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Historic Lighthouse Preservation Handbook Part IV. F, Page 1 Historic Lighthouse Preservation: DOORS Tower exterior doors were quite often the focus of historic lighthouses. Together with their functional and decorative features such as steps, balustrades, pilasters, and architrave (trim or molding which surrounds the door opening), they can be extremely important in defining the overall character of a lighthouse. Usually entrances were integral components of a historic lighthouses stylistic design and featured hallmark elements that defined the architectural style upon which the ornament of the structure was based. For example, entrances may be detailed with large raised panel doors trimmed with masonry or cast-iron pediments and pilasters which were associated with neoclassical architecture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The detailing may not be so grandiose but rather simple and utilitarian, such as the plain non-trimmed masonry openings fitted with vertical plank doors associated with the lighthouses built before the Civil War. The primary cause of lighthouse door deterioration is moisture penetration of the various components by rain driven against and into doors, standing water on sills, and interior condensation. In a marine environment, deterioration caused by moisture penetration is exacerbated by extended periods of damp weather, which prevent the door and its components from drying out, thereby encouraging expansion Figure 1. Close-up of large, double-leaf, wood-frame and panel doors at the Cape Henry Lighthouse (second tower), Fort Story, Virginia. WPTC photo Figure 2. View of the neoclassical doorway at the Ponce De Leon Inlet Lighthouse, Florida. WPTC photo

Historic Lighthouse Preservation: DOORS...door configuration at the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse, Florida. ... An example of a typical watertight ‘ship’ style door at Los Angeles

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Page 1: Historic Lighthouse Preservation: DOORS...door configuration at the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse, Florida. ... An example of a typical watertight ‘ship’ style door at Los Angeles

Historic Lighthouse Preservation Handbook Part IV. F, Page 1

Historic Lighthouse Preservation:

DOORS

Tower exterior doors were quite often thefocus of historic lighthouses. Togetherwith their functional and decorativefeatures such as steps, balustrades,pilasters, and architrave (trim or moldingwhich surrounds the door opening), theycan be extremely important in defining theoverall character of a lighthouse. Usuallyentrances were integral components of ahistoric lighthouse�s stylistic design andfeatured hallmark elements that defined thearchitectural style upon which theornament of the structure was based. Forexample, entrances may be detailed withlarge raised panel doors trimmed withmasonry or cast-iron pediments andpilasters which were associated withneoclassical architecture of the late 19thand early 20th centuries. The detailing maynot be so grandiose but rather simple andutilitarian, such as the plain non-trimmedmasonry openings fitted with vertical plankdoors associated with the lighthouses builtbefore the Civil War.

The primary cause of lighthouse doordeterioration is moisture penetration of thevarious components by rain driven againstand into doors, standing water on sills, and

interior condensation. In a marineenvironment, deterioration caused bymoisture penetration is exacerbated byextended periods of damp weather, whichprevent the door and its components fromdrying out, thereby encouraging expansion

Figure 1. Close-up of large, double-leaf,wood-frame and panel doors at the CapeHenry Lighthouse (second tower), FortStory, Virginia.W

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Figure 2. View of the neoclassical doorway at thePonce De Leon Inlet Lighthouse, Florida.

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Part IV. F, Page 2 DOORS

and rot. Other factors that contribute todoor deterioration are poor design,vandalism, insect/fungal attack, settlementover time, paint buildup, and deferredmaintenance. This chapter will concentrateon the operational door components. (Forinformation concerning the door surroundsand associated features refer to theMasonry, Iron, and Wood sections of thishandbook.) This text is concerned with thepreservation of historic lighthouse doorsand their role in preserving the integrity ofhistoric lighthouse. For more informationon designs for recreating missing lighthousedoors, refer to Part V., Beyond BasicPreservation.

Door Types

A variety of door types were used inhistoric lighthouse construction. The

following is a brief discussion of commonhistoric lighthouse door types.

