Commercial doors come in various forms, from simple sliding doors to elaborate automatic doors. They serve multiple purposes, including protection against weather conditions, security, entry control, access management, and much more.
Choosing the right kind of door depends mainly on the purpose of each property and its surrounding environment. The purpose of these doors varies greatly, from protecting occupants from harsh elements such as rain, snow, wind, heat, etc., to controlling access and providing visual identification. Here are five things to consider when choosing between commercial doors.
1. Durability
Anyone who has experienced or witnessed a commercial door failing to perform its primary function has likely felt discouraged. Commercial doors fail for several reasons: from normal wear and tear to damage from weather conditions, mechanical failure, and more. This doesn’t bode well for the reliability of commercial doors over time.
The choice of material and thickness is essential when choosing durable commercial doors, as it determines how well they will withstand the elements without sustaining damage.
Materials to consider:
- Wood: Weathered and worn-out commercial doors can be re-painted and carried into the next season. However, remember that this type of door will not last forever. Existing flaws may resurface over time, so it is essential to determine the typical lifespan of a given type of wood door. See the best types of commercial wood doors for your business here.
- Aluminum: Although capable of lasting a long time, aluminum is susceptible to corrosion and damage from weather conditions. If proper maintenance is not implemented, aluminum doors can rust in as little as three years under normal weather conditions (not extreme ones). To add insult to injury, aluminum must also be prepared for painting.
- Steel: Commercial steel doors or gates come in a variety of finishes and have the advantage of being easily painted. Plus, unlike aluminum, they are resistant to corrosion. One limitation with pre-painted steel doors is that they do not necessarily reflect light the way wood does and can produce glare, which could be distracting or even detrimental to business operations.
- Glass: With their double-glazed glass panels, glass doors provide a clean look and resist weather conditions. However, remember that glass doors will stain when scratched and can crack over time (although this is not necessarily bad). Most storefront doors are made of glass or steel or a mix of various materials.
2. Security
Security is an essential commercial property feature. It is crucial to consider the security of your doors and what external threats they might face. Doors can be made of various materials, each with its form of security. The choice depends on your needs, budget, and property location. Speaking to a door specialist will help you to make an informed decision about your security needs.
The following are some things to consider for commercial door security:
- Strength: When it comes to the power of your doors, the material and thickness are determining factors for their resilience against external damage. For example, aluminum doors are too thin to be strong enough to resist impact from a burglar.
- Locks: A door with multiple locking mechanisms is more secure than one with only one. If a single lock can easily defeat a burglar, they will have more opportunities to get in. Whether interior or exterior, you need an entirely locking door that preserves your business assets while protecting your workers and customers from intruders.
- Weather: Commercial doors should also consider protecting against weather conditions such as rain, snow, wind, heat, and cold. Untreated wood doors become corroded over time, whereas weather-treated steel does not rust.
3. Ease of Use
It may not be the first thing you think about, but the ease of use of your doors is also important. Facilitating access and making it easy to get in and out of your business is essential to providing a good customer experience. Many doors allow people to enter, exit, and move around a building efficiently. They all have unique features, so it’s just as important to selectively choose one that provides the functionality you need for your business.
- Mechanical or Automatic Doors: An automatic door opening system is an electric or motorized mechanism that allows automatic opening and closing. They have various locking functions that all depend on the kind of door. They are also ” lift-type ” or “tilt and turn” doors.
- Sliding Doors: Mechanical sliding doors handle heavy traffic efficiently by moving smoothly from one side to the other. Their sturdy construction allows them to be used for commercial purposes.
- Reinforced Doors: Reinforced doors can easily withstand the impact of an intruder and can keep them shut, when necessary, without damage.
4. Cost
Not all doors are made equal, so you must consider the cost of different doors. Commercial door manufacturers offer a wide variety of options for your commercial property. Their prices depend on the specific needs of your business, including the location, size, and design.
The materials used to produce commercial doors vary significantly, which will determine how well a door will hold up over time. This is especially true outside—where rain or extreme weather conditions may harm unprotected doors. Depending on the type of material you are looking for, the price will fluctuate.
Installation costs: Commercial door installation costs can increase if they require specialized labor or machinery. Prices will also vary based on the dimensions of a door; this is especially true for taller doors that need extra reinforcement. As a leading commercial door installation company in Phoenix, ASAP Commercial Doors can provide you with quotes for the specific door installation services you are looking for.
5. Maintenance
Maintenance is essential to the longevity of your commercial property, which included commercial door maintenance. Commercial door maintenance can help extend the life of your door(s) significantly. Thinking through day-to-day usage before deciding on the type of commercial door best fit for your business is crucial – while also thinking about maintenance, upkeep, and style. Enhance the longevity of your doors by taking steps in the following areas:
- Purchase a door made from durable materials such as wood and steel.
- If looking to refinish an older door, follow the paint manufacturer’s instructions for proper stain installation during the painting process.
- Seal all cracks and joints with silicone caulk so that water does not seep through them, causing damage over time.
- Schedule annual or biannual maintenance from your local commercial door company.
Doors are essential to most commercial properties, but you can’t just pick a random design and material and hope for the best. You will want to consider your options before moving forward and finalizing what you need. By comparing the best doors on the market, you will be able to find one that meets all your criteria. Also, working with a trusted commercial door company is the most ideal scenario when it comes to choosing the right doors for your business. ASAP Commercial Doors is here to help Greater Phoenix business owners install commercial doors that make sense for their day-to-day business.
