I am looking for a nice looking metal door for a commercial application. I do a lot of work for a major restaurant chain and they use oak doors for their entry doors. The problems with the wood doors is unbearable though. The wooden doors in this environment just don’t hold up for the money spent but they like the homey look.
I have been searching around for a better alternative. The door can be any material that would stand up to several thousand uses per week. It should have full glass with divided lites, which may be between the glass.
The client insisted I use a door that they found somehow that had a plastic grid that was installed over the glass. I warned against it and they insisted. it has been a disaster in appearance due to the plastic grid not holding up well to the use and normal abuse. Luckily this is a side door and not one of the main ones.
I have a new product on order for another side exit door and although it might be ok, it is not as nice as I would like for the primary doors.
I would appreciate all input. Thanks!
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I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Pete Draganic
Take life as a test and shoot for a better score each day. Matt Garcia
Replies
Pete,
I installed a Therma Tru fiberglass unit last month. Very nicely built. Big selection.
Contract commercial door suppliers may have some FG with the right ratings for the door, jamb and ball bearing hinges.
Chuck S
We batted the idea of FG around but the Client doesn't think the door will hold up to the heavy usage.All hinges are continuous hinges. We are quitting the use of the heavy duty bearing hinges (3 hinges per door) on all primary entry doors as well as rear kitchen exit doors.Jambs are all welded steel.
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I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Pete Draganic
Take life as a test and shoot for a better score each day. Matt Garcia
Maybe I'm not understanding your specs and desires, but have you checked with Kawneer?
I'm thinking of the 350 medium stile for your application. You can get full glass, and with coordination with a glazer, you should be able to get simulated divided lites (grids between the glass).
I would think a good quality pivot hinge would be more durable and serviceable than a continuous hinge.
Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
That door is similar to what I have ordered for the side exits. However the one you suggest is more plain while the brand I am using has an option for a more decorative stop/trim around the glazing. The problem is that with the insulated glass needed for the divided lite kit, the thickness of the glass means that the trim is unavailable in that nicer profile (too thin) so it gets a plain flat trim. I suppose the best way to describe what I need is a steel door that has some of the charm of a wood door. The steel doors I can get become very plain because of the thickness of the glazing with lite kit. The exterior mounted lite kits are problematic in that they sit proud of the surface of the door and/or they are off a non-durable material.
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I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Pete Draganic
Take life as a test and shoot for a better score each day. Matt Garcia
Like another poster suggested try Fiberglas, client has one with faux wood finish looks great. Not sure how finish would hold up in commercial enviorment. His was a therma thru also
I have built many doors over the years and a few for commercial applications. One of them is still in use after 25 years at a Restuarant in SoCal. I think what makes the difference is the construction, as in full depth mortise and tennons. Brass kick/hand plates help. Finish and exposure is probably the greatest care needed to extend the life.
As for the glass, half light door and the glass has been replaced because the restuarant has changed names a few times.
Another big difference is probably the climate. Here in Cleveland, Ohio, humidity is high and temperature extremes are great. Below zero winter temps vs 90s in summer. humidity usually in 80% range I would guess, during summer.Occasionally a door's construction may fail but typically warping is the biggest problem. Swelling too.The oak doors are expensive to begin with and then figure in the years of repairs to keep them working properly and looking nice. That is another factor in my client looking for another type of door.
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I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Pete Draganic
Take life as a test and shoot for a better score each day. Matt Garcia
Have you tried any of the hollow metal guys in town? I know Steelcraft, Ceco, and maybe Curries make commercial-grade "stile-and-rail" doors for heavy use situations. They're a bit pricey, but nice.
I found one nice door but to get the divided lites, you need insulated glass which means a different trim (read as "plain") around the glass... so it is not as nice.
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I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Pete Draganic
Take life as a test and shoot for a better score each day. Matt Garcia