Best Techniques For Installing Doors In Existing Walk-in Cooler Panels

While the original doors in a walk-in cooler or freezer provide a frame, installing replacement doors or adding new doors to panels in existing walk-ins requires additional support framing.

Standard panel construction merely fills a thin metal skin with insulation, leaving out any rigid structural framing and even structural framing may not be in the required location for properly installing a door. R-Plus doors are available to replace original doors or add additional doors through two different door framing methods.

Double Frames
In a pre-built structure, doors provide their own frame with the rigidity to hold both the door and the surrounding walls in place. Once the door is removed, the walls need structure for the new door. R-Plus doors use a double frame to develop the structure needed to keep the walls intact and handle the stresses of the door weight and movements.

Standard door frames use a single faceplate, usually on the external side of the walls to which the door is attached. This single faceplate attached through the panel’s thin metal skin and into the foam insulation does not have the structure to hold a door securely in position over a long period of daily use.  Double frames are simply an additional faceplate added to the internal walls and bolted with through-bolts. The resulting faceplate-wall-double frame structure provides the backing that is strong enough to bolt a door frame on.

Return Jambs
When a door opening is cut into an existing wall, possibly because of a kitchen redesign or when using a continuous line panel, then a return jamb will help provide structure. Since the door opening is new, the return jamb combines with a double frame to produce the “C” frame needed to provide support, close off the wall interior, and completely finish the door opening. With a complete C frame, the door has the proper support to swing/slide appropriately, close securely, and maintain the interior environment.

Photos Of Door Replacement Using Double Frame

Using the above techniques, R-Plus doors replace old doors in existing soft nose panels and provide additional doors in continuous panel walls. Call Nick Stahl (800-238-4093) to get more details and discuss your door needs.