guarantee. Each piece is individually cast for one-of-a-kind character and then given a hand-applied patina that grows richer and more lustrous in response to the environment.

AHI Hardware

AHI Hardware is distinguished by its outstanding design, high quality and competitive pricing. They provide a broad, well-designed range of products that consumers can be proud of which includes an extensive modern line of door hardware for residential and commercial applications.

SIMONSWERK

SIMONSWERK is a leading supplier of high-quality hinges and hinge systems for residential, heavy-duty and front doors. They have been doing business for over 130 years.

Karcher Design

Karcher Design provides an extensive range of contemporary lever designs as well as window handles, door pulls, and accessories. Designs are offered in a satin stainless-steel finish with select designs available in polished stainless-steel or a dual polished/satin finish. German engineering ensures excellent functionality and years of worry-free service.

Schlage

Schlage pioneered the first push-button lock in 1920. For 100 years, their legacy of continuous improvement, attention to detail and obsession with thoughtful innovation has provided its users with peace of mind and solutions for a life and job made simpler.

Unison Hardware

Unison Hardware caters to customers through both residential and commercial lines, and uses superior engineering, precision casting and meticulous craftsmanship in order to manufacture and assemble the perfect hardware for your doors.

Top Knobs

Top Knobs is the #1 manufacturer of decorative hardware for the professional market. Top Knobs’ products are prominently displayed in leading kitchen, bath and decorative hardware showrooms throughout North America.

Schaub & Company

Schaub & Company creates cabinet hardware with passion and expert craftsmanship. Every one of their pieces is rich in design and details that will make your home truly stand apart.

Colonial Bronze

Colonial Bronze has produced fine cabinetry and architectural hardware for over 90 years. Their products are proudly manufactured in the USA so that when you order hardware from Colonial Bronze, American craftsmen and women deliver the finest products you can find anywhere.

Cavity Sliders USA, Inc.

Cavity Sliders USA, Inc. is a premier manufacturer of pocket door hardware. With strict attention to detail from design through production, Cavity Sliders offers sliding door products that are high-quality, reliable and operate smoothly.

All About Door Hardware

Door hardware can serve a few purposes: securing your home, adding beauty, and creating convenience. Many types of door hardware are made specifically for each door in your home or commercial building. Smith & DeShields ensures that all hardware is secured and fitted accordingly to each door. We also determine which lock combinations are best for your home and allow you to select specific styles or finishes that best suit your home or commercial building.

Each lock also offers a different level of security. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) designates three levels. Grade 1 is the highest. Grade 2 offers mid-level security, while Grade 3 provides basic protection. Each vendor offers a unique variety of hardware at all security levels, finishes and styles that are custom picked for you, including:

  • Front Door Entry Sets
  • Electronic Locks
  • Deadbolts
  • Keyed Levers and Knobs
  • Knobs and Lever Sets
  • Sliding Door Hardware
  • Barn Door Hardware
  • Multi Point Lock Trim
  • Door Accessories

Smith & DeShields

Choose Smith & DeShields to help pick your top-quality door hardware today. No matter what your style, we’ve got it!

For over 65 years, Smith & DeShields has been well-respected for evolving its product lines to match the latest technology, designs and hardware that stand the test of time. Contractors, architects, and homeowners alike are invited to experience the wide variety of quality products showcased in each of our four Florida showrooms.

Visit SmithandDeShields.com to learn more.

Professional Builders Share Their Experiences with Poplar Wood

Posted on January 4, 2023 by - News

Poplar wood is one of the most popular wood types commonly used in making furniture, toys, plywood, decorations, cabinets, etc. Even though Poplar is considered a hardwood, its workability is easy as softwoods like pine. Here is what the experienced professionals at Smith & DeShields have learned about working with Poplar wood.

What is Poplar Wood?

Poplar wood is often light in color, with green or light brown streaks running through it. Poplar is uniform and medium in density, making it an excellent option for multiple uses.


There are many types of Poplar, including Balsam, Black, White and Yellow. Smith & DeShields handpicks specific Poplar products from a variety of our top-quality vendors to create the finest finished products available.

What Is Poplar Wood Used For?

