What does a commercial door installation include?
The opening measured and the frame checked or set, the door hung and prepped for its hardware, and the lock, closer, hinges and any exit device fitted and adjusted on the same visit. The written estimate lists each part, so nothing is left for a second call.
Can you replace the door and keep the existing steel frame?
Often, yes. If the frame is square, anchored and not rusted through at the floor, a new door prepped to match its hinge and strike locations is the cheaper job. We check the frame on the site visit and tell you which it is. A new door in a frame that has pulled loose is a repair call within months.
What is the difference between a hollow metal door and a steel door?
In the trade they are usually the same thing: a door made of steel face sheets over a core. Hollow metal is the industry name. The core can be honeycomb, polystyrene or polyurethane, and the face sheets come in gauges. We state the gauge and core on the estimate.
Which gauge of steel door does my opening need?
Most interior commercial openings take an 18-gauge door. Exterior, back-of-house and high-traffic doors usually take 16-gauge, and 14-gauge is for the hardest-used and security openings. A fire-rated opening also needs a door and frame labeled for its rating. We say which on the estimate, opening by opening.
How long does a commercial door installation take?
A door hung in an existing frame is usually a few hours. A door and frame replaced together is typically a day per opening, longer where the frame is set in masonry. Lead time on the door itself depends on the size and hardware prep; standard sizes ship faster than custom ones.
Do you supply the door, or do I buy it?
Either. We supply and install, or install a door you have already bought. If you are buying it yourself, have us measure the opening and write the hardware prep first, so the door arrives ready for the lock and closer that are going on it.
Do you work with apartment buildings and property managers?
Yes. Unit entry doors, stairwell doors, mechanical room doors and the doors at the trash and loading areas. For a property with several openings we walk the building once and write one estimate covering all of them.
Can the door be prepped for an access control system?
Yes. Tell us before the door is ordered and it arrives prepped for an electric strike, a maglock or an electrified lock, with the raceway for the wiring. Cutting that in later is possible but never as clean.
