Home / Professional / Trim Houses, Not Margins / Research Summary
Exterior Door Trim Kit Installation Comparison
Research Summary: Method
To complete the study, Fypon contracted with an independent third party firm, Market Resource Associates (MRA®), to conduct ethnographic research comparing the two systems. Three contractors of varying expertise local to Wauseon, Ohio were recruited to take part in the study, which occurred from 6/15/09 through 6/17/09. The contractors were observed trimming out an exterior door frame using the traditional built-up method and using the Fypon exterior door surround. All three participants stated that they had previous experience in building traditional pine door trim consisting of two pilasters and one crosshead. One of the participants had used Fypon product previously in an interior application, while the other two had no knowledge of Fypon as a brand or material. Note: None of the participants had previouslyworked with the Fypon exterior door surround.
The model set that the contractors used for the study consisted of a two-sided doorway that was pre-trimmed with brick mould. One side of the doorway was used for the built-up method, and the other side was used for the Fypon surround. The model was secured by side panels and fastened to the floor for rigidity.
Analysis was conducted to determine the actual procurement process of materials using the built-up method versus the Fypon surround. Through this analysis, it was determined that the built-up method would take approximately one hour longer than the Fypon surround due to time required in planning the end project look.
All the materials for both the built-up trim package and the Fypon surround were provided to the contractors as well as any tools necessary to complete the project. All the participants were shown a model of the built-up trim that they were to replicate on one side of the model set. To introduce a degree of randomness, two of the contractors began the session by constructing the built-up package, and one started by constructing the Fypon surround.
