Have you ever paid much attention to the entrance doors of shops, hotels, schools and other commercial settings? You’ve probably noticed that they look quite different from the entrance door in your house. Of course, that’s because they’re designed to be used for a different purpose.
Whether you’re currently looking for the right commercial door for your business or just looking for more information about commercial doors, this blog is here to help.
But first, what is considered a commercial-grade door? Put simply, commercial doors are doors that are fitted to commercial buildings and businesses. They’re designed to be more secure and durable as they’re opened multiple times a day. There’s a huge range of sizes and designs, but the most popular are commercial sliding and swinging doors.
Read on to find out more about what doors are used in commercial buildings and what you need to consider when choosing a commercial door for your business.
What is a Commercial Door?
Commercial doors are doors that are specifically designed to be used on commercial premises. They’re usually fitted to retail stores, schools, banks, offices, hospitals and any other buildings that are not residential.
Commercial Doors Features and Specifications
- Durability and strength – whether you go for a commercial aluminium door or a glass one, these doors are designed to be durable and sturdy in order to withstand constant use and different weather conditions.
- Extra security – these doors are designed to be reliable and keep your premises secure, so they often have extra locks to provide additional protection.
- Style and appearance – nowadays, you can choose from a range of types and styles to suit your commercial site’s requirements.
- Fire resistant – while not all commercial doors are made from fire-resistant materials, a lot of them are and there’s a huge choice of those on the market.
What’s the Difference Between a Commercial Door and a Residential Door?
The main difference between commercial and residential doors is their design. That’s because they’re made for different purposes. Have a look at the table below which showcases the main differences.
Commercial Doors vs. Residential Doors
| Commercial Doors | Residential Doors |
| Security – high level of security. | Security – lower level of security |
| Cost – more expensive but reliable. | Cost – cheaper, but less reliable. |
| Material – usually aluminium or glass. | Material – wood is the most popular. |
| Weight – tend to be heavier. | Weight – usually more lightweight |
Who Needs Commercial Doors?
You might think that all commercial buildings need a commercial door, but in fact, not all of them do. If you’re just starting your business and have a small office, then you don’t necessarily need a commercial door.
However, commercial doors would be a good investment if at least one of the following applies to you.
- You’re expecting a lot of customers/clients to visit your premises. The durability of those doors is much higher than the durability of residential ones, so it’s a much better idea to invest in a quality commercial door from the start.
- The security of your premises is important to you. With a commercial door, you can be confident that your shop is safe even when you’re away. Plus, if security is key for your business, why not get a roller shutter fitted in addition to your standard door?
You’d like your business to stand out. Let’s face it, appearance matters, especially in a competitive market. With the variety of commercial door designs available nowadays, you can get one that matches your brand and makes your shop stand out.
What Doors are Used in Commercial Buildings?
If you’re in the process of buying a commercial door, you will have noticed that there is a huge choice out there. Let’s have a look at the different types based on the material they’re made from and the way they’re opened.
Commercial Aluminium Doors
Aluminium doors are a fantastic solution if you’re looking for a secure and durable door which is also easy to customise. You can choose from a range of colours and designs to suit your business needs.
Have a look at our dedicated aluminium commercial doors page to find out more about what makes these a great fit for any business.
Commercial Full Glass Doors
The biggest advantage of glass doors is that they are stylish and more welcoming than standard aluminium and steel doors. However, they’re less safe than other commercial doors, so an additional roller shutter would be particularly beneficial for these types of doors.
Commercial Steel Doors
On the other hand, steel doors are extremely secure, but tend to be less popular because of the sturdier look they usually have. They’re harder to customise, but if appearance is not a high priority, then they can be a great choice for your business.
Commercial Sliding Doors
These doors are easy to use and are more aesthetically pleasing when compared with other doors. Whether you go for an automatic or a manually-operated one, it is suitable for almost any commercial premise.
Commercial Swinging Doors
Swinging doors are popular for their convenience as they can usually be opened in either direction. In particular, they tend to be popular in restaurants, hair salons, cafes and bars, but they can be used for a variety of other purposes.
Top 5 Tips for Choosing a Commercial Door
Now that you know all about the different types of commercial doors, here are some of our top tips for choosing the perfect one for you:
- Decide the material that best suits your business needs. Is safety a top priority? Or is it also important for your shop to look aesthetically well? Figuring that out will narrow down your choices.
- Decide which type of commercial door will work best for your shop. Consider your shop front and also the advantages and disadvantages of each type. Why not pay more attention to the doors used in different commercial premises? It’s easy to experience their ease of use this way prior to choosing the door for your business.
- Decide how much you can spend. Having a budget in mind will save you time when browsing the different options.
- Do your research. Hopefully, this blog has helped with this step, but the more research you do, the more confident you will be with your choice.
- Speak with an expert. Nothing can beat getting advice from people who make and fit commercial doors for a living.
Here to Help You Make the Best Choice
Whether you’re looking for aluminium doors, commercial glass doors, or automatic doors, we have something for you. But, if you’re still not sure which door to go for, get in touch. Here at Sykes, we have over 35 years of experience in the industry, so we’d be happy to help you find the perfect commercial door for your business.
