Types of Commercial Exterior Doors
Storefront Entrance Doors
Storefront doors are the face of your retail business. They must balance aesthetics, durability, and security while handling hundreds of cycles per day. Key features include:
- Aluminum frames with tempered glass — the industry standard for retail storefronts. Slim profiles maximize visibility and natural light. Thermally broken frames available for energy code compliance.
- Heavy-duty commercial hardware — continuous hinges, panic bars, and door closers rated for 500,000+ cycles. Commercial-grade locks with keyed entry and thumb-turn exit.
- Wide stiles — 5-inch stiles (standard) or 3.5-inch stiles (narrow) for maximum glass area. Custom widths available.
- Weather stripping — brush and vinyl compression seals for air infiltration control. Essential for energy efficiency and customer comfort.
Commercial Wood Entry Doors
For businesses that want a premium, warm aesthetic — law offices, boutique hotels, fine dining restaurants, and professional service firms — commercial wood doors make a strong first impression. Options include:
- Solid wood construction — oak, mahogany, walnut, and custom species. 1-3/4 inch thickness standard for commercial applications.
- Full glass or partial glass options — tempered, insulated, and low-E glass configurations. Custom divided lite patterns available.
- Custom finishes — factory-applied stain or paint with UV-resistant clear coat for exterior durability.
Commercial Steel Doors
Steel doors are the workhorse of commercial construction. Standard for rear entrances, mechanical rooms, stairwells, and industrial applications:
- Galvanized steel construction — 16, 18, or 20 gauge faces with insulated or honeycomb cores. Maximum durability and security.
- Fire-rated options — 45, 60, 90, and 180-minute ratings available. Fully labeled and certified.
- Finish options — factory-primed for on-site painting, or factory-finished in any RAL color. Stainless steel face options for clean rooms and food service.
Commercial Door Security
Commercial exterior doors are a critical security point. Jusen’s commercial doors can be configured with:
- Multi-point locking systems — 3-point or 5-point locks that engage at multiple points along the door edge. Significantly more secure than single-point deadbolts.
- Access control integration — electric strikes, magnetic locks, and card reader prep. Compatible with all major access control systems.
- Reinforced frames — steel-reinforced jambs with extended strike plates. Prevents forced entry through frame splitting.
- Security glazing — laminated glass, polycarbonate glazing, and security films for glass doors. Maintains visibility while resisting forced entry.
- Door position monitoring — integrated sensors for building management and security systems.
Commercial Door Energy Efficiency
Exterior doors are a significant source of energy loss in commercial buildings. Key energy efficiency features:
- Thermally broken frames — aluminum frames with a thermal break (polyamide strip) between interior and exterior profiles. Reduces conductive heat transfer by 40-60%.
- Insulated cores — polyurethane or polystyrene foam cores in steel and aluminum doors. Reduces heat transfer through the door slab.
- Low-E glass — reduces heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter. Required for energy code compliance in most jurisdictions.
- Weather stripping — compression seals, magnetic seals, and door sweeps. Properly sealed doors reduce air infiltration by 80%+ compared to unsealed doors.
- NFRC ratings — U-factor and SHGC ratings available for all Jusen commercial exterior doors. Documentation provided for energy code compliance.
Commercial Door Material Selection Guide
| Material | Best For | Pros | Cons | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Storefronts, offices, restaurants | Modern look, slim profiles, low maintenance, excellent weather resistance | Higher thermal conductivity (mitigated by thermal breaks) | $$$ |
| Solid Wood | Professional offices, hotels, restaurants | Premium aesthetic, custom design, natural insulation | Requires maintenance, higher cost | $$$$ |
| Steel | Industrial, rear entrances, stairwells | Maximum security, fire-rated, economical | Industrial appearance, can dent | $$ |
| Fiberglass | High-traffic, coastal environments | Dent resistant, no rust, wood-grain appearance | Limited custom design options | $$$ |
Commercial Door Installation & Maintenance
- Professional installation required — commercial doors are heavy and require precise alignment for proper operation, security, and weather sealing.
- Quarterly maintenance — lubricate hinges, check weather stripping, test closers and panic hardware, inspect for damage.
- Annual inspection — fire doors require annual inspection per NFPA 80. Document all inspections for code compliance.
- Hardware replacement — commercial door hardware has a finite lifespan. Plan for replacement every 5-10 years depending on traffic volume.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard size for commercial exterior doors?
Standard commercial exterior doors are 36″ x 84″ (single) or 72″ x 84″ (double). However, many commercial projects require custom sizes. Jusen manufactures any size required.
Do commercial exterior doors need to be fire-rated?
Not all commercial exterior doors require fire ratings. Fire ratings are required when the door is in a fire-rated wall or opening protective. However, many commercial exterior doors are fire-rated due to their proximity to exit corridors and stairwells.
What is the lead time for commercial door orders?
Standard lead time is 45-60 days. Rush orders can be accommodated. Large commercial projects (100+ doors) should plan for 60-90 days from design approval to delivery.
Can Jusen provide doors that meet local building codes?
Yes. We manufacture to meet US, European, Australian, and Middle Eastern building codes. Provide your project location during the quotation process, and we will ensure compliance with all applicable codes.
Related Resources
- Fire Rated Door Standards — Expert guide from Jusen
- Soundproof Doors — Expert guide from Jusen
- Commercial Door Code Compliance — Expert guide from Jusen
- Custom Exterior Doors — Expert guide from Jusen
- Custom Interior Doors — Expert guide from Jusen
- Door Solutions for Contractors — Expert guide from Jusen
Related Technical Guides
- Fire Rated Door Standards — Fire code requirements for commercial doors
- Commercial Door Code Compliance — ADA, fire rating & building codes
- Door Solutions for Contractors — Bulk supply & timely delivery
- Custom Exterior Doors Guide — Design & manufacturing guide
- Commercial Building Doors — Engineered solutions for commercial projects
Need Commercial Exterior Doors?
Jusen supplies commercial-grade doors for retail, office & hospitality projects. Contact us for a quote, or explore our construction project door supply services.