Smith & DeShields offers a wide variety of products made from Poplar, such as Applied Panels, Poplar Bases, Poplar Casings, Poplar Chair Rails, Poplar Crowns, and more. Each application is handcrafted for your home or commercial building for a personalized approach to Poplar mouldings and other products.

Poplar is utilized because of its stability, lightweight, and affordability. It is often used for internal components in furniture like sofa frames, cabinet parts, millwork and even trim work. Poplar is commonly used as trim because it is more durable than most woods and is easier to find without imperfections such as knots. Smith & DeShields offers many trim applications made from Poplar to enhance the look of your home or commercial building.

A few other examples of Poplar wood usage are:

  • Built-Ins
  • Baseboards
  • Casework

Benefits of Poplar Wood

There are many benefits with this fine wood, including its availability, its rapid growth and height (which allows for longer lumber pieces), its hardness on the Janka Hardness Value, and its workability, which allows for highly detailed millwork. It is also extremely lightweight making it one of the most accessible hardwoods to work with, and it can also be used inside and outside your home depending on the climate.

With many kinds of soft woods out there, Poplar wood ranks at 540lb on the Janka Hardness Value Scale, which puts Poplar wood higher than pine. Because Poplar is softer than most hardwoods, it takes manipulation with a lather, router, or saw well.

Due to its light color, it is necessary to sand Poplar wood, as well as paint it. Staining cannot be used for Poplar woods. Stain grade Popular is available but as a special order only.

Smith & DeShields

If you are interested in adding custom Poplar wood into your home, trust Smith & DeShields.

For over 65 years, Smith & DeShields has been well-respected for evolving its product lines to match the latest technology, designs, and hardware that stand the test of time. This is why contractors, architects, and homeowners alike are invited to experience the wide variety of quality products showcased in each of our four Florida showrooms.

Visit SmithandDeShields.com to learn more.

How to Accessorize your Kitchen Cabinetry with Beautiful Hardware

Posted on November 18, 2022 by - News

If you’re looking to replace old, dated hardware with new hardware in your kitchen, look no further. Endless choices await you. Knobs or Pulls? Nickel or Brass? You’ll also want to be mindful of previous holes created by the old hardware. These questions are crucial when determining which style of hardware is best for your kitchen. We’ve created a general guide to updating hardware, including some of our favorite hardware shared with you below.

Trends for Kitchen Hardware

You might want to think of the hardware as jewelry for your cabinetry. Getting dressed up and adding jewelry is a way to be noticed and to be the center of attention. New hardware just might be what your cabinetry needs to turn heads. Here are a few modern hardware designs that are becoming incredibly popular in new homes.

  • Matte black finishes
  • Satin black finishes
  • Latches instead of knobs
  • Mixing and matching knobs and pulls
  • Square bar pulls instead of tubular

Handles

Whether your home is fashioned with wood, marble, or ceramic features, there’s an enormous array of options for homeowners. Handles also come in various styles and finishes, allowing you to choose from many possible combinations for your home. Finishes can also come in numerous shades. There’s matte or satin, antique, champagne, traditional, lacquered and more. Some of the most popular are:

  • Glass
  • Brass
  • Chrome
  • Nickel
  • Stainless Steel

Pulls

Choosing pulls over knobs can have many benefits. Firstly, pulls typically are a little easier to use than knobs, which makes them an exceptional choice for homes with fragile or arthritic hands. Pulls can decrease the amount of contact your hands have with your cabinets, which helps to keep your cabinetry spotless, thereby creating less hassle overall. Lastly, pulls are available in a wider selection of designs than knobs. With so many unique designs and finishes, it is easier to give your cabinets a designer touch.

Knobs

Knobs are typically small in size, which gives them a more refined appearance than pulls. If you have stunning cabinetry or a stunning backsplash that you’d prefer to have to stand out, choose a knob that fits the style of your home. No matter which finish you decide on for your kitchen hardware, one thing is sure: each choice offers a unique look and feel. The many options make it easy to find the perfect interior door hardware to suit your taste and décor.

