Commercial doors and door hardware have typically not received much attention during the design process for new construction or renovation projects. But what goes unnoticed most often during design can become an unending chore for the operating staff to keep buildings accessible and secure.
Today the situation has changed. Commercial doors and door hardware are no longer simple, low-cost components. They are now expected to perform more functions beyond simply looking good and locking. And potential conflicts among these functions are not uncommon.
For example, safety requirements for building occupants often are in direct conflict with security requirements for the building. As a result, commercial doors and door hardware can no longer be taken for granted. Facility executives should use the same approach when evaluating door options that they apply in selecting other building systems and components.
Door and door hardware selection goes beyond simply matching components to the needs of the facility. It should also take into consideration the costs associated with maintaining what has been installed. Failure to consider maintenance requirements will result in staff spending too much time and money trying to keep doors and door hardware functioning as they are supposed to.
Consider that poorly or improperly functioning doors and door hardware can easily compromise building security and the safety of the occupants. Additionally, they can negatively impact a building’s energy use and cause damage to surrounding building components, including floors and walls.
Each of these factors should be examined for each application to determine the door’s performance level.
Facility Type: One thing to consider is the type of facility where the door is being installed. For example, commercial doors and door hardware installed in educational facilities will be subjected to an entirely different type and level of use and abuse than doors installed in a typical office or retail building.
Weight And Size Of The Door: One of the biggest mistakes involving door installation is the use of lightweight hardware on heavy weight or oversized doors. Larger and heavier doors require stronger, heavier gauge hardware if they are to stand up to even normal use.
The level of Use: Another factor that should be considered is the level of use that is expected for each door. A typical residential application might be subjected to no more than 20 cycles per day and have a service life of 30 years or more. A typical commercial application will be subjected to hundreds of cycles per day.
Environmental Factors: Doors constantly exposed to high moisture levels, such as in facilities located in coastal areas, should have finishes and hardware that are resistant to corrosion. Without proper protective finishes, doors installed in this type of environment can fail in as little as five years. Commercial door hardware that is not resistant to corrosion can stick and bind, making doors difficult to operate and eventually, damaging the door, the hardware, or both.
Standardization: For maintenance personnel to respond quickly to door issues, it is necessary to stock a range of repair and replacement parts. With standardization, staff can take a limited number of widely used items with them, reducing both response time and maintenance costs. Standardization of replacement hardware components will reduce the size and cost of the inventory that should be maintained and allow facility executives to maintain a minimum number of replacement components suitable for the range of applications that exist within their facility.
Questions about commercial doors and door hardware for your facility? Don’t hesitate – visit us online or call us today and our 5-star rated customer service team will be happy to assist you.
