ThermoSteel Door Hardware Isolates Heat Transfer On Walk-in Coolers And Freezers

Posted in Green Posted in Recommended Reading by mmathews on 08/16 at 12:40 AM

Everyone knows about the need for tight seals on walk-in cooler and freezer doors, now days strip doors are a regularly added measure to keep out heat, but even door hardware can be a point of entry for heat stealing the efficiency.

Using ThermoSteel door hardware backing reduces another point of thermal loss, and electrolytic corrosion, by thermally separating the steel hardware from the finished skin of the door. ThermoSteel combines the strength of steel with better thermal efficiency than wood, a winning combination.

The traditional manufacturing method for fabricating steel door backing for refrigeration hardware is mounting steel backing behind the exterior finished metal skin on the door frame. The door hardware is then attached directly to the exposed side of the exterior finished metal skin and the interior steel
door backing.

Two Long-Term Drawbacks With Uninsulated Steel Hardware
While steel door-backing is the strongest and most durable method to mount refrigeration door hardware, there are two long-term drawbacks. One drawback to traditional steel door backing systems is the steel backing promotes premature corrosion through electrolysis when used with certain exterior finished metal skins, such as aluminum, a very common skin material.

The second drawback is “telegraphing”, the thermal conduction created between two metals contacting one another in cold storage/ambient air conditions. The conduction between these two metals causes them to sweat, eventually staining and then rusting the finish metal on the door and frame.

The ThermoSteel door hardware backing system incorporates the use of 3/4-inch thick Thermo-Lite® insulated boardstock sandwiched between the cold storage door hardware and 10-gauge galvanized backing plates. The remainder of the cavity inside the door and frame sections is foamed in place with urethane foam. The Thermo-Lite board acts as an isolator between ferrous and non-ferrous metals, eliminating any chance for electrolysis to occur.

The insulating value of the Thermo-Lite inhibits conduction from cold transfer between the backing plates and the finished wall metals. This eliminates any rust or corrosion from forming on the exterior finished wall metals. The Thermo-Lite composite material is present throughout the entire door frame section and provides superior strength without the use of conductive materials attached directly to the door hardware.

Call or email Nick Stahl  (1-800-238-4093) for more information on how ThermoSteel works for you.

Add your comment below!

Page 1 of 1 Comments pages