Featured Brands

Smith & DeShields offers you competitive pricing and the best-in-the-industry experience. Because quality matters to our clients and to us, we proudly note our top-quality vendors:

  • Emtek
  • Baldwin Hardware
  • OMNIA Industries Inc
  • Ashely Norton
  • Rocky Mountain Hardware
  • AHI Hardware
  • SIMONSWERK
  • Karcher Design
  • Schlage
  • Unison Hardware

Smith & DeShields

Finding the right aesthetic for your home can be a bit overwhelming, so leave it to the professionals to help you choose the proper hardware.

For more than 65 years, Smith & DeShields has built a reputation around the constant evolution of its product lines to match the latest technology, designs, and hardware that stand the test of time. Contractors, architects and homeowners alike are invited to experience the wide variety of quality products showcased in each of our four Florida showrooms. If you are interested in installing our custom hardware for your home, visit one of the four showrooms throughout Florida, including Naples, Fort Myers, Boca Raton, and Jupiter. Visit SmithandDeShields.com to learn more.

Why Smith & DeShields is the Best Hardware Store in Fort Myers

Posted on November 15, 2022 by - News

Smith and DeShields Retail Displays

Why buy from a national chain when you can purchase quality products from a local supplier that is trusted and reliable? As a family owned builders’ supply firm with over 60 years of expertise, Smith & DeShields is the leader in Southwest Florida for many products, including moulding, cabinets and door hardware.

Smith and DeShields Retail Displays

Located on the west side of Metro Parkway, just north of Daniels Parkway, our Smith & DeShields Fort Myers showroom is well-appointed, with a multitude of displays that allow clients to touch and feel many of our products.

Smith & DeShields also offers a large inventory of in-stock mouldings available for your convenience. We welcome you to take home moulding samples of our products to see how they would look in your home firsthand. Our mouldings, as well as our other products, stand the test of time and offer style, selection, and service for all clients, big or small.

Style

Our Fort Myers showroom offers a vast selection of hardware samples on display. Smith & DeShields specializes in all popular brands and also many smaller, unique lines that can give your home a personalized touch. If you don’t find what you’re looking for on the showroom floor, Smith & DeShields can acquire it from almost any manufacturer worldwide. Our extensive inventory makes Smith & DeShields one of the largest and finest hardware-stocking dealers in Florida.

Selection

At the Fort Myers showroom, you can choose from an unparalleled selection of doors, hardware, moulding, and other architectural accents and building supplies. Many products are available immediately, and local exclusives to Smith & DeShields can be found in stock. Smith & DeShields also offers pricing that cannot be beat, unlike expensive chain hardware stores.

Service

Smith & DeShields’ sales associates are among the best in the industry and are quick to offer valuable advice and insights. They are highly knowledgeable about the many products available at Smith & DeShields’ Fort Myers showroom and they’re ready and eager to help you you’re your architectural products selections that fit your specifications. If you’re unsure what you’re looking for, they are happy to help you explore the various options available so that your decision is an informed one.

Smith & DeShields delivers in Southwest Florida to Fort Myers, Estero, Cape Coral, Sanibel/Captiva, and Bonita Springs, making getting your doors, millwork, or hardware even easier.

Smith & DeShields

If you are interested in installing custom hardware in your home, visit Smith & DeShields, the #1 family owned and operated door manufacturer in South Florida.

For over 65 years, Smith & DeShields has been well-respected for evolving its product lines to match the latest technology, designs, and hardware that stand the test of time. As such, contractors, architects, and homeowners alike revel in the wide variety of quality products showcased in each of our four Florida showrooms.

If you are interested in visiting our Fort Myers showroom, visit us at 1790 Metro Parkway, Unit B, Fort Myers, FL 33966. You can also visit one of our showrooms in Naples, Boca Raton or Jupiter. Visit smithanddeshields.com to learn more.

How to Personalize Your Home with Architectural Millwork

Posted on September 26, 2022 by - News

Wainscoting, trim work, crown molding, and cabinetry — are all examples of custom millwork that can be manufactured directly into the structure of your home. Millwork has been in homes for hundreds of years, taking shape in many different forms. This can also include millwork which is produced in a mill to create wooden detailing, meaning it can add texture and depth. Exude the timeless elegance of fine craftsmanship, create unique storage solutions, and even increase your home’s value. Here are 5 ways to incorporate architectural millwork into your Florida home. 