� Wood plank door: A door of one or two leavesthat is constructed of two layers of tongue andgroove wood planks that run vertically on theexterior side of the door, and typically runhorizontally or diagonally on the interior. Theplanks are typically fastened by clinch nailing(nails that are driven through the outside of thedoor and bent over on the inside). The door isusually reinforced with horizontal �battens� atthe hinge locations: a diagonal batten may runfrom the top batten to the bottom batten. Sucha door is typically hung on strap hinges;however, butt hinges may have been used. Thisconstruction method is used to limit theexposure of the end grain in the boards to thetop and bottom of the door.

� Wood-framed panel door: A door of one ortwo leaves, constructed of a frame that iscomprised of vertical stiles and horizontal railsconnected by mortise and tenon joints; theopenings in the frame are filled with flat or

Figure 3. View of the simple pre-Civil-War-stylereplacement plank door at the Ocracoke Lighthouse, NorthCarolina.

Figure 4. View of gothic revival style entrance at PiedrasBlancas Lighthouse, California.

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Historic Lighthouse Preservation Handbook Part IV. F, Page 3

Figure 5. View of the large, single-leaf, wood-plankdoor at the Cape Henry Lighthouse (first tower), FortStory, Virginia.

Figure 6. Close-up of the neoclassical, double-leaf,sheet-iron door at the Cape Charles Lighthouse, SmithIsland, Virginia.

Figure 7. Another variation on the double-leaf, sheet-irondoor configuration at the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse,Florida.

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Figure 8. An example of a typical watertight ‘ship’ styledoor at Los Angeles Harbor Lighthouse, California.

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Part IV. F, Page 4 DOORS

raised panels. This construction method allowsthe exposure of the wood end grain only at thetop and bottom of the stiles.

� Sheet iron or steel door: A door of one or twoleaves, typically constructed of a single sheet ofsteel or iron that is reinforced along itsperimeter with angle steel or iron, either rivetedor welded to the sheet. The door is typically

hung on strap or butt hinges that are eitherriveted or welded to the sheet.

� Watertight steel �ship� style door: This doortype was predominantly used in lighthouses thatwere located in wave-swept locations in openwater and on the ends of breakwaters. The dooris secured by multiple quick-action dogs that areactuated by an interior hand wheel.

Inspection and Evaluation

The first step to repairing historic doors is a thorough inspection of each door unit. Poordesign, moisture, vandalism, insect attack, and lack of maintenance contribute to bothmetal and wood door deterioration. Of these factors, moisture is the primary factor inwood decay and metal corrosion. The following are some common problems to look forwhen inspecting doors for deterioration. (For more information on the deterioration ofwood and metal refer to the Wood and Iron sections of this handbook.)

Inspection Chart for Lighthouse Doors

Look For: Possible Problems:

Wood Doors

Look for areas of paint failure and wooddeterioration

Failing paint may indicate the wood is in poorcondition and in need of repair. Wood isfrequently in sound condition, however, beneathunsightly paint. After noting areas of paint failure,inspect the condition of the wood. Use an icepick or an awl to test wood for soundness in aninconspicuous location. Pry up a small section ofthe wood. Sound wood will separate in longfibrous splinters. Decayed wood will lift up inshort irregular pieces because of the breakdown offiber strength. Plank doors are especiallysusceptible to wicking moisture along their bottomedge where the end grain is exposed. The lowerends of the stiles of a frame-and-panel door areespecially susceptible to wicking moisture throughthe end grain. If deterioration has begun fromwithin the wood member and the core is badlydecayed, the visible surface may appear to besound wood. Pressure on a probe can forcethrough an apparently sound outer layer topenetrate deeply into decayed wood. Thistechnique is especially useful for checking sillswhere visual access to the underside is restricted.

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Historic Lighthouse Preservation Handbook Part IV. F, Page 5

Look For: Possible Problems:

Metal Doors

Look for areas of paint failure

Look for areas of corrosion on all surfaces of thedoor leaf, frame, sub-frame (if visible), andhardware

This may indicate a moisture infiltration problem.Corrosion, typically in the form of rust, will occuralong the bottom edge of the door leaf.

