Cambridge Commercial Common Materials

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Cambridge Commercial Common Materials

The term “commercial doors” refers to those used in buildings open to the public or buildings that house businesses. These commercial options are built to be much more durable and long-lasting than residential choices, since they are subject to much higher amounts of traffic.

There are different doors designed for schools, offices, factories, and stores, and they all serve different purposes. However, what connects most of them is that they are all made from the same few materials.

These are some of the most common:

Wood 

Wood is usually used only on the inside of buildings, since outdoor moisture and temperature fluctuation can cause warping. This can render the application dysfunctional. This material is usually chosen for appearance only, since it is not as secure or strong as other materials. However, due to its timeless aesthetic, it is seen prominently in offices and similar commercial buildings.

Interestingly, a wooden door is not necessarily a solid block of wood. The attractive outward appearance is created by thinly sliced pieces of wood veneer. The pieces are wrapped around a core made from either particle board or mineral products such as vermiculite, which contains no wood at all.

Fiberglass

A favorite of many school districts, fiberglass saves money on repair and replacement costs over the long term. This is because it is one of the most durable materials on the market. Unfortunately, as far as commercial doors go, those made from fiberglass are also some of the most expensive.

These wonders require little in the way of maintenance, yet they still tend to outlast both wood and steel. They are not the prettiest to look at, but they are often used in buildings where durability is a priority.

Aluminum and Glass

Many times, you will find decorative aluminum and glass doors used in the entrances of department stores, boutiques, and beauty salons. This combination is chosen over other materials because it has a prestigious and sleek appearance that never requires staining or painting. They are closely related to steel-framed doors with a bit of a different profile.

There are also full glass options, which are hung on pivots to open and close. These are considered to be dangerous because they are not fire-rated, though they are usually crafted from safety glass to reduce injury if the glass were to break. However, most local building codes still do not permit them.

Steel

Steel is the go-to material for the majority of exterior commercial doors. These are the metal doors that are usually referred to as “hollow,” but they are actually made from steel and wrapped around a core of either resin, foam insulation, or steel stiffeners.

Steel provides factories and warehouses with the highest level of security. The material is also affordable and tough. These doors are typically only used indoors in manufacturing settings where forklifts and other equipment can cause serious damage to weaker doors.

The strengths and attributes of each of these materials allow different types of commercial doors to fill the niche for which they are built. Whether that niche is security, durability, or aesthetics, all of these materials add to the functionality of commercial doors.