  1. Columns & Trim 

When building a home, columns and trim can enhance your home with an elegant touch. Millwork can turn any home from ordinary to extraordinary. Baseboards and trim are an easy way to incorporate millwork into your custom home. Installing custom columns can also add distinctive character to a home as interior structural supports, mantels, or even room dividers. 

Trim can be beneficial in more than one way when designing a custom home. When installing trim, it typically is used to cover gaps between 2 areas. Covering gaps creates a more uniform space and can be highly decorative in setting the style and tone. Quality trim is made from treated wood but comes in many different synthetic materials now like plaster, polystyrene, or PVC. Trim and columns tailored to the client’s style can transform a home drastically. 

  1. Built-in Cabinets

Built-in cabinets create functionality with a sophisticated twist on storage. Custom cabinets or built-ins help utilize each square foot of your property. Designing a space with cabinets can add emphasis to a specific area in your home. They can also create a focal point in the center of the room which draws you into the space. Cabinets can be custom installed in your kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, garage and even outdoors. A few built-ins you may generally see in a home include:

  • Bookshelves
  • Cubby storage
  • Benches
  • Kitchen table or booth
  • Under-stairway storage
  • Media or TV units
  • Cabinets
  • Closets
  • Window benches
  • Vanities
  • Office storage
  1. Shiplap, Wood Paneling & Beams 

Wood paneling, board and batten, wainscoting, beams, and shiplap are all exceptional and custom treatments you can easily incorporate. 

Shiplap produces a uniform look and has been seen in the interior design industry for many reasons. This paneling has an eye-catching look that brings elegance and texture to any room. 

Wood paneling can also transition an area because it gives a clean formal feel. There are a few styles of paneling including wainscoting as well as board and batten. Wood paneling can visually break up larger wall expanses while still adding a decorative element. Wainscoting establishes a classic “high-end” look for years to come. 

Lastly, wood beams might be your preferent. With such remarkable size, exposed wood beams bring a visually exquisite feature to the room. Beams intensify personality and charm in your home which creates an effortless design. 

  1. Sliding Doors/Wood Doors

When installing a custom door with millwork, the choice of door ushers in your design style. Beyond conventional doors, millwork doors are custom-made to enhance the look of an entryway. Doors can be equipped with custom glass panels or sidelights. The sizing of the door depends on what can be custom-made to fit the entryway. A broader door allows for larger panels letting more natural light into your space. Doors are the first feature your guests see and millwork will catch everyone’s eye. 

  1. Mullioned Windows

In window design, a mullion is a vertical divider that breaks apart the opening. The technology needed to manufacture large panes of glass was not developed during the Victorian Era. Before that, large windows were constructed by forming small, individual panes of cut glass held together by supportive mullions. Mullioned windows can take shape of a rectangle or square depending on the opening. Acting as load-bearing elements to support an arch, mullioned windows add a cathedral-like finish to any home. 

Smith & DeShields

Adding our millwork can seem like a hassle – but in the end – it can transform your space like you never imagined. 

If you are interested in installing custom millwork into your home, visit Smith & DeShields, the #1 family-owned and operated door manufacturer in South Florida.

Smith & DeShields is home to a wide array of doors to suit all your needs, whether it be exterior or interior doors, simple or fancy, impact-resistant, and more. All of our exterior doors are built to exceed Florida Building Code and are sourced from the most respected vendors.

For over 65 years, Smith & DeShields is well-respected for evolving its product lines to match the latest technology, designs, and hardware that stand the test of time. This is why contractors, architects, and homeowners alike are invited to experience the wide variety of quality products showcased in each of our four Florida showrooms. If you are interested in installing our custom millwork into your home, visit one of the four showrooms throughout Florida, including Naples, Fort Myers, Boca Raton and Jupiter. Visit smithanddeshields.com to learn more.