Look for bowing or misalignment of door leaves Deformation could be the result of misuse/abuseor corroding components that have beendeformed by rust-jacking or have simplydeteriorated. Bowing or misalignment will morethan likely prevent the door from beingweathertight.

Both Door Types

This may indicate the paint is at the end of itseffective life span. Damage caused by bendingwill make the less flexible paint fracture and �pop�off the door frame.

Check for gaps or cracks in the joint between thedoor frame and the lighthouse wall

Cracks or gaps are possible water infiltrationpoints.

Examine the sill for a downward slope whichallows water to drain

Without a downward slope, water will collectunder the door causing deterioration or may runinto the lighthouse causing deterioration of interiorfeatures.

Examine all flashing to ensure that water isdirected away from the lighthouse and dooropening

Improperly installed flashing may collect water ordirect water into the lighthouse, causing prematuredeterioration of the lighthouse door, door frame,or interior features.

Check the moving parts of the doors Bound or tight operating doors may simply bepainted shut or may be stuck because ofdeteriorating frame members or bowed leaves, ormay be bound by corroded hardware.

Inspect door units for water entering around theedges of the frame

The joints or seams should be caulked to eliminatewater infiltration. Check the weather seal forcracked, loose, or missing sections.

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Part IV. F, Page 6 DOORS

PRESERVATION TREATMENTSDoors reflect a period and style as well as provide security for a lighthouse. During anypreservation treatment both of these functions should be maximized. Because of character-defining nature of the door and its surrounding trim, all treatments should use the gentlestmeans possible. All replacement materials should be of the highest quality and able towithstand a harsh marine environment.

Many of the maintenance and repair techniques described in this text, particularly thoserelating to cleaning and painting, are potentially dangerous and should be carried out onlyby experienced and qualified workmen using protective equipment suitable to the task. Inmany cases, it is best to involve a historical architect or building conservator to assess thecondition of the door and its components and prepare contract documents for the requiredtreatment.

Protection and Stabilization (Mothballing)Before any preservation treatment is performed, the lighthouse door and its surroundingsshould be thoroughly inspected using the information in the preceding section as a guide.From these findings, a preservation treatment plan can be developed.

Figure 9. View of the Ocracoke Lighthouse five years afterreplacement; note rust streaks from nails. This conditionindicates the paint coating has degraded to the point wheremoisture has permeated the surface.

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Figure 10. Interior view of the modern metal door at theOcracoke Lighthouse before its replacement; corrosion likethis should be removed and the affected areas treated with arust-inhibiting coating system.

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Historic Lighthouse Preservation Handbook Part IV. F, Page 7

When mothballing wood or steel doors, protection of historic fabric and security should bethe primary goals. Treatments for the protection of wood and iron lighthouse componentsduring the mothballing period are covered in the sections on Wood and Iron; thereforethey will not be reiterated in this section. This section will concentrate on lighthousesecurity during the mothballing period.

Security

Lighthouses which have been mothballedusually have the openings on the lowerlevel covered to reinforce entry points. Thefollowing are general guidelines to considerwhen securing doors during themothballing period.

� Make all repairs to the door and frame toprevent further damage during the mothballingperiod. (Refer to the following repair treatmentfor more information.)

� When securing a door during the mothballingperiod, the most important factors to considerare ease of authorized entry and retention of

Figure 12. Typical detailing of a ‘storm proof’ louver fortemporary lighthouse doors. (WPTC image adapted fromdrawing from USCG-CEU Oakland Archives)

character-defining features. The method ofinstallation should not result in damage to thedoor, the opening, door jamb, or frame. If partsof the door must be removed to secure theopening, all parts should be labeled and storedin the lighthouse if possible.

