GE Door Manufacturing has announced the launch of the GE Hygrothermal Doorset – the only UK-manufactured doorset independently tested and certified to meet EN 12219 for hygrothermal performance.
The new product provides verified compliance with the Department for Education’s (DfE) requirements for school doorsets, helping architects, contractors and facilities managers meet official performance standards with confidence.
The DfE recommends that certain school doorsets must demonstrate resistance to hygrothermal effects – the changes caused by variations in temperature and humidity between different environments. Without tested stability, doors can bow, warp, or fail when exposed to these differences, potentially compromising safety, durability and long-term compliance.
The GE Hygrothermal Doorset has undergone independent laboratory testing to the recognised European standard EN 12219, achieving a Class 2 rating for hygrothermal bow. This confirms that the doorset remains dimensionally stable and functional when exposed to the environmental variations typical of schools and public buildings. The result is a doorset proven to perform reliably in real-world conditions, reducing maintenance requirements and ensuring long-term value.
“Hygrothermal stability is a critical but often overlooked aspect of door performance in education buildings,” said Jason Pincombe, MD at GE Door Manufacturing.
“By achieving EN 12219 Class 2 certification, we’re supporting DfE frameworks with a tested and durable solution that stands up to daily use and environmental challenges.”
In education environments, internal conditions vary significantly from room to room. Laboratories, kitchens and changing rooms generate moisture and heat, while classrooms and corridors remain cooler and drier. Over time, these variations can cause untested doors to distort, jam, or fail, leading to safety risks and costly remedial work. The GE Hygrothermal Doorset eliminates these issues by providing proven resistance to hygrothermal bowing, maintaining door alignment and function throughout its service life.
The certified stability of the GE Hygrothermal Doorset also supports the wider performance requirements of fire safety, acoustics and security. A door that maintains its fit within the frame performs more consistently across these disciplines, ensuring safety standards are upheld and compliance disputes are avoided. For facilities managers, this delivers measurable long-term cost efficiency through reduced maintenance and replacement cycles.
Although specifically developed for DfE projects, the GE Hygrothermal Doorset is equally suited to high-use environments across the wider public sector, including laboratories, healthcare facilities, kitchens, changing rooms and other demanding building types.
A new technical information pack for the GE Hygrothermal Doorset will be available for download this week at www.gedoormanufacturing.co.uk/products-hygrothermal.