5 Benefits of Having Fire-Rated Doors in Your Home

Posted on September 16, 2022 by - News

Fire-Rated Doors in Your Home

Fire-rated doors are part of a passive fire protection system and are designed to reduce the spread of fire and smoke throughout a building or structure. ‘Fire-rated’ means that the door, when installed properly, will not combust during a certain time frame in the case of a fire. While time ratings vary, the standard ratings include 20- to 90-minute doors. Fire-rated doors are more common in commercial buildings but installing them in a residential home can have major benefits as well.

Fire-Rated Doors in Your Home

Benefit #1: Contains Smoke

When installing fire-rated doors in your home, the main benefit lies in containing the fire. These specialized doors are built to endure fire, to manage risk and minimize damage. Toxic gases can spew from anywhere in your house, which can cause severe damage to anyone inside. The doors are constructed of a few heavy metals like gypsum which can withstand severe flames. Fire-rated doors also help contain smoke. Installing these doors will allow anyone inside to evacuate before any toxic gases or smoke reaches them and will minimize damage to your home and lower the risk of injury.

Fire-rated doors go through various tests to see if they meet the standards and safety requirements of the National Fire Protection Association 80. The NFPA 80 standard regulates the installation and maintenance of assemblies and devices used to protect openings in walls, floors, and ceilings against the spread of fire and smoke. The rating is the duration for which a passive fire protection system can withstand a fire-resistance test. It is most often a measurement of time. Fire ratings can be 20, 45, 60, 90, or 180 minutes. A third-party agency examines doors to guarantee they meet the requirements.

Benefit #2: Soundproofing

Seeing that fire-rated doors can endure severe flames; they also help insulate a room. Constructed of solid materials, doors are therefore virtually soundproof. With a strong interior core it creates a barrier between you and the next room or the outdoors. The depth of the fire-rated door also establishes how soundproof the room will be. This should allow for a peaceful night of sleep throughout your home.

Benefit #3: Safety with Luxurious Looks

A fire-rated door is great for both safety and aesthetics as fire-rated doors are available in a wide range of finishes and styles. So while diminishing safety risks, you can also create a modern aesthetic in your home.

Benefit #4: Increase Property Value

Installing a fire-rated door can significantly increase your property’s value. The door helps protect property and assets, which in return results in increased value of your home.

Swapping a normal door with a specialized fire-rated door can also help reduce fire insurance premiums because due to decreases in risks within your home.

Benefit #5: Provide enhanced security

It’s recommended that you install a fire door between sleeping areas and places where a fire is  likely to erupt. Most fire doors are interior doors that lead into the attached garage, but other possible locations include the top and bottom of stairwells or at either end of long hallways.

If you have a two-story home, fire doors become even more important, as upper levels can be arduous to evacuate.

Be sure to check local building codes before installing a fire door. They may specify a minimum required rating for certain types of entryways. Consult the National Fire Protection Association for their standards for fire doors to make sure your doors pass regulations.

Smith and DeShields

If you are interested in installing fire-rated doors into your home, visit Smith and DeShields, a family owned and operated door manufacturer in Southwest Florida.

Smith & DeShields is home to a wide array of doors to suit all your needs, whether it be exterior or interior doors, simple or fancy, impact-resistant, and more. All of our exterior doors are built to exceed Florida Building Code and are sourced from the most respected vendors.

For over 65 years, Smith and DeShields has developed a reputation for evolving its product lines to match the latest technology, designs, and hardware that stand the test of time. This is why contractors, architects and homeowners alike experience the wide variety of quality products showcased in each of our four Florida showrooms. If you are interested in fire-rated doors, please visit one of the four showrooms throughout Florida in Naples, Fort Myers, Boca Raton or Jupiter. Visit smithanddeshields.com to learn more.

Learn How Replacing Exterior Doors Can Increase The Value of Your Home

Posted on August 22, 2022 by - News

Exterior doors are truly the focal point of the outside of the home as it is the first and last thing your guests see when coming or going. But your exterior door is more than good design and a great first impression. In fact, replacing your exterior door can have an impact on the value of your home. Here’s how.

Resale Value

When potential buyers visit a home, the first thing they notice is the curb appeal. When they ask, “do I see myself living here?” it is often answered within the first couple seconds of seeing the home from the outside. This is why having a stunning exterior door is so important when selling your home.