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Figure 11. These louvered doors have been installed atPoint Sur Light Station for security and ventilation. Notethe baffles on the exterior and the screened louvers on theinterior.

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Part IV. F, Page 8 DOORS

Figure 14. A shop drawing depicting the parts of thewatertight ‘ship’ style door. (Drawing courtesy of Cen-TexMarine Fabricators)

For situations where the door has been severelydamaged beyond repair or removed by vandalsor has deteriorated extensively because ofneglect, a temporary, reversible security doorshould be installed. The following are two typesof temporary steel security doors:

Site-built, fabricated steel door: This doorconsists of a steel �C� channel frame set into theexisting opening that is lag-bolted to the existingdoor frame. On the outside of this frame, thedoor leaf is connected by welding the hinges toboth the frame and door leaf. The door leafshould overlap the opposite door frame tofacilitate the installation of an eye that will passthrough a slot in the door leaf to facilitate alock. A steel shroud big enough to facilitatelock operation with a key, but prevent boltcutters from reaching the lock, should bewelded over top of the eye slot. If thelighthouse is not in an area that is to being waveswept (i.e., if the lighthouse is located on abreakwater or pier), the door should be fittedwith screened louvers that are approximately 25percent of the total door area. The louvers

Figure 15. View of watertight ‘ship’ style doorinstallation on the Grand Haven South Pierhead FrontRange Light, Grand Haven, Michigan.

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Figure 13. Site-built steel door at the Turkey PointLighthouse; this solution was chosen because of the remotelocation and repeated break-ins. Note exterior stiffenersand shroud over the hasp and lock.

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Historic Lighthouse Preservation Handbook Part IV. F, Page 9

should be constructed from the same gage steelas the rest of the door.

Watertight steel �ship� style door: This type ofdoor consists of a prefabricated �ship� style door.This door system can be fitted much the sameway as the site-built door. A steel �C� channelframe should be bolted to the door opening; theprefabricated watertight door can then bewelded to the frame. The prefabricated doorshould have six quick-action dogs, an interiorhand wheel, and a flush exterior-socket-locking

� Repair doorways by reinforcing the historicmaterials. Repair will also generally include thelimited replacement in kind�or withcompatible substitute material�of thoseextensively deteriorated or missing parts ofrepeated features such as pilasters, architrave,sidelights, door leaves, and stairs where thereare surviving prototypes.

� Do not remove or radically change a door thatis important in defining the overall historiccharacter of the lighthouse. Do not stripentrances of historic material such as wood, castiron, and brick.

Door Hardware

Historic lighthouse door hardware is notonly functional but also significant indefining the character of the historic door.Lighthouse door hardware such as doorknobs, hinges, keyhole escutcheons, andeven strike plates were often decorativelydetailed with motifs of the architecturalstyle of the lighthouse. When preservinghistoric lighthouse doors, the existinghardware should be retained. When repairsare made to the door, the hardware shouldbe removed for protection or protected inplace to avoid any damage that may beincurred during the repair process. If thehardware is removed, label each piece to

mechanism that can be actuated with a mating�T� wrench. The hinge pin caps should bewelded to prevent disassembly. This door willprovide a weathertight, vandal-proof access thatcan be removed after the mothballing period.

WARNING: When installing either of thesedoor types, the treatment should becompletely reversible and not damage orcause future damage to existing historicfabric.

Figures 16 and 17. Examples of decorative door hardwarefound in late 19th-century lighthouses.

RepairWhen repairing wood or steel doors, protection and retention of historic fabric should bethe primary goal. Here are a few general guidelines for historic lighthouse door repair;refer to the aforementioned sections for more information.

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Part IV. F, Page 10 DOORS

ensure that it is reinstalled in its properlocation.

Limited Replacement In Kind� Replace in-kind door components that are too

deteriorated to repair�if the form and detailingare still evident�using the physical evidence asa model to reproduce the component. If usingthe same kind of material is not technically oreconomically feasible, then a compatiblesubstitute material may be considered.