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Interest in Frager's patented front door system, the Magnetude® system, is growing rapidly in the Netherlands, according to general manager Franck De Munster. “And those who have applied it once don't want to go back.” With that success in mind, the company is working hard to further brand awareness of the magnetic system.
“In Belgium, our fabricators have been using Magnetude® as a sash covering system for aluminum and PVC front doors for quite some time. With this we solve the warping of doors once and for all,” says De Munster. “The customers are extremely satisfied with it and the application in the Netherlands is now really starting to take off.”
With conventional sash-covering doors that are attached with glue, there is a good chance that the door leaf will warp or jam. The Magnetude® principle works differently. The door panels are attached with magnetic force, allowing the outer panel to move freely in the event of temperature changes. The door leaf remains stable, providing a long service life and lasting comfort of use.
For home builders, this is a godsend. The panels can be installed on the day of delivery, parts are replaceable and door pulls are not continuous in the door leaf. That makes maintenance easier. “If there is ever damage, we can easily replace the element involved,” says De Munster. “With aluminum joinery, you often see cladding contractors spilling cement or mortar on the profiles, with dramatic results. Recovery is then usually impossible. With Magnetude® we can simply renew the panel. That's a huge advantage.”
The system also offers a solution for pivoting doors. These doors move on four sides simultaneously, making them extra sensitive to warping. “In Italy and Spain, pivoting doors are already widely used, and Belgian architects are also showing increasing interest,” says De Munster. “They often also want to integrate LED lighting, high-quality door locks and home automation. With Magnetude®, this is all easy to achieve. The sky
is the limit.”
In addition, the system saves a considerable amount of time. Whereas a conventional system requires milling, degreasing, gluing and drying, this is not necessary here. Assembly is quick and clean, without glue or long waiting times. For the joiner, this means a more efficient process and less risk of errors.
Remarkably, the system is no more expensive than traditional solutions. According to De Munster, it only offers advantages. “The development of Magnetude® began with the desire to prevent warping, but now we can use it to solve many more construction problems. Our system is durable, adaptable and easy to repair. Belgian practice shows that it works, and we are making sure that all Dutch window and door builders also learn about the system.”