Studies show that replacing your exterior front door has an average ROI of 63.8%, according to Remodeling Magazine. Whether you are replacing your exterior doors with steel, wood, or glass – buyers and homeowners alike love this addition.

Energy Efficient

Another example of how replacing your exterior door can increase the value of your home is that the home will be more energy efficient with certain types of doors. No matter where your home is located, it is important that your exterior doors are not losing heat or leaking your air conditioning outdoors.

One of the best types of thermal insulated doors is a fiberglass door. Although more expensive, fiberglass doors offer the best insulation for your home which will, in turn, save money on your electric bill. Other types of energy-efficient doors include steel, iron, or solid wood doors.

Increased Protection

Whether you live in sunny Southwest Florida or the snowy northeast, your exterior doors need to be able to withstand even the toughest of storms. From hurricanes to high winds, your door is the only thing standing between you and mother nature.

This is why it is important to purchase a good exterior door. If your doors are lacking in protection and strength, your home, and your wallet, could suffer after the toughest of tests.

Smith and DeShields

If you are interested in replacing the exterior doors of your home, visit Smith and DeShields, a family-owned and operated door manufacturer in Southwest Florida.

Smith & DeShields is home to a wide array of doors to suit all your needs, whether it be exterior or interior doors, simple or fancy, impact-resistant, and more. All of our exterior doors are built to exceed Florida Building Code and are sourced from the most respected vendors.

For over 65 years, Smith and DeShields is well-respected for evolving their product lines to match the latest technology, designs, and hardware that stand the test of time. This is why contractors, architects, and homeowners alike are invited to experience the wide variety of quality products showcased in each of our four Florida showrooms.

If you are interested in replacing your exterior doors, visit one of the four showrooms throughout Florida in Boca Raton, Naples, Jupiter, or Fort Myers. Visit smithanddeshields.com to learn more.

The No Casing Door Case

Posted on July 15, 2022 by - News

We have seen over the course of many, many years all of the different ways that door frames can be designed and utilized to either improve flow, match the aesthetic of the room, or provide additional functionality such as security, insulation, and sound cancellation. On the other hand, just recently, we have noticed something new! There is absolutely no casing on the doors!

Initially door casings were intended to serve the purpose of shielding and encasing the door hinges within a strong frame. This would allow the door to open and close without causing any harm to the walls or the door itself as a result of the door swinging back and forth. Over time, these door casings would transition from ornate and decorative frames into those that are more flush and unobtrusive. This was done to conform to the more current or modern perspective of today’s design aesthetics. Because people are increasingly working from home, it is important to maintain some semblance of order and eliminate any potential sources of distraction. Door casings are now so flush to the wall that you can’t even tell that they are there.

This new design is much more involved than you may think. Because the door’s frame isn’t visible to the naked eye, companies that manufacture and sell doors came up with a solution that would protect the door and insulate it in the same way that a typical door would be, but would do so in a way that wouldn’t reveal any of the door’s structural components. The result? A casing that is both aesthetically pleasing and technically complex is built into the wall itself. The casing is placed into the drywall at the doorway, taking the place of the framing that would normally go there. Hinges attached inside the casing move and rotate out of the socket from the wall. This allows the door to hinge in and out without the requirement for a frame that is positioned outside of the wall. It is necessary to construct the door frame (jamb) in such a manner that it allows the drywall to attach to it without leaving a visible seam. This can be accomplished by building the jamb in accordance with certain guidelines. Additionally, hinges are utilized that do not protrude. These kinds of hinges are frequently referred to as “hidden hinges” or “concealed hinges”.

While the aesthetic of a door frame with no casing is quite trendy, it is significantly more expensive than a standard door frame. Door frames with no casing must be planned in advance of the construction of the home; otherwise, the drywall will have to be reconfigured to fit the inner portion of the casing.

After the flush door casing installation, the individual who finishes the task should be one with a good skill set and who has great attention to detail in their craft. Otherwise, the end result could fall short of your expectations. If you’re interested in the no casing, casing look, contact Smith & DeShields today. From doors to hardware and molding, visit our 4,000 SF showroom in Naples to view our selection, or call (239) 591-2224 for more information.